maintenance PONTIAC VIBE 2007 User Guide

Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 321
Tires............................................................ 322
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 323
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 326
Ination - Tire Pressure............................. 329
Tire Pressure Monitor System................... 330
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 333
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 335
Buying New Tires...................................... 336
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 337
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 338
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 339
Wheel Replacement.................................. 340
Tire Chains............................................... 341
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 342
Changing a Flat Tire................................. 343
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools.......... 344
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire............................................. 346
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...... 351
Compact Spare Tire.................................. 354Appearance Care........................................ 354
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 354
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 356
Leather...................................................... 356
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces..................................... 357
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 357
Weatherstrips............................................ 358
Washing Your Vehicle............................... 358
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 358
Finish Care............................................... 358
Windshield, Backglass, and
Wiper Blades......................................... 359
Aluminum Wheels...................................... 359
Tires......................................................... 360
Sheet Metal Damage................................. 360
Finish Damage.......................................... 361
Underbody Maintenance............................ 361
Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 361
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials............ 362
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
270

Vehicle Identication.................................. 363
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)........... 363
Service Parts Identication Label............... 363
Electrical System........................................ 364
Add-On Electrical Equipment..................... 364
Headlamp Wiring....................................... 364
Windshield Wiper Fuses............................ 364
Power Windows and Other Power
Options.................................................. 364Fuses and Circuit Breakers....................... 365
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..................... 365
Engine Compartment Fuse Block............... 367
Capacities and Specications.................... 369
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts... 370
Engine Drive Belt Routing......................... 371
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
271

California Proposition 65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this one, contain
and/or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Engine exhaust, many parts and
systems (including some inside the vehicle), many
uids, and some component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these chemicals.
Doing Your Own Service Work
{CAUTION:
You can be injured and your vehicle could
be damaged if you try to do service work
on a vehicle without knowing enough
about it.
Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement
parts, and tools before you attempt any
vehicle maintenance task.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts,
and other fasteners. English and
metric fasteners can be easily
confused. If you use the wrong
fasteners, parts can later break or fall
off. You could be hurt.
If you want to do some of your own service work,
you will want to use the proper service manual.
It tells you much more about how to service your
vehicle than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 417.
Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before
attempting to do your own service work, see
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 80.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of any service
work you perform. SeePart E: Maintenance
Record on page 396.
273

Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your
vehicle can affect the airow around it. This may
cause wind noise and affect windshield washer
performance. Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part
of the proper maintenance of your vehicle. To
help keep the engine clean and maintain optimum
vehicle performance, GM recommends the use
of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline.
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating
is less than 87, you may notice an audible
knocking noise when you drive, commonly referred
to as spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible. If
you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, your engine
needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specication D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 in Canada. Some gasolines may
contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT). General Motors recommends against the
use of gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives
on page 275for additional information.
274

If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommend that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both provide
easier cold starting and better protection for
the engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM
Standard GM6094M are all you need for good
performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil
Change the oil and lter every 5,000 miles
(8 000 km) or 3 months, whichever occurs rst.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 377.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may
be unhealthy for your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very
long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly
dispose of clothing or rags containing used engine
oil. See the manufacturer’s warnings about the use
and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from
the lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used
oil. If you have a problem properly disposing of
used oil, ask your dealer, a service station, or a
local recycling center for help.
287

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/lter is in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 282
for more information on location.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
If you are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect
the air cleaner/lter at each engine oil change.
Replace the lter every 30,000 miles (48 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. See
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services on
page 376for more information.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter remove the lter
from the vehicle and lightly shake the lter to
release loose dust and dirt. If the lter remains
caked with dirt, a new lter is required.
288

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transaxle
uid level is when the engine oil is changed.
Check the uid in the transaxle and differential
at the intervals listed inPart A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services on page 376, and
be sure to use the transaxle uid listed in
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 394.
How to Check Automatic Transaxle
Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading
on the dipstick.Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage
the transaxle. Too much can mean that some of
the uid could come out and fall on hot engine
or exhaust system parts, starting a re. Too
little uid could cause the transaxle to overheat.
Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check
the transaxle uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transaxle uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F
(32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the uid should be at
normal operating temperature, which is 158°F to
176°F (70°C to 80°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are
above 50°F (10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C),
you may have to drive longer.
290

How to Add Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of transaxle uid to use.
SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 394.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the
proper uid to bring the level into the area between
dimples on the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at
the dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally less
than one pint (0.5 L). Do not overll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transaxle uid may damage your vehicle, and
the damages may not be covered by your
warranty. Always use the automatic transaxle
uid listed inPart D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 394.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transaxle Fluid,” earlier in this section.4. When the correct uid level is obtained, push
the dipstick back in all the way; then press the
tab down to lock the dipstick in place.
Manual Transaxle Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have your manual transaxle uid
level checked is when the engine oil is changed.
However, the uid in your manual transaxle
does not require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your Pontiac
dealership service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage
the transaxle. Too much can mean that some of
the uid could come out and fall on hot engine
or exhaust system parts, starting a re. Too
little uid could cause the transaxle to overheat.
Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check
the transaxle uid.
292

Check the uid level only when your engine is off,
the vehicle is parked on a level place and the
transaxle is cool enough for you to rest your
ngers on the transaxle case.
Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the ller plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the
bottom of the ller plug hole.
3. If the uid level is good, install the plug and be
sure it is fully seated. If the uid level is low,
add more uid as described in the next steps.
How to Add Fluid
Here is how to add uid. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what kind of uid to use.
SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 394.
1. Remove the ller plug.
2. Add uid at the ller plug hole. Add only
enough uid to bring the uid level up to
the bottom of the ller plug hole.
3. Install the ller plug. Be sure the plug is fully
seated.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. The master cylinder reservoir
is lled with DOT-3 brake uid.
It is not necessary to regularly check the uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system.
Adding uid will not correct a leak.
The hydraulic clutch and brake master cylinder
use the same reservoir.
A uid loss in this system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired.
293

When to Check and What to Use
The reservoir is located
at the back of the
engine compartment, on
the driver’s side of
the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 282for
more information on
location.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
how often you should check the uid level in
your master cylinder reservoir and for the proper
uid. SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services
on page 386andPart D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 394.
How to Check and Add Fluid
Check to make sure that the uid level is at or
above the MIN mark. If the level is below the MIN
mark, see the instructions on the reservoir cap.
Engine Coolant
Your vehicle was factory-lled with a coolant
developed to last for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst. When
coolant is added or changed, use DEX-COOL
®
coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 297.
294