2010 PONTIAC VIBE maintenance schedule

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
filter 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.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Check the fluid in the transmission
and differential at the intervals listed
inScheduled Maintenance on
page 10-3, and be sure to use
the transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-15 .
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
This operation can be difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the
dealer/retailer service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to
follow all the instructions here,
or you could get a false reading
on the dipstick. Wait at least 30 minutes before
checking the transmission fluid level
if you have been driving:
•When outside temperatures are
above 90°F (32°C).
•At high speed for quite a while.
•In heavy traffic — especially
in hot weather.
•While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid
should be at normal operating
temperature, which is 158°F to
176°F (70°C to 80°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by
driving about 15 miles (24 km)
when outside temperatures
are above 50°F (10°C). If it is
colder than 50°F (10°C), you
may have to drive longer.
9-12 Vehicle Care

How to Add Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission fluid to use.
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-15.
If the fluid level is low, add only
enough of the proper fluid to bring
the level into the area between
dimples on the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the dipstick
hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much fluid,
generally less than one pint
(0.5 L). Do not overfill. Notice:
Too much or too
little uid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean
that some of the uid could come
out and fall on hot engine parts or
exhaust system parts, starting a
re. Too little uid could cause the
transmission to overheat. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission uid.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as described under
“How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,” earlier
in this section.
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the dipstick
back in all the way; then press
the tab down to lock the dipstick
in place.
Manual Transmission
Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have your manual
transmission fluid level checked
is when the engine oil is changed.
However, the fluid in your manual
transmission does not require
changing.
How to Check
This operation can be difficult, you
may choose to have this done
at your dealer/retailer service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to
follow all the instructions here, or
you could get a false reading.
9-14 Vehicle Care

Notice:Too much or too
little uid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean
that some of the uid could come
out and fall on hot engine parts or
exhaust system parts, starting a
re. Too little uid could cause the
transmission to overheat. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission uid.
Check the fluid level only when your
engine is off, the vehicle is parked on
a level place and the transmission
is cool enough for you to rest your
fingers on the transmission case.
Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the bottom of the filler
plug hole. 3. If the fluid level is good, install
the plug and be sure it is fully
seated. If the fluid level is low,
add more fluid as described in
the next steps.
How to Add Fluid
Here is how to add fluid. Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine what kind of fluid to
use. See Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 10-15 .
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Add fluid at the filler plug hole. Add only enough fluid to bring
the fluid level up to the bottom
of the filler plug hole.
3. Install the filler plug. Be sure the plug is fully seated.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your
vehicle is self-adjusting. The master
cylinder reservoir is filled with DOT-3
brake fluid.
It is not necessary to regularly
check the fluid unless you suspect
there is a leak in the system.
Adding fluid will not correct a leak.
The hydraulic clutch and brake
master cylinder use the same
reservoir.
A fluid loss in this system could
indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired.
Vehicle Care 9-15

When to Check and What
to Use
The reservoir is located at the back
of the engine compartment, on the
driver side of the vehicle.Engine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6 .Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine how often you should
check the fluid level in your master
cylinder reservoir and for the proper
fluid. See
Scheduled Maintenance
on page 10-3 andRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 10-15 .
How to Check and Add Fluid
Check that the fluid level is at
or above the MIN mark. If the level
is below the MIN mark, see the
instructions on the reservoir cap.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is
in the engine compartment on
the driver side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6 for more information
on location.
When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
If you are driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the air
cleaner/filter at each engine
oil change. Replace the filter
every 30,000 miles (48 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs first.
See Scheduled Maintenance on
page 10-3 for more information.
9-16 Vehicle Care

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 9-69 for 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.
All-Wheel Drive
If you have an all-wheel-drive
vehicle, be sure to perform the
lubricant checks described in this
section.
Transfer Case
(Power Transfer Unit)
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine how often to check
the lubricant. See Scheduled
Maintenance on page 10-3 .
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the
vehicle should be on a level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of
the filler plug hole, you’ll need to add
some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the
filler plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine what kind of lubricant to
use. See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-15 .
Carrier Assembly-Differential
(Rear Drive Module)
When to Check and Change
Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine how often to check the
lubricant and when to change it.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 10-3.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the
vehicle should be on a level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of
the filler plug hole, you’ll need to add
some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the
filler plug hole. A fluid loss could
indicate a problem; check and have
it repaired, if needed.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine what kind of lubricant to
use. See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-15 .
Vehicle Care 9-29

