2009 PONTIAC VIBE oil additives

Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines
in the United States are now required
to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits
from forming, allowing the emission
control system to work properly.
In most cases, you should not have
to add anything to the fuel. However,
some gasolines contain only
the minimum amount of additive
required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations.
To help keep fuel injectors and
intake valves clean, or if the vehicle
experiences problems due to dirty
injectors or valves, look for gasoline
that is advertised as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline. Also, your
dealer/retailer has additives that
will help correct and prevent most
deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates,
such as ethers and ethanol, and
reformulated gasolines might
be available in your area.We recommend that you use these
gasolines, if they comply with the
specications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and
other fuels containing more than
10% ethanol must not be used in
vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.
Notice:This vehicle was not
designed for fuel that contains
methanol. Do not use fuel
containing methanol. It can
corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic
and rubber parts. That damage
would not be covered under
the vehicle warranty.
Some gasolines that are
not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an
octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant
where you buy gasoline whether the
fuel contains MMT. We recommend
against the use of such gasolines.Fuels containing MMT can reduce
the life of spark plugs and the
performance of the emission
control system could be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp might
turn on. If this occurs, return to your
dealer/retailer for service.
Fuels in Foreign
Countries
If you plan on driving in another
country outside the United States or
Canada, the proper fuel might be
hard to nd. Never use leaded
gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text
on fuel. Costly repairs caused
by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask
an auto club, or contact a major
oil company that does business
in the country where you will
be driving.
Driving and Operating 8-37
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