2007 PONTIAC VIBE Owners Manual

❑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 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 394for the proper uid to use.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain, ush, and rell the cooling system
(or every 5 years, whichever occurs rst). This
service can be complex; you should have
your dealer perform this service. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 294for what to use. Inspect
hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap,
and neck. Pressure test cooling system and
pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
385

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals
specied to help ensure the safety, dependability
and emission control performance of your
vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at
once. Whenever any uids or lubricants are added
to your vehicle, make sure they are the proper
ones, as shown in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant
to perform these underhood checks at each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil
if necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 284for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add the proper
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 294for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the
windshield washer uid reservoir and add
the proper uid if necessary. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 305for further details.
Hood Latch Operation Check
Pull the primary hood latch release handle inside
the vehicle. The secondary latch should keep
the hood from opening all the way when the
primary latch is released. Make sure the hood
closes rmly. SeeHood Release on page 280for
further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Visually inspect the tires and make sure the tires
are inated to the correct pressures. Do not
forget to check the spare tire. SeeInation - Tire
Pressure on page 329.
386

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all
your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors
and anchorages are working properly. Look for
any other loose or damaged safety belt system
parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety
belt system from doing its job, have it repaired.
Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken airbag
coverings, and have them repaired or replaced.
(The airbag system does not need regular
maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged or
that streak or miss areas of the windshield. Also
seeWindshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades
on page 359.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
Apply silicone grease with a clean cloth. During
very cold, damp weather more frequent application
may be required. SeePart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 394.
Fluid Level Check
Check the power steering pump, rear axle,
transfer case, and automatic or manual transaxle
uid levels and add as needed. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 304andAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 290orManual Transaxle
Fluid on page 292. Check for leaks. A uid loss
in these systems could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired at once.
387

At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specied in Part D.
Seat Operation Check
Make sure the head restraints stay in position and
all seat latches lock. Check that the recliner
holds by pushing and pulling the seatback while it
is reclined.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all hood latch assembly, secondary
latch, pivots, spring anchor, release pawl, hood
and body door hinges, rear compartment, and any
folding seat hardware. Part D tells you what to
use. More frequent lubrication may be required
when exposed to a corrosive environment.
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the
vehicle moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough
room around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the
regular brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 114.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready to turn off the engine immediately if
it starts.
388

3. On automatic transaxle vehicles, try to start
the engine in each gear. The vehicle should
start only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the
vehicle starts in any other position, contact
your GM Goodwrench
®dealer for service.
On manual transaxle vehicles, put the
shift lever in NEUTRAL (N), push the clutch
pedal down halfway, and try to start the
engine. The vehicle should start only when
the clutch pedal is pushed down all the way to
the oor. If the vehicle starts when the
clutch pedal is not pushed all the way down,
contact your GM Goodwrench
®dealer for
service.
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the
vehicle moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough
room around the vehicle. It should be parked
on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking
Brake on page 114.
Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately if the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to ON,
but do not start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the shift
lever out of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the
shift lever moves out of PARK (P), contact
your GM Goodwrench
®dealer for service.
389

Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try
to turn the ignition to LOCK in each shift lever
position.
With an automatic transaxle, the ignition
should turn to LOCK only when the shift lever
is in PARK (P).
With a manual transaxle, the ignition should
turn to LOCK only if you push the ignition
key in farther, while turning it toward LOCK.
Contact your GM Goodwrench
®dealer if service is
required.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle
Park (P) Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your
vehicle could begin to move. You or
others could be injured and property
could be damaged. Make sure there is
room in front of your vehicle in case it
begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.
390

Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular
brake, set the parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability:
With the engine running and transaxle in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure
from the regular brake pedal. Do this until the
vehicle is held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to
PARK (P). Then release the parking brake
followed by the regular brake.
Contact your GM Goodwrench
®dealer if service is
required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take
care to clean thoroughly any areas where mud and
other debris can collect.
391

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed in this part are inspections and services
which should be performed at least twice a
year (for instance, each spring and fall).You
should let your dealer’s service department
do these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs
are completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may
be found in a service manual. SeeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 417.
Steering, Suspension and Front
Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and
steering system for damaged, loose or missing
parts, signs of wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect
the power steering lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chang, etc. Clean
and then inspect the drive axle boot seals for
damage, tears or leakage. Replace seals if
necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the
body near the exhaust system. Look for broken,
damaged, missing or out-of-position parts as
well as open seams, holes, loose connections or
other conditions which could cause a heat
build-up in the oor pan or could let exhaust fumes
into the vehicle. SeeEngine Exhaust on
page 119.
Fuel System Inspection
Inspect the complete fuel system for damage
or leaks.
392