2004 PONTIAC VIBE Owners Manual

Filling Your Tank
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel ®re can
cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to
you and others, read and follow all the
instructions on the pump island. Turn off your
engine when you are refueling. Don't smoke if
you're near fuel or refueling your vehicle. Keep
sparks, ¯ames and smoking materials away
from fuel. Don't leave the fuel pump
unattended when refueling your vehicle Ð this
is against the law in some places. Keep
children away from the fuel pump; never let
children pump fuel.The fuel cap is located behind a hinged door on the
driver's side of the vehicle.
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The fuel door release lever
is located near the ¯oor
under the driver's seat on
the outboard side.
While refueling, hang the fuel cap inside of the
fuel door.To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise).
{CAUTION:
If you spill fuel and then something ignites it,
you could be badly burned. Fuel can spray out
on you if you open the fuel cap too quickly.
This spray can happen if your tank is nearly
full, and is more likely in hot weather. Open
the fuel cap slowly and wait for any ªhissº
noise to stop. Then unscrew the cap all
the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Don't top off or over®ll your
tank, and wait a few seconds after you've ®nished
pumping before you remove the nozzle. Clean fuel from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See
Cleaning
the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-92.
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When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make
sure you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 3-34.
{CAUTION:
If a ®re starts while you're refueling, don't
remove the nozzle. Shut off the ¯ow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by notifying the
station attendant. Leave the area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get
the right type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get the wrong type, it may not ®t properly.
This may cause your malfunction indicator lamp to
light and may damage your fuel tank and emissions
system. See ªMalfunction Indicator Lampº in the
Index.
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ®ll a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from
the container can ignite the gasoline vapor.
You can be badly burned and your vehicle
damaged if this occurs. To help avoid injury to
you and others:
·Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
·Do not ®ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle's trunk, pickup bed or
on any surface other than the ground.
·Bring the ®ll nozzle in contact with the
inside of the ®ll opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the ®lling is complete.
·Do not smoke while pumping gasoline.
5-9

Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start a ®re. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake ¯uid, windshield washer and
other ¯uids, and plastic or rubber. You or
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.
Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the release handle
inside the vehicle. It's
located below the
instrument panel to the
left of the steering
wheel.
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2. Then go to the front of the vehicle. Release the
secondary hood release by pulling up on the
lever located near the middle of the hood.
3. Lift the hood.4. Release the hood prop
rod from its retainer
and put the hood prop
rod into the slot in
the hood. To insert the
hood prop rod into
the slot, move it
straight up. If it is
moved to the side or
toward the inside of the
vehicle, it may
become detached.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the ®ller caps are
on properly. Make sure to return the hood prop rod
carefully back in its retainer before closing the hood to
avoid damaging the vehicle.
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Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood of the 1.8 L (Code 8) engine, you'll see the following:
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A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-39.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See
Power Steering
Fluid on page 5-38.
C. Radiator Pressure Cap. See
Radiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-29.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil on page 5-16.
E. Coolant Recovery Tank. See
Engine Coolant
on page 5-27.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See
Engine Oil on page 5-16.G. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick (If Equipped).
See
Automatic Transaxle Fluid on page 5-23.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See
Hydraulic
Clutch on page 5-26.
I. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
J. Battery. See
Battery on page 5-44.
K. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. See ªEngine
Compartment Fuse Blockº under
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-98.
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When you open the hood of the 1.8 L (Code L) H.O. DOHC engine, you'll see the following:
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