I change the oil every 6 months using Esso XD3 0w30 and Microguard filters from O'Reilly (Purolater) on the Motorhome, the Vibe, the wife's Maxima and on my new toy, 2004 Miata.Rémi

Hi, I run Canadian Tire's Nordic 195/65-15 on Corolla rims for the Vibe. The wife's Maxima is now on Hankook W409, 15 in. rims, 66 $ delivered in Ogdensburg NY, through Discount Tires, They sell around 120 $ here in Ottawa. Thanks Raven for the tip! Remi - Carlsbad Springs ON

I am running tire pressure of 32 front but 30 on the rear. There is only 40 % of the weight on the rear so you don't need as much pressure. The next tires will be something smoother...Mt wife's Maxima is set at 33 psi front and 30 psi rear, this from the factory!Rémi2006 Base, Neptune Blue, debad...

Hi, For those who may be interested, you can buy this oil at the Esso distributor: M&M Fournell, 1961 Merivale Rd, south of Hunt Club, near Cleopatra. Tel:(613)723-2533. The cost is 5.06 $ / L, in a case of 12 L or in a case of 4 X 4 L.This is a diesel engine oil also rated SL for gas engines. I...

Last month I bought a set of Fast wheels from Deals4Wheels. 20 % off the list price in the Fast Wheel catalog. Great service + paid only 40 $ for install and balance. The store was the one on Belgreen, Hawthorne.RémiCarlsbad Springs

Hi,I am running Castrol SYN since july '06, when milleage was at 8 000 km. I will use intervals of six months because I live in the country and my runs are all over 20 km.I will switch to Esso XD-3 0W30 , sold at the Esso distributor, $5.06 / Liter, in case of 12 L. I am planning to use that oil in ...

Hi, Since you can return the rims to CTC, do so and buy a set of brand new Corolla rims. I got mine at the Toyota dealer, 70 $ each minus 10 % discount = 63 $. I politely asked for a discount based on quantity and to my surprise, I got it!I am also running the CTC Nordic Icetrack and I am very happy...

Hi, The canadians are all running 195/65-15 on Corolla rims. Paid 63 $ for rims at Toyota dealer, plus a set of CTC Nordic Icetrack. 16 inch winter tires are $$$.Rémi

Sputnic,Go and enjoy the sun. The beach in Varadero is super, the people are nice. Brings US one dollar bills for tipping. Bring some make-up samples and soaps to leave for your waitress, barmaid. Take the bus tour in the city, worth it.Rémi - Carlsbad Springs

Hi,Check http://www.tiretrends.com .They are in BC and have great prices.Kal Tire offers a "Core Racing Evo 7" 110 $ in 16 " rims. They have stores in northern ON.RémiCarlsbad Springs

SOLD!I am buying it for my brother-in laws's Matrix.Thanks Richard!Rémi

Coming back to the extended warranty, the F&I guy offered me a "deal": bumper to bumper for six years, but same milleage, at the special price of 1200 $ in lieu of 1700 $ (employee price). I never bought an extended warranty. My '99 GMC did not cost me a penny except for a window regul...

Hi, This is the letter I send to the Ottawa Citizen, following the article "Bottom line bulge" published on 3 feb, which showed how the price can add up. My letter made it in the Driving section of today.Bottom line bulgeBuying a new car can be a frustrating experience. At one purchase eve...

The Kralinator filter used by Mr Lube is a good filter. My brother opened one up and it has steel caps at the ends.I checked a 2000 Nissan Maxima oil filter, seems to be same size of treads but longer body. I may give it a try...RémiBase Neptune

Rustprooffing by using an oil spray is quite popular in Quebec and Ontario. I have used it for over 20 years and got my Vibe done within a week of delivery. Keeps our cars like new despite all the salt used here.I was wondering if this is commonly done in the US ?RemiBase Neptune, stick shift,

Same engine, same oil filter.Got a Valvoline Max Life at Canadian Tire, No VF4967. Says on the box: "Engineered by Purolator" but the funny thing is the number is the same as a Fram...I wanted to change the original oil filter but was unable to take it off!It is on sale this week for 5.99 ...

I allready put the order in and it is on the way. Thanks for the offer, Rich.The hitch is for towing a small utility trailer which I will borrow from one of my in-laws. I will have to pick up some garden supplies in the spring for my better-half.Also some panelling. Free delivery is getting an endan...

I found a Draw-Tite hitch for my Vibe at US 78 .25 $ plus shipping:http://www.hitchfinder.comRémiNeptune base,

I strongly advise to get it inspected. A co-worker of mine was rear-ended and it looked minor but the bill came in at 3000 $Some years ago, I was rear ended, it looked like no damage. After a couple of weeks, I found my luggage all wet in the trunk...RémiBase Neptune, Power group.

I fill up on ethanol from time to time. Been running on 89 oct anyway.McKewen has it 2 cents below regular on wednesdays. But I mostly use Petro Can because I get 2 % rebate if my monthly bill hits 200 $, with both cars. My wife's Max runs on Super ($$)RémiCarlsbad Springs (Ottawa)

Went trough the maintenance schedule. Recommended service is at 60 000 m or 96 00 km, that I could find. Check the color of the fluid , if still a nice red, not needed. If the fluid is brownish and has a burnt smell, go for it!I changed the fluid every 3 years on my GMC but I was towing over 9000 lb...

RVing since 1995. Had two 5th wheels. Bought a 2002 Airstream Land Yacht 30 last november, in storage till may. The Vibe is my runabout and dinghy. I work part time for an RV magazine based in Montreal. I do road test of trailers, articles on mods and installation of equipment related to RVing.Rémi...

Very icy in Montréal and Ottawa today. Glad to see you have no structural damage.I took the Vibe out of the garage, let the rain soak the salt, washed it with warm water/Zip wax, let the rain rince it then back in the garage. Sure amused my neighbours...RémiBase Vibe, stick shift, rustprooffing by...

Thanks for the info. I will switch to regular. It should be OK for my style of driving!Rémi

Recommended octane rating is 87. I have been running my Vibe on 89 octane since new because the compression ratio is 10 to 1. My first trip returned 37 mpg/imp gal or 31 mpg/us gal. Speed varied from 100 to 120 km/h - 60 to 75 mph - on a mix of highway and country roads, lots of wind and rain.Anybod...

A guy I know does these speed trials in parking lots - forgot the name - and he runs a set of Motegi on his Accura Integra. Very happy with them. Got them from Tiretrends in B.C.http://www.tiretrends.comRémi

I did not buy the extended warranty, never did, probably never will. It is all a Toyota underneath. Mine will be towed behind our motorhome -Airstream Land Yacht - so klm will be reduced. The F&I guy tried to sell me a low km/extended years warranty for the "modest" (his term) summ of ...

The wisdom of being 57...Born in 1948, and proudly displaying my custom license plate "48 remi" !

I run my tires at 32 psi front and 30 psi rear. My wife's Maxima is set up the same (33/30) . The weight distribution on the Vibe is 60/40 front and rear so the 30 psi on the rear makes the ride less jumpy.

Got my new Vibe on 31 dec. Basic with Power Pack, Neptune Blue. This replaces a GMC 2500 used to tow my 5th wheel. It is now ready for winter - new Corolla 15 inch rims (63 $Cdn) with 195/65-15 Ice Track (on sale at 69 $Cdn) from Canadian Tire. Oil sprayed for rust protection. I was going to buy a Y...