Got back from the dealer today.

[kevera]

Well another interesting trip to my dealer for tranny fluid change and rotten egg cat problem.I talked to the service advisor guy and he told me that the tranny fluid they use for the vibes are generic bulk type fluid and then they add a conditioner to make it compatable.I was like (removed).They said it was common practice,so my dealer doesn't use the Toyota stuff,weird.But the good think was they are going to replace the PCM and cat converter for the rotten egg smell.Wohoo.

[ColonelPanic]

Ugh... The fluid through GM is expensive and all but good grief! We had someone here who had the same thing happen to them at a Pep Boys - that I can see happening, but a dealer doing the same? I dunno, I'll admit I'm not that knowledgable in the field of chemistry, but I still don't see how they can add something and the fluid magically becomes identical to the OEM fluid. Hopefully you don't have any problems with it, but if the tranny goes it's all on the dealer as they didn't use the proper fluid and they're gonna have to deal with the consequences.

[kevera]

Ya I know,I found it odd.I have a buddy who is a tech at Chevy,and he said he had changed the tranny fluid on a few vibes and he had to go to Toyota to get their T-IV fluid.The tranny and engine still have another year and a half,so if anything happens it on them.

[northvibe]

make sure you have that documented, because that sounds shady as heck

[21Rouge]

Quote, originally posted by kevera »Well another interesting trip to my dealer for tranny fluid change and rotten egg cat problem.But the good think was they are going to replace the PCM and cat converter for the rotten egg smell.Wohoo.I am in the TO area as well. My 2005 5 pseed had the CAT replaced after around 10k kms. The service bulletin allowed fro the replacement of the CAT but not the PCM.

[21Rouge]

Quote, originally posted by kevera »Well another interesting trip to my dealer for tranny fluid change and rotten egg cat problem.But the good think was they are going to replace the PCM and cat converter for the rotten egg smell.Wohoo.I am in the TO area as well. My 2005 5 speed had the CAT replaced after around 10k kms. The service bulletin allowed for the replacement of the CAT but not the PCM. Just curious but why the tranny fluid change? Although I shouldnt complain as I have experimented with several in the almost 2 years I have had the car including GMs Castrol Syntorq. Right now I am using the full synthetic MTL-R (API GL5/GL4 75W90). This summer I will probly try out the AMSOIL MTG of which I have a couple of qrts in the basement burning a hole in my pocket

[kevera]

You must have an 05.The service dude printed off the bulletin,it states "PCM replacement is NOT necessary for 2005 model years or for vehicles equipped with manual transmission".I have an 04 with auto,so I get a new PCM.The concern for me was the tranny fluid,still puzzled.

[ragingfish]

[QUOTE=kevera]The concern for me was the tranny fluid,still puzzled.[/QUOTEThat is seriously F'ed up dude. I would absolutely make sure you document the name of the person who told you that, and exactly what they said because if your tranny does fail, you will want that to fight the dealership to make them pay for their own screwup.Also couldn't hurt to talk to the general manager of the dealer. Make him aware of the situation -- and maybe even get him to approve (for free of course) another fluid change - to the right stuff - BEFORE anything bad can happen.

[kevera]

It even says it on the bill.The service advisor said they have been doing this since they started servicing the Vibe.Like I said in the earlier post,my buddy is a mechanic/tech at Chevy,he has replaced tranny fluid on a few Vibes and he uses the Toyota stuff.I was going to get him to do it but I still have another year and a bit on my warranty.I think I will call them on Monday to clarify this.On the good side the tranny shifts much nicer now,go figure.

[VivaVibe]

In the states, warranty service does not need to be done by your dealer. So long as it is well documented with date done, mileage on vehicle, your VIN and materials used it should not void the warranty. Since your buddy is a GM mechanic I see no reason why he couldn't do it.

[kevera]

He wouldn't give me a receipt.It would be the "friends" rate.No matter,it's done now and he will do it from now on.