GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

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DriveNut, I just checked with the dealership, and they said that the window runner was OK when they did the repair. There's a one year warranty on parts and labour, so if it gives up the ghost, I'll be bugging them again.Thanks for your help, everyone.Hugh

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DriveNut, thanks. It seems to be fixed now. They claim that the mechanic had misadjusted "the chain", after installing the new regulator. I guess I'll never know whether the original problem really was the regulator.I'll visit them tomorrow, and ask them whether the window runner was OK wh...

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DriveNut, I have a 2003 Vibe with about 63 000 miles on it. It's recently developed the loud snapping noise when opening the driver's window.I left it with the dealer. They told me it needed a new regulator, as mine was bent. Total cost was C$345. I drove off the lot, lowered the window, and nothing...

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My dealer installed the larger CCA capacity battery last winter, and it's a lot better than the original. I guess it was replaced on a goodwill basis.One suggestion - He also sold me a 20 W battery blanket, which I plug in instead of using my block heater. I also use 0W30 semi-synthetic oil. Nowaday...

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I've had my Vibe for a year now, and the only accessory i need badly is a rear window wind deflector.

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Salsa, I've been away for a while, so I was unaware that you hadn't obtained a free replacement battery. I thought I had posted the details of my replacement in a message addressed to you.I haven't looked recently, but I think my 310 CCA was replaced free by the dealer with a 560 CCA AC Delco during...

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I'm still looking for one, but with no luck so far. The back of my Vibe is always a disgusting mess, as I live on a gravel road. I'm not certain whether one exists for the Matrix, or whether it would even fit the Vibe.

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Glad to hear that it may be solved. Keep your fingers crossed.The Mounties let you drive in SK at 140 klicks???? Here, I'd get nailed at 125.

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The dealership never mentioned whether GM had authorized the replacement. This was the dealer from whom I had bought my Vibe. It's Bray Motors in Sundridge, Ontario. Sundridge is between Huntsville and North Bay. They decided to replace it without undue pressure from me. They performed an AVR test, ...

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I was given a free ACDelco 560 CCA replacement battery. I thought that I had posted this, but I guess I placed the message in the wrong thread. What a difference!

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Speaking of the battery, my new 560 CCA one is a dream. Mind you, it's relatively warm now, but I was able to try it out after a few -20 C nights, and it turned the engine over nicely each morning. I think the dealer gave it to me because I was a pest. I've also got an electric battery blanket now. ...

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They may test Pontiacs in Kap, but the Vibe is really a 2003 Corolla. I'm beginning to suspect that Toyotas are tested in the banana belt.

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I just came across this thread again. I hadn't realized that your problem still hadn't been fixed. I just want to confirm that this problem isn't caused by climate. I'm in rural central Ontario. Daytime temps often have been -20 to -40 Celsius this winter. My AWD downshifts only while climbing hills...

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Salsa, Triton GT et al, I now have a nice little AC Delco 560 CCA battery tucked under my hood. My 310 CCA Delphi was replac1ed free of charge.I also bought a battery blanket from the dealer. The installed cost for that was C$20 plus tax. It only consumes 20 watts, so I'm going to leave it on all ni...

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quote:Are you in the military?Long, long ago. I'm an old geezer now.

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I'm going to wait until tomorrow. I have an appointment at 1300 EST, during which my dealer is replacing my 310 CCA battery. I assume it's under warranty, as he said he was going to do it, without my asking him to do so. He also said he thinks the replacement is 560 CCA.I'll post the details tomorro...

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Salsa & Triton, it's free of charge as far as I know. I certainly don't intend to pay for something sold up here that can't stand up to our weather. I guess if you lived in a warm climate, 310 CCA would be great. It's garbage for our purposes.By the way, it must be a Japanese battery, as it was ...

