2008 PONTIAC VIBE check transmission fluid

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling the Tank..............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-17
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-19
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-21
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-26
Engine Overheating.......................................5-26Cooling System............................................5-28
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-33
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-34
Brakes........................................................5-35
Battery........................................................5-38
Jump Starting...............................................5-38
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-42
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-43
Halogen Bulbs
..............................................5-43
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
and Parking Lamps....................................5-43
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-45
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-46
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-47
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-48
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-48
Tires..............................................................5-49
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-50
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-52
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-55
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-57
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-58
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-61
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-63
Buying New Tires.........................................5-63
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

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

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

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

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

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

M
Maintenance, Replacement Parts......................5-96
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-12
At Least Once a Month................................6-13
At Least Once a Year..................................6-14
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-13
Brake System Inspection..............................6-18
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-18
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-17
Fuel System Inspection................................6-18
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
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
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..........................6-17Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Throttle System Inspection............................6-18
Using.......................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-36
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-26
Manual, Using.................................................... iii
Manual Windows............................................2-12
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-34
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-33
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-35
Outside Remote Control Mirrors.....................2-34
MP3 .............................................................3-58
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-17
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-18
8