It isn't that I don't know how to do oil changes, its that I don't want to. I'm not willing to put up with the dirty clothes, oil disposal issues, and a cold garage floor in winter. I'm going to stop using the instant oil change places and go with my regular garage. What I loose in convience may be ...

About a month ago I had an instant oil change. After that change I begin to notice oil on the garage floor. It hadn't been leaking until that oil change. Two weeks after the oil change I went back in the the instant oil change place and asked them to check to make sure the plug and filter were tight...

On Saturday, 2/3/2007, it was -11 F. when I went outside to start my Vibe. My 2003, with 65,000 miles, had been outside all night. It made a groan-like sound when I turned it over, before starting and running smoothly. It has the original factory battery and I was pleasantly surprised the battery wa...

The instant oil change place I frequent tells me my 03 AWD needs a flush at 50,000 miles. I bought this car new. I never towed with it and have never beat the 'whatever' out of it. I looked in the owners manual and there is no indication that it needs a flush or filter change at this point. Sometime...

You can make good use of that AWD feature this winter in Traverse City.

Yesterday I drove 149 miles, all but 2 miles interstate highway. I set the cruise control at 75-78 miles per hour, depending on road traffic. I filled up the tank at the start of the trip, after the engine had warmed up. I made no stops during the trip. My 03 with an automatic and AWD got 27.2 MPG. ...

Are you tired of the cold weather and snow? It is 42 degrees F. here in SW Michigan. I was feeling upset about the amount of time I am physically cold, driving in snow, and shoveling snow. Just checked the temperature for Barrow, Alaska and it is -16 F, -27 C. It is supposed to reach -21 F., -30 C. ...

I share your reservation about JD Power research. They seem to focus on the reliability during the first year of ownership. What was "above average" reliability 10 years ago could be "worse then average" today. Reliability is a moving target because of constant improvement. If th...

Are you sure the film is on the outside? Even nonsmokers get film on the inside of their windows. Something to do with the chemicals given off by plastics. If it is on the inside Windex won't work as good as spray products designed specifically for the inside.

If you want to experience driving without overdrive, you can make O/D inactive by pressing the O/D button on your shift column.

My mirror hits the sun visor so I just assumed every ones mirror hit the visor. It happens when I try to put the drivers side visor flat against the windshield. This knocks the mirror out of position. I am of average size and never had the windshield or mirror replaced. Perhaps its not a design flaw...

I have owned lots of front wheel drive autos but my 2003 Vibe is my first with all wheel drive. We have lots of snow in SW Michigan, due to lake effect. You are less likely to get stuck with AWD in winter. At highway sppeds on an icy road my AWD Vibe may be driven safely and faster then the surround...

If the noise is worse when changing lanes, or turning, it might be a bad wheel bearing.

On 2/21/2005 I did a post complaining about the gas mileage my 2003 AWD Vibe gave during an 833 mile round trip from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Cambridge, Ohio. I got 27.49 MPG on the first tank and 29.2 on the second. The EPA estimages highway mileage as 31 mpg. On 03/25/2005 I once again made the r...

Kostby, so what if I had a safe trip and the Vibe handled great. I want everything! OK, I'll stop complaining. The tire pressure was set per the sticker in the glove compartment. I'll bet it was a combination of slush, snow, and constant transfer of power from one wheel to the other. Now that I thin...

I drove from Grand Rapids, Mi to Cambridge, Ohio on Sunday. Parts of the trip was made during a snow storm , other parts in sleet and/or rain. My AWD Vibe was extremely sheer footed. The AWD and the new BFG Traction T/A tires helped me travel fast, yet safe. On average, I saw a vehicle in the ditch ...

Maybe a vacuum hose leak.

This is the time of year when the AWD Vibe, in northern climates, can accelerate quicker then a GT. If there is snow and ice on the road you will be able to leave the GT eating your "dust". The AWD Vibe will peacefully motor up a steep hill that the GT driver can't climb. Enjoy our superio...

They have no business performing any service that you did not authorize. An oil cleaner is unnecessary in a vehicle that has had regular oil changes, done at the frequency recommended by the manufacturer. Modern motor oil has detergent in it so the use of extra oil cleaner on a well maintained car i...

I have factory supplied 16" aluminum wheels. This is not a problem caused by aftermarket wheels. I never heard of a roadforce balance test. Please define the procedure. One thing I may try is rotating the tires, two at a time, to see if the problem goes away.

At 26,000 miles I replaced my stock Conti's on my 03 AWD Vibe with four new BF Goodrich Traction TA's. During my first after-installation freeway drive I noticed the steering wheel was shaking at speeds of 70 mph and higher. I returned to Belle Tire and had then re-balance the wheel/tires and had a ...

When driving on snowy streets it is hard to go a week without activating the ABS system. If ABS activation by itself were bad cars (with ABS) driven in the snow belt would have a very short life span. I've had three cars with ABS and only one needed work (on one occasion) on the ABS system.

I just ordered 4 BF Goodrich TA's, H rated, for my 03 AWD Vibe. I have 26,000 miles on the Conti's. If it was spring I wouldn't replace them yet but winter, and snow, has settled in for the season in SW Michigan. 3 to 6 inches are expected tonight. It will cost me $453.00 out the door but that is ch...

LikeThe automatic light control feature prevents me from driving without lights at night. GripeLights automatically turn on in daylight while driving in shade, making the driver behind me think I hit the brakes. LikeAll wheel drive at my disposal for Michigan winters.GripeTires wear out quickly. Ove...

Thanks for your response silveawd. Sounds like all the power goes to the front, unless a wheel starts to slip.

Another Michigan winter is on its way, my second in my AWD Vibe. I was unable to find the answer to the following question in the owners manual: Is power normally transmitted to the four wheels continuously? Or is power normally transmittted to the front wheels, until a wheel starts to slip?