2010 PONTIAC VIBE oil level

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,
see Cooling System on page 9-19 .
{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.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
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 fire and
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.
Vehicle Care 9-21

5. Put the cap back on the coolantrecovery tank, but leave the
pressure cap off.
6. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch
out for the engine cooling fan.
7. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator filler neck may
be lower. If the level is lower,
add more of the proper coolant
mixture through the filler neck
until the level reaches the base
of the filler neck.
8. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during this procedure
if coolant begins to flow out of the
filler neck, reinstall the pressure
cap. Be sure the ears on the
pressure cap are in line with
the vent tube.Engine Overheating
A coolant temperature gage is
located on the vehicle’s instrument
panel. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 4-11 .
Check to see if the electric engine
cooling fan is running. If the engine
is overheating, the fan should be
running. If it is not, the vehicle needs
service.
If no problem is apparent, but the
coolant level is not at or above the
FULL mark, add a 50/50 mixture
of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant
recovery tank. See Engine Coolant
on page 9-19 for more information
about the proper coolant mixture.
If the coolant inside the coolant
recovery tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on
a level surface.
If Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
{CAUTION
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down. Wait
until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get
out of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
Notice: If the engine catches
re because of being driven with
no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Vehicle Care 9-23

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

At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these
underhood checks at each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and
add the proper oil if necessary.
SeeEngine Oil on page 9-9 .
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.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and
add DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture
if necessary. See Engine Coolant
on page 9-19.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level
Check
Check the windshield washer fluid
level in the windshield washer fluid
reservoir and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See 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 firmly.
See
Hood on page 9-5.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Inspect the tires and make sure
the tires are inflated to the correct
pressures. Do not forget to check the
spare tire. See Tires on page 9-43.
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.
SeeWiper Blade Replacement on
page 9-30 andExterior Care on
page 9-75 for 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. See
Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 10-15 .
Fluid Level Check
Check the power steering pump, rear
axle, transfer case, and automatic
or manual transmission fluid levels
and add as needed. See Automatic
Transmission Fluid on page 9-12
or Manual Transmission Fluid on
page 9-14. Check for leaks. A fluid
loss in these systems could indicate
a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired at once.
Service and Maintenance 10-11