2009 PONTIAC VIBE maintenance schedule

Manual Transmission
Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have your manual
transmission uid level checked
is when the engine oil is changed.
However, the uid in your manual
transmission does not require
changing.
How to Check
This operation can be difficult, you
may choose to have this done
at your dealer/retailer service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to
follow all the instructions here,
or you could get a false reading.
Notice:Too much or too
little uid can damage your
transmission. Too much can
mean that some of the uid couldcome 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.
Check the uid level only when your
engine is off, the vehicle is parked on
a level place and the transmission is
cool enough for you to rest your
ngers on the transmission case.
Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the ller plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is
up to the bottom of the ller
plug hole.
3. If the uid level is good, install
the plug and be sure it is fully
seated. If the uid level is low,
add more uid as described in
the next steps.
How to Add Fluid
Here is how to add uid. Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine what kind of uid to
use.Part D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on
page 11-18.
1. Remove the ller plug.
2. Add uid at the ller plug hole.
Add only enough uid to bring
the uid level up to the bottom
of the ller plug hole.
3. Install the ller plug. Be sure the
plug is fully seated.
9-16 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in
your vehicle is self-adjusting.
The master cylinder reservoir is
lled with DOT-3 brake uid.
It is not necessary to regularly check
the uid unless you suspect there
is a leak in the system. Adding uid
will not correct a leak.
The hydraulic clutch and brake
master cylinder use the same
reservoir.
A uid loss in this system could
indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What
to Use
The reservoir is located at the back
of the engine compartment, on the
driver side of the vehicle.Engine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6.Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine how often you should
check the uid level in your master
cylinder reservoir and for the proper
uid.Part B: Owner Checks and
Services on page 11-12andPart D:
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-18.
How to Check and Add Fluid
Check that the uid level is at
or above the MIN mark. If the level
is below the MIN mark, see the
instructions on the reservoir cap.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-17
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Tire Inspection and
Rotation
We recommend that you
regularly inspect the vehicle’s
tires, including the spare tire, for
signs of wear or damage. See
When It Is Time for New Tires on
page 9-54for more information.
Tires should be rotated every
5,000 to 8,000 miles (8 000 to
13 000 km). SeePart A:
Scheduled Maintenance
Services on page 11-3.
The purpose of a regular tire
rotation is to achieve a uniform
wear for all tires on the vehicle.
This will ensure that the vehicle
continues to perform most like it
did when the tires were new.
Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate the tires as soon
as possible and check wheel
alignment. Also check for
damaged tires or wheels.
SeeWhen It Is Time for NewTires on page 9-54andWheel
Replacement on page 9-59for
more information.
When rotating the vehicle’s tires,
always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Tires should only be moved from
front to rear and rear to front on
the same side of the vehicle.
Do not include the compact
spare tire in the tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated,
adjust the front and rear ination
pressures to the amounts
shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label.SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 9-47andLoading the
Vehicle on page 8-32.
{CAUTION
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on
the parts to which it is fastened,
can make wheel nuts become
loose after time. The wheel
could come off and cause an
accident. When you change a
wheel, remove any rust or dirt
from places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In an
emergency, you can use a
cloth or a paper towel to do
this; but be sure to use a
scraper or wire brush later, if
needed, to get all the rust or
dirt off. SeeChanging a Flat
Tire on page 9-62.
Make certain that all wheel
nuts are properly tightened.
See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications
on page 10-2.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-53
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Parking on Hills
{CAUTION
Parking the vehicle on a hill
with the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a at surface.
To park your rig on a hill:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but
do not shift into P (Park) for an
automatic transmission or into
gear for a manual transmission,
yet. When parking uphill, turn
your wheels away from the curb.
When parking downhill, turn your
wheels into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.3. When the chocks are in place,
release the regular brakes until
the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes.
Then apply your parking
brake and shift into P (Park)
for an automatic transmission
or R (Reverse) for a manual
transmission.
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave
After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and
hold the pedal down while you:
start your engine
shift the transmission
into gear
release the parking brake
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up
and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
Your vehicle will need service more
often when you are pulling a trailer.
See the Maintenance Schedule
for more on this. Things that are
especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission
uid (do not overll), engine oil, drive
belt, cooling system and brake
system. Each of these is covered in
this manual, and the Index will help
nd them quickly. If you are trailering,
it is a good idea to review this
information before starting your trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system could
temporarily overheat during severe
operating conditions. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 9-22.
9-82 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Service and
Maintenance
Service and Maintenance
Introduction.......................11-1
Maintenance
Requirements..................11-2
Your Vehicle and the
Environment....................11-2
How This Section is
Organized.......................11-2
Part A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services......11-3
Using the Maintenance
Schedule.........................11-3
Scheduled Maintenance. . . .11-4
Part B: Owner Checks
and Services.................11-12
At Each Fuel Fill.............11-12
At Least Once a Month. . .11-13
At Least Twice a Year. . . .11-13
At Least Once a Year.....11-13
Part C: Periodic
Maintenance
Inspections
....................11-16
Steering, Suspension and
Front Drive Axle Boot
and Seal Inspection
.......11-16
Exhaust System
Inspection......................11-16
Fuel System Inspection. . .11-16
Engine Cooling System
Inspection......................11-17
Throttle System
Inspection......................11-17
Brake System
Inspection......................11-17
Part D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants. . . .11-18
Part E: Maintenance
Record..........................11-20
Service and
Maintenance
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at
the proper level and change as
recommended.
Have you purchased the GM
Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements the vehicle warranties.
See the Warranty and Owner
Assistance booklet or your
dealer/retailer for details.
Service and Maintenance 11-1
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Maintenance
Requirements
Maintenance intervals, checks,
inspections and recommended uids
and lubricants as prescribed in this
manual are necessary to keep this
vehicle in good working condition.
Any damage caused by failure to
follow scheduled maintenance
may not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Your Vehicle and the
Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only
helps to keep the vehicle in good
working condition, but also helps
the environment. Improper vehicle
maintenance can even affect the
quality of the air we breathe.
Improper uid levels or the wrong tire
ination can increase the level of
emissions from the vehicle. To help
protect the environment, and to keep
the vehicle in good condition, be sure
to maintain the vehicle properly.
How This Section is
Organized
This maintenance schedule is
divided into ve parts:
“Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services”explains what to have
done and how often. Some of
these services can be complex,
so unless you are technically
qualied and have the necessary
equipment, you should let your
dealer/retailer do these jobs.
Your dealer/retailer has trained
and supported service people
that will perform the work using
genuine parts.
{CAUTION
Performing maintenance work
on a vehicle can be dangerous.
In trying to do some jobs, you can
be seriously injured. Do your own
maintenance work only if you
have the required know-how and
the proper tools and equipment
for the job. If you have any doubt,
have a qualied technician do the
work. SeeDoing Your Own
Service Work on page 9-4.
To purchase service information,
seeService Publications Ordering
Information on page 12-16.
“Part B: Owner Checks and
Services”tells what should be
checked and when. It also explains
what can easily be done to help
keep the vehicle in good condition.
11-2 Service and Maintenance
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

“Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections”explains important
inspections that your dealer/retailer
can perform for you.
“Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants”lists some
recommended products necessary
to help keep the vehicle properly
maintained. These products, or
their equivalents, should be used
whether you do the work yourself
or have it done.
“Part E: Maintenance Record”is a
place to record and keep track of
the maintenance performed on
the vehicle. Keep the maintenance
receipts. They may be needed
to qualify the vehicle for warranty
repairs.Part A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services
In this part are scheduled
maintenance services which are
to be performed at the mileage
intervals specied.
Using the Maintenance
Schedule
We want to help keep this vehicle in
good working condition. But we do
not know exactly how you will drive it.
You might drive short distances only
a few times a week. Or you might
drive long distances all the time in
very hot, dusty weather. You might
use the vehicle in making deliveries.
Or you might drive it to work, to do
errands, or in many other ways.Because of the different ways
people use their vehicles,
maintenance needs vary. You might
need more frequent checks and
replacements. So please read the
following and note how you drive.
If you have questions on how to keep
the vehicle in good condition, see
your dealer/retailer.
This part tells you the maintenance
services that should be done
and when to schedule them.
When you go to your dealer/retailer
for service, trained and supported
service people will perform the work
using genuine parts.
Service and Maintenance 11-3
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

The proper uids and lubricants to
use are listed in Part D. Make
sure whoever services the vehicle
uses these. All parts should be
replaced and all necessary repairs
done before you or anyone else
drives the vehicle.
These schedules are for
vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo
within recommended limits on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. SeeLoading the Vehicle
on page 8-32.
are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving limits.
use the recommended fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on
page 8-36.
Scheduled Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule
up to 120,000 miles (192 000 km)
should be repeated after
120,000 miles (192 000 km) at the
same intervals for the life of this
vehicle.
SeePart B: Owner Checks and
Services on page 11-12,Part C:
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
on page 11-16, andPart D:
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-18.
Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency or the California Air
Resources Board has determined
that the failure to perform this
maintenance item will not nullify the
emissions warranty or limit recall
liability prior to the completion of the
vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended
maintenance services be performed
at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.+A good time to check your brakes
is during tire rotation. See Brake
System Inspection on page 11-17.
5,000 Miles (8 000 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 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
10,000 Miles (16 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
11-4 Service and Maintenance
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual