2007 PONTIAC VIBE overheating

It is not recommended to use the cigarette lighter
to plug in auxiliary electrical equipment. Use
the accessory power outlet for phones and other
electrical equipment. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 150orPower Outlet 115 Volt
Alternating Current on page 151.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it
is heating does not let the lighter back
away from the heating element when it is hot.
Damage from overheating can occur to the
lighter or heating element, or a fuse could be
blown. Do not hold a cigarette lighter in while it
is heating.
Your vehicle may have a removable ashtray that
sits in your front cupholder in the center console
storage area.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, seePassenger Compartment Air Filter
on page 156andScheduled Maintenance on
page 377.
152

In the following cases, contact your dealer:
The warning light does not come on after the
ignition is turned to ON.
The warning light remains on after the ignition
is turned to ON.
The warning light comes on while driving.
The TCS light will come on when the VSC system
warning light comes on, even if the TRAC OFF
button is not pressed.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 231for more
information on Vehicle Stability Control System.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 230
for more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves into the red area,
the engine is too hot. It means that the engine has
overheated. Pull off the road, stop your vehicle,
and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 297.
United StatesCanada
169

Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbefore
you start down a long or steep downgrade. If you
don’t shift down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce
your speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of the engine and the transaxle
overheating.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle,
with a trailer attached, on a hill. If
something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured, and
both your vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged.But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill,
here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) for an automatic transaxle or into
gear for a manual transaxle, yet. When
parking uphill, turn your wheels away from the
curb. When parking downhill, turn your
wheels into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and shift into PARK (P) for an
automatic transaxle or REVERSE (R) for
a manual transaxle.
5. Release the regular brakes.
267

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 297.
268

Service........................................................ 272
Accessories and Modications................... 272
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 273
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 273
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 274
Fuel............................................................. 274
Gasoline Octane........................................ 274
Gasoline Specications.............................. 274
California Fuel........................................... 275
Additives................................................... 275
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 276
Filling the Tank......................................... 277
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 279
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 280
Hood Release........................................... 280
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 282
Engine Oil................................................. 284
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 288
Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 290Manual Transaxle Fluid............................. 292
Hydraulic Clutch........................................ 293
Engine Coolant.......................................... 294
Radiator Pressure Cap.............................. 297
Engine Overheating................................... 297
Cooling System......................................... 299
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 304
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 305
Brakes...................................................... 306
Battery...................................................... 309
Jump Starting............................................ 310
Bulb Replacement....................................... 315
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 315
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps....................................... 316
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL)................................ 317
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps...... 318
Back-Up Lamps......................................... 320
Replacement Bulbs................................... 320
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
269

When to Check and What to Use
The reservoir is located
at the back of the
engine compartment, on
the driver’s side of
the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 282for
more information on
location.
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. SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services
on page 386andPart D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 394.
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
Your vehicle was factory-lled with a coolant
developed to last for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs 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 297.
294

Occasionally check the coolant level in the
radiator. For information on how to add coolant to
the radiator, seeCooling System on page 299.
Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and possible engine
damage may occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 282
for more information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will nd a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 169.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can
burn you badly, even if you just open the
hood. Stay away from the engine if you
see or hear steam coming from it. Just
turn it off and get everyone away from the
vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant
before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re.
You or others could be badly burned.
Stop your engine if it overheats, and get
out of the vehicle until the engine is cool.
Notice:If your engine catches re because
you keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle
can be badly damaged. The costly repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
297

{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other
engine parts, can be very hot. Do not
touch them. If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If
you run the engine, it could lose all
coolant. That could cause an engine re,
and you could be burned. Get any leak
xed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on,
check to see if the electric engine cooling fan
is running. If the engine is overheating, the
fan should be running. If it is not, your vehicle
needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant is not covered by your
warranty.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you have not found a problem yet, but the
coolant level is not at or above the FULL mark,
add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant recovery
tank. SeeEngine Coolant on page 294for more
information about the proper coolant mixture.
{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 a proper coolant.
300