2010 PONTIAC VIBE fuel pump

that the fuel filler door is on the driver
side of the vehicle. The fuel gage
works only when the ignition switch is
turned to ON/RUN. When the gage
first indicates E or empty, there is still
about 2 gallons ( 7.6 L) of fuel left,
but more needs to be added right
away. When the vehicle is low on fuel
the low fuel warning light, located
below the empty mark, comes on.
Five things that do not indicate a
problem with the fuel gage:
•At the gas station, the fuel pump
shuts off before the gage reads
F or full.
•It takes a little more or less fuel
to fill up than the gage indicated.
For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full,
but it actually took more or less
than half the tank’s capacity to
fill it.
•It takes the gage several minutes
to read F or full after filling the
vehicle with fuel.
•The gage moves a little when you
turn, stop or speed up.
•The gage does not go back to E
or empty when you turn off the
ignition.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant
temperature. If the gage pointer
moves into the red area, the engine
is too hot. Pull off the road, stop the
vehicle, and turn off the engine as
soon as possible. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 9-23 .
Safety Belt Reminders
When the engine is started, a chime
will sound for several seconds to
remind people to fasten their safety
belts, unless the driver safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will also flash
until the driver belt is buckled. If the
driver belt is already buckled, neither
the chime nor the light comes on.
This light is located on the center
of the instrument panel, next
to the audio system.
When the key is turned to ON/RUN
or START, this light comes on
as a reminder for the right front
passenger to fasten their safety belt.
United States
Canada
Instruments and Controls 4-11

Evaporation Pump
The vehicle is equipped with
a vacuum pump for the fuel
evaporation system. This pump
performs a fuel evaporation leakage
test approximately five hours
after the engine is turned off.
You may hear a sound coming
from underneath the rear cargo
compartment for several minutes.
The noise is normal and does not
signify a malfunction. See your
dealer/retailer with any questions.
Parking Over Things
That Burn
{CAUTION
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION
Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and
even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
•The vehicle idles in areas
with poor ventilation (parking
garages, tunnels, deep snow
that may block underbody
airflow or tail pipes).
•The exhaust smells or
sounds strange or different.
•The exhaust system leaks
due to corrosion or damage.(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
•The vehicle’s exhaust system
has been modified, damaged
or improperly repaired.
•There are holes or openings
in the vehicle body from
damage or after-market
modifications that are not
completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or if
it is suspected that exhaust is
coming into the vehicle:
•Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
•Have the vehicle repaired
immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed
area such as a garage or a
building that has no fresh air
ventilation.
Driving and Operating 8-23

Using Cruise Control on Hills
The cruise control performance will
vary depending upon the vehicle
speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills.
When going up steep hills, you might
have to step on the accelerator pedal
to maintain the vehicle speed.
When going downhill, you might
have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep the vehicle speed down.
Applying the brake or downshifting
to 2 SECOND or L LOW turns
off the cruise control.Ending Cruise Control
There are several ways to turn off
the cruise control:
•Step on the brake pedal or push
the clutch pedal, if the vehicle
has a manual transmission.
•Press the ON-OFF button.
•Pull the cruise control lever
toward you.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory
is erased when the cruise control or
the ignition is turned off.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel
is an important part of the proper
maintenance of this vehicle. To help
keep the engine clean and maintain
optimum vehicle performance, we
recommend the use of gasoline
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline.
Look for the TOP TIER label on the
fuel pump to ensure gasoline meets
enhanced detergency standards
developed by auto companies. A list
of marketers providing TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline can be found at
www.toptiergas.com.
8-38 Driving and Operating

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 find. 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.
Fuel 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. Look for the
TOP TIER label on the fuel pump to
ensure gasoline meets enhanced
detergency standards developed
by the auto companies. A list of
marketers providing TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline can be found
at www.toptiergas.com.For customers who do not use
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline
regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel
System Treatment PLUS, added to
the fuel tank at every engine oil
change, can help clean deposits
from fuel injectors and intake valves.
GM Fuel System Treatment
PLUS is the only gasoline additive
recommended by General Motors.
It is available at your dealer/retailer.
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
specifications 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.
8-40 Driving and Operating

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.Filling the Tank
{CAUTION
Fuel vapor burns violently and a
fuel fire can cause bad injuries.
To help avoid injuries to you and
others, read and follow all the
instructions on the pump island.
Turn off the engine when you are
refueling. Do not smoke if you are
near fuel or refueling the vehicle.
Do not use cellular phones. Keep
sparks, flames, and smoking
materials away from fuel. Do not
leave the fuel pump unattended
when refueling the vehicle. This is
against the law in some places.
Do not re-enter the vehicle while
pumping fuel. Keep children away
from the fuel pump; never let
children pump fuel. The fuel door release lever is near
the floor under the driver seat on the
outboard side.
Driving and Operating 8-41

The tethered fuel cap is located
behind a hinged fuel door on
the driver side of the vehicle.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly
counterclockwise. On some vehicles
you may have to push in while
turning the cap.
While refueling, hang the fuel cap
inside of the fuel door.
When reinstalling the cap, turn it
clockwise until it clicks, otherwise
the Malfunction Indicator Lamp may
turn on. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 4-14.
{CAUTION
Fuel can spray out on you if
you open the fuel cap too quickly.
If you spill fuel and then something
ignites it, you could be badly
burned. This spray can happen if
the tank is nearly full, and is more
likely in hot weather. Open the fuel
cap slowly and wait for any hiss
noise to stop. Then unscrew the
cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not
top off or overfill the tank and wait a
few seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the nozzle.
Clean fuel from painted surfaces as
soon as possible. See Exterior Care
on page 9-75.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn
it clockwise until it clicks. Make
sure the cap is fully installed.
The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere.
See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 4-14.
{CAUTION
If a fire starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the
nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel
by shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately.
Notice: If you need a new fuel
cap, be sure to get the right type.
Your dealer/retailer can get one for
you. If you get the wrong type, it
may not t properly. This may
cause the malfunction indicator
lamp to light and may damage the
fuel tank and emissions system.
See Malfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 4-14.
8-42 Driving and Operating

Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{CAUTION
Never fill a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle. Static
electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel vapor.
You can be badly burned and the
vehicle damaged if this occurs. To
help avoid injury to you and others:
•Dispense fuel only into
approved containers.
•Do not fill a container while
it is inside a vehicle, in a
vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed, or
on any surface other than the
ground.(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
•Bring the fill nozzle in contact
with the inside of the fill
opening before operating the
nozzle. Contact should be
maintained until the filling is
complete.
•Do not smoke while
pumping fuel.
•Do not use a cellular phone
while pumping fuel.
Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for your vehicle.
Contact your dealer/retailer or towing
retailer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle for towing a trailer.
See the following trailer towing
information in this section:
•For information on driving while
towing a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips.
•For maximum vehicle and trailer
weights, see Trailer Towing.
•For information on equipment to
tow a trailer, see Towing
Equipment.
For information on towing a disabled
vehicle, see Towing the Vehicle
on page 9-73. For information on
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle — such as a motorhome, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing on
page 9-73.
Driving and Operating 8-43

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