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I finally cleared the snow off my hood, and checked my battery yesterday. It's only a 310 CCA Delphi Freedom battery. No wonder it can barely turn the engine over slowly at anything below 0 C (32 F). At -35 C it sounds pathetic. You'd swear it was on its last legs.However, I got a call from my deale...

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Here's the latest information on my sluggish starting problem in cold weather.Two weeks ago, the service department volunteered that they'd replace my battery, in spite of the fact that they said there was nothing wrong with it. I thought that was rather strange. If there were nothing wrong with the...

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Thanks for the link to that thread. Pix Doc's message has been very helpful, and it confirms my suspicion.Interestingly, my GM dealer has offered to order and install a new battery, even though he maintained that my battery was OK. I told him to get the new one. He said it might take some time, as t...

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I'm having the sluggish starting problem, also. I was originally going to ask Salsa about this. He lives in a climate similar to mine.Whenever the temp drops, my AWD turns over very slowly, and turns over between 4 and 8 times before it starts, regardless of having been warmed by the block heater. A...

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I appreciate your comments. Thanks. However, please let it lie, as it's just not worth a flame war. Nick has given me a good idea to solve my tail light problem, and, as for the roof rack snow problem, as soon as we get some decent weather, I'll remove the cross bars. That should ease the second pro...

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Salsa, the history of my life, is a long list of making one mistake after another. Take care.By the way, am I ever glad I went for those 4 (narrower) snow tires! The car behaves beautifully on a mixture of packed snow and ice. It also climbs hills with ease in deep snow.I had to drive down to Toront...

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Thanks for the information.

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Nick, I just thought of something, with respect to your suggestion. I wonder what would happen if I were to make a mixture of say 50/50 Windex and isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is safe even if you don't bother washing it off. I think Windex contains ammonia. Does anyone know whether t...

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quote: ....I guess you should have done a little more research on the Vibe before you put down your hard earned money. 5 to 10 years of cleaning thoses tail lights will be a horrible burden for you but I believe you are strong enough to overcome it. Chin up!I did research the Vibe. I simply failed t...

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Yes, that will be a partial solution. I should be able to stand at the back, and pull the snow toward me. Not quite as convenient as pushing it off, but it will be a lot easier than it is now. Thanks for the idea. Do the plastic covers at the rear of the rack just lift off, or are tools needed?

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Nick, sorry I spelled your name incorrectly in my message.I carry washer fluid in the car at all times. Unfortunately, it contains methyl alcohol, which is highly poisonous and easily absorbed by skin. I'm reluctant to use it on a rag or a wad of paper towels, because of that. If you can wash it off...

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Nova, I just saw your second message, after I posted my reply to your original comments. I think I've addressed what you said, except for your last point. Sorry, not everyone can buy and sell cars on a whim. I'm stuck with the Vibe for at least 5 to 10 years, I suspect. Actually, I like many feature...

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Where to begin? First, thanks for explaining the facts of life, Salsa. I should have realized that a lot of people in the forum have little idea about the highway conditions up here, during the winter.Nova and Nik, when you drive even 25 miles on the highway around here, until the roads have been cl...

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I'm not certain whether I've beefed about this before. My apologies if I have.In my opinion, the designer of the Vibe's tail lights should be sentenced to a minimum term of 30 days, cleaning Vibe tail lights with a squeegie at a service station. The horizontal ridges make it a slow and awkward task,...

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I never realized how much of a pain in the rear a roof rack could be. I live in a snow belt, and when I try to clean snow off the car with my push broom, the roof rack becomes a major obstacle. I should have thought of this prior to buying my Vibe, so it's my own fault. I can hardly wait until April.

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Salsa, thanks for the reply. Yes, I realize that a spoiler won't do any good. I was just wondering whether these were real spoilers, or actually deflectors.Boy, do I lust for a deflector! I had one on my RAV4, and it did a beautiful job of keeping the back of the car clear of crud, water and especia...

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A 15" rim that works on the Vibe has a part number of 99130.Salsa, I couldn't afford the Hakkas that I originally planned to get. So, reluctantly, I opted for the Kumho Izen KW-11. I wanted a narrower tire, so I went to 195/65/15. Unfortunately, the KW-11 isn't available in a 185/70/15, or I'd ...

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Are these just spoilers, or do they also serve as rear window wind deflectors?I need a deflector badly. I live on a dirt road, and the back of my car becomes filthy very quickly. When it snows, it's even worse. My dealer's parts department hasn't got a clue as to whether one will ever be available.

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I've decided that I can't afford the Nokian Haaka Q tires, much to my regret. I'm going to buy either the Kuhmo KW15 or the Canadian Tire Nordic IceTrac. They're more in line with my budget.I've gone back over the messages during the past 60 days, and I've noticed considerable disagreement about whe...

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I might as well add a note of humour to this discussion.A couple of weeks ago, I accidentally left my key and fob in the pocket of my pants, which I then, of course, threw into my washing machine.When it came time to empty the machine, I found the key chain and fob sitting on the bottom of the washi...

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Has anyone located a dark plastic rear window wind deflector yet?GM doesn't have one, and when I ask whether one is on its way, they had no idea. Neither did Toyota, the last time I checked. Nor am I aware of an aftermarket model.What other car has approximately the same contour and size for its hat...

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By the way, when I saw my Vibe on the dealer's lot, I asked them where the block heater plug was located. He opened the hood, and showed me the cord and plug, neatly sitting atop the battery.I said, "No way." I'm not about to open my hood every night when I park my car. Further, a heavy sn...

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I could be wrong, but I think the coolant has to be drained first. Then, a frost plug is removed. The block heater element replaces the frost plug. Don't forget to pour the coolant back in.

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Now you've got me worried. I've always added dish-washing detergent to my windshield washing solution. I have my own 2 gallon container, which I carry in the car. I use the -45 C methyl hydrate solution year round - that way, I don't have to worry about dumping the container's contents every spring....

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I'll second that motion.On Thursday morning at about 0500, I left home on a 170 mile trip. I live in the woods, and I had to travel through a large number of areas with mild to dense fog.The Vibe's OEM fog lights did a first-class job. My low beams alone, would not have been of much help.

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Force of habit, I guess. I was able to do it in my last car, a 98 RAV4.

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Speaking of the Recirculate button, that's one of the disappointing features of the Vibe, in my opinion. I'd prefer to be able to adjust the amount of outside air entering the car with the control. In the Vibe, it's either open or closed - feast or famine.

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Thanks.Has anyone brought this to his/her dealer's attention? If so, what did the dealer do?

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My Vibe is only 2 weeks old, and already the chrome tail pipe is speckled with rust spots. I think I saw someone mention this problem elsewhere, but I can't find the thread. Does Pontiac have a fix?

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I've decided to buy 4 snow tires and steel rims.Can anyone tell me the price of 205/55/16 Nokian Haaka Q tires, either in US$ or C$? I need to get a rough idea of whether I can afford them, and I've been unable to get a quote so far.Also, please tell me how much 16" steel rims should cost. My P...

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Nope. I didn't try doing it myself. I knew I was going in for the oil change, and they had told me they'd adjust the lights without charge.Sure enough, they did a good job. I just got home after driving about 20 miles along township roads at about 35 to 50 mph. The roads twist and have many short bu...

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I drove on country roads and a 2 lane highway again last night, and confirmed everyone's comments about the unacceptably low aiming point for the low beam. Interestingly, I changed my mind, and I now think that the high beam ought to be aimed higher, as well. That simplifies things a bit. All it tak...

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I have the same problem. It's especially dangerous on 2 lane highways, where the speed limit is 80 km/h (50 mph). I use roads like that a lot. If you drive at 80, you're overdriving the lights. If you slow down to 60 km/h (35 mph), you're a pain in the rear to following traffic. It's even worse on l...

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