2008 PONTIAC VIBE trailer

Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transmission
uid level is when the engine oil is changed.
Check the uid in the transmission and differential at
the intervals listed inPart A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services on page 6-4, and be sure to use the
transmission uid listed inPart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-19.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult,
you may choose to have this done at the
dealer/retailer 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:Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
uid may damage your vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by your warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission uid listed in
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-19.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission 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.
5-19

If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning but see or
hear no steam, the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot
when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in NEUTRAL (N)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and let
the engine idle.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the windows as necessary.If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning does not come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues and you have not stopped,
pull over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for three minutes while you are parked. If you still
have the warning, turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-27

25,000 Miles (40 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-61for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace lter if necessary.
30,000 Miles (48 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-61for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs rst). SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter
on page 5-17for more information.
❑Replace passenger compartment air lter.
❑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 transmission uid every
30,000 miles (48 000 km) only if your vehicle
is used to tow a trailer.
35,000 Miles (56 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-61for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace lter if necessary.
40,000 Miles (64 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-61for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace lter if necessary.
45,000 Miles (72 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-61for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace lter if necessary.
❑Inspect passenger compartment air lter.
6-6

50,000 Miles (80 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-61for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace lter if necessary.
55,000 Miles (88 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-61for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace lter if necessary.
60,000 Miles (96 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-61for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs rst). SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter
on page 5-17for more information.
❑Replace passenger compartment air lter.❑Inspect engine accessory drive belts (or every
48 months, whichever occurs rst). Visually inspect
belt for fraying, excessive cracks, or obvious damage.
Replace belt if necessary.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 manual transmission uid every 30,000 miles
(48 000 km) only if your vehicle is used to tow a trailer.
❑Change automatic transmission 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 fluid does not require changing.
See Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-19for the proper uid to use.
6-7

90,000 Miles (144 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-61for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs rst). SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter
on page 5-17for more information.
❑Replace passenger compartment air lter.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belts (or 12 months
since last inspection).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 transmission uid every 30,000 miles
(48 000 km) only if your vehicle is used to tow a trailer.
95,000 Miles (152 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-61for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace lter if necessary.
100,000 Miles (160 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-61for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace lter if necessary.
6-9

120,000 Miles (192 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-61for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs rst). SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter
on page 5-17for more information.
❑Replace passenger compartment air lter.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belts (or every
48 months, whichever occurs rst). Visually inspect
belt for fraying, excessive cracks, or obvious damage.
Replace belt if necessary.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 manual transmission uid every
30,000 miles (48 000 km) only if your vehicle
is used to tow a trailer.
❑Change automatic transmission 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 fluid does not require changing.
See Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-19for 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/retailer perform
this service. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-23for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap, and neck. Pressure test cooling system
and pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
6-11

Tires (cont.)
Different Size..............................................5-65
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-69
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-55
Inspection and Rotation................................5-61
Installing the Spare Tire................................5-73
Pressure Monitor Operation...........................5-58
Pressure Monitor System..............................5-57
Removing the Flat Tire.................................5-73
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...............5-71
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-79
Tire Sidewall Labeling..................................5-50
Tire Terminology and Denitions....................5-52
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-65
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-67
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-67
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-63
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-25
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-27
Your Vehicle...............................................4-25Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-6
Control System Warning Light.......................3-34
StabiliTrak
®System....................................... 4-7
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-19
Fluid, Manual..............................................5-21
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-23
Transmission Operation, Manual........................2-26
Trip Odometers..............................................3-27
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-65
Using this Manual............................................... iii
13