2009 PONTIAC VIBE fuel

Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines
in the United States are now required
to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits
from forming, allowing the emission
control system to work properly.
In most cases, you should not have
to add anything to the fuel. However,
some gasolines contain only
the minimum amount of additive
required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations.
To help keep fuel injectors and
intake valves clean, or if the vehicle
experiences problems due to dirty
injectors or valves, look for gasoline
that is advertised as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline. Also, your
dealer/retailer has additives that
will help correct and prevent most
deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates,
such as ethers and ethanol, and
reformulated gasolines might
be available in your area.We recommend that you use these
gasolines, if they comply with the
specications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and
other fuels containing more than
10% ethanol must not be used in
vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.
Notice:This vehicle was not
designed for fuel that contains
methanol. Do not use fuel
containing methanol. It can
corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic
and rubber parts. That damage
would not be covered under
the vehicle warranty.
Some gasolines that are
not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an
octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant
where you buy gasoline whether the
fuel contains MMT. We recommend
against the use of such gasolines.Fuels containing MMT can reduce
the life of spark plugs and the
performance of the emission
control system could be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp might
turn on. If this occurs, return to your
dealer/retailer for service.
Fuels in Foreign
Countries
If you plan on driving in another
country outside the United States or
Canada, the proper fuel might be
hard to nd. Never use leaded
gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text
on fuel. Costly repairs caused
by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask
an auto club, or contact a major
oil company that does business
in the country where you will
be driving.
Driving and Operating 8-37
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Filling the Tank
{CAUTION
Fuel vapor burns violently and a
fuel re can cause bad injuries.
To help avoid injuries to you and
others, read and follow all the
instructions on the pump island.
Turn off the engine when you are
refueling. Do not smoke if you are
near fuel or refueling the vehicle.
Do not use cellular phones. Keep
sparks, ames, and smoking
materials away from fuel. Do not
leave the fuel pump unattended
when refueling the vehicle. This is
against the law in some places.
Do not re-enter the vehicle while
pumping fuel. Keep children away
from the fuel pump; never let
children pump fuel.The fuel door release lever is near
the oor under the driver seat
on the outboard side.The tethered fuel cap is located
behind a hinged fuel door on
the driver side of the vehicle.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it
slowly counterclockwise. On some
vehicles you may have to push
in while turning the cap.
While refueling, hang the fuel cap
inside of the fuel door.
8-38 Driving and Operating
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

{CAUTION
Fuel can spray out on you if you
open the fuel cap too quickly.
If you spill fuel and then something
ignites it, you could be badly
burned. This spray can happen if
the tank is nearly full, and is more
likely in hot weather. Open the fuel
cap slowly and wait for any hiss
noise to stop. Then unscrew the
cap all the way.
Do not to spill fuel. Do not top off
or overll the tank and wait a few
seconds to remove the nozzle. Clean
fuel from painted surfaces as soon
as possible. SeeExterior Cleaning
on page 9-86.When replacing the fuel cap, turn
it clockwise until it clicks. Make
sure the cap is fully installed.
The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been
left off or improperly installed.
This would allow fuel to evaporate
into the atmosphere. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 4-20.
{CAUTION
If a re starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the
nozzle. Shut off the ow of fuel
by shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately.Notice:If you need a new fuel
cap, be sure to get the right type.
Your dealer/retailer can get one for
you. If you get the wrong type, it
may not t properly. This may
cause the malfunction indicator
lamp to light and may damage the
fuel tank and emissions system.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 4-20.
Driving and Operating 8-39
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{CAUTION
Never ll a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle. Static
electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel
vapor. You can be badly burned
and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to
you and others:
Dispense fuel only into
approved containers.
Do not ll a container while
it is inside a vehicle, in a
vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed,
or on any surface other than
the ground.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Bring the ll nozzle in contact
with the inside of the ll
opening before operating the
nozzle. Contact should be
maintained until the lling is
complete.
Do not smoke while
pumping fuel.
Do not use a cellular phone
while pumping fuel.
8-40 Driving and Operating
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Doing Your Own
Service Work
{CAUTION
You can be injured and the
vehicle could be damaged if you
try to do service work on a vehicle
without knowing enough about it.
Be sure you have sufficient
knowledge, experience, the
proper replacement parts, and
tools before attempting any
vehicle maintenance task.
Be sure to use the proper
nuts, bolts, and other
fasteners. English and
metric fasteners can be
easily confused. If the wrong
fasteners are used, parts
can later break or fall off.
You could be hurt.If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service manual.
It tells you much more about how to
service the vehicle than this manual
can. To order the proper service
manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 12-16.
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your
own service work, seeServicing
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
on page 1-33.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date
of any service work performed.
SeePart E: Maintenance Record
on page 11-20.
Adding Equipment to the
Outside of the Vehicle
Things added to the outside of
the vehicle can affect the airow
around it. This can cause wind noise
and can affect fuel economy and
windshield washer performance.
Check with your dealer/retailer
before adding equipment to
the outside of the vehicle.
9-4 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Owner Checks
{CAUTION
An electric fan under the hood
can start up and injure you even
when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood
electric fan.
{CAUTION
Things that burn can get on hot
engine parts and start a re. These
include liquids like fuel, oil, coolant,
brake uid, windshield washer and
other uids, and plastic or rubber.
You or others could be burned.
Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot
engine.
Hood Release
To open the hood:
1. Pull the release handle, located
below the instrument panel to
the left of the steering wheel.2. From the front of the vehicle,
pull up on the secondary
hood release located near
the middle of the hood.
3. Lift the hood.
4. Release the hood prop rod from
its retainer and insert into the slot,
moving it straight up. If it is moved
to the side or toward the inside
of the vehicle, it may become
detached.
Before closing the hood, be sure
all the ller caps are on properly.
Return the hood prop rod carefully
back to its retainer to avoid
damaging the vehicle.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-5
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

A. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 9-9.
B.Pressure Cap on page 9-22.
C.Windshield Washer Fluid
on page 9-24.
D. Coolant Recovery Tank. See
Engine Coolant on page 9-18.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” underEngine
Oil on page 9-9.
F.Brakes on page 9-27and
Hydraulic Clutch on page 9-17
(If Equipped).
G.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 9-12.
H.Engine Compartment Fuse Block
on page 9-39.I.Battery on page 9-30.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal.
SeeJump Starting on page 9-71.
K. Automatic Transmission
Fluid Dipstick. See″Checking
the Fluid Level″underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 9-14
(If Equipped) (Out of View).
Engine Oil
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. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6
for 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.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-9
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

FusesUsage
1 Parking Lamps,
License Plate
Lamps, Taillamp,
Multiport Fuel
Injection System/
Sequential Multiport
Fuel Injection
System, Instrument
Panel Lights
2 Switch IlluminationFuses Usage
3 Power Windows
4 Power Windows
5 Power Windows
6 Sunroof
7 Cigarette Lighter,
Accessory Power
Outlet
Fuses
Usage
8 Outside Rearview
Mirrors, Audio
System, Main Body
Engine Control
Unit (ECU), Clock,
Brake Transmission
Shift Interlock
9 Empty
10 Empty
11 Airbag System,
Multiport Fuel
Injection System/
Sequential Multiport
Fuel Injection
System, Front
Passenger Occupant
Classication
System
12 Gages and Meters
13 Air Conditioning
System, Rear
Window Defogger
14 Windshield Wipers
15 Rear Window Wipers
16 Windshield Washer
Vehicle Service and Care 9-37
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual