PONTIAC VIBE 2010 Owners Manual

12. Reinstall the wheel nuts withthe rounded end of the nuts
toward the wheel. Tighten each
nut by hand until the wheel
is held against the hub.
13. Turn the jack handle counterclockwise. Lower
the jack completely.{CAUTION
Wheel nuts that are improperly
or incorrectly tightened can cause
the wheels to become loose or
come off. The wheel nuts should
be tightened with a torque wrench
to the proper torque specification
after replacing. Follow the torque
specification supplied by the
aftermarket manufacturer when
using accessory locking wheel
nuts. See Capacities and
Specications on page 11-2 for
original equipment wheel nut
torque specifications.
Notice: Improperly tightened
wheel nuts can lead to brake
pulsation and rotor damage.
To avoid expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel nuts in
the proper sequence and to
the proper torque specication.
See
Capacities and Specifications
on page 11-2 for the wheel nut
torque specication.
14. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a crisscross sequence as
shown.
Vehicle Care 9-67

Storing the Compact
Spare Tire
{CAUTION
Storing a jack, a tire, or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.
A. Compact Spare Tire (Valve Stem Pointed Down)
B. Jack C. Cargo Area Floor
D. Tire/Wheel Retainer Nut
E. Jack Handle
F. Wheel Wrench
1. Place the jack handle (E) and
wheel wrench (F) back in their
original location in the passenger
side of the cargo area.
2. Place the jack (B) back in its original location on the driver
side of the cargo area and close
the latch over the jack (B).
3. Place the compact spare tire (A), valve stem pointed down, back
in its original location in the
center of the cargo area.
4. Turn the tire/wheel retainer nut (D) clockwise to secure it
on the compact spare tire (A).
5. Close the cargo area floor (C).
Compact Spare Tire
The compact spare tire was fully
inflated when the vehicle was new,
but it can lose air after a time. Check
the inflation pressure regularly.
See Vehicle Load Limits on
page 8-12 for the correct inflation
pressure.
Do not exceed 80 km/h (50 mph)
when driving with a spare tire.
The spare tire is for temporary
emergency use only. Replace it with
a regular tire as soon as possible.
9-68 Vehicle Care

Notice:When the compact spare
is installed, do not take the vehicle
through an automatic car wash
with guide rails. The compact
spare can get caught on the rails
which can damage the tire, wheel
and other parts of the vehicle.
Do not use the temporary spare on
other vehicles.
Do not mix the temporary spare
tire or wheel with other wheels or
tires. They will not fit. Keep the
spare tire and its wheel together.
Notice: Tire chains will not t
the compact spare. Using them
can damage the vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Do not use
tire chains on the compact spare.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
the vehicle that would not be
covered by the warranty. Trying to start the vehicle by
pushing or pulling it will not work,
and it could damage the 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.
Vehicle Care 9-69

To avoid the possibility of the
vehicles rolling, set the parking
brake firmly 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! 4. Open the hoods and locate the
batteries. Find the positive (+)
and negative (−) terminal
locations on each vehicle.
See Engine Compartment
Overview on page 9-6 for
more information on location.
{CAUTION
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION
Using a match near a battery
can cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use
a flashlight if you need more light.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Be sure the battery has enough
water. You do not need to add
water to the battery installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery
has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there. If it is
low, add water to take care of that
first. If you don’t, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{CAUTION
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
9-70 Vehicle Care

5. Check that the jumper cablesdo not have loose or missing
insulation. If they do, you could
get a shock. The vehicles could
be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables,
here are some basic things you
should know. Positive (+) will go
to positive (+) or to a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one. Negative (−) will go to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine
part or to a remote negative (−)
terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to
negative (−) or you will get a short
that would damage the battery
and maybe other parts too. And
do not connect the negative ( −)
cable to the negative (−) terminal
on the dead battery because this
can cause sparks. 6. Connect the red positive (+)
cable to the positive (+) terminal
of the dead battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one.
7. Do not let the other end touch metal. Connect it to the
positive (+) terminal of the good
battery. Use a remote positive (+)
terminal if the vehicle has one. 8. To access the remote negative
on the 1.8L engine, the cover will
need to be removed. To remove
the engine cover raise the rear of
the engine cover to remove the
rear clips and the front of the
engine cover to remove the
two front clips
1.8 L4 Engine
Vehicle Care 9-71

Now connect the black
negative (−) cable to the negative
terminal of the good battery.
Use a remote negative (−)
terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not let the other end touch
anything until the next step.
The other end of the negative ( −)
cable does not go to the dead
battery. It goes to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or to
a remote negative (−) terminal on
the vehicle with the dead battery. 9. Connect the other end of the
negative (−) cable at least
18 inches (45 cm) away from the
dead battery, but not near engine
parts that move. The electrical
connection is just as good there,
and the chance of sparks getting
back to the battery is much less.
10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine for a while.
11. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery. If it will not
start after a few tries, it probably
needs service.
Notice: If the jumper cables
are connected or removed in the
wrong order, electrical shorting
may occur and damage the
vehicle. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always connect and remove the
jumper cables in the correct order,
making sure that the cables do not
touch each other or other metal. A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal
Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
2.4L L4 Engine
Jumper Cable Removal
9-72 Vehicle Care

To disconnect the jumper cables
from both vehicles, do the following:
1. Disconnect the black negative (−)
cable from the vehicle that had
the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative ( −)
cable from the vehicle with the
good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the vehicle with the
good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the other vehicle.Towing
Towing the Vehicle
To avoid damage, the disabled
vehicle should be towed with all
four wheels off the ground. Consult
your dealer/retailer or a professional
towing service if the disabled vehicle
must be towed. See Roadside
Assistance Program on page 12-6 .
To tow the vehicle behind
another vehicle for recreational
purposes — such as behind
a motorhome, see Recreational
Vehicle Towing following.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle – such as behind a
motorhome. The two most common
types of recreational vehicle towing
are known as dinghy towing and
dolly towing. Dinghy towing is towing
the vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground. Dolly towing is towing
the vehicle with two wheels on the
ground and two wheels up on a
device known as a dolly.
Vehicle Care 9-73

Here are some important things
to consider before recreational
vehicle towing:
•What is the towing capacity of the
towing vehicle? Be sure to read
the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
•What is the distance that will be
travelled? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow.
•Is the proper equipment going to
be used? See your dealer/retailer
or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
•Is the vehicle ready to be towed?
Just as preparing the vehicle for a
long trip, make sure the vehicle is
prepared to be towed.
Dinghy Towing
If the vehicle has an automatic
transmission, it cannot be dinghy
towed. See “Dolly Towing” for more
information regarding towing the
vehicle.If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, it can be dinghy
towed.
When dinghy towing, be sure to
follow the posted legal speed limit.
1. Put the shift lever in Neutral.
2. Turn the ignition to
ACC/ACCESSORY to avoid
locking the steering wheel.
Make sure the audio system
is turned off and that nothing is
plugged into the power outlets.
3. Release the parking brake. After dinghy towing, let the engine
idle for more than three minutes
before driving the vehicle.
Do not tow the vehicle from the
rear. The vehicle could be badly
damaged and the repairs would
not be covered by the warranty.
Dolly Towing (All-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles)
All-wheel-drive vehicles must not
be towed with two wheels on the
ground. To properly tow these
vehicles, they should be placed on a
platform trailer with all four wheels off
of the ground.
9-74 Vehicle Care

Dolly Towing
(Front-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles Only)
To tow the front-wheel-drive vehicle
using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Move the shift lever to P (Park)for an automatic transmission
or Neutral for a manual
transmission. 3. Set the parking brake.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a
straight-ahead position with a
clamping device designed
for towing.
5. Remove the key from the ignition.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
7. Release the parking brake.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Cleaning Exterior
Lamps/Lenses
Use only lukewarm or cold water,
a soft cloth and a car washing soap
to clean exterior lamps and lenses.
Follow instructions under “Washing
the Vehicle” later in this section.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing
of the vehicle by hand may be
necessary to remove residue from
the paint finish. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from
your dealer/retailer.
Vehicle Care 9-75

If the vehicle has a basecoat/
clearcoat paint finish, the clearcoat
gives more depth and gloss to the
colored basecoat. Always use waxes
and polishes that are non-abrasive
and made for a basecoat/clearcoat
paint finish.
Notice:Machine compounding
or aggressive polishing on a
basecoat/clearcoat paint nish
may damage it. Use only
non-abrasive waxes and polishes
that are made for a basecoat/
clearcoat paint nish on the
vehicle. Foreign materials such as calcium
chloride and other salts, ice melting
agents, road oil and tar, tree sap,
bird droppings, chemicals from
industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage the vehicle’s finish if they
remain on painted surfaces. Wash
the vehicle as soon as possible.
If necessary, use non-abrasive
cleaners that are marked safe for
painted surfaces to remove foreign
matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject
to aging, weather and chemical
fallout that can take their toll over
a period of years. You can help to
keep the paint finish looking new
by keeping the vehicle garaged or
covered whenever possible.Protecting Exterior Bright Metal
Parts
Bright metal parts should be cleaned
regularly to keep their luster. Wash
with water or use chrome polish on
chrome or stainless steel trim, if
necessary.
Use special care with aluminum trim.
To avoid damaging protective trim,
never use auto or chrome polish,
steam or caustic soap to clean
aluminum. A coating of wax, rubbed
to high polish, is recommended for all
bright metal parts.
9-76 Vehicle Care