2008 PONTIAC VIBE Owners Manual

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

105,000 Miles (168 000 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.
❑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.
110,000 Miles (176 000 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.
115,000 Miles (184 000 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.
6-10

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

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 to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Notice:It is important to check the engine oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level. Failure to
keep the engine oil at the proper level can cause
damage to the engine not covered by your warranty.
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-23.
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 5-34.
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 5-10.
6-12

At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Inspect the tires and make sure the tires are inated
to the correct pressures. Do not forget to check
the spare tire. SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-55.
At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and safety belt
assemblies 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 seeChecking the Restraint Systems
on page 1-66.
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear, cracking, or
contamination. Clean the windshield and wiper blades,
if contaminated. Replace wiper blades that are worn
or damaged. SeeWindshield Wiper Blade Replacement
on page 5-48andWindshield, Backglass, and Wiper
Blades on page 5-87for more information.
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 6-19.
Fluid Level Check
Check the power steering pump, rear axle, transfer case,
and automatic or manual transmission uid levels and
add as needed. SeePower Steering Fluid on page 5-33
andAutomatic Transmission Fluid on page 5-19or
Manual Transmission Fluid on page 5-21. Check for
leaks. A uid loss in these systems could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
at once.
6-13

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