Breaking in New Vibe -- Advice?

[MBS]

Just picked up my new 2005 Moonstone Vibe this afternoon (base model, with automatic, assorted options). I'm very impressed so far. The manual (& dealer) seemed rather sparse on suggestions for the initial driving period. What suggestions might you folks have on, let's say, driving the car for the first 1,000 miles? Should I be babying it along, or just drive and go? It's been a while since I've bought a new car (kept my last one about 20 years). I don't know if the "break in rules" from 1985 apply to today's models. Thanks!

[joatmon]

I'd say pretty much just drive it normally, unless normally for you means dropping it into gear at full throttle all the time There's also an "advice for new owners" thread at http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=5216Welcome to genvibe, hope this car holds up for you as well as the last one.

[Kari]

I was told to avoid redlining it, avoid hard starts (i.e. don't slam the pedal to the floor ), and avoid hard braking unless absolutely necessary, for the first 500 miles.

[nismo]

3000 rpm shifts if you want the best results from your car.Inder Singh

[ToolGuy]

First 500 do not beat on it, break it in. First oil change and filter at 1,500, get the break in oil out. Then drive!

[MBS]

Thanks for the various advice postings. I have another quick question: The center front console is supposed to have a 12-volt cigarette lighter-style power outlet in it, according to the manual (to help provide power to things like a cell phone). However, when I remove the rubber covering near the front/bottom of the center console, there's nothing there but a blank hole -- no power outlet. Did something not get installed at the factory?

[joatmon]

apparently ( http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=12127 ) the 2005 models do not have the 12V outlet in the ccompartment under the center armrest. Is that the one you are missing, or the one between the shifter and climate controls?

[MBS]

yes, the location is within the center armrest; from the link you provided, it does look like Pontiac simply eliminated the 12v outlet in 2005. darn.

[jake75]

Wonder if it is the same on the 2005 Matrix. It is a shame that they are so hard up that they have to eliminate a really handy features such as that. I have a cell phone charger adapter there permanently. Pontiac also now charges for a "smokers package" that consists of that nice cup to put coins in and the cigarette lighter which might come in handy for other reasons even for us non-smokers BUT at least you could get those accessories if you wanted. Bet it's kind of expensive to reactivate that 12v outlet in the center console compartment. [Actually "console" sort of rhymes with my opinion of GM for getting rid of that feature .]

[Fast Eddie]

Check the tire pressures. Most new Vibe owners are finding the tire pressures off when first delivered.

[kcinmi]

I took it easy on mine the first 400 miles, then changed the oil over to Mobil 1. If you look at the actual build date, you can figure the original oil hase been in there awhile, mine was almost a year. then I drove just a little harder till 1000 miles, and thats it. As far as tire pressure, all four of mine had 45 psi in them.

[MBS]

These are all helpful comments and suggestions! It's nice to see that the to-do list for breaking in the Vibe is rather short and easy to accomplish. So far, I give the '05 Vibe itself an A+ and an F- in customer service to the dealer I purchased it from. Just wondering -- do any of you have the name of a good contact person at GM or Pontiac corporate with whom I can discuss problems I have had with the dealership?

[kostby]

Welcome to the encyclopedia of Vibe, and congrats on the new car.Jeff Strausser is the Vibe Brand Quality Manager with GM.Post a message for NSimkins (Site Administrator) if you need to pass a message along to Jeff regarding product/dealer issues.Here's a link to Nick Simkins profile for his contact info-- http://forums.genvibe.com/zero...d=109

[Kari]

Call Pontiac Customer Service at 1-866-952-4368...the person I talked to was very helpful, though we're both still trying to get the dealer to figure out what I'm talking about.

[MBS]

kostby - thanks for the contact info! Much appreciated. ---MBS