2009 PONTIAC VIBE fuel cap release

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

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

4. Clamp the steering wheel in a
straight-ahead position with a
clamping device designed
for towing.
5. Remove the key from the
ignition.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
7. Release the parking brake.
Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly.
For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work
well or even at all. The driver and
passengers could be seriously
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only
if all the steps in this section have
been followed. Ask your
dealer/retailer for advice and
information about towing a trailer
with the vehicle.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it
is equipped with the proper trailer
towing equipment. To identify the
vehicle trailering capacity of your
vehicle, you should read the
information in “Weight of the Trailer”
that appears later in this section.
Trailering is different than just driving
your vehicle by itself. Trailering
means changes in handling,acceleration, braking, durability and
fuel economy. Successful, safe
trailering takes correct equipment,
and it has to be used properly.
That is the reason for this part.
In it are many time-tested, important
trailering tips and safety rules. Many
of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers.
So please read this section
carefully before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as
the engine, transmission, wheel
assemblies and tires are forced to
work harder against the drag of
the added weight. The engine
is required to operate at relatively
higher speeds and under greater
loads, generating extra heat.
In addition, the trailer adds
considerably to wind resistance,
increasing the pulling requirements.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-77
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain, ush, and rell the cooling
system (or every 5 years,
whichever occurs rst).
This service can be complex;
you should have your dealer/
retailer perform this service.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 9-18
for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap, and neck. Pressure
test cooling system and pressure
cap.An Emission Control Service.
Part B: Owner Checks
and Services
These owner checks and services
should be performed at the intervals
specied to help ensure vehicle
safety, dependability, and emission
control performance.
Be sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once. Whenever
any uids or lubricants are added to
the vehicle, make sure they are
the proper ones, as shown in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these
underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Notice:It is important to check
the engine oil regularly and keep it
at the proper level. Failure to keep
the engine oil at the proper level
can cause damage to the engine
not covered by the vehicle
warranty.Check the engine oil level and add
the proper oil if necessary. See
Engine Oil on page 9-9.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level
and add DEX-COOL®coolant
mixture if necessary. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 9-18.
Windshield Washer Fluid
Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid
level in the windshield washer
uid reservoir and add the proper
uid if necessary. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 9-24.
Hood Latch Operation Check
Pull the primary hood latch release
handle inside the vehicle. The
secondary latch should keep the
hood from opening all the way when
the primary latch is released. Make
sure the hood closes rmly.
SeeHood Release on page 9-5.
11-12 Service and Maintenance
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual