tow PONTIAC VIBE 2009 Workshop Manual

Use only mild, neutral-pH soaps.
Avoid laundry detergents or
dishwashing soaps with
degreasers. Using too much
soap will leave a residue that
leaves streaks and attracts dirt.
For liquid cleaners, about
20 drops per gallon (3.78 L)
of water is a good guide.
Do not heavily saturate the
upholstery while cleaning.
Damage to your vehicle’s interior
may result from the use of many
organic solvents such as naptha,
alcohol, etc.
Fabric/Carpet
Use a vacuum cleaner with a
soft brush attachment frequently
to remove dust and loose dirt.
A canister vacuum with a beater bar
in the nozzle may only be used on
oor carpet and carpeted oor mats.
For soils, always try to remove them
rst with plain water or club soda.
Before cleaning, gently remove as
much of the soil as possible using
one of the following techniques:
For liquids: gently blot the
remaining soil with a paper towel.
Allow the soil to absorb into the
paper towel until no more can be
removed.
For solid dry soils: remove as
much as possible and then
vacuum.To clean, use the following
instructions:
1. Saturate a lint-free, clean white
cloth with water or club soda.
2. Wring the cloth to remove excess
moisture.
3. Start on the outside edge of the
soil and gently rub toward the
center. Continue cleaning, using
a clean area of the cloth each
time it becomes soiled.
4. Continue to gently rub the soiled
area until the cleaning cloth
remains clean.
5. If the soil is not completely
removed, use a mild soap
solution and repeat the cleaning
process that was used with
plain water.
9-84 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

If any of the soil remains, a
commercial fabric cleaner or spot
lifter may be necessary. When a
commercial upholstery cleaner or
spot lifter is to be used, test a small
hidden area for colorfastness rst.
If the locally cleaned area gives any
impression that a ring formation may
result, clean the entire surface.
After the cleaning process has been
completed, a paper towel can be
used to blot excess moisture
from the fabric or carpet.Leather
A soft cloth dampened with
water can be used to remove dust.
If a more thorough cleaning is
necessary, a soft cloth dampened
with a mild soap solution can be
used. Allow the leather to dry
naturally. Do not use heat to dry.
Never use steam to clean leather.
Never use spot lifters or spot
removers on leather. Many
commercial leather cleaners and
coatings that are sold to preserve
and protect leather may permanently
change the appearance and
feel of your leather and are not
recommended. Do not use silicone
or wax-based products, or those
containing organic solvents to clean
your vehicle’s interior because
they can alter the appearance by
increasing the gloss in a non-uniform
manner. Never use shoe polish on
leather.
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and
Other Plastic Surfaces
A soft cloth dampened with water
may be used to remove dust.
If a more thorough cleaning is
necessary, a clean soft cloth
dampened with a mild soap solution
can be used to gently remove dust
and dirt. Never use spot lifters or
removers on plastic surfaces.
Many commercial cleaners and
coatings that are sold to preserve
and protect soft plastic surfaces may
permanently change the appearance
and feel of your interior and are not
recommended. Do not use silicone
or wax-based products, or those
containing organic solvents to clean
your vehicle’s interior because
they can alter the appearance by
increasing the gloss in a non-uniform
manner.
Some commercial products may
increase gloss on your instrument
panel. The increase in gloss may
cause annoying reections in the
windshield and even make it difficult
to see through the windshield under
certain conditions.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-85
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

Wheels and Trim — Aluminum
or Chrome
Your vehicle may have either
aluminum or chrome-plated wheels.
Keep the wheels clean using a
soft clean cloth with mild soap and
water. Rinse with clean water.
After rinsing thoroughly, dry with a
soft clean towel. A wax may then
be applied.
Notice:Chrome wheels and
other chrome trim may be
damaged if you do not wash your
vehicle after driving on roads
that have been sprayed with
magnesium, calcium or sodium
chloride. These chlorides are
used on roads for conditions
such as ice and dust. Always
wash your vehicle’s chrome with
soap and water after exposure.Notice:If you use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes,
cleaners, brushes, or cleaners
that contain acid on aluminum
or chrome-plated wheels,
you could damage the surface of
the wheel(s). The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty.
Use only approved cleaners on
aluminum or chrome-plated
wheels.
The surface of these wheels is
similar to the painted surface of your
vehicle. Do not use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes,
abrasive cleaners, cleaners with
acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes
on them because you could damage
the surface. Do not use chrome
polish on aluminum wheels.Notice:Using chrome polish on
aluminum wheels could damage
the wheels. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty.
Use chrome polish on chrome
wheels only.
Use chrome polish only on
chrome-plated wheels, but avoid
any painted surface of the wheel,
and buff off immediately after
application.
Notice:If you drive your
vehicle through an automatic
car wash that has silicone
carbide tire cleaning brushes,
you could damage the aluminum
or chrome-plated wheels. The
repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Never drive a
vehicle equipped with aluminum
or chrome-plated wheels through
an automatic car wash that uses
silicone carbide tire cleaning
brushes.
9-88 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield
with glass cleaner.
Clean the rubber blades using a lint
free cloth or paper towel soaked with
windshield washer uid or a mild
detergent. Wash the windshield
thoroughly when cleaning the blades.
Bugs, road grime, sap, and a buildup
of vehicle wash/wax treatments may
cause wiper streaking. Replace the
wiper blades if they are worn or
damaged.
Wipers can be damaged by:
Extreme dusty conditions
Sand and salt
Heat and sun
Snow and ice, without proper
removal
Tires
To clean the tires, use a stiff brush
with tire cleaner.
Notice:Using petroleum-based
tire dressing products on your
vehicle may damage the paint
nish and/or tires. When applying
a tire dressing, always wipe off
any overspray from all painted
surfaces on your vehicle.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and
requires sheet metal repair or
replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosion
material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion
protection.Original manufacturer replacement
parts will provide the corrosion
protection while maintaining
the vehicle warranty.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep
scratches in the nish should be
repaired right away. Bare metal will
corrode quickly and may develop into
major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be
repaired with touch-up materials
available from your dealer/retailer.
Larger areas of nish damage can be
corrected in your dealer’s/retailer’s
body and paint shop.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-89
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

