🏷️ Basic Information Identification Make: Pontiac Model: Vibe Year: 2008 Product Name: 2008 Pontiac Vibe Owner's Manual (Electronic PDF) Codes Vin Decoder Reference: Refer to manual for VIN breakdown and specific vehicle identification. 👋 Introduction Market Position Segment: Compact Crossover SUV / Hatchback Key Value Proposition: Practicality, fuel efficiency, versatility, and affordability, often targeting younger buyers or those seeking a compact and maneuverable vehicle. Competitive Analysis Primary Competitors: Toyota Matrix, Mazda3 Hatchback, Honda Fit, Ford Focus Hatchback. Key Features Platform Sharing: Shares platform and many components with the Toyota Matrix (GM/Toyota collaboration). Body Styles: 5-door hatchback. 📋 Manual Details Coverage Areas Operational Controls: Yes Convenience Items: Yes Safety Features: Yes Maintenance Recommendations: Yes Troubleshooting Basic: Yes Technical Specifications: Yes (as pertaining to owner operation and basic maintenance) Page Count Estimated Pages: Approx. 250-300 pages (typical for this model year) Manual Type Type: Owner's Manual Language Primary Language: English Format Format: Electronic (PDF) 📖 Manual Coverage Systems Covered Powertrain Controls: Operation of engine, transmission controls, and dashboard indicators. Chassis Systems: Information on brakes, steering, suspension (owner-level understanding). Electrical System: Operation of lights, wipers, power outlets, basic fuse information. Climate Control: Operation of HVAC system, including manual and automatic climate control features. Infotainment Audio: Operation of audio system, radio, CD player, and any available speaker configurations. Safety Restraints: Details on airbags, seat belts, child seat installation (LATCH system). Instrument Panel: Explanation of all dashboard gauges, warning lights, and indicators. Procedures Included Routine Checks: Checking tire pressure, fluid levels (oil, coolant, washer fluid). Fluid Checks Top-Offs: Instructions for checking and adding essential fluids. Tire Changing: Guidance on using the spare tire and jack. Jump Starting: Safe procedures for jump-starting the vehicle. Fuse Replacement: Identification and replacement of common fuses. Bulb Replacement: Guidance on replacing exterior and interior light bulbs. Cleaning And Care: Recommendations for interior and exterior cleaning. Technical Depth Depth Level: Owner-level operation, basic maintenance, and emergency procedures. Does not cover in-depth mechanical diagnostics or repair procedures typically found in service manuals. 📊 Manual Specifications File Format File Type: PDF (Portable Document Format) Searchable Text: Likely searchable text if the original PDF was created with OCR. Print Quality Printability: Printable on standard home or office printers. Binding Type Binding: N/A (Digital format) Paper Type Paper Quality: N/A (Digital format) ⚙️ Engine Specifications Primary Engine Engine Code And Type: ZZ Engine (Toyota-sourced), 2.4L DOHC 4-Cylinder (2AZ-FE) Performance Horsepower: 158 hp @ 6000 rpm Torque: 162 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm Redline: Approx. 6500 rpm Fuel System Fuel Delivery: Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) Fuel Type: Unleaded Gasoline, 87 Octane (Recommended) Engine Details Displacement: 2362 cc Bore X Stroke: 88.5 mm x 96.5 mm Compression Ratio: 9.8:1 Valve Train: Dual Overhead Camshafts (DOHC), 4 valves per cylinder, Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i) 🔧 Transmission Standard Type: 5-Speed Manual Optional Type: 4-Speed Automatic Features AWD Availability: Available on certain models (typically with automatic transmission). Fluid Specifications Automatic Transmission Fluid: Dexron VI or equivalent (check manual for exact specification and capacity). Manual Transmission Fluid: API GL-4, SAE 75W-90 synthetic gear oil (check manual for exact specification and capacity). 📐 Dimensions Exterior Length: 172.0 inches Width: 69.1 inches Height: 60.4 inches Wheelbase: 102.4 inches Cargo Cargo Volume Rear Seats Up: Approx. 19.1 cubic feet Cargo Volume Rear Seats Down: Approx. 35.0 cubic feet Weights Curb Weight Manual: Approx. 2965 lbs Curb Weight Automatic: Approx. 3040 lbs Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Approx. 4200 lbs Towing Capacity: Not Recommended for towing. Wheel Size: 16-inch (standard), 17-inch (optional on GT models) Tire Size Standard: 205/55R16 Wheel Bolt Pattern: 5 x 100 mm 🛡️ Safety Features Ratings NHTSA Front Crash Test: 5-Star Driver, 5-Star Passenger NHTSA Side Impact Crash Test: 5-Star Front Seat, 4-Star Rear Seat IIHS Moderate Overlap Frontal: Good IIHS Side Impact: Good Active Features ABS: Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Traction Control: Available Traction Control System (TCS) on some models. Electronic Stability Control: Available Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on some models. Passive Features Airbags: Frontal airbags for driver and passenger, front side-impact airbags, available side curtain airbags. Seat Belts: Three-point front and rear seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters. Child Seat Anchors: LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system. 💡 Technology Features Infotainment Audio System Features: AM/FM stereo, CD player, auxiliary input jack, optional satellite radio and premium audio system. Display Type: Standard LCD display for radio/clock, optional color screen for navigation (if equipped). Driver Assistance Cruise Control: Standard on most trims. Connectivity Auxiliary Audio Input: Standard on most models for connecting external audio devices. 🔧 Maintenance Service Intervals Oil Change Interval: Every 5,000 miles or 6 months (whichever comes first), or 7,500 miles/6 months with synthetic oil (refer to manual for exact schedule based on driving conditions). Tire Rotation: Every 5,000 miles or as recommended based on wear. Engine Air Filter Replacement: Approx. 30,000 miles or as needed...
Instructions for checking and adding essential fluids.
Tire Changing:
Guidance on using the spare tire and jack.
Jump Starting:
Safe procedures for jump-starting the vehicle.
Fuse Replacement:
Identification and replacement of common fuses.
Bulb Replacement:
Guidance on replacing exterior and interior light bulbs.
Cleaning And Care:
Recommendations for interior and exterior cleaning.
Technical Depth
Depth Level:
Owner-level operation, basic maintenance, and emergency procedures. Does not cover in-depth mechanical diagnostics or repair procedures typically found in service manuals.
📊 Manual Specifications
File Format
File Type:
PDF (Portable Document Format)
Searchable Text:
Likely searchable text if the original PDF was created with OCR.
Available on certain models (typically with automatic transmission).
Fluid Specifications
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Dexron VI or equivalent (check manual for exact specification and capacity).
Manual Transmission Fluid:
API GL-4, SAE 75W-90 synthetic gear oil (check manual for exact specification and capacity).
📐 Dimensions
Exterior
Length:
172.0 inches
Width:
69.1 inches
Height:
60.4 inches
Wheelbase:
102.4 inches
Cargo
Cargo Volume Rear Seats Up:
Approx. 19.1 cubic feet
Cargo Volume Rear Seats Down:
Approx. 35.0 cubic feet
Weights
Curb Weight Manual:
Approx. 2965 lbs
Curb Weight Automatic:
Approx. 3040 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:
Approx. 4200 lbs
Towing Capacity:
Not Recommended for towing.
Wheel Size:
16-inch (standard), 17-inch (optional on GT models)
Tire Size Standard:
205/55R16
Wheel Bolt Pattern:
5 x 100 mm
🛡️ Safety Features
Ratings
NHTSA Front Crash Test:
5-Star Driver, 5-Star Passenger
NHTSA Side Impact Crash Test:
5-Star Front Seat, 4-Star Rear Seat
IIHS Moderate Overlap Frontal:
Good
IIHS Side Impact:
Good
Active Features
ABS:
Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Traction Control:
Available Traction Control System (TCS) on some models.
Electronic Stability Control:
Available Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on some models.
Passive Features
Airbags:
Frontal airbags for driver and passenger, front side-impact airbags, available side curtain airbags.
Seat Belts:
Three-point front and rear seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters.
Child Seat Anchors:
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system.
💡 Technology Features
Infotainment
Audio System Features:
AM/FM stereo, CD player, auxiliary input jack, optional satellite radio and premium audio system.
Display Type:
Standard LCD display for radio/clock, optional color screen for navigation (if equipped).
Driver Assistance
Cruise Control:
Standard on most trims.
Connectivity
Auxiliary Audio Input:
Standard on most models for connecting external audio devices.
🔧 Maintenance
Service Intervals
Oil Change Interval:
Every 5,000 miles or 6 months (whichever comes first), or 7,500 miles/6 months with synthetic oil (refer to manual for exact schedule based on driving conditions).
Tire Rotation:
Every 5,000 miles or as recommended based on wear.
Engine Air Filter Replacement:
Approx. 30,000 miles or as needed based on inspection.
Cabin Air Filter Replacement:
Approx. 15,000-30,000 miles, depending on driving environment.
Spark Plug Replacement:
Approx. 100,000 miles (long-life iridium type).
Coolant Replacement:
Initial at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles thereafter (Super Long Life Coolant - Pink/Toyota SLLC).
Fluid Specifications
Engine Oil Specification:
SAE 5W-30, API SN or newer, ILSAC GF-5 certified (check manual for specific GM/GM spec).
Engine Oil Capacity:
Approx. 4.5 quarts (with filter).
Brake Fluid Specification:
DOT 3
Power Steering Fluid:
Use Genuine GM Power Steering Fluid or equivalent.
Known Issues
Oil Consumption:
Some 2AZ-FE engines experienced higher than normal oil consumption, particularly in early models. Regular oil level checks are advised.
ABS Actuator Failures:
Reports of ABS actuator failures leading to ABS warning lights and reduced braking performance.
Exhaust Manifold Cracks:
Cracks can develop in the exhaust manifold due to heat cycles, leading to exhaust leaks and potential catalytic converter issues.
Rear Strut Mount Noise:
Clunking or popping noises from the rear suspension, often related to worn strut mounts.
📚 Vehicle History
Brand Heritage
Manufacturer:
Pontiac (General Motors division, now defunct)
Model Evolution
First Generation Start:
2003
Second Generation Start:
2008
Discontinuation Year:
2010 (Pontiac brand discontinued)
Second Generation Key Changes:
Revised styling (front and rear fascias), updated interior trim, improved features, and a more powerful standard engine.
Production
Manufacturing Location:
Fremont, California, USA (in partnership with NUMMI - New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc.)
Platform Origin:
Toyota MC platform (shared with Toyota Corolla and Matrix).
🏆 Awards & Recognition
Recognitions
IIHS Top Safety Pick:
The Pontiac Vibe (including the 2008 model year) often received high marks from the IIHS, contributing to its reputation for safety in its class.
Fuel Economy Ratings:
Generally praised for good fuel economy, especially with the standard engine and manual transmission.
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