GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

vibe owner

Just changed my coolant again -- this time I will write about it so I can refer back next time. The radiator drain is easy to find, but not the engine block drain. (This discussion applies to GT 2ZZ engine only.) The block drain is directly above the front-to-back structural support and the right ax...

vibe owner

The local Autozone carries Prestone Dexcool and Prestone 5-year all-vehicle antifreeze. The ingredient list is identical, maybe just the color is different?

vibe owner

On a 2003 GT, lift kicks in at exactly 6000 RPM -- but only if the engine is fully warmed up.

vibe owner

My Vibe GT just passed the 60,000 mile mark. I don't have the valve shims or adjustment tool, so I figured I would take it in.Asked the Toyota dealer what they do for 60,000 miles. Their list was consistent with the owner's manual, but no valve check. I asked about that, he says they never touch val...

vibe owner

My factory 17's (Dunlop?) always wanted to climb up the side of any rut. My 16-inch snows and newer 17-inch replacements track straight. Tires can make a big difference.

vibe owner

In 30-some years I've never owned a rear-drive car, and I never will. The difference on snow is huge, traction control or no. Might consider AWD - a hybrid Vibe with electric rear and gas front could be good. The Vibe is my only semi-american car ever, and if GM is stupid enough to dump FWD, I'm gone.

vibe owner

A startled deer almost always goes forward and airborne. I slowed to about 50 when one standing on the left shoulder landed on the windshield of my 626 -- shattered the glass and crumpled the front of the roof, but it hobbled away.

vibe owner

I took it in to Toyota last week. They cleaned the injectors and changed the oil. It is a big improvement, with most of the hesitation gone. I am not sure it is exactly like new -- there is still a brief lag and I've stalled it by lugging down. But if it isn't 100% better, it is at least 80%.

vibe owner

I tried something new -- wrote a letter describing the problem, and left a copy at service department of both the Pontiac and Toyota dealers. The Toyota dealer called 2 hours later to say my injectors need cleaning. The Pontiac dealer never contacted me. I suppose I'll take it to the Toyota dealer...

vibe owner

Thanks for the comments. Still original plugs. I have my doubts -- it isn't running rough, just hesitation on acceleration. I won't get a chance to work on it until late this month.

vibe owner

Reading further, here is the full description of code P0304:DTCs P0301-P0304 are cylinder-specific misfire codes. Each cylinder is monitored individually for a misfire condition and can set a cylinder-specific diagnostic trouble code (DTC). The powertrain control module (PCM) uses the crankshaft pos...

vibe owner

Sounds like slowvibe has a different and much more serious issue. Code P0304 is a "type B" code -- it only causes a malfunction light if it happens in two consecutive ignition-on periods. It means "engine misfire detected". Engine knock is a different code, so I assume this means...

vibe owner

After 49,000 trouble-free miles, my first minor driveability issue. It behaves like a bad throttle pump on a carburetor, but no carb here! I'd like to figure it out before it becomes major, but all service manual procedures begin with the diagnostic system, and I don't have one. Here is the deal:- h...

vibe owner

I think Dave would be happier with the feature disconnected. I too am in a climate where inner surface fog happens when it is cold out. When Dave turns on defrost, he also wants the warm air. It will heat faster without the A/C on, the heat clears the fog, and you never get that annoying startup fog...

vibe owner

Hardly ever use it, and it makes the rear a pain to clean.

vibe owner

I agree my '03 Vibe is the worst shocker I have owned. Depends somewhat on what shoes you wear, but my Mazda had a slightly-conductive pad on the door grip that seemed to eliminate most shocks. If anyone finds an easy fix, I'm interested!

vibe owner

Since I switch wheels (and tire diameters) several times per winter, I am pretty sure the suspension is designed for 16s (even if shipped with 17s) and the ABS doesn't know or care what the diameter is just so all the wheels match. Think about it -- how would the ABS know your actual speed is not wh...

vibe owner

Engine parts should be no problem. The Toyota 1ZZ engine (2ZZ if you have the GT) is in lots of models from Corolla to Lotus. Toyota dealers will have no clue what a Vibe is, but they know 1ZZ and 2ZZ.

vibe owner

My lock nuts were in stock at Toyota, Pontiac had none.

vibe owner

Am I missing something here? The factory 17's come with 215/50s, or at least my GT did. They claim chains will not fit, but otherwise there is lots of room around them. [not when turning - see post below.]Very nice tires, my only complaint has more to do with the wheels and steering geometry -- the ...

vibe owner

My GT is modified, the electrical connector removed from the defroster selector so it doesn't force the A/C to turn on in the two defrost positions. (Note that a defrost selection turns on the A/C without turning on the A/C light, because some engineer thinks he is smarter than you. ) Anyhow, mine n...

vibe owner

I also have the 2003 GT. Looked mine over pretty well, and found NOTHING to lube. It may not freeze in SoCal, but the coolant provides boilover protection too. If you do the coolant, look for the thread on that subject; draining is a bit of a trick. I didn't flush mine, just drained what I could and...

vibe owner

Unretouched, but a little unusual: my vibe from the air, shot from my paraglider.

