2009 PONTIAC VIBE wiper blades

&(Intermittent):Move the lever
to choose a delayed wiping cycle.
For vehicles with the variable
intermittent feature, the time
between wipes can be adjusted.
Turn the
&band for a longer
or shorter delay interval.
q(Low):Use for steady wiping at
low speed.
l(High):Use for steady wiping at
high speed.
Clear snow and ice from the wiper
blades before using them. If the
blades are frozen to the windshield,
loosen or thaw them. If they
become damaged, get new blades
or blade inserts. SeeWindshield
Wiper Blade Replacement on
page 9-25.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the
wipers. A circuit breaker stops
them until the motor cools.
Windshield Washer
Pull the lever toward you to spray
washer uid on the windshield.
The spray continues until the lever
is released. The wipers will run
a few times. SeeWindshield Washer
Fluid on page 9-24for information
on lling the windshield washer uid
reservoir.
{CAUTION
In freezing weather, do not use
your washer until the windshield
is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the
windshield, blocking your vision.
Rear Window
Wiper/Washer
Z
Rear Wiper:Turn the end of
the lever to low or high, to turn
on the rear window wiper.
y(Low):For steady rear wiping at
low speed.
x(High):For steady rear wiping
at high speed.
=(Rear Washer):Turn the end
of the lever up or down as far
as it will go, to squirt washer uid
on the rear window. The knob
automatically returns from these
positions after it is released.
The windshield washer reservoir is
used for the windshield and the
rear window. Check the uid level
in the reservoir if either washer
is not working. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 9-24.
4-8 Instruments and Controls
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

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.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-25
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield
with glass cleaner.
Clean the rubber blades using a lint
free cloth or paper towel soaked with
windshield washer uid or a mild
detergent. Wash the windshield
thoroughly when cleaning the blades.
Bugs, road grime, sap, and a buildup
of vehicle wash/wax treatments may
cause wiper streaking. Replace the
wiper blades if they are worn or
damaged.
Wipers can be damaged by:
Extreme dusty conditions
Sand and salt
Heat and sun
Snow and ice, without proper
removal
Tires
To clean the tires, use a stiff brush
with tire cleaner.
Notice:Using petroleum-based
tire dressing products on your
vehicle may damage the paint
nish and/or tires. When applying
a tire dressing, always wipe off
any overspray from all painted
surfaces on your vehicle.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and
requires sheet metal repair or
replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosion
material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion
protection.Original manufacturer replacement
parts will provide the corrosion
protection while maintaining
the vehicle warranty.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep
scratches in the nish should be
repaired right away. Bare metal will
corrode quickly and may develop into
major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be
repaired with touch-up materials
available from your dealer/retailer.
Larger areas of nish damage can be
corrected in your dealer’s/retailer’s
body and paint shop.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-89
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Inspect the tires and make sure the
tires are inated to the correct
pressures. Do not forget to check
the spare tire. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 9-47.
At Least Twice a Year
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear,
cracking, or contamination. Clean
the windshield and wiper blades,
if contaminated. Replace wiper
blades that are worn or damaged.
SeeWindshield Wiper Blade
Replacement on page 9-25and
Exterior Cleaning on page 9-86for
more information.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips
will make them last longer, seal
better, and not stick or squeak.
Apply silicone grease with a clean
cloth. During very cold, damp
weather more frequent application
may be required. SeePart D:
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-18.
Fluid Level Check
Check the power steering pump,
rear axle, transfer case, and
automatic or manual transmission
uid levels and add as needed.
SeeAutomatic Transmission
Fluid on page 9-14orManual
Transmission Fluid on page 9-16.
Check for leaks. A uid loss in these
systems could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and
repaired at once.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with
the lubricant specied in Part D.
Seat Operation Check
Make sure the head restraints stay
in position and all seat latches
lock. Check that the recliner holds
by pushing and pulling the seatback
while it is reclined.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all hood latch assembly,
secondary latch, pivots, spring
anchor, release pawl, hood and body
door hinges, rear compartment, and
any folding seat hardware. Part D
tells you what to use. More frequent
lubrication might be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment.
Service and Maintenance 11-13
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual