PontiacWave2009Overview/pontiac/wave/2009/base/

2009 Pontiac Wave

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Wave.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2009 Pontiac Wave, as outlined in the overview, is equipped with a 4.8‑qt engine oil capacity calling for 5W‑30 API viscosity. It pairs this with an automatic four‑speed transmission and delivers EPA‑rated fuel economy of 25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined. While the overview does not list specific reliability metrics for this year, its inclusion in the Wave summary places the 2009 model within the broader context of the vehicle’s documented history.

Model year201020092008200720062005

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque81 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy25/34/28 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 86 · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 55593191. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 86 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size185-60R14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.0-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter55593191 alt 55594651
Engine air filter25199248
Spark plug25186682
Front wiper blades95980792 alt 95980789
Serpentine belt25195582 alt 25185133
Thermostat25189205 alt 55578419
Cabin air filter96962173

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length152.8 in
Overall width65.7 in
Overall height59.1 in
Wheelbase97.6 in
Curb weight2436 lb
Track (front / rear)57.1 / 55.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined25 / 34 / 28 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume91 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 81 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 6.6 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity2.2
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantDEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.8 qt
Manual Transmission FluidGM part number 89021806
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity3.8

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug6.6 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts81 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.125 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number86
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test17-23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16.5 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-215 °F
Engine Compression100
Engine Oil Pressure35 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPMIdle rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle70 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.086 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.080 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.945 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.945 in / 0.787 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
118.4 ft. lbs.18.4 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees90 degrees
545 degrees45 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 37,500 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 25,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 37,500 miSpark Plugs (replace)
Every 50,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · EVAP Purge Control Solenoid (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Canister (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
Every 75,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
Every 100,000 miTiming Belt (replace)
At 150,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
94
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 94 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT5399A2018-05-23EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PI0281G2018-04-06StructureThis preliminary informational bulletin provides information to dealership personnel…
130089010B2018-04-03EquipmentThis informational bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on policies…
010601011J2017-11-30Engine And Engine CoolingThis informational bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to…
040730013D2017-11-22Power TrainThis informational bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on automatic…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Wave. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Wave take?

4.8 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Wave have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Wave get?

EPA figures are 25 city / 34 highway / 28 combined mpg.