Attached files

vibe owner

Nice photos, good to see refinements on the technique!

vibe owner

Yikes! Dodged a big bullet on that one. Here in Oregon we had a semi truck coming down a big grade lose a pair of wheels and half an axle. Missed a friend of mine, very fatal for the car behind him.

vibe owner

I didn't find a drain on my 2zz engine, but got the majority out through the radiator petcock (procedure is remove cap when cold, then warm up the engine 15 minutes and turn on the heater). Figure I can change 2/3 of the fluid every 20K, be as good as 100% every 30K? Awright, I'll look harder next t...

vibe owner

For everyone's info, the Matrix and Vibe use different cabin air filters. I had to take the Toyota part back and order the Pontiac part. The difference is slight, but no way to modify.My filter looks better at 30,000 miles than most shown here -- breathe clean Oregon air and park in the garage!

vibe owner

Service manual says start with a cold engine, remove radiator cap, then run the engine 15 minutes. Shut it off and drain it. The hot engine opens the thermostat and allows more of the engine to drain. But you have to take the cap off when it is cold or you'll poach yourself.

vibe owner

vibeman1 must be short for me, the armrest (center bin) is too high. They won't be able to make it fit everyone, unless they make it adjust with the seat. Maybe they could have a fixed low bin, with an adjustable lid?Today I do the 30,000 mile service on my GT, almost 2 years old. Still love it!

vibe owner

cruise control is correct, and the sound came from that same vicinity, but mine rattled well below 4000 RPM. Details at http://vibeowner.home.comcast.net

vibe owner

A little background for those new here -- a few of the early 2003 Matrix and Vibes were prone to have dead (not weak) batteries after a cold night, and in one or two cases this was pinned on headlights that came on mysteriously due to cold. Toyota has a TSB suggesting replacement of the headlight sw...

vibe owner

The redesign recalls the Aztek experience -- distinctive car, but too weird for mainstream conservative buyers. Vibe was a better design to start with, but I suspect they want to move Vibe more mainstream and appeal to the conservative wideassed boatdrivers GM seems to favor. Sorry to see GM revert ...

vibe owner

Base and GT engines are quite different -- same displacement, but GT has bigger bore, shorter stroke, different rear gear ratio, etc. Adding the supercharger is currently for base automatic transmission only. Maybe Pontiac worries about the clutch too? I try to remember to do low-rev starts and very...

vibe owner

After 14 months and 21K miles, mine look good as new if I wash off the bug guts. Mild climate, I park in a garage, and apparently haven't yet driven through a sandstorm or in heavy traffic on a sandy road. If you're in Canada, it isn't the heat. Maybe quit using the sandblaster to remove the ice. Po...

vibe owner

My GT has the optional Dunlop 17's, 21,000 miles and rolling, except the one my son blistered the sidewall on a big rock. I also have some aftermarket 16 wheels for studless snow tires -- Semperit Sportgrip, a Continental brand. The snows are directional, speed-rated, and excellent on wet/dry/snow/i...

vibe owner

Quote, originally posted by NovaResource Â»To clear the windshield and front side windows, you need to put it on Defrost mode (windshield only), turn the recirculate off and turn on the A/C.Hehe - stumped Scott! If you put the switch in defrost mode, your A/C is on! Refer to the service manual for p...

vibe owner

Saw two other Vibes in Telluride CO, both with Michigan plates. Asked the lady driving one and found out they were rentals. I was unaware the Vibe had sunk to rental status. Anyhow, she said most of the cars in the lot (Enterprise?) had Michigan plates -- strange they are in Colorado.

vibe owner

My GT spent most of its first year in moderate climate, nights in the garage. But I just spent two weeks on the road, mostly in Telluride Colorado. Elevation there is almost 9000 feet so you get huge temperature swings, 70+ in the day, teens overnight. Twice the battery went dead. It was NOT a probl...

vibe owner

Just read the whole thread and I'll weigh in about my GT (17,000 miles, 13 months old):- Yes, this car is touchy to launch, my worst in 35 years of stick shifts- I still occasionally stall it, or over-rev it and smell the clutch- Still on my original clutch, but worried- I live on a hill so uphill l...

vibe owner

Hey, disconnect the sensor, it is easy. Lower the steering wheel, grab the trim rings (around the instruments), and pull straight out. Once the trim rings are off the sensor plug is right there. Lots more discussion at http://vibeowner.home.comcast.net

vibe owner

http://vibeowner.home.comcast.net is the new home. Comcast bought AT&T's cable business, so all attbi.com addresses have moved to comcast.net. Still need to fix a couple links, add a "first year perspective" page.

vibe owner

http://vibeowner.home.comcast.net is the new home. Comcast bought AT&T's cable business, so all attbi.com addresses have moved to comcast.net.

vibe owner

Yoiks, no, the ground would be easier. That's the view with your head against the brake pedal, looking up.

vibe owner

That's a stumper. Was the parking brake on and maybe not releasing fully? Did you apply the brakes while backing out, or only while going forward? If it will make the noise when no parking brake was on or when you didn't brake going backwards that would eliminate some possibilites.

vibe owner

You must have incredible karma, or great puppydog eyes...

vibe owner

Ichabod, I'm 6'4" and drive a GT. If I had it to do over I would also consider the base engine with supercharger. My experience says the base engine could cut insurance in half for a young driver. Pontiac will install a supercharger on the base engine, but not if it has AWD -- apparently the co...

vibe owner

Yeah the GT is a little loud in the high end, but the first time you find yourself at 65 mph in second gear you'll be hooked. There are times that high end is handy.My first car was a Fiat, a fun car and a learning experience. I broke the clutch cable 4 or 5 times so I got pretty good at driving wit...

vibe owner

Oops, I missed another horn connection in the wiring diagrams. If you have keyless entry, you have the "multifunction alarm module" (Pontiac term, Toyota calls it "integration relay") which has connections to the horn, lights, and flasher along with all the other door locking and...

vibe owner

OK, I love a good mystery. Maybe you have the security controller installed with none of the other stuff? My car was built to order with no security system, and the controller isn't there, at least not where it is supposed to be. Both the Matrix and Vibe books say it is supposed to be mounted right ...

vibe owner

Until recently I had never seen another vibe in town. Saw one parked outside a body shop(?) the other day. But Consumer Reports just recommended Vibe in the annual auto issue so they're going to sell much faster in this town full of professors and engineers.

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