❑Check restraint system. Make
sure the safety belt reminder
light and safety belt assemblies
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.
Have any torn or frayed safety
belts replaced. Also see
Airbag System Check on
page 1-35.
❑Replace passenger compartment
air lter.
❑Inspect fuel tank, cap, cap
gasket, and lines for damage
or leaks (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs rst). Replace
parts as needed.An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote †.)
❑Change manual transmission
uid every 30,000 miles
(48 000 km) only if your vehicle
is used to tow a trailer.35,000 Miles (56 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
40,000 Miles (64 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
45,000 Miles (72 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
❑Inspect passenger compartment
air lter.
50,000 Miles (80 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
11-6 Service and Maintenance
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
55,000 Miles (88 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
60,000 Miles (96 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter
(or every 24 months, whichever
occurs rst). SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 9-12
for more information.
❑Check restraint system. Make
sure the safety belt reminder
light and safety belt assemblies
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.
Have any torn or frayed safety
belts replaced. Also seeAirbag
System Check on page 1-35.❑Replace passenger compartment
air lter.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive
belts (or every 48 months,
whichever occurs rst). Visually
inspect belt for fraying, excessive
cracks, or obvious damage.
Replace belt if necessary.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect for tappet noise and
engine vibration. Adjust valve
clearance to factory specications
if necessary (or every 48 months,
whichever occurs rst).
An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect fuel tank, cap, cap gasket,
and lines for damage or leaks
(or every 24 months, whichever
occurs rst). Replace parts as
needed.An Emission Control
Service. (See footnote †.)
❑Change manual transmission uid
every 30,000 miles (48 000 km)
only if your vehicle is used to tow
a trailer.
Service and Maintenance 11-7
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

❑Change automatic transmission
uid every 60,000 miles
(96 000 km) if the vehicle is
mainly driven under one or more
of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the
outside temperature regularly
reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer
towing.
Uses such as found in taxi,
police, or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle
under any of these conditions, the
fluid does not require changing.
See Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11-18
for the proper uid to use.
65,000 Miles 104 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
70,000 Miles (112 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53
for proper rotation pattern
and additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
75,000 Miles (120 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
❑Inspect passenger compartment
air lter.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive
belts (or 12 months since last
inspection).An Emission
Control Service.
80,000 Miles (128 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
11-8 Service and Maintenance
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53
for proper rotation pattern
and additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
85,000 Miles (136 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53
for proper rotation pattern
and additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
90,000 Miles (144 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter
(or every 24 months, whichever
occurs rst). SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 9-12
for more information.
❑Check restraint system. Make
sure the safety belt reminder
light and safety belt assemblies
are working properly. Look for
any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you
see anything that might keepa safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Have any torn or frayed
safety belts replaced. Also
seeAirbag System Check on
page 1-35.
❑Replace passenger compartment
air lter.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive
belts (or 12 months since last
inspection).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Inspect fuel tank, cap, cap
gasket, and lines for damage
or leaks (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs rst). Replace
parts as needed.An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote †.)
❑Change manual transmission
uid every 30,000 miles
(48 000 km) only if your vehicle
is used to tow a trailer.
Service and Maintenance 11-9
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

115,000 Miles (184 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
120,000 Miles (192 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53
for proper rotation pattern
and additional information.
(See footnote +.)❑Replace engine air cleaner lter
(or every 24 months, whichever
occurs rst). SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 9-12
for more information.
❑Replace passenger compartment
air lter.
❑Inspect engine accessory
drive belts (or every 48 months,
whichever occurs rst). Visually
inspect belt for fraying, excessive
cracks, or obvious damage.
Replace belt if necessary.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect for tappet noise and
engine vibration. Adjust valve
clearance to factory specications
if necessary (or every 48 months,
whichever occurs rst).
An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect fuel tank, cap, cap
gasket, and lines for damage
or leaks (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs rst). Replace
parts as needed.An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote †.)❑Change manual transmission
uid every 30,000 miles
(48 000 km) only if your vehicle
is used to tow a trailer.
❑Change automatic transmission
uid every 60,000 miles
(96 000 km) if the vehicle is
mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the
outside temperature regularly
reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer
towing.
Uses such as found in taxi,
police, or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under
any of these conditions, the fluid
does not require changing.
See Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11-18
for the proper uid to use.
Service and Maintenance 11-11
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual