2005 PONTIAC VIBE lock

{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You cannot see it
or smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking your exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little
faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get
and it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with your headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine
again and repeat this only when you feel really
uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as
possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can.
To help keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle
and do some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour
or so until help comes.
4-29

Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. Two labels on your vehicle show how
much weight it may properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and the Certication label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose
control and crash. Also, overloading can
shorten the life of your vehicle.
Tire and Loading Information Label
The Tire and Loading Information label shows the
seating capacity and the vehicle capacity weight (A).
This weight includes the weight of all occupants, cargo
and all nonfactory-installed options. The Tire and
Loading Information label is attached to the center pillar,
below the driver’s door lock post (striker).Tire and Loading Information Label Example
4-32

Dinghy Towing
For front-wheel-drive vehicles with a manual transaxle,
only do the following:
When dinghy towing, be sure to follow the posted legal
speed limit.
1. Put the shift lever in NEUTRAL.
2. Turn the ignition to ACC to avoid locking the steering
wheel. Make sure the audio system is turned off and
that nothing is plugged into the power outlets.
3. Release the parking brake.After dinghy towing, let the engine idle for more than
three minutes before driving the vehicle.
Do not tow your vehicle from the rear. Your vehicle
could be badly damaged and the repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
Notice:Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, or even with only two of
its wheels on the ground, will damage drivetrain
components. Do not tow an all-wheel-drive vehicle if
any of its wheels will be on the ground.
4-38

Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads
are a few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch.
Here are some rules to follow:
Don’t let the steel in a hitch contact the aluminum
on your bumper. If you do, the two will corrode.
You can use something like paint or plastic tape to
separate the steel and aluminum. The same
steel to aluminum problem can happen with
fasteners too.
Will you have to make any holes in the body of
your vehicle when you install a trailer hitch?
If you do, then be sure to seal the holes later
when you remove the hitch. If you don’t seal them,
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust
can get into your vehicle. SeeEngine Exhaust
on page 2-32. Dirt and water can too.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the
tongue of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to
the road if it becomes separated from the hitch.
Instructions about safety chains may be provided by the
hitch manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching
safety chains and do not attach them to the bumper.
Always leave just enough slack so you can turn
with your rig. And, never allow safety chains to drag on
the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does your trailer have its own brakes?
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer
brakes so you’ll be able to install, adjust and maintain
them properly. And, if you have anti-lock brakes, do not
try to tap into your vehicle’s brake system. If you do,
both systems won’t work well, or at all.
4-43

Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-70
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-72
Wheel Replacement......................................5-72
Tire Chains..................................................5-73
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-74
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-75
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-76
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire................................................5-78
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-84
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-86
Appearance Care............................................5-87
Fabric/Carpet...............................................5-87
Vinyl...........................................................5-89
Leather.......................................................5-89
Instrument Panel..........................................5-89
Interior Plastic Components............................5-89
Glass Surfaces.............................................5-89
Care of Safety Belts......................................5-90
Weatherstrips...............................................5-90
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-90
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.....................5-90
Finish Care..................................................5-91Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades.........5-91
Aluminum Wheels.........................................5-92
Tires...........................................................5-92
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-93
Finish Damage.............................................5-93
Underbody Maintenance................................5-93
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-93
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..................5-94
Vehicle Identication......................................5-95
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN).................5-95
Service Parts Identication Label.....................5-95
Electrical System............................................5-95
Add-On Electrical Equipment..........................5-95
Headlamp Wiring..........................................5-96
Windshield Wiper Fuses................................5-96
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......5-96
Fuses and Circuit Breakers............................5-96
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................5-97
Engine Compartment Fuse Block....................5-98
Capacities and Specications........................5-100
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........5-102
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged fuel
door on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
The fuel door release lever
is located near the oor
under the driver’s seat on
the outboard side.To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). On some vehicles you may
have to push in while turning the cap.
While refueling, hang the fuel cap inside of the
fuel door.
{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 hiss noise
to stop. Then unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overll the
tank, and wait a few seconds after you have nished
pumping before removing the nozzle. Clean fuel
from painted surfaces as soon as possible.
SeeWashing Your Vehicle on page 5-90.
5-8

When replacing the fuel cap, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until it clicks. Make sure the cap is fully
installed. 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.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-35.
{CAUTION:
If a re starts while you are refueling, do not
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.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-35.
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

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-38.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-37.
C. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-30.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-16.
E. Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System on
page 5-32.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-16.G. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick (If Equipped).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 5-23.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir and Hydraulic
Clutch (If Equipped). See “Brake Fluid” underBrakes
on page 5-39andHydraulic Clutch on page 5-27.
I. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
J. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-42.
K. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-98.
5-13