2010 PONTIAC VIBE engine overheat

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

If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but steam is not heard or
seen escaping, the problem may
not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too
hot when the vehicle:
•Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
•Stops after high-speed driving.
•Idles for long periods in traffic.
•Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam, try this for
a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral) while stopped. If it
is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral)
and let the engine idle.
2. Turn on the heater to full hot at the highest fan speed and open
the windows as necessary. If the overheat warning is no longer
displayed, the vehicle can be driven.
Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the warning does not
come back on, continue to drive.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, idle
the engine for three minutes while
the vehicle is parked. If the warning
is still displayed, turn off the engine
and get everyone out of the vehicle
until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood
but to get service help right away.
Power Steering Fluid
The vehicle has electronic power
steering and does not use power
steering fluid. If you suspect a
problem, see your dealer/retailer.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield
washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions
before use. If you will be operating
your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing,
use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
9-24 Vehicle Care

Windshield Wipers
If the wiper motor overheats due to
heavy snow or ice, the windshield
wipers will stop until the motor cools
and will then restart.
Although the circuit is protected from
electrical overload, overload due to
heavy snow or ice, may cause wiper
linkage damage. Always clear ice
and heavy snow from the windshield
before using the windshield wipers.
If the overload is caused by an
electrical problem and not snow
or ice, be sure to get it fixed.
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers
The wiring circuits in the vehicle are
protected from short circuits by a
combination of fuses, circuit breakers
and fusible thermal links. This greatly
reduces the chance of fires caused
by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band
inside the fuse. If the band is broken
or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure
you replace a bad fuse with a new
one of the identical size and rating.
Fuses of the same amperage can be
temporarily borrowed from another
fuse location, if a fuse goes out.
Replace the fuse as soon as
you can.
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
This engine compartment fuse block
is located in the engine compartment
on the driver side of the vehicle
near the air cleaner. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6 .
Notice: Spilling liquid on any
electrical components on the
vehicle may damage it. Always
keep the covers on any electrical
component.
9-38 Vehicle Care

CoversCargo ............................... 3-2
Cruise Control ..................... 8-36
Light ............................... 4-21
Cupholders ........................... 3-1
Customer Assistance ............12-4
Offices ............................ 12-3
Text Telephone (TTY) Users .......................... 12-4
Customer Information Service PublicationsOrdering Information .....12-12
Customer Satisfaction Procedure ........................ 12-1
D
Damage Repair, Collision ....12-10
Danger, Warnings, and Cautions .............................. iii
Data Recorders Event ............................ 12-14
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) ..................... 5-2 Defensive Driving
................... 8-2
Devices, Auxiliary .................6-14
Dome Lamps ........................ 5-4
Door Ajar Light ........................ 4-21
Locks ............................... 1-5
Power Locks ...................... 1-6
Drive Systems All-Wheel Drive ........8-31, 9-29
Driving Better Fuel Economy .......... 8-2
Characteristics and Towing Tips .................. 8-44
Defensive .......................... 8-2
Drunk ............................... 8-3
Highway Hypnosis .............. 8-8
Hill and Mountain Roads ..... 8-8
If the Vehicle is Stuck .......8-11
Loss of Control .................. 8-6
Off-Road Recovery ............. 8-6
Vehicle Load Limits ...........8-12
Winter .............................. 8-9
E
Electrical Equipment
Add-On Equipment ............8-50
Electrical System Engine Compartment FuseBlock ........................... 9-38
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ...................... 9-38
Instrument Panel Fuse Block ........................... 9-41
Overload ......................... 9-37
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter ...............9-16
Check and Service Engine Soon Lamp .................. 4-14
Compartment Overview ....... 9-6
Coolant ........................... 9-19
Coolant Temperature Gage .........4-11
Cooling System ................9-19
Drive Belt Routing .............11-4
Exhaust ........................... 8-23
Oil ................................... 9-9
Overheating ..................... 9-23
INDEX i-3

Lights (cont.)Engine Oil Pressure ..........4-19
Flash-to-Pass ..................... 5-2
Fog Lamps ...................... 4-20
High-Beam On .................4-20
High/Low Beam Changer ..... 5-2
Low Fuel Warning .............4-20
Low Washer Fluid Warning ....................... 4-21
Safety Belt Reminders .......4-11
Security ........................... 4-20
Service All-Wheel-Drive ......4-18
Speed Sensitive Power Steering (SSPS)
Warning ....................... 4-18
StabiliTrak
®Indicator .........4-18
Taillamp Indicator ..............4-21
Tire Pressure ................... 4-19
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning ..............4-19
Load Rails and Hooks ............ 3-4
Locks Door ................................. 1-5
Power Door ....................... 1-6
Safety ............................... 1-6
Loss of Control ..................... 8-6
Low Fuel Warning Light ........4-20 Low Washer Fluid Warning
Light ............................... 4-21
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCHE
SYSTEM) ........................ 2-45
M
Maintenance
Records ......................... 10-18
Replacement Parts ..........10-17
Maintenance Schedule Recommended Fluidsand Lubricants ............10-15
Scheduled Maintenance .....10-3
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ....4-14
Manual Mode ...................... 8-28
Manual Transmission ............8-29
Fluid ............................... 9-14
Mirrors Folding ............................ 1-10
Manual Rearview ..............1-11
Outlets ....................... 4-6, 4-7
Power ............................. 1-10
Monitor System, Tire Pressure ......................... 9-50
MP3 ................................... 6-11
N
Navigation System
Vehicle Data Recordingand Privacy ................12-15
New Vehicle Break-In ...........8-16
O
Odometer ........................... 4-10
Trip ................................ 4-10
Off-Road Recovery .......................... 8-6
Oil Pressure Light ..................4-19
Oil, Engine ........................... 9-9
Older Children, Restraints ......2-37
Online Owner Center ............12-4
OnStar
®System .................. 4-23
Operation, Infotainment System ............................. 6-2
Outlets Power ........................ 4-6, 4-7
Overheating, Engine .............9-23
i-6 INDEX