2004 PONTIAC VIBE warning light

When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine
how often you should
check the ¯uid level in your
master cylinder reservoir
and for the proper
¯uid. See
Part B: Owner
Checks and Services
on page 6-19
andPart D:
Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on
page 6-26
.
How to Check and Add Fluid
Check to make sure that the ¯uid level is at or above
the MIN mark. If the level is below the MIN mark,
see the instructions on the reservoir cap.
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
Engine Overheating on
page 5-30.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and the proper
coolant will:
·Give freezing protection down to-34ÉF (-37ÉC).
·Give boiling protection up to 265ÉF (129ÉC).
·Protect against rust and corrosion.
·Help keep the proper engine temperature.
·Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
5-27

Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer ¯uid, be sure to read
the manufacturer's instructions before use. If you will
be operating your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use a ¯uid that has
sufficient protection against freezing. See
Engine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12for reservoir
location.
Adding Washer Fluid
The low windshield washer
¯uid level warning light will
come on when the ¯uid
level is too low. See
Low Washer Fluid Warning
Light on page 3-39.The windshield washer
¯uid reservoir is located in
the engine compartment
on the passenger's side of
the vehicle.
Open the cap with the washer symbol on it. Add
washer ¯uid until the tank is full.
Canada Only
5-39

So, it is not a good idea to ªtop offº your brake ¯uid.
Adding brake ¯uid will not correct a leak. If you add ¯uid
when your linings are worn, then you will have too
much ¯uid when you get new brake linings. You should
add (or remove) brake ¯uid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake ¯uid, it can spill on
the engine. The ¯uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
¯uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.When your brake ¯uid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-31. United States
Canada
5-41

Brake Wear
The GT series has four-wheel disc brakes. All other
models have front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing on the
brake pedal ®rmly).
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear the
brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are ®rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque speci®cations.
If you have rear drum brakes, they do not have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing
noise, have the rear brake linings inspected immediately.
Also, the rear brake drums should be removed and
inspected each time the tires are removed for rotation or
changing. When you have the front brake pads
replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See
Brake System Inspection on page 6-25.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc
brakes adjust for wear. If you rarely make a moderate
or heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust
correctly. If you drive in that way, then Ð very
carefully Ð make a few moderate brake stops about
every 1,000 miles (1 600 km), so your brakes will
adjust properly.
5-43

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
selection width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the Unites States National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, which grades tires by treadwear,
traction and temperature performance. (This applies
only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The grades
are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger car
tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system does not
apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver
or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a speci®ed government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1
1¤2) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signi®cantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction Ð AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on speci®ed government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
5-72

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-17
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-39
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-97
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)......3-45, 3-54
Air Bag .........................................................3-30
Readiness Light..........................................3-30
Air Bag System, Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS).............................................1-47
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-21
All-Wheel Drive...............................................5-51
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System........................... 4-9
Aluminum Wheels...........................................5-94
AM ...............................................................3-63
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-64
Antenna, XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna
System......................................................3-64
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-32
Anti-lock Brake System..................................... 4-7
Appearance Care............................................5-89
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-92
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-95
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-89Appearance Care (cont.)
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-92
Finish Damage............................................5-94
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-94
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-95
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-95
Weatherstrips..............................................5-92
Arming the System.........................................2-14
Ashtrays........................................................3-19
Audio System(s).............................................3-41
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-64
Care of Your CDs........................................3-64
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-64
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-63
Radio with CD............................................3-42
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-52
Setting the Time..........................................3-41
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-63
XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-64
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-13
Automatic Transaxle........................................2-18
Fluid..........................................................5-23
Operation...................................................2-20
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................6-22
1

B
Backing Up....................................................4-38
Battery..........................................................5-44
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-6
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-21
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-21
Brake............................................................2-27
Parking......................................................2-27
System Inspection.......................................6-25
System Warning Light..................................3-31
Brake Fluid....................................................5-40
Brake Wear...................................................5-43
Brakes..........................................................5-40
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-16
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-52
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-58
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-55
Front Turn Signal Lamps..............................5-54
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-52
Headlamps.................................................5-52
Rear Combination Lamps.............................5-56
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-59
Buying New Tires...........................................5-71
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada ± Customer Assistance.......................... 7-5
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-8
Capacities and Speci®cations..........................5-101
Carbon Monoxide.....................4-24, 4-34, 2-9, 2-33
Care of.........................................................5-92
Safety Belts................................................5-92
Your CD Player...........................................3-64
Your CDs ...................................................3-64
Cargo Cover..................................................2-41
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-41
Carrier Assembly-Differential
(Rear Drive Module)....................................5-51
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-37
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-55
Chains, Tires..................................................5-75
Charging System Light....................................3-31
Check...........................................................3-34
Engine Light...............................................3-34
Checking Coolant............................................5-28
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-16
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-56
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-95
2

G
Gage............................................................3-33
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-33
Fuel..........................................................3-40
Speedometer..............................................3-27
Tachometer.................................................3-28
Gasoline......................................................... 5-4
Octane........................................................ 5-4
Speci®cations............................................... 5-5
Glove Box.....................................................2-37
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-6
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-4
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-6
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-98
Headlamps....................................................5-52
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-52
Front Turn Signal Lamps..............................5-54
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-52
Headlamps On Reminder.................................3-13
Height Adjuster, Driver Seat............................... 1-3
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-22
Hitches..........................................................4-37Hood............................................................5-10
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Hood Latch Operation Check............................6-19
Horn............................................................... 3-5
How the System Alarm is Activated...................2-15
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank............................................5-34
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-36
How to Add Fluid....................................5-25, 5-26
How to Check................................5-23, 5-25, 5-68
How to Check and Add Fluid............................5-27
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-38
How to Remove and Replace the Floor Mat.......2-38
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-14
Hydraulic Clutch.............................................5-26
Hydroplaning..................................................4-18
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-31
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-30
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-35
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-36
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-28
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-35
If You're Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-26
Ignition Positions.............................................2-16
6