2008 PONTIAC VIBE lock

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-34.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-33.
C. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-26.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-13.
E. Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System on
page 5-28.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-13.
G. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (If Equipped).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-19.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir and Hydraulic
Clutch (If Equipped). See “Brake Fluid” underBrakes
on page 5-35andHydraulic Clutch on page 5-22.
I. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17.
J. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-38.
K. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-93.Engine Oil
If the engine oil pressure
light appears on the
instrument cluster,
check the engine oil
level right away.
For more information, seeOil Pressure Light on
page 3-38. You should check the engine oil level
regularly; this is an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
5-13

Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift
lever in PARK (P).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position
the shift lever in PARK (P).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to ve minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
The automatic transmission dipstick has an orange
handle and is located near the front of the engine
compartment. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for more information on location.
1. Release the tab and pull out the dipstick and
wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds
and then pull it back out again.3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The uid level must be between the
two dimples in the hot range.
4. If the uid level is in the acceptable range, push
the dipstick back in all the way; then press the
tab down to lock the dipstick in place.
5-20

How to Add Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transmission uid to use. SeePart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-19.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the proper
uid to bring the level into the area between dimples
on the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally less than one
pint (0.5 L). Do not overll.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage
your transmission. Too much can mean that some
of the uid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a re.
Too little uid could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if
you check your transmission uid.3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,” earlier in this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then press the tab
down to lock the dipstick in place.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have your manual transaxle uid level
checked is when the engine oil is changed. However,
the uid in your manual transaxle does not require
changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your dealer/retailer
service department.
5-21

How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when
the cooling system, including the radiator pressure
cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise until
it rst stops. Do not press down while turning the
pressure cap.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss
means there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.3. Fill the radiator with the proper coolant mixture, up
to the base of the ller neck. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-23for more information about the proper
coolant mixture.
5-31

To replace the headlamp, turn signal, or parking
lamp bulb:
1. Open the hood and locate the lamp assembly.
2. Remove the rubber cover and socket from
the headlamp or turn signal/parking lamp.3. Release the retainer clip holding the bulb on the
headlamp by pressing down and moving the
metal retainer away from you.
Turn the turn signal/parking lamp bulb socket
counterclockwise to remove.
4. Pull the bulb out of the xture.
5. Reverse the steps to install a new bulb.
5-44

Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL)
To replace the center high-mounted stoplamp bulb:
1. Locate the bulb which is on the inside of the
liftgate/liftglass near the top.
2. Remove the two clips on both sides of the cover
and remove it.
3. Remove the two screws from the CHMSL housing.
Then remove the housing to expose the bulb.4. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull it
out of the lamp housing.
5. Pull the bulb straight out of the socket.
6. Reverse the previous steps to install a new bulb.
5-45

2. Turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise and
pull it out of the
lamp housing.
3. Pull the bulb straight out of the socket.
4. Reverse the previous steps to install a new bulb.
5. Reinstall the cover.Back-Up Lamps
The back-up lamp bulb is
located in the bumper.
To replace the back-up lamp bulb:
1. Reach up under the rear fascia to locate the
back-up lamp housing.
2. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull it
out of the lamp housing.
3. Pull the bulb straight out of the socket.
4. Reverse the previous steps to install a new bulb.
5-47

Replacement tires or wheels do not match your
vehicle’s original equipment tires or wheels. Tires
and wheels other than those recommended for your
vehicle could prevent the TPMS from functioning
properly. SeeBuying New Tires on page 5-63.
Operating electronic devices or being near facilities
using radio wave frequencies similar to the TPMS
could cause the TPMS sensors to malfunction.
If tire chains are installed on the vehicle.
If there is a lot of snow or ice around the wheels
or wheel housings.
If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals
is installed.
If the TPMS is not functioning it cannot detect or
signal a low tire condition. See your dealer/retailer
for service if the TPMS malfunction light comes on
and stays on.
TPMS Reset
In order for the tire pressure monitoring system to work
properly you need to reset (initialize) the tire pressure
monitoring system. Any time you repair or replace a tire
or wheel, or rotate the tires the tire pressure monitor
system needs to be reset.
Do not reset (initialize) the system without rst correcting
the cause of the low-tire condition. If the system is reset
when the tire pressures are incorrect, the system will
not function properly and might not alert you when a
tire is low.
When initializing the system, the present tire ination
pressure is stored as standard. The tire pressure warning
system determines decreased air pressure by comparing
the present and the standard tire ination pressures.
When you change the set tire ination pressure, it is
necessary to initialize the tire pressure warning system.
To reset (initialize) the system:
1. Park the vehicle at a safe place and apply the
parking brake. Turn the engine off.
2. Turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF.
3. Adjust the tire pressure of all the installed tires
to the specied cold tire ination pressure level.
4. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off.
5-60