transmission fluid PONTIAC VIBE 2009 Owners Manual

Before Leaving on a
Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, consider having it serviced
by your dealer/retailer before
departing.
Things to check on your own
include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:
Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All
levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are
lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are
tires inated to recommended
pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to
travel? Have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention
to your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy, nd
a safe place to park your vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on at or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
Keep the vehicle serviced
and in good shape.
Check all uid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
Going down steep or long hills,
shift to a lower gear.
{CAUTION
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
8-28 Driving and Operating
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Vehicle Service
and Care
Service
Service...............................9-2
Accessories and
Modications.....................9-3
California Proposition
65 Warning.......................9-3
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements.....9-3
Doing Your Own
Service Work....................9-4
Adding Equipment to the
Outside of the Vehicle......9-4
Owner Checks
Owner Checks....................9-5
Hood Release.....................9-5
Engine Compartment
Overview...........................9-6
Engine Oil..........................9-9
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. . . .9-12
Automatic Transmission
Fluid................................9-14
Manual Transmission
Fluid................................9-16
Hydraulic Clutch................9-17
Cooling System.................9-18
Engine Coolant.................9-18
Pressure Cap....................9-22
Engine Overheating...........9-22
Power Steering Fluid.........9-24
Windshield Washer Fluid. . .9-24
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement...................9-25
Brakes..............................9-27
Battery..............................9-30
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming..............9-30
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement.............9-31
Halogen Bulbs..................9-31
Headlamps and Parking
Lamps.............................9-31
Taillamps..........................9-33
License Plate Lamp..........9-34
Replacement Bulbs...........9-35
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical
Equipment.......................9-35
Headlamp Wiring..............9-35
Windshield Wiper Fuses. . . .9-36
Power Windows and
Other Power Options.......9-36
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers.........................9-36
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block...............................9-36
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block......................9-39
Tires
Tires.................................9-41
Tire Sidewall Labeling.......9-42
Tire Terminology and
Denitions.......................9-44
Ination - Tire Pressure. . . .9-47
Tire Pressure Monitor
System............................9-48
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation........................9-50
Tire Inspection and
Rotation..........................9-53
When It Is Time for New
Tires...............................9-54
Vehicle Service and Care 9-1
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner 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.
SeeEngine Coolant on
page 9-18.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” underEngine
Oil on page 9-9.
F.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 9-12.G.Brakes on page 9-27and
Hydraulic Clutch on page 9-17
(If Equipped).
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).
Vehicle Service and Care 9-7
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner 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

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. Please refer toPart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 11-18 for more information.
Application Capacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a For the air conditioning system refrigerant charge
amount, see the refrigerant caution label located
under the hood. See your dealer/retailer for more information.
Cooling System 1.8L L4 Engine 5.8 qt5.5 L
2.4L L4 Engine 6.0 qt5.7 L
Engine Oil with Filter 1.8L L4 Engine 4.4 qt4.2 L
2.4L L4 Engine 4.5 qt4.3 L
Fuel Tank 13.2 gal50 L
Transmission, Automatic (Complete Drain and Rell) 1.8L L4 Engine 3.1 qt2.9 L
2.4L L4 Engine 3.7 qt3.5 L
10-2 Technical Data
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