maintenance PONTIAC VIBE 2009 Owner's Manual

When It Is Time for New
Tires
Various factors, such as
maintenance, temperatures,
driving speeds, vehicle loading,
and road conditions inuence
when you need new tires.
One way to tell when it is time for
new tires is to check the treadwear
indicators, which will appear
when the tires have only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) or less of tread remaining.You need new tires if any of the
following statements are true:You can see the indicators at
three or more places around
the tire.
You can see cord or fabric
showing through the tire’s rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked,
cut, or snagged deep enough to
show cord or fabric.
The tire has a bump, bulge,
or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut, or
other damage that cannot be
repaired well because of the
size or location of the damage.
The rubber in tires degrades over
time, even if they are not being used.
This is also true for the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one. Multiple
conditions affect how fast this aging
takes place, including temperatures,loading conditions, and ination
pressure maintenance. With proper
care and maintenance tires typically
wear out before they degrade due to
age. If you are unsure about the
need to replace the tires as they get
older, consult the tire manufacturer
for more information.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specic tires for the vehicle. If you
need replacement tires, GM strongly
recommends that you get tires that
are the same size, brand, load range,
speed rating, and construction type
(radial and bias-belted tires) as the
vehicle’s original tires. This way, the
vehicle will continue to have tires
that are designed to give the same
performance and vehicle safety,
during normal use, as the original
tires. SeeTire Sidewall Labeling on
page 9-42for additional information.
9-54 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Tire Changing
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while you are driving, especially if
you maintain your vehicle’s tires
properly. If air goes out of a tire, it is
much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a
blowout, here are a few tips about
what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip thesteering wheel rmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop well out of
the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any
rear blowout remove your foot
from the accelerator pedal. Get the
vehicle under control by steering the
way you want the vehicle to go. It
may be very bumpy and noisy, but
you can still steer. Gently brake to a
stop, well off the road if possible.
{CAUTION
Lifting a vehicle and getting under
it to do maintenance or repairs is
dangerous without the appropriate
safety equipment and training. If a
jack is provided with the vehicle, it
is designed only for changing a
at tire. If it is used for anything
else, you or others could be badly
injured or killed if the vehicle slips
off the jack. If a jack is provided
with the vehicle, only use it for
changing a at tire.
If a tire goes at, the next part
shows how to use the jacking
equipment to change a at tire
safely.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-61
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Parking on Hills
{CAUTION
Parking the vehicle on a hill
with the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a at surface.
To park your rig on a hill:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but
do not shift into P (Park) for an
automatic transmission or into
gear for a manual transmission,
yet. When parking uphill, turn
your wheels away from the curb.
When parking downhill, turn your
wheels into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.3. When the chocks are in place,
release the regular brakes until
the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes.
Then apply your parking
brake and shift into P (Park)
for an automatic transmission
or R (Reverse) for a manual
transmission.
5. Release the regular brakes.
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 the transmission
into gear
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 are pulling a trailer.
See the Maintenance Schedule
for more on this. Things that are
especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission
uid (do not overll), engine oil, drive
belt, cooling system and brake
system. Each of these is covered in
this manual, and the Index will help
nd them quickly. If you are trailering,
it is a good idea to review this
information before starting your trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system could
temporarily overheat during severe
operating conditions. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 9-22.
9-82 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your
vehicle’s nish is to keep it clean by
washing it often.
Do not wash the vehicle in direct
sunlight. Use a car washing soap.
Notice:Certain cleaners contain
chemicals that can damage the
emblems or nameplates on your
vehicle. Check the cleaning
product label. If it states that it
should not be used on plastic
parts, do not use it on your vehicle
or damage may occur and it would
not be covered by the warranty.Do not use cleaning agents that are
petroleum based or that contain acid
or abrasives, as they can damage
the paint, metal or plastic on your
vehicle. Approved cleaning products
can be obtained from your dealer/
retailer. Follow all manufacturers’
directions regarding correct product
usage, necessary safety precautions
and appropriate disposal of any
vehicle care product.
Rinse the vehicle well, before
washing and after to remove all
cleaning agents completely. If they
are allowed to dry on the surface,
they could stain.
Dry the nish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and
water spotting.High pressure car washes may
cause water to enter the vehicle.
Avoid using high pressure washes
closer than 12 inches (30 cm) to
the surface of the vehicle. Use of
power washers exceeding 1,200 psi
(8 274 kPa) can result in damage or
removal of paint and decals.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will
make them last longer, seal better,
and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth.
During very cold, damp weather
frequent application may be required.
See “Fluids and Lubricants” in the
Index of the “Maintenance and
Warranty and Owner assistance
Information” manual.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-87
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow
removal and dust control can collect
on the underbody. If these are not
removed, corrosion and rust can
develop on the underbody parts such
as fuel lines, frame, oor pan, and
exhaust system even though they
have corrosion protection.
At least every spring, ush these
materials from the underbody
with plain water. Clean any areas
where mud and debris can collect.
Dirt packed in close areas of
the frame should be loosened before
being ushed. Your dealer/retailer
or an underbody car washing
system can do this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric
conditions can create a chemical
fallout. Airborne pollutants can
fall upon and attack painted surfaces
on the vehicle. This damage can
take two forms: blotchy, ring-shaped
discolorations, and small, irregular
dark spots etched into the paint
surface.
Although no defect in the paint job
causes this, we will repair, at no
charge to the owner, the surfaces
of new vehicles damaged by this
fallout condition within 12 months
or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of
purchase, whichever occurs rst.
