2005 PONTIAC VIBE oil temperature

Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may have an engine coolant heater.
In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant
heater is not required.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The electrical cord is located on the driver’s side
of the engine compartment.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will
not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature,
the kind of oil you have, and some other things.
Instead of trying to list everything here, we ask that you
contact your dealer in the area where you will be
parking your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best
advice for that particular area.
2-21

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-13
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-13
Daytime Running Lamps................................3-14
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-15
Fog Lamps..................................................3-15
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-15
Interior Lamps Control...................................3-16
Entry Lighting...............................................3-16
Reading Lamps............................................3-17
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-18
Power Outlet 115 Volt Alternating Current........3-18
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-19Climate Controls............................................3-20
Climate Control System.................................3-20
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-22
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-23
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-25
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-26
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-27
Trip Odometers............................................3-27
Tachometer.................................................3-27
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-28
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-29
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-30
Charging System Light..................................3-31
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-32
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-33
Low Tire Pressure Warning Light....................3-33
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-34
Stabilitrak
®Indicator Light...............................3-34
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage...................3-35
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-35
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-38
Lights On Reminder......................................3-39
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is
best for your vehicle. However, if it is going to be
0°F (–18°C) or above and SAE 5W-30 is not
available, you may use SAE 10W-30.
These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity
oils such as SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should also
have the starburst
symbol on the container.
This symbol indicates
that the oil has been
certied by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
You should look for this information on the oil container,
and useonlythose oils that are identied as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and have the starburst symbol
on the front of the oil container.Notice:Use only engine oil identied as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and showing the American
Petroleum Institute Certied For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended
oil can result in engine damage not covered by
your warranty.
GM Goodwrench
®oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is recommend
that you use either an SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil or an
SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will provide easier cold starting and
better protection for your engine at extremely low
temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all you will need for good performance
and engine protection.
5-19

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

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

Engine Coolant
Your vehicle was factory-lled with a coolant developed
to last for 100,000 miles (160 000 km) or 5 years,
whichever comes rst. When coolant is added or
changed, use DEX-COOL
®coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-30.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-halfclean, drinkable waterand
one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will not damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you do
not need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
5-28

60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Replace passenger compartment air lter.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belts (or every
48 months, whichever occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Inspect for tappet noise and engine vibration. Adjust
valve clearance to factory specications if necessary
(or every 48 months, whichever occurs rst).An
Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect fuel tank, cap, cap gasket and lines for
damage or leaks (or every 24 months, whichever
occurs rst). Replace parts as needed.An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote †.)
❑Change transfer case uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
❑Change rear differential uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
❑Change manual transaxle uid every 30,000 miles
(48 000 km) only if your vehicle is used to tow a trailer.❑Change automatic transaxle uid every 60,000 miles
(96 000 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.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
condition, the uid does not require changing. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-19for the proper uid to use.
65,000 Miles 104 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace
the lter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect lter at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21for more
information.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote †.)
6-8

115,000 Miles (184 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace
the lter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect lter at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21for more
information.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote †.)
120,000 Miles (192 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Replace passenger compartment air lter.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belts (or every
48 months, whichever occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.❑Inspect for tappet noise and engine vibration. Adjust
valve clearance to factory specications if necessary
(or every 48 months, whichever occurs rst).An
Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect fuel tank, cap, cap gasket and lines for
damage or leaks (or every 24 months, whichever
occurs rst). Replace parts as needed.An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote †.)
❑Change transfer case uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
❑Change rear differential uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
❑Change manual transaxle uid every 30,000 miles
(48 000 km) only if your vehicle is used to tow a trailer.
❑Change automatic transaxle uid every 60,000 miles
(96 000 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.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the uid does not require changing. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-19for the proper uid to use.
6-12