Tire Rotation
Tires should be rotated every
5,000 to 8,000 miles (8 000 to
13 000 km). SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 10-3.
The purpose of a regular tire
rotation is to achieve a uniform
wear for all tires on the vehicle.
This will ensure that the vehicle
continues to perform most like it
did when the tires were new.
Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate the tires as soon
as possible and check wheel
alignment. Also check for
damaged tires or wheels.
See When It Is Time for New
Tires on page 9-56 andWheel
Replacement on page 9-60 for
more information. When rotating the vehicle’s tires,
always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Tires should only be moved from
front to rear and rear to front on
the same side of the vehicle.
Do not include the compact
spare tire in the tire rotation.
After the tires have been
rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures to the
amounts shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label.See
Tire Pressure on page 9-49
and Vehicle Load Limits on
page 8-12.
{CAUTION
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When
changing a wheel, remove any rust
or dirt from places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In an
emergency, use a cloth or a paper
towel to do this; but be sure to use
a scraper or wire brush later, if
needed, to get all the rust or dirt
off. See If a Tire Goes Flat on
page 9-62.
Make certain that all wheel
nuts are properly tightened.
See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specications
on page 11-2.
Vehicle Care 9-55

Service and
Maintenance
General InformationGeneral Information.............10-1
Scheduled MaintenanceScheduled Maintenance ........10-3
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants ......................
.10-15
Maintenance Replacement Parts .............................
.10-17
Maintenance RecordsMaintenance Records .........10-18
General Information
Important: Keep engine oil at the
proper level and change as
recommended.
Have you purchased the GM
Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements the vehicle warranties.
See the Warranty and Owner
Assistance booklet or your dealer/
retailer for details.
Notice:
Maintenance intervals,
checks, inspections, replacement
parts, and recommended uids
and lubricants as prescribed in
this manual are necessary to
keep this vehicle in good working
condition. Any damage caused
by failure to follow scheduled
maintenance might not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Proper vehicle maintenance not only
helps to keep the vehicle in good
working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended
maintenance is important. Improper
vehicle maintenance can even affect
the quality of the air we breathe.
Improper fluid levels or the wrong tire
inflation can increase the level of
emissions from the vehicle. To help
protect the environment, and to keep
the vehicle in good condition, be sure
to maintain the vehicle properly.
Using the Maintenance
Schedule
We want to help keep this vehicle in
good working condition. But we do
not know exactly how you will drive it.
You might drive very short distances
only a few times a week. Or you
might drive long distances all the
time in very hot, dusty weather.
You might use the vehicle in making
deliveries. Or you might drive it to
work, to do errands, or in many
other ways.
Service and Maintenance 10-1

Because of all the different
ways people use their vehicles,
maintenance needs vary. You might
need more frequent checks and
replacements. So please read the
following and note how you drive.
If you have any questions on how to
keep the vehicle in good condition,
see your dealer/retailer.
This schedule is for vehicles that:
•carry passengers and cargo
within recommended limits on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. SeeVehicle Load Limits on
page 8-12.
•are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving limits.
•use the recommended fuel.
See Recommended Fuel on
page 8-39.
The services in Scheduled
Maintenance on page 10-3 should
be performed when indicated.
{CAUTION
Performing maintenance work
on a vehicle can be dangerous.
In trying to do some jobs, you can
be seriously injured. Do your own
maintenance work only if you
have the required know-how and
the proper tools and equipment
for the job. If you have any doubt,
see your dealer/retailer to have a
qualified technician do the work.
See Doing Your Own Service
Work on page 9-4.
Some maintenance services can
be complex. So, unless you are
technically qualified and have the
necessary equipment, have your
dealer/retailer do these jobs. When you go to your dealer/retailer
for service, trained and supported
service technicians will perform
the work using genuine parts.
To purchase service information,
see
Service Publications Ordering
Information on page 12-12 .
The proper replacement parts,
fluids, and lubricants to use are
listed in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-15 and
Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 10-17. When the vehicle is
serviced, make sure these are used.
All parts should be replaced and all
necessary repairs done before you
or anyone else drives the vehicle.
We recommend the use of genuine
parts from your dealer/retailer.
10-2 Service and Maintenance