2009 PONTIAC VIBE service

You may decide not to lift the
hood but to get service help
right away.
Power Steering Fluid
The vehicle has electronic power
steering and does not use power
steering uid. If you suspect a
problem, see your dealer/retailer.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield
washer uid, be sure to read the
manufacturer’s instructions before
use. If you will be operating your
vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing,
use a uid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
How to Check Windshield
Washer Fluid
To check windshield washer uid.
1. Pull dipstick out of windshield
washer reservoir.
2. Washer uid should ll the holes
between the LOW (B) and
NORMAL (A) mark.
3. If the uid reads LOW (B) add
uid.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer uid
until the holes of the dipstick are
lled between the LOW (B) and
NORMAL (A). SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 9-6for reservoir location.
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Notice:
When using concentrated
washer uid, follow the
manufacturer’s instructions
for adding water.
Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage your
washer uid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean
as well as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for uid
expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank
if it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in your windshield
washer. It can damage the
vehicle’s windshield washer
system and paint.
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Front Windshield Wiper
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected at least twice a year for
wear or cracking. SeeAt Least
Twice a Year on page 11-13.
Replacement blades come in
different types and are removed
in different ways. To remove
the wiper blade:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm
away from the windshield.2. Push the release lever and slide
the wiper assembly toward the
driver side of the vehicle.
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2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

3. Slide the new wiper assembly
into place.
4. Push the release lever down to
lock into place.
Rear Windshield Wiper
1. Disengage the two pins and
disconnect the rear wiper arm
by pulling them up.2. Raise the wiper arm until it
comes off.
You will hear a clicking sound
when the arm comes off.
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3. Push the rear wiper assembly
straight into the rear wiper arm.
4. Reengage the two pins to the
rear wiper arm by pushing
them down.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder and,
on manual transmission vehicles,
the clutch hydraulic system use the
same reservoir. The reservoir is
lled with DOT-3 brake uid.There are only two reasons why
the brake uid level in the reservoir
might go down:
The brake uid level goes down
because of normal brake lining
wear. When new linings are
installed, the uid level goes
back up.
A uid leak in the brake and/or
clutch hydraulic system can also
cause a low uid level. Have the
brake and/or clutch hydraulic
system xed, since a leak means
that sooner or later the brakes
and/or clutch will not work well.
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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.
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Brake Wear
This vehicle has disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake
pads are worn and new pads are
needed. The sound can come
and go or be heard all the time
the vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
an accident. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive
with worn-out brake pads could
result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to torque
specications inCapacities and
Specifications on page 10-2.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake
pedal does not return to normal
height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied,
with or without the vehicle moving,
the brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is
complex. Its many parts have to be
of top quality and work well together
if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. The vehicle was designed
and tested with top-quality brake
parts. When parts of the braking
system are replaced — for example,
when the brake linings wear down
and new ones are installed — be
sure to get new approved
replacement parts. If this is not done,
the brakes might not work properly.
For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for
the vehicle, the balance between
the front and rear brakes can
change — for the worse. The braking
performance expected can change
in many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are
installed.
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Battery
This vehicle has a maintenance
free battery. When it is time for a
new battery, see your dealer/retailer
for one that has the replacement
number shown on the original
battery’s label. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 9-6for battery location.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals,
and related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling.
Vehicle Storage
{CAUTION
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. SeeJump Starting
on page 9-71for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: If the vehicle is
driven infrequently, remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery. This helps keep the battery
from running down.
Extended Storage: For extended
storage of the vehicle, remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery or use a battery trickle
charger. This helps maintain the
charge of the battery over an
extended period of time.
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset at
the factory and should need no
further adjustment.
However, if your vehicle is damaged
in a crash, the headlamp aim may
be affected. Aim adjustment to the
low-beam headlamps may be
necessary if oncoming drivers ash
their high-beam headlamps at you
(for vertical aim).
If the headlamps need to be
re-aimed, it is recommended
that you take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer for service.
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Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs
on page 9-35.
For any bulb changing procedure
not listed in this section, contact
your dealer/retailer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION
Halogen bulbs have pressurized
gas inside and can burst if you
drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and follow the instructions
on the bulb package.
Headlamps and Parking
Lamps
A. High-beam Headlamp
B. Turn Signal Lamp/Parking Lamp
C. Low-beam Headlamp
High-beam and Low-beam
Headlamps
To replace the High-beam or
Low-beam Headlamp:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood
Release on page 9-5.
2. Turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise and pull it out
of the headlamp assembly.
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