ERROR ON 09+ VIBE USER MANUAL AND SERVICE INTERVAL

[cq358]

Since the Vibe will be discontinue I doubt GM will do anything to correct the issue.All automatic transmission fluid for 09+ vibe is WS and the owner's manual still stating to use T-IV.. both of them cannot be interchange. WS fluid is a truly life time transmission fluid . Only require to inspect every 60000 mi/96000km. T-IV is synthetic blend which require replacement for every 60000mi/96000km.You can tell the transmission fluid is WS, there is WS marked on the dip stick

[Old Tele man]

...but, one can wonder: "...WHICH is wrong, the printed manual, the installed dip stick, or the actual fluid installed?"

[cq358]

Matrix/Corolla/08+Rav4/07+camry with automatic transmission all uses WS fluid. I would be hard to believe if they are using different grade of transmission fluid in identical transmission model. If you want you can call anyToyota dealership parts department to find out which fluid to use for 09 Matrix S/XRS. Since most of them are made in NUMMI plant.

[djkeev]

Hi,So, no one is perfect, that's how life works.Just my .02 here but I would NOT allow your fluid to be lifetime. You are only asking for problems.. I'd check it for sure. I'm old school I guess and am very skeptical with "lifetime" anything. What is a lifetime? Certainly not forever for everything dies. Lifetime for most insects is a season at best, lifetime for a dog is what 10 years? Lifetime for a human is 60 ish?How many "lifetime" ball joints or bearing have been replaced since they came up with the concept of "lifetime" sealed units?? Millions upon millions I'm sure. I think the first sealed anything I saw was a ball joint on a new car in the 60's. I was skeptical then (and I was an inexperienced young man at that time) and it has been proven over time that it is all a marketing gimmick to sell items.So lifetime for oil is until is stops working. That's it. It will last for as long as it does and no longer. My guess is your lifetime will be longer than your transmission oil.Check it about 30,000, change it at 60,000 though if it were me I'd change it at 30,000. No one ever ruined their car with too many oil changes!!! Transmission oil gets too beat up to last forever. The simple shear of a torque convertor is enough to kill most liquids.Dave

[vintagegz]

as per bulletin 08-07-30-037AThis bulletin is being released to inform dealer technicians and parts managers that there is a change in the automatic transmission fluid for the 2009 Pontiac Vibe.Beginning with 2009 model year, the Pontiac Vibe has a new generation automatic transmission that requires ATF-WS automatic transmission fluid.Some 2009 Pontiac Vibe Owner Manuals may state "Use only T-IV Automatic Transmission Fluid" in Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants. T-IV automatic transmission fluid should NOT be used in the 2009 Vibe transmissions.The 2009 Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual in SI (Document ID 1911026) contains the correct fluid recommendation.Recommended fluid for the 2009 transmissions is ATF-WS, P/N 88863400 (in Canada, P/N 88863401).Important: Do not use T-IV automatic transmission fluid for 2009 and newer model years. The T-IV automatic transmission fluid can be used in 2003-2008 model year Pontiac Vibes. The ATF-WS automatic transmission fluid IS NOT COMPATIBLE with the 2003-2008 Vibe. ATF-WS automatic transmission fluid should NOT be used as a replacement fluid in 2003-2008 Vibes OR mixed with the type T-IV fluid in 2003-2009 Vibe transmissions. hope it helps

[Old Tele man]

...I'm glad to see that Bulletin number...sure makes things easier at the local CHEVY dealer who's now doing our PONTIAC warranty work (ugh!).

[cq358]

Thanks Vintage,Finally someone in GM find out the owner manual is wrong.For WS service interval we just need to inspect fluid condition in every 60000 mi.

[beemerphile1]

Quote, originally posted by vintagegz »...ATF-WS automatic transmission fluid should NOT be used as a replacement fluid in 2003-2008 Vibes OR mixed with the type T-IV fluid in 2003-2009 Vibe transmissions. and then they confuse the issue even more with what appears to be a typo in the last line. "2003-2009" Shouldn't that be 2003-2008?

[kowell]

Quote, originally posted by beemerphile1 »and then they confuse the issue even more with what appears to be a typo in the last line. "2003-2009" Shouldn't that be 2003-2008?I actually see that one quite often.A lot of aftermarket parts on ebay are advertised as 2003-2009