2009 PONTIAC VIBE cooling

Liftgate
{CAUTION
It can be dangerous to drive with
the liftgate open because carbon
monoxide (CO) gas can come
into your vehicle. You cannot
see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the liftgate
open or if electrical wiring or other
cable connections must pass
through the seal between the
body and the liftgate:
Make sure all other windows
are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating
or cooling system to its
highest speed and select the
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
control setting that will force
outside air into your vehicle.
SeeClimate Control System
on page 7-1.
If you have air outlets on or
under the instrument panel,
open them all the way.
SeeEngine Exhaust on
page 8-16.
Unlock and open the liftgate by
inserting the key, turning it
counterclockwise and raise it
by hand.Close the liftgate by using the
handle to pull it down.
Lock the liftgate by inserting the key
and turning it clockwise to the
rst position.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2-4
for more information.
2-8 Keys, Doors and Windows
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Climate Controls
Climate Controls
Climate Control System......7-1
Outlet Adjustment...............7-3
Passenger CompartmentAir Filter........................... .7-4
Climate Controls
Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle can be controlled with
this system.
Fan Control
9(Fan):Turn the center knob
toward 4 to turn the system
on or increase fan speed. If the airow seems low when the
fan is at the highest setting, the
passenger compartment air lter
may need to be replaced. For more
information, see
Passenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 7-4
and Scheduled Maintenance on
page 11-4.
Climate Controls 7-1
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Before Leaving on a
Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, consider having it serviced
by your dealer/retailer before
departing.
Things to check on your own
include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:
Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All
levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are
lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are
tires inated to recommended
pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to
travel? Have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention
to your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy, nd
a safe place to park your vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on at or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
Keep the vehicle serviced
and in good shape.
Check all uid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
Going down steep or long hills,
shift to a lower gear.
{CAUTION
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
8-28 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

Cooling System
When it is safe lift the hood:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
B. Pressure Cap
C. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank{CAUTION
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there
is a leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine re, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
xed before you drive the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The coolant in the vehicle should
last for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs
rst. When coolant is added
or changed, use DEX-COOL
®
coolant.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to add coolant when
it is low. If there is a problem with
engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 9-22Engine
Overheating.
What to Use
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL®
coolant, which will not damage
aluminum parts. If this coolant
mixture is used, nothing else
needs to be added.
9-18 Vehicle Service and Care
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

{CAUTION
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn the
radiator pressure cap — even a
little — they can come out at high
speed. Never turn the cap when
the cooling system, including the
radiator pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and radiator
pressure cap to cool if you ever
have to turn the pressure cap.
{CAUTION
Turning the radiator pressure cap
when the engine and radiator are
hot can allow steam and scalding
liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery
tank, you will almost never have
to add coolant at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure
cap — even a little — when the
engine and radiator are hot.
1. Remove the pressure cap when
the cooling system, including the
pressure cap and upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot. Turn
the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise until it rst
stops. Do not press down while
turning the pressure cap.If you hear a hiss, wait for that
to stop. A hiss means there
is still some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap,
but now push down while turning.
Remove the pressure cap.
3. Fill the radiator with the proper
coolant mixture, up to the base
of the ller neck. For more
information about the proper
coolant mixture look earlier in
this section.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-21
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual