Search found 778 matches

by Houston
Wed Jan 31, 2024 9:27 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: 2003 Matrix do not drive recall for airbags
Replies: 4
Views: 299

Re: 2003 Matrix do not drive recall for airbags

This is NOT A RECALL. General Motors reported that the 2003 and 2004 Pontiac Vibes should NOT BE DRIVEN AT ALL. This is because the airbag units might explode for no reason and send metal pieces around thereby injuring or killing occupants. The source is the GM Authority website.
by Houston
Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:56 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: replacement for a Vibe
Replies: 22
Views: 5370

Re: replacement for a Vibe

I am among the many who wish Pontiac was still around. But it isn't. And the day will come when our Vibes get so old that getting another one will no longer be recommended. If my Vibe was totaled tomorrow, God forbid, I would not replace it with another Vibe that would be at least 13 years old. I've...
by Houston
Mon Mar 27, 2023 7:14 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: How many miles on your Vibes?
Replies: 1042
Views: 1307966

Re: How many miles on your Vibes?

Houston. Glad to see you're still around and somewhat active here! :D The only thing I replaced was tires .... that's it! And they cost me NOTHING ... well no cash anyways. My son works for a specialty tire company (bulldozer, semi, off-road, etc.) and I help them out with HVAC issues, so I pretty ...
by Houston
Mon Mar 27, 2023 6:48 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: How many miles on your Vibes?
Replies: 1042
Views: 1307966

Re: How many miles on your Vibes?

at this point, I would wait until there’s a problem to change out anything major, unless you’re going on a long road trip somewhere. Thank you. Since I'm going to get a coolant change this summer at the closest Toyota dealer, I might just go ahead and have hoses replaced at the same time just to be...
by Houston
Mon Mar 27, 2023 2:41 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: How many miles on your Vibes?
Replies: 1042
Views: 1307966

Re: How many miles on your Vibes?

tpollauf: Mine is also a low-millage 2009. Have you replaced your heater and/or radiator hoses yet? If not, do you have any idea when we should? Also, when should we replaces vacuum hoses? I asked this question a long time ago, but got no answers.
by Houston
Mon Jan 31, 2022 11:35 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Lots of questions, zero answers
Replies: 13
Views: 2127

Re: Lots of questions, zero answers

tpollauf: I got new tires about two years ago and am, like you, concerned about all the other rubber parts on my Vibe, but will probably wait until something looks or feels bad or outright fails before doing anything about them. Have you had to replace any of those rubber parts yet? If so, which ones?
by Houston
Sun Jan 30, 2022 8:41 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Lots of questions, zero answers
Replies: 13
Views: 2127

Re: Lots of questions, zero answers

Hi guys. Haven't been here in a long time, but decided to stop by to see if this site was still here. I suspect some of the older folks have died, while others have either moved on to different cars, or to that Facebook Vibe site (GenVibe - Pontiac Vibe Owners & Enthusiasts). Ii's quite active a...
by Houston
Mon May 31, 2021 11:51 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Lots of questions, zero answers
Replies: 13
Views: 2127

Re: Lots of questions, zero answers

I agree with the replies already posted here. I've been a member of GenVibe for almost twenty years and the primary reason for so few posts here anymore is Facebook where so many young Vibe owners hang out. Some of us old geezers do, too. I check here every now and then to see what's happening, whic...
by Houston
Mon Apr 12, 2021 11:02 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Vibe with Body Damage. Drive As-Is or Replace The Car?
Replies: 11
Views: 2421

Re: Vibe with Body Damage. Drive As-Is or Replace The Car?

Looks to me like you came out ahead moneywise and the retiree did a pretty good job - not perfect, for sure, but good enough - and you still have the Vibe you wanted to keep. You made the right decision.
by Houston
Mon Apr 12, 2021 10:50 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: How many miles on your Vibes?
Replies: 1042
Views: 1307966

Re: How many miles on your Vibes?

I just checked and right now (April 12, 2021) my Vibe sits in the garage with the odometer reading 17,258 miles. (Yeah, I don't have a life.) With such low mileage my 2009 still looks and drives like new, as it should. Got new tires about a year ago, because the originals were getting old enough to ...
by Houston
Tue Apr 10, 2018 6:31 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: How to Remove the Spare?
Replies: 5
Views: 1969

Re: How to Remove the Spare?

Many thanks, Caretaker! I just now followed your directions and got the spare out. The Owner's Manual certainly doesn't make this very clear. What a pita! Thanks, again! By the way, it registers only 12 psi.
by Houston
Tue Apr 10, 2018 6:01 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: How to Remove the Spare?
Replies: 5
Views: 1969

Re: How to Remove the Spare?

Thanks for responding, tpollauf, but the tire being immovable isn't the problem. It moves just fine, but when I push it in (towards the front of the vehicle) as far as it will go there still isn't enough clearance at the other side (closest to rear of the car) to lift it out. Any other ideas?
by Houston
Tue Apr 10, 2018 4:47 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: How to Remove the Spare?
Replies: 5
Views: 1969

How to Remove the Spare?

I've had Vibes for 16 years, the first being a 2003 and presently a 2009.  For the first time ever I decided to take out the spare tire of my 2009.  For the life of me, I can't get the darn thing out!  Even though I push it as far back (toward the front of the Vibe) as it will go, there isn't enough...
by Houston
Sun Feb 04, 2018 11:20 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: How many miles on your Vibes?
Replies: 1042
Views: 1307966

Re: How many miles on your Vibes?

I'm now all the way up to 15,403 miles on my 2009 Vibe. Eat your hearts out. On the other hand, some of you have lives... some of us don't. My Vibe still looks, operates and sounds like it's brand new. I'm a happy camper with this marvelous car.
by Houston
Thu Oct 26, 2017 8:59 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Correct Brake Fluid for 2010 Vibe?
Replies: 2
Views: 2533

Re: Correct Brake Fluid for 2010 Vibe?

For those who don't know, Toyota Super Long Life Coolant is good for ten years. If you're like me and don't want to do it yourself, head to a Toyota dealer. There were three other Vibes there along with mine when I was there. I wouldn't be surprised if Toyota dealers now service more Pontiac Vibes t...
by Houston
Fri Oct 21, 2016 8:32 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Winter Tires Wheel Set
Replies: 15
Views: 4019

Re: Winter Tires Wheel Set

chappy wrote:Just read the TPMS thread. Sounds like a lot of work. I think I'll drive around with an orange light for a bit and see if it'll annoy me enough to do something about it.
Yeah, I never put those sensors in my set of winter tires and wheels. That light doesn't bother me at all.
by Houston
Fri Sep 30, 2016 5:24 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: website ghost land
Replies: 11
Views: 2857

Re: website ghost land

Yeah, I don't come here nearly as often as I did just a few years ago. This board was really rockin' at one time, but when Vibes stopped being manufactured we all knew things would change here. This board has been helpful to me many times over the years and I hope it sticks around. Just a reminder t...
by Houston
Thu Sep 01, 2016 8:12 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Oil changes? What kind of oil?
Replies: 6
Views: 2095

Re: Oil changes? What kind of oil?

My Owner's Manual says every 3,000 miles. I've used both regular and semi-synthetic. Never had an engine problem with either one.

Correction: My Owner's Manual says to change oil every 5,000 miles. I should check my facts before making stupid posts. Sorry.
by Houston
Sun Apr 17, 2016 12:46 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Look what I found!
Replies: 4
Views: 1260

Re: Look what I found!

I do.
by Houston
Sat Feb 06, 2016 8:02 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Cargo Area Shade
Replies: 3
Views: 1079

Re: Cargo Area Shade

The OEM shade is the one I've always used and it works fine. Once you learn the little trick about snapping it in, it's easy.
by Houston
Sat Oct 24, 2015 3:46 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Toyota recalls 6.5 million vehicles for window switch defect
Replies: 5
Views: 1684

Re: Toyota recalls 6.5 million vehicles for window switch defect

I just checked NHTSA to see if our Vibes are included in this latest recall. 2009 and 2010 Vibes are on the list. Below is the page... http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchResults;jsessionid=j5CKWsLDGtLsxvVvrKRnTq301V9dKHSR1fQnvn27Gvj4FGY7Nw5Q!-638933281?prodType=V&searchType=PROD&targe...
by Houston
Sat May 02, 2015 11:54 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: 2nd gen: any close calls due to blind spots?
Replies: 14
Views: 2646

Re: 2nd gen: any close calls due to blind spots?

I see all these posts about drivers having difficulty because of this or that pillar or this and that other thing. Have drivers become so numbed by modern society that they can't simply move their heads a few inches and see everything? I don't mean to seem harsh, but it seems to me that today's auto...
by Houston
Fri Apr 24, 2015 7:32 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: 2nd gen: any close calls due to blind spots?
Replies: 14
Views: 2646

Re: 2nd gen: any close calls due to blind spots?

All vehicles have blind spots, some worse than others, but we quickly learn to work around them. I consider my 2009 (and previous 2003) to be in the middle of the pack. My friend's 2010 Camaro is horrible.
by Houston
Tue Mar 24, 2015 12:31 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: How many miles on your Vibes?
Replies: 1042
Views: 1307966

Re: How many miles on your Vibes?

Just rolled over to 11,455. As I said many posts ago, I don't have a life. I remember those great days, though. Enjoy them while you have them, guys and gals, 'cause they'll be gone sooner than you think.
by Houston
Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:03 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Load (light or full) performance
Replies: 5
Views: 1318

Re: Load (light or full) performance

The 2003 Vibe I had performed about the same as this '09. The more powerful engine in this one, of course, improves performance. Increasing the load decreases mileage and performance in any vehicle, although ride comfort may improve a bit - up to a point.
by Houston
Sat Jul 12, 2014 7:04 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: How many miles on your Vibes?
Replies: 1042
Views: 1307966

Re: How many miles on your Vibes?

Here's what I was told and suggested by the Blackstone folks who do oil analysis. At MAXIMUM, regardless of mileage, change the oil every TWO years. If you running on synthetic then you have a little bit of cush and added protection. Surprisingly when I changed the oil in my 22 yr old F-150 which w...
by Houston
Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:01 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: How many miles on your Vibes?
Replies: 1042
Views: 1307966

Re: How many miles on your Vibes?

Well, my Vibe is now five years plus a couple months old and is all the way up to 10,668 miles. Eat your hearts out. Got a question for you: I stuck to the Owner's Manual while it was under warranty, but now that it isn't I've decided to go six months between oil changes. As little driving as I do, ...
by Houston
Fri Jun 20, 2014 7:56 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: 2006 reliability vs other years?
Replies: 33
Views: 7025

Re: 2006 reliability vs other years?

Consumer Report's vehicle reliability is determined in large part by what owners report on yearly surveys sent to them asking about repairs that have been required on the vehicle(s) they own. My Vibe is listed on http://www.truedelta.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and I...
by Houston
Thu May 29, 2014 10:22 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Just Rambling
Replies: 35
Views: 8199

Just Rambling

It's unfortunate that this great forum is declining in popularity. During earlier years there were many days when there seemed to be hundreds of new posts. Not so, anymore. This is to be expected, considering that the Vibe hasn't been manufactured in about five years. This forum gets a new member ev...
by Houston
Mon May 19, 2014 3:00 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Vibe Coolant
Replies: 56
Views: 21478

Re: Vibe Coolant

Thanks for the advice about writing that info on the overflow bottle, Caretaker. Good idea - and I just did it. I was really impressed with the dealership - Grand Blanc Motorcars (also known as Grand Blanc Toyota and Grand Blanc BMW). They could have easily taken me for a ride by selling me the flus...
by Houston
Mon May 19, 2014 11:44 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Vibe Coolant
Replies: 56
Views: 21478

Re: Vibe Coolant

Well, I went to my closest Toyota dealer today to get the coolant changed and got both good and bad news. The bad news is the Service Director said the cost to flush and refill my Vibe with Toyota Super Long Life coolant is $180.00. The good news is he told me to save my money, because no matter wha...
by Houston
Thu May 15, 2014 11:20 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Vibe Coolant
Replies: 56
Views: 21478

Re: Vibe Coolant

Caretaker: I know that Dex-cool lasts five years, but my point was that he said it doesn't cause harm until after two years at which time some of its components begin to break down. In other words, we will be okay using Dex-cool as long as we change it out every two years. For those who want to stay...
by Houston
Wed May 14, 2014 9:50 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Vibe Coolant
Replies: 56
Views: 21478

Re: Vibe Coolant

I really appreciate the comments you've made in this thread. I just read somewhere (sure wish I'd saved the URL) that Dex-cool doesn't cause problems with GM vehicles unless it - the coolant - is in the system for two years or longer. He said the problems are caused by various components in Dex-cool...
by Houston
Tue May 13, 2014 6:40 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Vibe Coolant
Replies: 56
Views: 21478

Re: Vibe Coolant

I tend to agree with you, trb, about the manual being wrong, but at the same time I imagine hundreds of thousands of Vibe owners have already replaced the original coolant with Dex-cool and are not complaining about later problems with their cooling systems. A few are, sure, but not the vast majorit...
by Houston
Tue May 13, 2014 2:09 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Vibe Coolant
Replies: 56
Views: 21478

Re: Vibe Coolant

You're right, Jake. Just got this from my dealer: In doing a coolant flush here, I would only use the Dexcool. This is what GM requires and if there ever was a special policy that arose on something, GM could deny you anything if we didn’t put in what is required in your owner’s manual. Probably...
by Houston
Sun May 11, 2014 7:38 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: FREE Autocheck until May 27th 2014
Replies: 5
Views: 1318

Re: FREE Autocheck until May 27th 2014

I just did this and got it within two minutes of asking for it. Can't beat that!
by Houston
Sun May 11, 2014 6:55 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Vibe Coolant
Replies: 56
Views: 21478

Vibe Coolant

Questions about what coolant to use in our Vibes has been beaten to death, but I don't see that a definite conclusion was ever reached. To those of you with older Vibes, which coolant did you use and, no matter what it was, did any of you ever have any kind of coolant-related problems afterwards?
by Houston
Mon Mar 10, 2014 7:25 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: How many miles on your Vibes?
Replies: 1042
Views: 1307966

Re: How many miles on your Vibes?

tpollauf wrote:Hopefully you're not on the original oil.
OIl is changed every six months, whether it needs it or not.
by Houston
Mon Mar 10, 2014 8:24 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: How many miles on your Vibes?
Replies: 1042
Views: 1307966

Re: How many miles on your Vibes?

Exactly 10,241 right now. My Vibe needs a life.
by Houston
Tue Oct 22, 2013 1:43 pm
Forum: Maintenance Bay
Topic: What did you do to your Vibe today?
Replies: 3701
Views: 5560513

Re: What did you do to your Vibe today?

Installed my snow tires yesterday. Laugh if you like, but are you sure I won't have the last laugh?
by Houston
Tue Jul 16, 2013 4:57 pm
Forum: Maintenance Bay
Topic: What did you do to your Vibe today?
Replies: 3701
Views: 5560513

Re: What did you do to your Vibe today?

Congratulations, MrHatchWagon. Well done.
by Houston
Thu Jun 06, 2013 6:34 pm
Forum: Wheels & Tires
Topic: Public Opinion Poll!
Replies: 12
Views: 3584

Re: Public Opinion Poll!

I also prefer plain, old silver wheels to any other color.
by Houston
Sun Apr 14, 2013 11:30 am
Forum: Problems & Warranty Issues
Topic: GM Safety Recall #12071 for 2009 Vibes
Replies: 9
Views: 2232

Re: GM Safety Recall #12071 for 2009 Vibes

I got the original recall letter back in December but never did get a follow-up letter, so I contacted my dealer earlier this week. They told me to come in and they would take care of it. I went in the next day. One hour and two minutes later (yeah, I keep track of this stuff) they notified me my Vi...
by Houston
Fri Apr 12, 2013 7:28 pm
Forum: Latest News
Topic: 2003 Vibe/Matrix airbag recall
Replies: 34
Views: 12463

Re: 2003 Vibe/Matrix airbag recall

Does anyone know how this recall business works when the car is now in the hands of a second, third or even later buyer? Does GM somehow have access to the most recent purchaser of a 2003 Vibe?
by Houston
Mon Apr 01, 2013 7:37 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Happy 11th Birthday to GenVibe!
Replies: 16
Views: 3218

Re: Happy 11th Birthday to GenVibe!

I certainly agree and appreciate all the help I've gotten from you guys and gals over the years. I also enjoyed my visits to the Vibe meets that were held at the Pontiac dealership that used to be in Grand Blanc, MI. Most sites of this type don't last this long. Considering that Pontiac is no longer...
by Houston
Sat Mar 30, 2013 11:24 am
Forum: GenVibe Garage
Topic: CAMOGIRL's Sonic
Replies: 111
Views: 21859

Re: CAMOGIRL's Sonic

Sharp Sonic, Camogirl! Please provide a link to what you feel is the best Sonic forum.
by Houston
Sun Mar 17, 2013 10:54 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: THE GENVIBE PICTURE CHALLENGE THREAD
Replies: 533
Views: 129393

Re: THE GENVIBE PICTURE CHALLENGE THREAD

[quote="KITT222"]Would this work? Or should I find some dirt instead? To me your photo qualifies, and I'll bet that nobody can find larger piles of snow. I'd like to see somebody post a photo of a strange animal on the roof of their Vibe. Seeing an elephant up there might be a stretch, tho...
by Houston
Mon Feb 18, 2013 1:50 pm
Forum: Maintenance Bay
Topic: What did you do to your Vibe today?
Replies: 3701
Views: 5560513

Re: What did you do to your Vibe today?

Charged the battery up for a week and put it back in. I killed the battery by not running the Vibe enough while it was very cold a couple of weeks ago...I guess in the cold, everything's tougher to do. As a proud Vibe owner like you, and one who has only 8,582 miles on his 2009 Vibe (in other words...
by Houston
Sun Dec 30, 2012 5:15 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: How many LOW miles on the 2009 Vibe?
Replies: 6
Views: 1365

Re: How many LOW miles on the 2009 Vibe?

Just went out and checked mine. 8445 miles right now. I obviously don't have a life.
by Houston
Sat Dec 08, 2012 9:34 am
Forum: Maintenance Bay
Topic: What did you do to your Vibe today?
Replies: 3701
Views: 5560513

Re: What did you do to your Vibe today?

Does it fit the '09s?? I always wanted to put a tip on mine, but the random one I got at AutoZone didn't fit. The one I got at Autozone fits my '09 perfectly. The Autozone store I went to let me take it out and try it on for size before buying it. Only cost about ten bucks, so give them another shot.