2009 PONTIAC VIBE oil

Do not top off the brake/clutch uid.
Adding uid does not correct a leak.
If uid is added when the brake
linings are worn, there will be too
much uid when new brake linings
are installed. Add or remove uid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake/clutch hydraulic system.
{CAUTION
If too much brake uid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake uid only when work
is done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake uid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 4-17.What to Add
Use only new DOT-3 brake uid
from a sealed container. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11-18.
Always clean the brake uid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering the
reservoir.{CAUTION
With the wrong kind of uid in the
brake or clutch hydraulic system,
the brakes or clutch might not
work well. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper
brake uid.Notice:
Using the wrong uid can
badly damage brake or clutch
hydraulic system parts.
For example, just a few drops
of mineral-based oil, such as
engine oil, in the brake or clutch
hydraulic system can damage
brake or clutch hydraulic
system parts so badly that they
will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong
kind of uid.
If brake uid is spilled on the
vehicle’s painted surfaces, the
paint nish can be damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake
uid on the vehicle. If you do,
wash it off immediately. See
Exterior Cleaning on page 9-86.
9-28 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Aspect Ratio:The relationship
of a tire’s height to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of
cords that is located between the
plies and the tread. Cords may
be made from steel or other
reinforcing materials.
Bead
:The tire bead contains
steel wires wrapped by steel
cords that hold the tire onto
the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic
tire in which the plies are laid
at alternate angles less than
90 degrees to the centerline
of the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure
:The
amount of air pressure in a tire,
measured in pounds per square
inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa)
before a tire has built up heat
from driving. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 9-47.Curb Weight
:The weight of
a motor vehicle with standard
and optional equipment including
the maximum capacity of fuel,
oil, and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings
:A code
molded into the sidewall of a
tire signifying that the tire is
in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation
(DOT) motor vehicle safety
standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identication
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also
identify the tire manufacturer,
production plant, brand, and
date of production.
GVWR
:Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating. SeeLoading the Vehicle
on page 8-32.
GAWR FRT
:Gross Axle
Weight Rating for the front axle.
SeeLoading the Vehicle on
page 8-32.GAWR RR
:Gross Axle
Weight Rating for the rear axle.
SeeLoading the Vehicle on
page 8-32.
Intended Outboard Sidewall
:The side of an asymmetrical tire,
that must always face outward
when mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa)
:The metric
unit for air pressure.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
:A tire used on light duty trucks
and some multipurpose
passenger vehicles.
Load Index
:An assigned
number ranging from 1 to 279
that corresponds to the load
carrying capacity of a tire.
Maximum Ination Pressure
:The maximum air pressure
to which a cold tire can
be inated. The maximum
air pressure is molded onto
the sidewall.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-45
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

8. Remove the wheel nuts and the
at tire.
9. Install the spare tire.
{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 9-62.10. Remove any rust or dirt from
the wheel bolts, mounting
surfaces and spare wheel.
11. Place the compact spare tire on
the wheel-mounting surface.
{CAUTION
Never use oil or grease on bolts
or nuts because the nuts might
come loose. The vehicle’s wheel
could fall off, causing a crash.
9-66 Vehicle Service and Care
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

Appearance Care
Interior Cleaning
Your vehicle’s interior will continue
to look its best if it is cleaned often.
Although not always visible, dust
and dirt can accumulate on your
upholstery. Dirt can damage carpet,
fabric, leather, and plastic surfaces.
Regular vacuuming is recommended
to remove particles from the
upholstery. It is important to keep
your upholstery from becoming and
remaining heavily soiled. Soils
should be removed as quickly as
possible. Your vehicle’s interior may
experience extremes of heat that
could cause stains to set rapidly.
Lighter colored interiors may require
more frequent cleaning. Use care
because newspapers and garments
that transfer color to your home
furnishings may also transfer
color to your vehicle’s interior.When cleaning your vehicle’s
interior, only use cleaners specically
designed for the surfaces being
cleaned. Permanent damage may
result from using cleaners on
surfaces for which they were not
intended. Use glass cleaner only
on glass. Remove any accidental
over-spray from other surfaces
immediately. To prevent over-spray,
apply cleaner directly to the cleaning
cloth.
Notice:If you use abrasive
cleaners when cleaning glass
surfaces on your vehicle, you
could scratch the glass and/or
cause damage to the rear window
defogger. When cleaning the glass
on your vehicle, use only a soft
cloth and glass cleaner.
Many cleaners contain solvents that
may become concentrated in your
vehicle’s breathing space. Before
using cleaners, read and adhere to
all safety instructions on the label.
While cleaning your vehicle’s interior,maintain adequate ventilation by
opening your vehicle’s doors and
windows.
Dust may be removed from small
buttons and knobs using a small
brush with soft bristles.
Your dealer/retailer has a product for
cleaning your vehicle’s glass. You
can also obtain a product from your
dealer/retailer to remove odors from
your vehicle’s upholstery.
Do not clean your vehicle using the
following cleaners or techniques:
Never use a knife or any
other sharp object to remove a
soil from any interior surface.
Never use a stiff brush. It can
cause damage to your vehicle’s
interior surfaces.
Never apply heavy pressure or
rub aggressively with a cleaning
cloth. Use of heavy pressure can
damage the interior and does not
improve the effectiveness of soil
removal.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-83
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Use only mild, neutral-pH soaps.
Avoid laundry detergents or
dishwashing soaps with
degreasers. Using too much
soap will leave a residue that
leaves streaks and attracts dirt.
For liquid cleaners, about
20 drops per gallon (3.78 L)
of water is a good guide.
Do not heavily saturate the
upholstery while cleaning.
Damage to your vehicle’s interior
may result from the use of many
organic solvents such as naptha,
alcohol, etc.
Fabric/Carpet
Use a vacuum cleaner with a
soft brush attachment frequently
to remove dust and loose dirt.
A canister vacuum with a beater bar
in the nozzle may only be used on
oor carpet and carpeted oor mats.
For soils, always try to remove them
rst with plain water or club soda.
Before cleaning, gently remove as
much of the soil as possible using
one of the following techniques:
For liquids: gently blot the
remaining soil with a paper towel.
Allow the soil to absorb into the
paper towel until no more can be
removed.
For solid dry soils: remove as
much as possible and then
vacuum.To clean, use the following
instructions:
1. Saturate a lint-free, clean white
cloth with water or club soda.
2. Wring the cloth to remove excess
moisture.
3. Start on the outside edge of the
soil and gently rub toward the
center. Continue cleaning, using
a clean area of the cloth each
time it becomes soiled.
4. Continue to gently rub the soiled
area until the cleaning cloth
remains clean.
5. If the soil is not completely
removed, use a mild soap
solution and repeat the cleaning
process that was used with
plain water.
9-84 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

If any of the soil remains, a
commercial fabric cleaner or spot
lifter may be necessary. When a
commercial upholstery cleaner or
spot lifter is to be used, test a small
hidden area for colorfastness rst.
If the locally cleaned area gives any
impression that a ring formation may
result, clean the entire surface.
After the cleaning process has been
completed, a paper towel can be
used to blot excess moisture
from the fabric or carpet.Leather
A soft cloth dampened with
water can be used to remove dust.
If a more thorough cleaning is
necessary, a soft cloth dampened
with a mild soap solution can be
used. Allow the leather to dry
naturally. Do not use heat to dry.
Never use steam to clean leather.
Never use spot lifters or spot
removers on leather. Many
commercial leather cleaners and
coatings that are sold to preserve
and protect leather may permanently
change the appearance and
feel of your leather and are not
recommended. Do not use silicone
or wax-based products, or those
containing organic solvents to clean
your vehicle’s interior because
they can alter the appearance by
increasing the gloss in a non-uniform
manner. Never use shoe polish on
leather.
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and
Other Plastic Surfaces
A soft cloth dampened with water
may be used to remove dust.
If a more thorough cleaning is
necessary, a clean soft cloth
dampened with a mild soap solution
can be used to gently remove dust
and dirt. Never use spot lifters or
removers on plastic surfaces.
Many commercial cleaners and
coatings that are sold to preserve
and protect soft plastic surfaces may
permanently change the appearance
and feel of your interior and are not
recommended. Do not use silicone
or wax-based products, or those
containing organic solvents to clean
your vehicle’s interior because
they can alter the appearance by
increasing the gloss in a non-uniform
manner.
Some commercial products may
increase gloss on your instrument
panel. The increase in gloss may
cause annoying reections in the
windshield and even make it difficult
to see through the windshield under
certain conditions.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-85
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Exterior Cleaning
Cleaning Exterior
Lamps/Lenses
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a
soft cloth and a car washing soap to
clean exterior lamps and lenses.
Follow instructions under “Washing
Your Vehicle” later in this section.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing
of your vehicle by hand may be
necessary to remove residue
from the paint nish. You can
get approved cleaning products
from your dealer/retailer.
If your vehicle has a
basecoat/clearcoat paint nish,
the clearcoat gives more depth
and gloss to the colored basecoat.
Always use waxes and polishes that
are non-abrasive and made for a
basecoat/clearcoat paint nish.Notice:Machine compounding
or aggressive polishing on a
basecoat/clearcoat paint nish
may damage it. Use only
non-abrasive waxes and polishes
that are made for a basecoat/
clearcoat paint nish on your
vehicle.
Foreign materials such as calcium
chloride and other salts, ice melting
agents, road oil and tar, tree sap,
bird droppings, chemicals from
industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage your vehicle’s nish if they
remain on painted surfaces. Wash
the vehicle as soon as possible.
If necessary, use non-abrasive
cleaners that are marked safe for
painted surfaces to remove foreign
matter.Exterior painted surfaces are subject
to aging, weather and chemical
fallout that can take their toll over
a period of years. You can help to
keep the paint nish looking new by
keeping your vehicle garaged or
covered whenever possible.
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal
Parts
Bright metal parts should be
cleaned regularly to keep their
luster. Wash with water or
use chrome polish on chrome or
stainless steel trim, if necessary.
Use special care with aluminum
trim. To avoid damaging protective
trim, never use auto or chrome
polish, steam or caustic soap to
clean aluminum. A coating of
wax, rubbed to high polish, is
recommended for all bright metal
parts.
9-86 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual