engine coolant PONTIAC VIBE 2009 User Guide

How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Recovery Tank
If you need more coolant, add the
proper DEX-COOL®coolant mixture
at the coolant recovery tank, but
be careful not to spill it.
Occasionally check the coolant level
in the radiator. For information on
how to add coolant to the radiator,
seeCooling System on page 9-18
Cooling System.
{CAUTION
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
{CAUTION
Adding only plain water to your
cooling system can be dangerous.
Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water
or the wrong mixture, your engine
could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and a proper
coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core and other
parts. Use the recommended
coolant and the proper coolant
mixture.
How to Add Coolant to the
Radiator
When the coolant in the coolant
recovery tank is at the FULL mark,
start the vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues,
there is one more thing that can
be done. Add the proper coolant
mixture directly to the radiator but
be sure the cooling system is
cool before you do it.
9-20 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

{CAUTION
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn the
radiator pressure cap — even a
little — they can come out at high
speed. Never turn the cap when
the cooling system, including the
radiator pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and radiator
pressure cap to cool if you ever
have to turn the pressure cap.
{CAUTION
Turning the radiator pressure cap
when the engine and radiator are
hot can allow steam and scalding
liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery
tank, you will almost never have
to add coolant at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure
cap — even a little — when the
engine and radiator are hot.
1. Remove the pressure cap when
the cooling system, including the
pressure cap and upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot. Turn
the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise until it rst
stops. Do not press down while
turning the pressure cap.If you hear a hiss, wait for that
to stop. A hiss means there
is still some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap,
but now push down while turning.
Remove the pressure cap.
3. Fill the radiator with the proper
coolant mixture, up to the base
of the ller neck. For more
information about the proper
coolant mixture look earlier in
this section.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-21
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

4. Then ll the coolant recovery
tank to the FULL mark.
5. Put the cap back on the coolant
recovery tank, but leave the
pressure cap off.
6. Start the engine and let it run
until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch
out for the engine cooling fan.
7. By this time, the coolant level
inside the radiator ller neck may
be lower. If the level is lower,
add more of the proper coolant
mixture through the ller neck
until the level reaches the base
of the ller neck.
8. Then replace the pressure cap.
At any time during this procedure
if coolant begins to ow out of
the ller neck, reinstall the
pressure cap. Be sure the ears
on the pressure cap are in
line with the vent tube.Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not
tightly installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6for more information
on location.
Engine Overheating
A coolant temperature gage is
located on the vehicle’s instrument
panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 4-19.
Check to see if the electric engine
cooling fan is running. If the engine
is overheating, the fan should be
running. If it is not, the vehicle
needs service.If no problem is apparent, but the
coolant level is not at or above the
FULL mark, add a 50/50 mixture
of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant
recovery tank. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 9-18for more information
about the proper coolant mixture.
If the coolant inside the coolant
recovery tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on
a level surface.
9-22 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

If Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
{CAUTION
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down. Wait
until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch re. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.Notice:If the engine catches re
because of being driven with no
coolant, your vehicle can be badly
damaged. The costly repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but steam is not heard or
seen escaping, the problem may
not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too
hot when the vehicle:
Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
Stops after high-speed driving.
Idles for long periods in traffic.
Tows a trailer.If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam, try this for
a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine
idle in N (Neutral) while stopped.
If it is safe to do so, pull off
the road, shift to P (Park)
or N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.
2. Turn on the heater to full hot at
the highest fan speed and open
the windows as necessary.
If the overheat warning is no longer
displayed, the vehicle can be driven.
Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the warning does not
come back on, continue to drive.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, idle
the engine for three minutes while
the vehicle is parked. If the warning
is still displayed, turn off the engine
and get everyone out of the vehicle
until it cools down.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-23
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Notice:
When using concentrated
washer uid, follow the
manufacturer’s instructions
for adding water.
Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage your
washer uid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean
as well as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for uid
expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank
if it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in your windshield
washer. It can damage the
vehicle’s windshield washer
system and paint.
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Front Windshield Wiper
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected at least twice a year for
wear or cracking. SeeAt Least
Twice a Year on page 11-13.
Replacement blades come in
different types and are removed
in different ways. To remove
the wiper blade:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm
away from the windshield.2. Push the release lever and slide
the wiper assembly toward the
driver side of the vehicle.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-25
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain, ush, and rell the cooling
system (or every 5 years,
whichever occurs rst).
This service can be complex;
you should have your dealer/
retailer perform this service.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 9-18
for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap, and neck. Pressure
test cooling system and pressure
cap.An Emission Control Service.
Part B: Owner Checks
and Services
These owner checks and services
should be performed at the intervals
specied to help ensure vehicle
safety, dependability, and emission
control performance.
Be sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once. Whenever
any uids or lubricants are added to
the vehicle, make sure they are
the proper ones, as shown in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these
underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Notice:It is important to check
the engine oil regularly and keep it
at the proper level. Failure to keep
the engine oil at the proper level
can cause damage to the engine
not covered by the vehicle
warranty.Check the engine oil level and add
the proper oil if necessary. See
Engine Oil on page 9-9.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level
and add DEX-COOL®coolant
mixture if necessary. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 9-18.
Windshield Washer Fluid
Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid
level in the windshield washer
uid reservoir and add the proper
uid if necessary. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 9-24.
Hood Latch Operation Check
Pull the primary hood latch release
handle inside the vehicle. The
secondary latch should keep the
hood from opening all the way when
the primary latch is released. Make
sure the hood closes rmly.
SeeHood Release on page 9-5.
11-12 Service and Maintenance
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part number, or specication can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer.
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Engine oil which meets GM Standard GM6094M and displays the
American Petroleum Institute Certied for Gasoline Engines starburst
symbol. To determine the proper viscosity for your vehicle’s engine,
see
Engine Oil on page 9-9 .
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. See
Engine Coolant on page 9-18 .
Hydraulic Brake/Clutch System Delco
®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield Washer Solvent Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Manual Transmission GM Goodwrench
®Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346190, in Canada 10953477 — 1 quart) or
SAE 75W-90 GL-5 gear oil.
Automatic Transmission Use only T-IV Automatic Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 88900925,
in Canada 22689186).
Key Lock Cylinders Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Manual Transmission Shift Linkage Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or
lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
11-18 Service and Maintenance
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

B
Battery...............................9-30
Run-Down Protection.......... 5-4
Brake
System Inspection...........11-17
Brake Fluid.........................9-27
Brakes...............................9-27
System Warning Light.......4-17
Braking...............................8-19
Break-In, New Vehicle............ 8-2
Bulb Replacement................9-31
Halogen Bulbs..................9-31
Headlamp Aiming..............9-30
Headlamps and Parking
Lamps .........................9-31
License Plate Lamps.........9-34
Replacement Bulbs...........9-35
Taillamps.........................9-33
Buying New Tires.................9-54
C
California Fuel.....................8-36
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements....... 9-3
California Proposition
65 Warning........................ 9-3
Canadian Owners..................... iiCapacities and
Specications...................10-2
Carbon Monoxide.........8-16, 8-29
Care, Safety Belts................1-20
Cargo Cover......................... 3-4
Cargo Management System.... 3-6
Cargo Tie Downs................... 3-6
Cautions and Notices............... iii
CD, MP3 .............................. 6-9
Center Console Storage Area . . . 3-2
Chains, Tire........................9-60
Charging System Light..........4-16
Check
Engine Lamp...................4-20
Chemical Paint Spotting........9-90
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems.....1-41
Infants and Young
Children.......................1-38
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children..................1-44
Older Children..................1-36
Securing..................1-50, 1-53
Where to Put the
Restraint......................1-43
Cleaning
Exterior...........................9-86
Interior............................9-83
Underbody Maintenance....9-90Climate Control System.......... 7-1
Air Filter, Passenger
Compartment.................. 7-4
Outlet Adjustment............... 7-3
Clock, Setting........................ 6-2
Clutch, Hydraulic..................9-17
Collision Damage Repair.....12-11
Compact Spare Tire.............9-70
Content Theft-Deterrent.........2-10
Control of a Vehicle..............8-18
Coolant
Engine............................
9-18
Engine
Temperature Gage.........4-19
Cooling System...................9-18
Cruise Control....................... 4-4
Cruise Control Light..............4-23
Cupholders........................... 3-1
Customer Assistance
Information
Courtesy
Transportation.....12-4, 12-10
Customer Assistance
Offices.........................12-4
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure....................12-1
i-2 INDEX
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Customer Assistance Information
(cont.)
GM Mobility
Reimbursement
Program.......................12-5
Reporting Safety Defects
to General Motors........12-16
Reporting Safety Defects
to the Canadian
Government................12-15
Reporting Safety Defects
to the United States
Government................12-15
Roadside Assistance
Program.......................12-5
Service Publications
Ordering Information.....12-16
D
Daytime Running Lamp.......... 5-2
Defensive Driving.................8-17
Disc, MP3............................ 6-9
Doing Your Own
Service Work..................... 9-4
Dome Lamps ........................ 5-3Door
Ajar Light........................4-24
Locks............................... 2-6
Power Door Locks.............. 2-7
Rear Door Security Locks.... 2-7
Driver Storage Compartment.... 3-3
Driving
At Night..........................8-26
Before a Long Trip............8-28
Defensive........................8-17
Drunken..........................8-18
Highway Hypnosis............8-28
Hill and Mountain Roads....8-28
In Rain and on Wet
Roads.........................8-27
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get it Out ....................8-31
Winter.............................8-29E
EDR .................................12-17
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment............9-35
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block...................9-39
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers......................9-36Electrical System (cont.)
Headlamp Wiring..............9-35
Instrument Panel
Fuse Block...................9-36
Power Windows and
Other Power Options.....9-36
Windshield Wiper Fuses....9-36
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter...............9-12
Check and Service Engine
Soon Lamp..................4-20
Coolant...........................9-18
Coolant Heater................... 8-5
Coolant
Temperature Gage.........4-19
Cooling System
Inspection...................11-17
Drive Belt Routing.............10-5
Engine Compartment
Overview....................... 9-6
Exhaust...........................8-16
Oil ................................... 9-9
Overheating.....................9-22
Starting............................. 8-4
Entry Lighting........................ 5-3
Event Data Recorders.........12-17
Extender, Safety Belt............1-19
Exterior Lamps...................... 5-1
INDEX i-3
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner............9-12
Finish Damage....................9-89
Fixed Mast Antenna.............6-14
Flashers, Hazard Warning....... 4-3
Flash-to-Pass........................ 4-7
Flat Tire..............................9-61
Flat Tire, Changing...............9-62
Flat Tire, Storing..................9-68
Floor Mats............................ 3-3
Fluid
Automatic Transmission.....9-14
Power Steering.................9-24
Windshield Washer...........9-24
Fog Lamp
Fog .................................. 5-2
Fog Lamp Light...................4-23
Folding Seatback, Passenger . . . 1-4
Fuel...................................8-36
Additives.........................8-37
California Fuel..................8-36
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container.....................8-40
Filling the Tank.................8-38
Fuels in Foreign
Countries.....................8-37
Gage ..............................4-24Fuel (cont.)
Gasoline Octane...............8-36
Gasoline Specications......8-36
Low Warning Light............4-25
System Inspection...........11-16
Fuses
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block...................9-39
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers......................9-36
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block...........................9-36
Windshield Wiper..............9-36
G
Gage
Engine Coolant
Temperature.................4-19
Fuel................................4-24
Speedometer...................4-13
Tachometer......................4-13
Gasoline
Octane............................8-36
Specications...................8-36
Glove Box............................ 3-1
GM Mobility Reimbursement
Program..........................12-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers........ 4-3
Head Restraints..................... 1-6
Headlamp
Aiming ............................9-30
Headlamp Wiring.................9-35
Headlamps
Bulb Replacement.............9-31
Daytime Running Lamp....... 5-2
Exterior Lamps................... 5-1
Flash-to-Pass..................... 4-7
Halogen Bulbs..................9-31
Headlamps and Parking
Lamps .........................9-31
High/Low Beam Changer..... 4-7
Heater................................. 7-1
Engine Coolant.................. 8-5
Height Adjuster, Seat.............. 1-2
Highbeam On Light..............4-24
Highway Hypnosis................8-28
Hill and Mountain Roads.......8-28
Hood
Release............................ 9-5
Hooks.................................. 3-3
Horn .................................... 4-3
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly..........................1-11
Hydraulic Clutch...................9-17
i-4 INDEX
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual