2009 PONTIAC VIBE warning

Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or owing water.
{CAUTION
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in
a quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
owing water could cause your
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to
drive through owing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under your vehicle’s
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road
is wet enough and you are going
fast enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is
to slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
Allow extra following distance.
Pass with caution.
Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
Keep the windshield washer uid
reservoir lled.
Have good tires with proper tread
depth. SeeTires on page 9-41.
Turn off cruise control, if
equipped.
Driving and Operating 8-27
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in
a serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use theRoadside
Assistance Program on page 12-5.
To get help and keep everyone in
the vehicle safe:
Turn on theHazard Warning
Flashers on page 4-3.
Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{CAUTION
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may cause
exhaust gases to get inside.
Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
Clear away snow from
around the base of your
vehicle, especially any that
is blocking the exhaust pipe.
Check again from time to
time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window about
two inches on the side of
the vehicle that is away from
the wind to bring in fresh air.
Fully open the air outlets
on or under the instrument
panel.
Adjust the Climate Control
system to a setting that
circulates the air inside
the vehicle and set the fan
speed to the highest setting.
See Climate Control System
in the Index.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
For more information about
carbon monoxide, seeEngine
Exhaust on page 8-16.
Snow can trap exhaust gases
under your vehicle. This can
cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO
could overcome you and kill you.
You cannot see it or smell it, so
you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking the
exhaust
Run the engine for short periods
only as needed to keep warm,
but be careful.
8-30 Driving and Operating
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Vehicle Service
and Care
Service
Service...............................9-2
Accessories and
Modications.....................9-3
California Proposition
65 Warning.......................9-3
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements.....9-3
Doing Your Own
Service Work....................9-4
Adding Equipment to the
Outside of the Vehicle......9-4
Owner Checks
Owner Checks....................9-5
Hood Release.....................9-5
Engine Compartment
Overview...........................9-6
Engine Oil..........................9-9
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. . . .9-12
Automatic Transmission
Fluid................................9-14
Manual Transmission
Fluid................................9-16
Hydraulic Clutch................9-17
Cooling System.................9-18
Engine Coolant.................9-18
Pressure Cap....................9-22
Engine Overheating...........9-22
Power Steering Fluid.........9-24
Windshield Washer Fluid. . .9-24
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement...................9-25
Brakes..............................9-27
Battery..............................9-30
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming..............9-30
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement.............9-31
Halogen Bulbs..................9-31
Headlamps and Parking
Lamps.............................9-31
Taillamps..........................9-33
License Plate Lamp..........9-34
Replacement Bulbs...........9-35
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical
Equipment.......................9-35
Headlamp Wiring..............9-35
Windshield Wiper Fuses. . . .9-36
Power Windows and
Other Power Options.......9-36
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers.........................9-36
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block...............................9-36
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block......................9-39
Tires
Tires.................................9-41
Tire Sidewall Labeling.......9-42
Tire Terminology and
Denitions.......................9-44
Ination - Tire Pressure. . . .9-47
Tire Pressure Monitor
System............................9-48
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation........................9-50
Tire Inspection and
Rotation..........................9-53
When It Is Time for New
Tires...............................9-54
Vehicle Service and Care 9-1
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Accessories and
Modications
When non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories are added to the vehicle,
they can affect vehicle performance
and safety, including such things
as airbags, braking, stability, ride
and handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. Some of these accessories
could even cause malfunction or
damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
GM Accessories are designed
to complement and function with
other systems on the vehicle.
Your GM dealer/retailer can
accessorize the vehicle using
genuine GM Accessories. Whenyou go to your GM dealer/retailer
and ask for GM Accessories, you will
know that GM-trained and supported
service technicians will perform the
work using genuine GM Accessories.
Also, seeAdding Equipment to
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 1-34.
California Proposition 65
Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this
one, contain and/or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems
(including some inside the vehicle),
many uids, and some component
wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
remote keyless transmitters, may
contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-3
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils such as
SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these requirements
should have the starburst symbol
on the container. This symbol
indicates that the oil has been
certied by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
Notice:Use only engine oil
identied as meeting GM Standard
GM6094M and showing the
American Petroleum Institute
Certied For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use
the recommended oil can result in
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.If you are in an area of extreme
cold, where the temperature
falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommend that you use an
SAE 0W-20 oil. SAE 0W-20 oil
provides easier cold starting and
better protection for the engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives / Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil.
The recommended oils with the
starburst symbol that meet GM
Standard GM6094M are all you
need for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system ushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
When to Change Engine Oil
Change the oil and lter
every 5,000 miles (8 000 km) or
3 months, whichever occurs rst.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 11-4.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer’s warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your own
oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose
of oil by putting it in the trash, pouring
it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Recycle
it by taking it to a place that collects
used oil.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-11
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

{CAUTION
Adding only plain water to the
cooling system can be dangerous.
Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water
or the wrong mixture, the engine
could get too hot but would not
get the overheat warning. The
engine could catch re and you
or others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much water in the mixture
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other
parts.Notice:If you use extra
inhibitors and/or additives in
your vehicle’s cooling system,
you could damage your vehicle.
Use only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in this
manual for the cooling system.
SeePart D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11-18for
more information.
Gives freezing protection down to
−34°F (−38°C).
Gives boiling protection up to
265°F (129°C).
Protects against rust and
corrosion.
Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Lets the warning lights and gages
work as they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL can cause premature
engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the enginecoolant may require changing
sooner, at 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL (silicate-free)
coolant in your vehicle.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface. When the engine is cold,
the coolant level should be at LOW,
or a little higher. When the engine
is warm, the level should be up to
FULL, or a little higher. If it is not,
there could be a leak at the pressure
cap or in the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump, or
somewhere else in the cooling
system.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6Engine Compartment
Overview for the location of the
coolant recovery tank.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-19
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Recovery Tank
If you need more coolant, add the
proper DEX-COOL®coolant mixture
at the coolant recovery tank, but
be careful not to spill it.
Occasionally check the coolant level
in the radiator. For information on
how to add coolant to the radiator,
seeCooling System on page 9-18
Cooling System.
{CAUTION
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
{CAUTION
Adding only plain water to your
cooling system can be dangerous.
Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water
or the wrong mixture, your engine
could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and a proper
coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core and other
parts. Use the recommended
coolant and the proper coolant
mixture.
How to Add Coolant to the
Radiator
When the coolant in the coolant
recovery tank is at the FULL mark,
start the vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues,
there is one more thing that can
be done. Add the proper coolant
mixture directly to the radiator but
be sure the cooling system is
cool before you do it.
9-20 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