maintenance PONTIAC VIBE 2007 Owners Manual

Tires
..................................................... 322
Appearance Care
.................................. 354
Vehicle Identication
............................. 363
Electrical System
.................................. 364
Capacities and Specications
................ 369
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
............................ 370Maintenance Schedule
.............................. 373
Maintenance Schedule
.......................... 374
Customer Assistance Information
............. 399
Customer Assistance and Information
... 400
Reporting Safety Defects
...................... 416
Index
.......................................................... 419
2

Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be
serviced. There are parts of the airbag system in
several places around your vehicle. You do
not want the system to inate while someone is
working on your vehicle. Your dealer and the
service manual have information about servicing
your vehicle and the airbag system. To purchase a
service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 417.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds, after the ignition is
turned off and the battery is disconnected,
an airbag can still inate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are
close to an airbag when it inates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are probably part
of the airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and make sure
the person performing work for you is
qualied to do so.
The airbag system does not need regular
maintenance.
80

Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder
light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates,
retractors and anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety
belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have
it repaired. Keep safety belts clean and dry.
SeeCare of Safety Belts on page 357for more
information.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in
a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken airbag
covers, and have them repaired or replaced.
(The airbag system does not need regular
maintenance.)Notice:If you damage the covering for the
driver’s or the right front passenger’s airbag, or
the airbag covering on the driver’s and right
front passenger’s seatback (if equipped), or the
side impact airbag covering on the ceiling near
the side windows (if equipped), the bag may not
work properly. You may have to replace the
airbag module in the steering wheel, both the
airbag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s airbag, the airbag
module and seatback for the driver’s and right
front passenger’s seat-mounted side impact
airbags (if equipped), or side impact airbag
module and ceiling covering for the
roof-mounted side impact airbags (if equipped).
Do not open or break the airbag coverings.
82

It is not recommended to use the cigarette lighter
to plug in auxiliary electrical equipment. Use
the accessory power outlet for phones and other
electrical equipment. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 150orPower Outlet 115 Volt
Alternating Current on page 151.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it
is heating does not let the lighter back
away from the heating element when it is hot.
Damage from overheating can occur to the
lighter or heating element, or a fuse could be
blown. Do not hold a cigarette lighter in while it
is heating.
Your vehicle may have a removable ashtray that
sits in your front cupholder in the center console
storage area.Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating,
cooling and ventilation for your vehicle.
Operation
9
(Fan):Turn the center knob away from OFF to
turn the system on. Turn the knob toward HI to
increase fan speed.
If the airow seems low when the fan is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment
air lter may need to be replaced. For more
information, seePassenger Compartment Air Filter
on page 156andScheduled Maintenance on
page 377.
152

The rear window defogger will turn off
automatically approximately 15 minutes after the
button is pressed. The defogger can also be turned
off by pressing the button again or by turning off
the engine.
Notice:Do not use a razor blade or sharp
object to clear the inside rear window. Do not
adhere anything to the defogger grid lines
in the rear glass. These actions may damage
the rear defogger. Repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the air outlets located in the center and
outboard sides of the instrument panel, to change
the direction of the air owing through the vents.
Operation Tips
Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the
air inlets at the base of the windshield that
may block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of
objects to help circulate the air inside of your
vehicle more effectively.
If the airow seems low when the fan is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment air
lter may need to be replaced. For more
information, see “Passenger Compartment Air
Filter” following andScheduled Maintenance on
page 377.
155

Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Passenger compartment air, both outside and
recirculated air, is routed through a passenger
compartment air lter. The lter removes certain
contaminants from the air, including pollen
and dust particles. Reductions in airow, which
may occur more quickly in dusty areas, indicate
that the lter needs to be replaced early. An
air lter is available through your dealer. For how
often to change the air lter, seeScheduled
Maintenance on page 377.The access panel for the air lter is behind the
glove box. To replace the lter, follow these steps:
1. Lower the glove box door and remove the
screw on the right side of the glovebox with
a tool. Slide the arm of the glovebox off.
2. Push each side of the glovebox in and pull
toward you.
156

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a computer which monitors
operation of the fuel, ignition, and emission control
systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The CHECK ENGINE light comes on
to indicate that there is a problem and service is
required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by the
system before any problem is apparent. This may
prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system is also designed to assist your service
technician in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after awhile, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel
economy might not be as good, and the engine
might not run as smoothly. This could lead
to costly repairs that might not be covered by
your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of your vehicle or replacement tires that do not
match your vehicle’s original tires can affect
your vehicle’s emission controls and may
cause this light to come on. Modications to
these systems could lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty. This may also
result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 272.
This light should come on, as a check to show
you it is working, when the ignition is on and the
engine is not running. If the light does not
come on, have it repaired.
United StatesCanada
170

Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The
condition will usually be corrected when the
electrical system dries out. A few driving trips
should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 274. Poor fuel
quality will cause your engine not to run as
efficiently as designed. You may notice this as
stalling after start-up, stalling when you put
the vehicle into gear, misring, hesitation on
acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is
warmed up.) This will be detected by the system
and cause the light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at
least one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the
light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light
turn off, your dealer can check the vehicle.
Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to x any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or may begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
Check Engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on-board diagnostic) system determines that
critical emission control systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the system. The vehicle
would be considered not ready for inspection. This
can happen if you have recently replaced your
battery or if your battery has run down. The
diagnostic system is designed to evaluate critical
emission control systems during normal driving.
This may take several days of routine driving. If you
have done this and your vehicle still does not pass
the inspection for lack of OBD system readiness,
your dealer can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
172

Oil Pressure Light
If there is a problem
with the oil, this light
may stay on after
you start the engine or
come on while you
are driving.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is
low. If you do, your engine can become so
hot that it catches re. You or others
could be burned. Check your oil as soon
as possible and have your vehicle
serviced.Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
This indicates that there is not enough oil pressure
to keep the engine properly lubricated and cool.
The engine could be low on oil, or have some
other oil related problem. Have it xed right away.
The oil light could also come on in three other
situations.
When the ignition is on but the engine is not
running, the light comes on as a test to
show you it is working, but the light goes out
when you turn the ignition to START. If it
does not come on with the ignition on,
you could have a problem with the fuse or
bulb. Have it xed right away.
Sometimes when the engine is idling at a
stop, the light could blink on and off. Have
it checked at your dealer.
If you make a hard stop, the light could come
on for a moment. Have it checked at your
dealer.
173

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal
down while you:
start your engine
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the
chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when
you’re pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance
Schedule for more on this. Things that are
especially important in trailer operation are
automatic transaxle uid (don’t overll), engine oil,
drive belt, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the
Index will help you nd them quickly. If you’re
trailering, it’s a good idea to review this information
before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat
during severe operating conditions. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 297.
268