2009 PONTIAC VIBE trailer

Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit
1.Locate the statement
“The combined weight
of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg
or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s
placard.
2.Determine the combined
weight of the driver and
passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight
of the driver and passengers
from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4.The resulting gure equals
the available amount of cargo
and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs
and there will be ve 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle,
the amount of available
cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs
(1400−750 (5 x 150) =
650 lbs).
5.Determine the combined
weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing
a trailer, the load from your
trailer will be transferred to
your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo
and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
If your vehicle can tow a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 9-77for important
information on towing a trailer,
towing safety rules and
trailering tips.
A.Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 1=1,000 lbs
(453 kg).
B.Subtract Occupant Weight
150 lbs (68 kg)×2=300 lbs
(136 kg).
C.Available Occupant and
Cargo Weight=700 lbs
(317 kg).
Example 1
Driving and Operating 8-33
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Buying New Tires.............9-54
Different Size Tires and
Wheels............................9-56
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading...........................9-56
Wheel Alignment and
Tire Balance....................9-58
Wheel Replacement..........9-59
Tire Chains.......................9-60
Tire Changing
If a Tire Goes Flat............9-61
Changing a Flat Tire.........9-62
Removing the Spare
Tire and Tools.................9-63
Removing the Flat Tire
and Installing the
Spare Tire
.......................9-64
Storing a Flat or Spare
Tire and Tools.................9-68
Compact Spare Tire..........9-70
Jump Starting
Jump Starting...................9-71
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle.........9-75
Recreational Vehicle
Towing............................9-75
Towing a Trailer................9-77
Appearance Care
Interior Cleaning................9-83
Exterior Cleaning..............9-86
Sheet Metal Damage........9-89
Finish Damage..................9-89
Underbody Maintenance. . . .9-90
Chemical Paint Spotting. . . .9-90
Service
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer/retailer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one
of these marks:
9-2 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Automatic Transmission
Fluid
When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Check the uid in the transmission
and differential at the intervals listed
inPart A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services on page 11-3, and be
sure to use the transmission uid
listed inPart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on
page 11-18.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
This operation can be 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 inPart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on
page 11-18.
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.
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 P (Park).
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 P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for
three to ve minutes.
9-14 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

If Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
{CAUTION
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down. Wait
until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch re. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.Notice:If the engine catches re
because of being driven with no
coolant, your vehicle can be badly
damaged. The costly repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but steam is not heard or
seen escaping, the problem may
not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too
hot when the vehicle:
Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
Stops after high-speed driving.
Idles for long periods in traffic.
Tows a trailer.If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam, try this for
a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine
idle in N (Neutral) while stopped.
If it is safe to do so, pull off
the road, shift to P (Park)
or N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.
2. Turn on the heater to full hot at
the highest fan speed and open
the windows as necessary.
If the overheat warning is no longer
displayed, the vehicle can be driven.
Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the warning does not
come back on, continue to drive.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, idle
the engine for three minutes while
the vehicle is parked. If the warning
is still displayed, turn off the engine
and get everyone out of the vehicle
until it cools down.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-23
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
To avoid damage, the disabled
vehicle should be towed with all
four wheels off the ground. Consult
your dealer/retailer or a professional
towing service if the disabled vehicle
must be towed. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 12-5.
To tow the vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes
(such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing”
following.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing your vehicle behind another
vehicle – such as behind a
motorhome. The two most common
types of recreational vehicle towingare known as “dinghy towing” (towing
your vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground) and “dolly towing”
(towing your vehicle with two wheels
on the ground and two wheels up on
a device known as a “dolly”).
With the proper preparation and
equipment, many vehicles can be
towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing,”
following.
Here are some important things to
consider before you do recreational
vehicle towing:
What is the towing capacity
of the towing vehicle?
Be sure you read the tow
vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some
vehicles have restrictions on how
far and how long they can tow.
Do you have the proper towing
equipment? See your dealer/
retailer or trailering professional
for additional advice and
equipment recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed?
Just as you would prepare your
vehicle for a long trip, you will
want to make sure your vehicle
is prepared to be towed. See
“Before Leaving On A Long Trip”
in the Index.
Dinghy Towing
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, it cannot be dinghy
towed. See “Dolly Towing” for
more information regarding
towing your vehicle.
If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, it can be dinghy
towed.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-75
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

When dinghy towing, be sure to
follow the posted legal speed limit.
1. Put the shift lever in Neutral.
2. Turn the ignition to
ACC/ACCESSORY to avoid
locking the steering wheel.
Make sure the audio system
is turned off and that nothing is
plugged into the power outlets.
3. Release the parking brake.
After dinghy towing, let the engine
idle for more than three minutes
before driving the vehicle.Do not tow your vehicle from
the rear. Your vehicle could be badly
damaged and the repairs would
not be covered by your warranty.
Dolly Towing
(All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles)
All-wheel-drive vehicles must not
be towed with two wheels on the
ground. To properly tow these
vehicles, they should be placed
on a platform trailer with all four
wheels off of the ground.
Dolly Towing
(Front-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles Only)
To tow your front-wheel-drive
vehicle using a dolly, follow
these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Move the shift lever to P (Park)
for an automatic transmission
or Neutral for a manual
transmission.
3. Set the parking brake.
9-76 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

4. Clamp the steering wheel in a
straight-ahead position with a
clamping device designed
for towing.
5. Remove the key from the
ignition.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
7. Release the parking brake.
Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly.
For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work
well or even at all. The driver and
passengers could be seriously
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only
if all the steps in this section have
been followed. Ask your
dealer/retailer for advice and
information about towing a trailer
with the vehicle.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it
is equipped with the proper trailer
towing equipment. To identify the
vehicle trailering capacity of your
vehicle, you should read the
information in “Weight of the Trailer”
that appears later in this section.
Trailering is different than just driving
your vehicle by itself. Trailering
means changes in handling,acceleration, braking, durability and
fuel economy. Successful, safe
trailering takes correct equipment,
and it has to be used properly.
That is the reason for this part.
In it are many time-tested, important
trailering tips and safety rules. Many
of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers.
So please read this section
carefully before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as
the engine, transmission, wheel
assemblies and tires are forced to
work harder against the drag of
the added weight. The engine
is required to operate at relatively
higher speeds and under greater
loads, generating extra heat.
In addition, the trailer adds
considerably to wind resistance,
increasing the pulling requirements.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-77
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

If You Do Decide To Pull A
Trailer
If you do, here are some important
points:
There are many different laws,
including speed limit restrictions,
having to do with trailering. Make
sure the rig will be legal, not only
where you live but also where you
will be driving. A good source for
this information can be state or
provincial police.
Consider using a sway control.
Ask a hitch dealer about sway
controls.
Do not tow a trailer at all during
the rst 1,000 miles (1 600 km)
the new vehicle is driven. The
engine, axle or other parts could
be damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles
(800 km) that trailer is towed, do
not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and do not make starts at full
throttle. This helps the engine
and other parts of the vehicle
wear in at the heavier loads.
Obey speed limit restrictions
when towing a trailer. Do not drive
faster than the maximum posted
speed for trailers, or no more than
55 mph (90 km/h), to save wear
on the vehicle’s parts.
Three important considerations have
to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the total weight on your
vehicle’s tires
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
1,500 lbs (680 kg). But even
that can be too heavy.
It depends on how you plan to
use your rig. For example, speed,
altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your
vehicle is used to pull a trailer are
all important. It can also depend on
any special equipment that you have
on your vehicle, and the amount of
tongue weight the vehicle can carry.
See “Weight of the Trailer Tongue”
later in this section for more
information.
9-78 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual