2003 PONTIAC VIBE differential

6-24
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Check the fluid in the transaxle and differential every
30,000 miles (50 000 km). Change the fluid every
60,000 miles (100 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly
driven under one or more of these conditions:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

When doing frequent trailer towing.

Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership 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:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Too little
fluid could cause the transaxle to overheat. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.

6-31 Carrier Assembly-Differential
(Rear Drive Module)
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on
a level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you'll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole. A
fluid loss could indicate a problem; check and have it
repaired, if needed.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See ªRecommended Fluids
and Lubricantsº in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and the
proper coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).

Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).

Protect against rust and corrosion.

Help keep the proper engine temperature.

Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.

6-76
Replacement Bulbs
Lamps Bulb Number
Headlamp High
-/Low-Beam 9003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Turn Signal 1157NA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stoplamps/Taillamps 7443. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Back
-Up Lamps 7440. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Turn Signal 7440. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHMSL 921. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capacities and Specifications
The following approximate capacities are given in
English and metric conversions.
Cooling System
1.8L Engine (Code 8) 6.9 quarts (6.5 L). . . . . . . . .
1.8L H.O. Engine (Code L) 7.1 quarts (6.7 L). . . . Engine Oil with Filter
1.8L Engine (Code 8) 3.9 quarts (3.7 L). . . . . . . . .
1.8L Engine (Code L) 4.8 quarts (4.4 L). . . . . . . . .
Fuel Tank
With AWD 12.0 gallons (45.0 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Without AWD 13.0 gallons (49.0 L). . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic Transaxle
1.8L Engine (Code 8) 3.3 quarts (3.1 L). . . . . . . . .
1.8L Engine (Code 8)
with AWD 3.1 quarts (2.9 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual Transaxle
Five-Speed 2.0 quarts (1.9 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Six
-Speed 2.4 quarts (2.3 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Differential0.5 quarts (0.5 L) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transfer Case0.8 quarts (0.8 L) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to
fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. See ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº
in the Index.

Scheduled Maintenance
7-5
Short Trip/City Definition
Follow the Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance if
any one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:

Most trips are less than 5 miles (8 km). This is
particularly important when outside temperatures are
below freezing.

Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop
-and-go traffic).

You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.

If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule
if you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down sooner.
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or 3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Chassis Lubrication
(or 6 months, whichever occurs first). Tire Rotation.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter Inspection, if driving in
dusty conditions.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Passenger
Compartment Air Filter Replacement. Transfer Case
Fluid Change (when trailer towing). Rear Differential
Fluid Change (when trailer towing).
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap, Cap Gasket and
Lines Inspection (or every 24 months, whichever
occurs first). Automatic Transaxle Check. Manual
Transaxle Fluid Change (severe conditions only)
(or every 24 months, whichever occurs first).
Cooling System Service (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs first).

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
7-10
12,000 Miles (20 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Lubricate chassis components (or every 6 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote #.)
Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
Inspect engine air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions.
Replace filter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Replace passenger compartment air filter.
Change transfer case fluid when doing frequent trailer towing.
Change rear differential fluid when doing frequent trailer towing.
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
7-13
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Lubricate chassis components (or every 6 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote #.)
Replace passenger compartment air filter.
Replace engine air cleaner filter (or every 24 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Inspect fuel tank, cap, cap gasket and lines for damage or leaks
(or every 24 months, whichever occurs first). Replace parts as needed.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 24 months, whichever occurs
first). See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test cooling
system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
Change manual transaxle fluid every 30,000 miles (50 000 km) only if your
vehicle is used to tow a trailer.
Check automatic transaxle fluid.
Change transfer case fluid when doing frequent trailer towing.
Change rear differential fluid when doing frequent trailer towing.ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
7-15
42,000 Miles (70 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Lubricate chassis components (or every 6 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote #.)
Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
Inspect engine air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions.
Replace filter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Replace passenger compartment air filter.
Check automatic transaxle fluid.
Change transfer case fluid when doing frequent trailer towing.
Change rear differential fluid when doing frequent trailer towing.
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
7-19
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 24 months, whichever occurs
first). See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test cooling
system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
Change manual transaxle fluid every 30,000 miles (50 000 km) only if your
vehicle is used to tow a trailer.
Change automatic transaxle fluid every 60,000 miles (100 000 km) if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions:
± In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly
reaches 90F (32C) 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, check the fluid.
See ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index for the proper
fluid to use.
Change transfer case fluid when doing frequent trailer towing.
Change rear differential fluid when doing frequent trailer towing.