2004 PONTIAC VIBE oil dipstick

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.
5-13

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.
5-15

Engine Oil
If the engine oil pressure
light appears on the
instrument cluster, it
means you need to check
your engine oil level
right away.
For more information, see
Oil Pressure Light on
page 3-38.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil
dipstick might not show the actual level.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
1.8L (Code 8) Engine
1.8L (Code L) Engine
5-16

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the hole at the tip of the dipstick,
then you will need to add at least one quart of oil.
But you must use the right kind. This section explains
what kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see
Capacities and Speci®cations on
page 5-101.
Notice:Don't add too much oil. If your engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the
upper mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil ®ll cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the
way back in when you are through.
5-17

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

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transaxle ¯uid to use. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-26.
If the ¯uid level is low, add only enough of the proper
¯uid to bring the level into the area between dimples on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough ¯uid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It doesn't take much ¯uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L).
Don't over®ll.
Notice:
We recommend you use only ¯uid labeled
T-IV Automatic Transmission Fluid because ¯uid
with that label is made especially for your automatic
transaxle. Damage caused by ¯uid other than T-IV
Automatic Transmission ¯uid is not covered by your
new vehicle warranty. See ªRecommended Fluids
and Lubricantsº in the Index.
3. After adding ¯uid, recheck the ¯uid level as
described under ªHow to Checkº previously in
this section.
4. When the correct ¯uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then press the tab
down to lock the dipstick in place.
Manual Transaxle Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
changed. However, the ¯uid in your manual transaxle
doesn't require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be difficult, you may choose
to have this done at your Pontiac dealership service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading.
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.
Check the ¯uid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place and the transaxle
is cool enough for you to rest your ®ngers on the
transaxle case.
5-25