I changed the oil with a mere 3k interval as the rattle became more frequent. Opted for full synthetic high mileage 0W-20 and after a mere week, I've only had the one odd mild "growl" of a rattle. I drove for about 4 hours at highway speeds within a day or so of the change.

That's good to hear. Mine just started doing that, after an odd periodic "growl" sound. What's confusing is why GM notes that 5W-20 is preferred but Toyota recommends 0W-20. In fact, they (Toyota) go as far as noting to use 5-20 only if 0-20 isn't available and switch back in the next chan...

If you got a core Vibe with the 1.8l and 4 speed, the Matrix equivalent trim is the STD auto. I think those were more common than the XR trims (auto and manual), so hopefully that's not discontinued. It should be an exact match, unless someone wants to correct me (I've got the 09 model and had good ...

Little update. I need the left front bearing replaced, and the mechanic said that none of the wheels have the backing plates.

The brakes are new from April, and since the bearing is a priority, I'll get the plates replaced a bit later since I don't have the money for them now.

A little update, this is happening during cold starts every day for the past 3 weeks. Going by some stuff online, it's a mild VVT gear rattle. An eventual need for a fix may be needed. However, I'm thinking maybe using a better 0W-20 oil could help especially with winter around the corner. I'm not s...

More of a cycling out the old fluid, not necessarily for safety but rather getting as much new fluid in there as possible for better performance and longevity in the long run. Also in the process of doing that, you're cleaning the transmission without the use of additives that no car marker recommen...

Thanks. Yeah, I've been looking at Matrix parts since they're plentiful, especially from Canadian sellers on eBay.

I'm in Indiana currently, though I'm originally from Canada. I'm taking it to Grabil for Krown costing, its a little north of Fort Wayne. The garage has a great reputation even though it's a longer drive. Plus, he's asking $159, which is the most reasonable price I've found. I was going to take it t...

I heard a horrible grinding noise while driving, so I went back home then it disappeared for a few minutes. To spare you the rest of the story involving the quickest reverse parking I've done, I found half of the backing plate from the front right wheel on the street. It was rusted and broke off. Ho...

Thanks. I check things over once a week. A habit developed growing up with a clunker

Would that be ok if you don't know the car's history? Mine's was st 127k-ish so I just used a 5W-30 synthetic blend instead.

A bit of an update, I pumped out another quart 1100 miles after, so I'll do it two more times (though the fluid is nice and red at this point). The only negative was that I couldn't tell if I was having some delayed engagement but whatever it was, I timed it at less than 1 second (which I hear is le...

Interesting. I'm just puzzled why I get a perfect "warm" reading after a brisk drive, then get a higher reading after a longer drive. I've got a quart left of the fluid so I may just get a syphon and take some out for my sanity :lol: UPDATE: I got this pump from Harbor Freight and syphoned...

If the original owner legitimately changed the oil regularly and kept it well maintained, then i wouldn't blink an eye on purchasing it despite the high mileage. Probably could get it for a couple thousand max! He went to the same dealership he got the car from, so everything was on record on Carfa...

It's a bit difficult, I'll say that much. But here's what happened leading o this. The same day I posted the original pic, I realized that while the car was warm after a drive, the level was at the bottom cold notch. I added a bit of fluid, about 8-9 oz, and ended up with this. Based on that, I prob...

Keep us posted how it looks. There's a bit of a difference. And given the temps today (85), unless I very quickly took out the dipstick, there was some splashback a bit higher on just one side (the opposite side was dry and so was the mid section until the notches). I've attached a picture of an ea...

Thanks for the feedback. The level you see in the picture is after a 22 or so mile drive on a hot day (which probably wasn't a good idea). I did the gear cycle before the drive too. From what I gathered, what I've got here is fine but anything over 1 inch over the hot notch is bad news. I'll try it ...

Hi all. I'm Shawn, and currently living in Muncie IN. I got my 09 Vibe in April as some of you noticed in the engine/transmission board. It wasn't low mileage by any means at 127k, but compared to higher priced Matrixes and Corollas I checked, it was/is in great condition. Thanks to the tips from me...

I checked my fluid level yesterday, and the Amsoil one is a bit weird compared to the original WS. If I check it after 10 or so minutes of idling after a cold start, the level is between the two "hot" notches. But, after a 30 minute drive (if was about 85F out), I get a slightly different ...

Never thought of that, possibly.

It didn't happen this morning so the issue is definitely random. My dad seems to think it may be the alternator belt. I'll investigate this further this upcoming weekend.

I've noticed this after a cold start today and once before after starting it after about a week away from town. I turned off the car to get something and for the hell of it, I figured I'd take a video and the noise was replicated after a second startup when the car was still cold. Any idea what this...

I've got your first issue, after a cold start, once it revved up, it's fine. Also an 09. Compared to the 04 Matrix my niece has, the 09 models don't revved up as aggressively (2000+) to warm up faster. I had the car serviced at the local Toyota dealership when I first got it in mid April and nothing...

A little update, I got it done with help. It took 4 quarts in and I'm seeing some improvements already so all's well. I splurged a bit on Amsoil fluid but I can't vouch that the differences are due to the quality of the fluid or just the fact that I've got fresh fluid in. I say this after using Maxl...

Appreciate the details here Jolt, and agreed, a filter change is due.

I assume you did a drain and fill with the Maxlife fluid? WS has its detractors on the Tacoma forums and some swear that their trucks shift better with Maxlife.

Thanks, I think I'll stick with OEM fluid. No point of saving a few dollars and creating a bigger problem for later. I found a few topics on this forum about the 09 fluid and apparently it was a misprint. Can't get any more certain than a dipstick stamp: https://forums.genvibe.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.p...

I will. The dipstick notes the type as WS, and apparently GM had incorrect info in the 09 manual that was later corrected for 10. I think the fluid was changed at some point because of the red tint in the fluid. Apparently WS turns brown pretty quickly too. Should I stick with Toyota WS if I'm doing...

That's good to hear. I'll do it in the next month or so. I'm more confident now after driving 20 miles yesterday and then checking the fluid again. Definitely reddish brown and after most of it evaporated, the red stayed. Just relieved it's not black. Odd that GM stuck with T-IV, since the 2nd Gen M...

Hello all. I got an 09 FWD (auto) recently and got a few things replaced at 127,460 miles. The last thing I was looking into was the transmission fluid. Neither the dealer or the Carfax show that a change was ever done, but it shifts just fine. The fluid is brown with a hint of red, and aside from o...