9-90 Vehicle Service and Care
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Technical Data
Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)..................10-1
Service Parts
Identication Label...........10-1
Capacities and
Specications
Capacities and
Specications..................10-2
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Maintenance
Replacement Parts..........10-4
Engine Drive Belt
Routing...........................10-5
Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)
This is the legal identier for your
vehicle. It appears on a plate in
the front corner of the instrument
panel, on the driver side. It can
be seen through the windshield from
outside the vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certication
and Service Parts labels and the
certicates of title and registration.
Engine Identication
The eighth character in the VIN is
the engine code. This code helps
identify the vehicle’s engine,
specications, and replacement
parts. See “Engine Specications”
underCapacities and Specifications
on page 10-2for your vehicle’s
engine code.
Service Parts
Identication Label
This label is on the inside of the
glove box. It is very helpful if
you ever need to order parts.
The label has the following
information:
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)
Model designation
Paint information
Production options and special
equipment
Do not remove this label from the
vehicle.
Technical Data 10-1
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Maintenance Replacement Parts
Replacement parts identied below by name, part number, or specication can be obtained from your dealer/retailer.
PartGM Part Numbers Other Part Numbers
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 1.8L L4 Engine 88975792—
2.4L L4 Engine 88975799—
Engine Oil Filter 1.8L L4 Engine* 19185485—
2.4L L4 Engine 88969580—
Passenger Compartment Air Filter 19184673—
Spark Plugs** 1.8L L4 Engine 19185438SK20HR11†
2.4L L4 Engine 88969636SK20R11†
IFR6A11††
*Oil Filter Element Kit includes element and seal.
**The engine is tted with iridium-tipped spark plugs. Use only iridium-tipped spark plugs for better engine
performance.
† DENSO
†† NGK
10-4 Technical Data
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Service and
Maintenance
Service and Maintenance
Introduction.......................11-1
Maintenance
Requirements..................11-2
Your Vehicle and the
Environment....................11-2
How This Section is
Organized.......................11-2
Part A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services......11-3
Using the Maintenance
Schedule.........................11-3
Scheduled Maintenance. . . .11-4
Part B: Owner Checks
and Services.................11-12
At Each Fuel Fill.............11-12
At Least Once a Month. . .11-13
At Least Twice a Year. . . .11-13
At Least Once a Year.....11-13
Part C: Periodic
Maintenance
Inspections
....................11-16
Steering, Suspension and
Front Drive Axle Boot
and Seal Inspection
.......11-16
Exhaust System
Inspection......................11-16
Fuel System Inspection. . .11-16
Engine Cooling System
Inspection......................11-17
Throttle System
Inspection......................11-17
Brake System
Inspection......................11-17
Part D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants. . . .11-18
Part E: Maintenance
Record..........................11-20
Service and
Maintenance
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at
the proper level and change as
recommended.
Have you purchased the GM
Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements the vehicle warranties.
See the Warranty and Owner
Assistance booklet or your
dealer/retailer for details.
Service and Maintenance 11-1
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Maintenance
Requirements
Maintenance intervals, checks,
inspections and recommended uids
and lubricants as prescribed in this
manual are necessary to keep this
vehicle in good working condition.
Any damage caused by failure to
follow scheduled maintenance
may not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Your Vehicle and the
Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only
helps to keep the vehicle in good
working condition, but also helps
the environment. Improper vehicle
maintenance can even affect the
quality of the air we breathe.
Improper uid levels or the wrong tire
ination can increase the level of
emissions from the vehicle. To help
protect the environment, and to keep
the vehicle in good condition, be sure
to maintain the vehicle properly.
How This Section is
Organized
This maintenance schedule is
divided into ve parts:
“Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services”explains what to have
done and how often. Some of
these services can be complex,
so unless you are technically
qualied and have the necessary
equipment, you should let your
dealer/retailer do these jobs.
Your dealer/retailer has trained
and supported service people
that will perform the work using
genuine parts.
{CAUTION
Performing maintenance work
on a vehicle can be dangerous.
In trying to do some jobs, you can
be seriously injured. Do your own
maintenance work only if you
have the required know-how and
the proper tools and equipment
for the job. If you have any doubt,
have a qualied technician do the
work. SeeDoing Your Own
Service Work on page 9-4.
To purchase service information,
seeService Publications Ordering
Information on page 12-16.
“Part B: Owner Checks and
Services”tells what should be
checked and when. It also explains
what can easily be done to help
keep the vehicle in good condition.
11-2 Service and Maintenance
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

“Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections”explains important
inspections that your dealer/retailer
can perform for you.
“Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants”lists some
recommended products necessary
to help keep the vehicle properly
maintained. These products, or
their equivalents, should be used
whether you do the work yourself
or have it done.
“Part E: Maintenance Record”is a
place to record and keep track of
the maintenance performed on
the vehicle. Keep the maintenance
receipts. They may be needed
to qualify the vehicle for warranty
repairs.Part A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services
In this part are scheduled
maintenance services which are
to be performed at the mileage
intervals specied.
Using the Maintenance
Schedule
We want to help keep this vehicle in
good working condition. But we do
not know exactly how you will drive it.
You might drive short distances only
a few times a week. Or you might
drive long distances all the time in
very hot, dusty weather. You might
use the vehicle in making deliveries.
Or you might drive it to work, to do
errands, or in many other ways.Because of the different ways
people use their vehicles,
maintenance needs vary. You might
need more frequent checks and
replacements. So please read the
following and note how you drive.
If you have questions on how to keep
the vehicle in good condition, see
your dealer/retailer.
This part tells you the maintenance
services that should be done
and when to schedule them.
When you go to your dealer/retailer
for service, trained and supported
service people will perform the work
using genuine parts.
Service and Maintenance 11-3
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual