2003 PONTIAC VIBE radiator hose

5-12
Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fan
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Radiator Pressure Cap
CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood 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.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don't do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface.
The coolant level should
be at or above the FULL
mark. If it isn't, you may
have a leak at the pressure
cap or in the radiator
hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump or
somewhere else in the
cooling system.

5-13
CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don't touch them. If you
do, you can be burned.
Don't run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine cooling fan is running. If the
engine is overheating, the fan should be running. If it
isn't, your vehicle needs service.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn't covered by your warranty.

5-16 How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no longer hot. Turn the pressure
cap slowly counterclockwise until it first stops. (Don't
press down while turning the pressure cap.)
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means
there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
3. Fill the radiator with the proper coolant mixture, up
to the base of the filler neck. See ªEngine Coolantº
in the Index for more information about the proper
coolant mixture.

5-17
4. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the
FULL mark.
5. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the radiator pressure cap off.6. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
7. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator filler
neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add more of
the proper coolant mixture through the filler neck until
the level reaches the base of the filler neck.
8. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins to flow out of the
filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the ears
on the pressure cap are in line with the vent tube.

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
7-19
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.

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
7-24
90,000 Miles (150 000 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.
Inspect engine accessory drive belts (or every 12 months since
last inspection).
An Emission Control Service.
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
.)ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE

Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance
7-29
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)

Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.

Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote #.)

Replace passenger compartment air filter.

Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)

Replace engine air cleaner filter.
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
.)
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.ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE