2005 PONTIAC VIBE maintenance schedule

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-7
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-8
Child Restraints
.......................................1-26
Airbag System
.........................................1-46
Restraint System Check
............................1-62
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-13
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-15
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-17
Mirrors
....................................................2-34
OnStar
®System
......................................2-35
Storage Areas
.........................................2-37
Sunroof
..................................................2-40
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-20
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-25
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-42Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
........ 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-37
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
All-Wheel Drive
........................................5-48
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-56
Tires
......................................................5-57
Appearance Care
.....................................5-87
Vehicle Identication
.................................5-95
Electrical System
......................................5-95
Capacities and Specications
...................5-100
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
......5-102
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-10
Index.................................................................1
2005 Pontiac Vibe Owner ManualM

Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.
Operation
9
(Fan):Turn the center knob away from OFF to turn
the system on. Turn the knob toward HI to increase
fan speed.
If the airow seems low when the fan is at the highest
setting, the passenger compartment air lter may
need to be replaced. For more information, see
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 3-23and
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.To change the current mode, select one of the following:
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the upper
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs the air to the upper
instrument panel outlets, and to the oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs the air to the oor outlets
and to the outboard outlets (for the side windows).
?(Recirculation):Press this button, located in the
center of the instrument panel to the left of the audio
system, to turn the recirculation mode on or off. This
mode keeps outside air from coming in the vehicle. It can
be used to prevent outside air and odors from entering
your vehicle or to help heat or cool the air inside your
vehicle more quickly. When the button is pressed, an
indicator light in the button will come on. Press the button
again to turn off recirculate and to circulate outside air
through the system. The indicator light will go off.
Recirculate is automatically turned off when the climate
control system mode knob is turned to defog or defrost or
is between modes.
3-20

Operation Tips
Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of your vehicle more
effectively.
If the airow seems low when the fan is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment air lter
may need to be replaced. For more information,
see “Passenger Compartment Air Filter” following
andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Passenger compartment air, both outside and
recirculated air, is routed through a passenger
compartment air lter. The lter removes certain
contaminants from the air, including pollen and dust
particles. Reductions in airow, which may occur more
quickly in dusty areas, indicate that the lter needs
to be replaced early. An air lter is available through
your dealer. For how often to change the air lter,
seeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.The access panel for the air lter is behind the glove
box. To replace the lter, follow these steps:
1. Lower the glove box door and remove the screw on
the right side of the glovebox with a tool. Slide the
arm of the glovebox off.
2. Push each side of the glovebox in and pull
toward you.
3-23

{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that
it catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may
damage the engine. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always follow the maintenance
schedule in this manual for changing engine oil.
Lights On Reminder
This light comes on
whenever the parking
lamps are on.
SeeHeadlamps on Reminder on page 3-13for more
information.
Taillamp Indicator Light
This light will come on
when your taillamps
are on.
SeeExterior Lamps on page 3-13for more information.
Cruise Control Light
The CRUISE light appears
whenever you use the
ON-OFF button to set your
cruise control. SeeCruise
Control Light on page 3-39
for more information.
Canada Only
3-39

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
start your engine
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle uid (don’t overll),
engine oil, drive belt, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the
Index will help you nd them quickly. If you’re trailering,
it’s a good idea to review this information before you
start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-30.
4-46

When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short trip/city
maintenance schedule:
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.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi,
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and lter
every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months — whichever
occurs rst.
If none of them are true, use the long trip/highway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and lter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months — whichever
occurs rst. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine
under highway conditions will cause engine oil to
break down slower.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by
taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a
problem properly disposing of your used oil, ask
your dealer, a service station or a local recycling center
for help.
5-20

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/lter is in the engine compartment
on the driver’s side of the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12for more
information on location.
When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
If you are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the
air cleaner/lter at each engine oil change. Replace the
lter every 30,000 miles (48 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. SeePart A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services on page 6-4for more information.
How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter remove the lter from
the vehicle and lightly shake the lter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the lter remains caked with dirt,
a new lter is required.
5-21

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 (48 000 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 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
SeePart 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 the
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 the transaxle uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
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 158°F to 176°F
(70°C to 80°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are
above 50°F (10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C),
you may have to drive longer.
5-23