2008 PONTIAC VIBE parking brake

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 2-27.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. On automatic transmission 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
dealer/retailer for service.
On manual transmission 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 dealer/retailer for service.
6-14

Automatic Transmission 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 2-27.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to ON/RUN, 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 dealer/retailer for service.
Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever position.
With an automatic transmission, the ignition
should turn to LOCK/OFF only when the shift
lever is in PARK (P).
With a manual transmission, the ignition should turn
to LOCK/OFF only if you push the ignition key in
farther, while turning it toward LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
6-15

Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission 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.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 transmission 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 dealer/retailer 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.
6-16

Fuel System Inspection
Inspect the complete fuel system for damage or leaks.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they
are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
ttings and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser.
To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test of
the cooling system and pressure cap is recommended
at least once a year.
Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding,
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts
as needed. Replace any components that have high
effort or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator
and cruise control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chang,
etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors for
surface condition. Also inspect drum brake linings for
wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
Check parking brake adjustment. You may need to have
your brakes inspected more often if your driving habits or
conditions result in frequent braking.
6-18

Automatic Headlamp System............................3-16
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-19
Operation...................................................2-23
B
Battery..........................................................5-38
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
System Inspection.......................................6-18
Brakes..........................................................5-35
Panic Assist................................................. 4-7
System Warning Light..................................3-32
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-18
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-43
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-47
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-45
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-43
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-42
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps.........................................5-43
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-48
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-46
Buying New Tires...........................................5-63
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-3
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications............................5-95
Carbon Monoxide...................2-10, 2-32, 4-15, 4-27
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-85
Cargo Cover..................................................2-42
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-42
CD, MP3 .......................................................3-58
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-39
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-45
Chains, Tire...................................................5-68
Charging System Light....................................3-32
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-36
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-88
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-33
Infants and Young Children...........................1-30
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-37
Older Children.............................................1-27
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-44
2

H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-42
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-91
Headlamps
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-43
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-15
Exterior Lamps............................................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-43
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-43
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-15
Heater...........................................................3-20
Height Adjuster, Driver Seat............................... 1-3
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-40
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-13
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-14
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-15
Hydraulic Clutch.............................................5-22
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-19
Immobilizer....................................................2-14
Immobilizer Operation......................................2-15
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-30
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-55
Inspection
Brake System.............................................6-18
Engine Cooling System................................6-18
Exhaust System..........................................6-17
Fuel System...............................................6-18
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-17
Steering, Suspension and Front
Drive Axle Boot and Seal..........................6-17
Throttle System...........................................6-18
Instrument Panel
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Storage Area..............................................2-39
Instrument Panel (I/P)
Brightness..................................................3-16
Cluster.......................................................3-26
Interior Lamps
Control.......................................................3-17
6

O
Odometer......................................................3-27
Odometers, Trip..............................................3-27
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-10
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-13
Pressure Light.............................................3-38
Older Children, Restraints................................1-27
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-17
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-35
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-22
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-18
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-35
Remote Controls Mirrors...............................2-34
Overdrive Off.................................................2-25
Overdrive Off Light..........................................3-39
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage...............................................5-88
Panic Brake Assist............................................ 4-7
Park Brake....................................................2-27
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-28
Shifting Out of............................................2-30
Parking
Over Things That Burn.................................2-31
Parking Your Vehicle.......................................2-31
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services............ 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services................6-12
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections..........6-17
Part D - Recommended Fluids and Lubricants....6-19
Part E - Maintenance Record...........................6-21
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-30
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-23
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-59
Passing.........................................................4-10
Perchlorate Materials Requirements,
California..................................................... 5-4
9