2004 PONTIAC VIBE differential

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle ¯uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Check the ¯uid in the transaxle and differential every
30,000 miles (50 000 km). Change the ¯uid 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 90ÉF (32ÉC) or higher.
·In hilly or mountainous terrain.
·When doing frequent trailer towing.
·Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
See
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services on
page 6-4.
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 ¯uid can damage
your transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the
¯uid could come out and fall on hot engine or
exhaust system parts, starting a ®re. Too little ¯uid
could cause the transaxle to overheat. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle ¯uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
¯uid level if you have been driving:
·When outside temperatures are above 90ÉF (32ÉC).
·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 158ÉF to 176ÉF
(70ÉC to 80ÉC).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50ÉF
(10ÉC). If it's colder than 50ÉF (10ÉC), you may have to
drive longer.
5-23

All-Wheel Drive
If you have an all-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure to
perform the lubricant checks described in this section.
However, it has two additional systems that need
lubrication.
Transfer Case (Power Transfer Unit)
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant. SeePart C: Periodic
MaintenanceInspections on page 6-24.
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 ®ller plug hole,
you'll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the ®ller plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeePart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-26.
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
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services on page 6-4.
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 ®ller plug hole,
you'll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the ®ller plug hole.
A ¯uid 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. SeePart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-26.
5-51

ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Manual Transaxle
Five-Speed
Six-Speed2.0 quarts
2.4 quarts1.9 L
2.3 L
Rear Differential 0.5 quarts 0.5 L
Transfer Case 0.8 quarts 0.8 L
Wheels and Tires
Wheel Nut Torque76 lb-ft 103Y
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to ®ll to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-26.
Engine Speci®cations
Engine VIN Code Transaxle Spark Plug Gap
L4
1.8L Engine8 Automatic and Manual 0.043 inch (1.1 mm)
L4
1.8L H.O. DOHC EngineL Automatic and Manual 0.043 inch (1.1 mm)
5-102

Selecting the Right Schedule
First you'll need to decide which of the two schedules is
right for your vehicle. Here's how to decide which
schedule to follow:
Short Trip/City De®nition
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 ®rst).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km):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
®rst). Automatic Transaxle Check. Manual Transaxle
Fluid Change (severe conditions only) (or every
24 months, whichever occurs ®rst). Cooling System
Service (or every 24 months, whichever occurs ®rst).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km):Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Change (severe conditions only). Valve Clearance
Inspection, adjust if necessary (or every 48 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).
6-5

15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qReplace passenger compartment air ®lter.
qChange transfer case ¯uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
qChange rear differential ¯uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
18,000 Miles (30 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace ®lter if necessary.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
21,000 Miles (35 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
24,000 Miles (40 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace ®lter if necessary.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
27,000 Miles (45 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
6-8

30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qReplace passenger compartment air ®lter.
qReplace engine air cleaner ®lter (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).
An Emission Control Service.
qInspect 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 ².)
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
qDrain, ¯ush and re®ll cooling system (or every
24 months, whichever occurs ®rst). SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-27for 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 ².)
qChange manual transaxle ¯uid every 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) only if your vehicle is used to tow a
trailer.qCheck automatic transaxle ¯uid.
qChange transfer case ¯uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
qChange rear differential ¯uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
33,000 Miles (55 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
36,000 Miles (60 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace ®lter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
6-9

39,000 Miles (65 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
42,000 Miles (70 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace ®lter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qReplace passenger compartment air ®lter.
qCheck automatic transaxle ¯uid.
qChange transfer case ¯uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
qChange rear differential ¯uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
48,000 Miles (80 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace ®lter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
51,000 Miles (85 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
54,000 Miles (90 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace ®lter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
57,000 Miles (95 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
6-10

60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qReplace passenger compartment air ®lter.
qInspect engine accessory drive belts (or every
48 months, whichever occurs ®rst).
An Emission
Control Service.
qReplace engine air cleaner ®lter (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
qInspect for tappet noise and engine vibration. Adjust
valve clearance to factory speci®cations if necessary
(or every 48 months, whichever occurs ®rst).
An Emission Control Service.
qInspect 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 ².)
qDrain, ¯ush and re®ll cooling system (or every
24 months, whichever occurs ®rst). SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-27for 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 ².)
qChange manual transaxle ¯uid every 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) only if your vehicle is used to tow a
trailer.
qChange automatic transaxle ¯uid every 60,000 miles
(100 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under
one or more of these conditions:
þ In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90ÉF (32ÉC)
or higher.
þ In hilly or mountainous terrain.
þ When doing frequent trailer towing.
þ Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, check the ¯uid. See Part D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-26
for the proper
¯uid to use.
qChange transfer case ¯uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
qChange rear differential ¯uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
63,000 Miles (105 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
6-11