transmission PONTIAC VIBE 2009 Owner's Manual

A. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 9-9.
B.Pressure Cap on page 9-22.
C.Windshield Washer Fluid
on page 9-24.
D. Coolant Recovery Tank. See
Engine Coolant on page 9-18.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” underEngine
Oil on page 9-9.
F.Brakes on page 9-27and
Hydraulic Clutch on page 9-17
(If Equipped).
G.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 9-12.
H.Engine Compartment Fuse Block
on page 9-39.I.Battery on page 9-30.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal.
SeeJump Starting on page 9-71.
K. Automatic Transmission
Fluid Dipstick. See″Checking
the Fluid Level″underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 9-14
(If Equipped) (Out of View).
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the
engine oil every time you get fuel.
In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the
vehicle must be on level ground.The engine oil dipstick handle
is a yellow loop. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6
for the location of the engine oil
dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the
oil several minutes to drain back
into the oil pan. If you do not
do this, the oil dipstick might
not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean
it with a paper towel or cloth,
then push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the tip
down, and check the level.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-9
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Automatic Transmission
Fluid
When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Check the uid in the transmission
and differential at the intervals listed
inPart A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services on page 11-3, and be
sure to use the transmission uid
listed inPart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on
page 11-18.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
This operation can be difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the
dealer/retailer 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:Use of the incorrect
automatic transmission uid may
damage your vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by
your warranty. Always use the
automatic transmission uid
listed inPart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on
page 11-18.
Wait at least 30 minutes before
checking the transmission 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.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
1. Park your vehicle on a level
place. Keep the engine running.
2. With the parking brake applied,
place the shift lever in P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake
pedal, move the shift lever
through each gear range,
pausing for about three seconds
in each range. Then, position
the shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for
three to ve minutes.
9-14 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Then, without shutting off the
engine, follow these steps:
The automatic transmission
dipstick has an orange handle
and is located near the front of the
engine compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6
for more information on location.
1. Release the tab and pull out the
dipstick and wipe it with a clean
rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait
three seconds and then pull it
back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick,
and read the lower level. The
uid level must be between the
two dimples in the hot range.4. If the uid level is in the
acceptable range, push
the dipstick back in all the way;
then press the tab down to
lock the dipstick in place.
How to Add Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission uid to use.
Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11-18.
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:Too much or too
little uid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean
that some of the uid could come
out and fall on hot engine parts or
exhaust system parts, starting a
re. Too little uid could cause the
transmission to overheat. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission uid.
3. After adding uid, recheck the
uid level as described under
“How to Check Automatic
Transmission 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.
1.8L shown
Vehicle Service and Care 9-15
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Manual Transmission
Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have your manual
transmission uid level checked
is when the engine oil is changed.
However, the uid in your manual
transmission does not require
changing.
How to Check
This operation can be difficult, you
may choose to have this done
at your dealer/retailer 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 your
transmission. Too much can
mean that some of the uid couldcome out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts,
starting a re. Too little uid
could cause the transmission
to overheat. Be sure to get
an accurate reading if you
check your transmission uid.
Check the uid level only when your
engine is off, the vehicle is parked on
a level place and the transmission is
cool enough for you to rest your
ngers on the transmission 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.Part D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on
page 11-18.
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.
9-16 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

3. Push the rear wiper assembly
straight into the rear wiper arm.
4. Reengage the two pins to the
rear wiper arm by pushing
them down.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder and,
on manual transmission vehicles,
the clutch hydraulic system use the
same reservoir. The reservoir is
lled with DOT-3 brake uid.There are only two reasons why
the brake uid level in the reservoir
might go down:
The brake uid level goes down
because of normal brake lining
wear. When new linings are
installed, the uid level goes
back up.
A uid leak in the brake and/or
clutch hydraulic system can also
cause a low uid level. Have the
brake and/or clutch hydraulic
system xed, since a leak means
that sooner or later the brakes
and/or clutch will not work well.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-27
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

FusesUsage
1 Parking Lamps,
License Plate
Lamps, Taillamp,
Multiport Fuel
Injection System/
Sequential Multiport
Fuel Injection
System, Instrument
Panel Lights
2 Switch IlluminationFuses Usage
3 Power Windows
4 Power Windows
5 Power Windows
6 Sunroof
7 Cigarette Lighter,
Accessory Power
Outlet
Fuses
Usage
8 Outside Rearview
Mirrors, Audio
System, Main Body
Engine Control
Unit (ECU), Clock,
Brake Transmission
Shift Interlock
9 Empty
10 Empty
11 Airbag System,
Multiport Fuel
Injection System/
Sequential Multiport
Fuel Injection
System, Front
Passenger Occupant
Classication
System
12 Gages and Meters
13 Air Conditioning
System, Rear
Window Defogger
14 Windshield Wipers
15 Rear Window Wipers
16 Windshield Washer
Vehicle Service and Care 9-37
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Fuses Usage
17Main Body ECU,
Electric Power
Steering, Electric
Cooling Fans,
Brake Transmission
Shift Interlock,
Antilock Braking
System (ABS),
Multiport Fuel
Injection
System/Sequential
Multiport Fuel
Injection System,
Tire Pressure
Monitoring
System (TPMS),
Vehicle Stability
Control System
18Back-up Lamps,
Charging System,
Rear Window
Defogger
19Onboard Diagnosis
SystemFuses Usage
20Stoplamps, Center
High-Mounted
Stoplamps (CHMSL),
ABS, Vehicle
Stability Control
System, Multiport
Fuel Injection
System/Sequential
Multiport Fuel
Injection System,
Brake Transmission
Shift Interlock
21Power Door Lock
System
22Outside Rearview
Mirrors, Audio
System, Main Body
ECU, Clock, Brake
Transmission Shift
Interlock, Cigarette
LighterFuses Usage
23All-Wheel Drive
System
24 Front Foglamps
25Ignition, Outside
Rearview Mirrors,
Audio System, Main
Body ECU, Clock,
Brake Transmission
Shift Interlock,
Cigarette Lighter
26Rear Window
Defogger, Heated
Mirrors, Multiport
Fuel Injection
System/Sequential
Multiport Fuel
Injection System
27 Power Windows
9-38 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Tire Size
The following illustration
shows an example of a typical
passenger vehicle tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
:The United States version of a
metric tire sizing system. The
letter P as the rst character in
the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to
standards set by the U.S. Tire
and Rim Association. Tires
engineered to European
standards do not use the
letter P as the rst character
in the tire size.(B) Tire Width
:The three-digit
number indicates the tire section
width in millimeters from sidewall
to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio
:A two-digit
number that indicates the tire
height-to-width measurements.
For example, if the tire size
aspect ratio is 60, as shown in
item C of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire’s sidewall is
60 percent as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code
:A letter
code is used to indicate the type
of ply construction in the tire.
The letter R means radial ply
construction; the letter D means
diagonal or bias ply construction;
and the letter B means
belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of
the wheel in inches.(F) Service Description
:These
characters represent the load
range and speed rating of the
tire. The load index represents
the load carry capacity a tire is
certied to carry. The load index
can range from 1 to 279. The
speed rating is the maximum
speed a tire is certied to carry
a load. Speed ratings range
fromAtoZ.
Tire Terminology and
Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air
inside the tire pressing outward
on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in
pounds per square inch (psi)
or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight
:This means
the combined weight of optional
accessories. Some examples
of optional accessories are,
automatic transmission, power
steering, power brakes, power
windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
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2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place. Turn on the hazard
warning ashers. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 4-3.
{CAUTION
Changing a tire can be dangerous.
The vehicle can slip off the jack
and roll over or fall on you or other
people. You and they could be
badly injured or even killed. Find
a level place to change your tire.
To help prevent the vehicle from
moving:
1. Set the parking brake rmly.
2. Put an automatic
transmission shift lever in
P (Park), or shift a manual
transmission to 1 (First) or
R (Reverse).
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
3. Turn off the engine and do
not restart while the vehicle
is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to
remain in the vehicle.
To be certain the vehicle will not
move, put blocks at the front and
rear of the tire farthest away from
the one being changed. That
would be the tire on the other
side, at the opposite end of the
vehicle.When you have a at tire, use the
following example as a guide to
assist you in the placement of
wheel blocks.
The following information tells you
how to use the jack and change
a tire.
9-62 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Jump Starting
If your vehicle’s battery has run
down, you may want to use another
vehicle and some jumper cables
to start your vehicle. Be sure to use
the following steps to do it safely.
{CAUTION
Batteries can hurt you. They can
be dangerous because:
They contain acid that can
burn you.
They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
They contain enough
electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these
things can hurt you.Notice:Ignoring these steps
could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that would not
be covered by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle
by pushing or pulling it will
not work, and it could damage
your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must
have a 12-volt battery with a
negative ground system.
Notice:If the other vehicle’s
system is not a 12-volt system
with a negative ground, both
vehicles can be damaged. Only
use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump
start your vehicle.
2. Get the vehicles close enough
so the jumper cables can reach,
but be sure the vehicles are not
touching each other. If they are, it
could cause a ground connection
you do not want. You would not
be able to start your vehicle, and
the bad grounding could damage
the electrical systems.To avoid the possibility of the
vehicles rolling, set the parking
brake rmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start
procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in P (Park) or
a manual transmission in
NEUTRAL before setting
the parking brake.
Notice:If you leave the radio
or other accessories on during
the jump starting procedure, they
could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by the
warranty. Always turn off
the radio and other accessories
when jump starting the vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both
vehicles. Unplug unnecessary
accessories plugged into the
cigarette lighter. Turn off the radio
and all lamps that are not needed.
This will avoid sparks and help
save both batteries. And it could
save the radio!
Vehicle Service and Care 9-71
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual