'06 Vibe, high highway miles, should I do anything?

[jasony0423]

Hi,I've got an 06 Vibe, purchased it new in November, 2006 as a leftover. So in terms of age, it's not quite 3 years old, so I've not done any of the major services the owners manual called for, just due to the age, and my method of thinking is that while the miles are up there, the parts themselves aren't old. So I found this site yesterday while searching for a headlight, and figure since I'm here, I might as well ask if there's anything that I should have done sooner, rather than later? Or am I fine with waiting for the specified time frame, rather than mileage frame. As it is, I've always done oil changes every 3 months, rather than 3,000 miles, and that's been just fine. I just figured I'd ask.

[jasony0423]

nothing?

[pljenkins]

Well, i think I get from your message that you bought the car new, so you know who's been taking care of it. How many miles do you have on it? Some things are keyed by age, but most maintainence items are keyed by milage.At 3 years there's really nothing that HAS to be replaced as a matter of course. Obviously oil/filter/air filter regular changes should be accomplished. Tire rotations at the appropriate times. At this age you should take a good look at your brakes to make sure they're not doing anything funky.Otherwise if it's driving fine and not making any suspicious noises, give her a wash and wax and drive on, brother!P

[jasony0423]

Quote, originally posted by pljenkins »Well, i think I get from your message that you bought the car new, so you know who's been taking care of it. How many miles do you have on it? Some things are keyed by age, but most maintainence items are keyed by milage.At 3 years there's really nothing that HAS to be replaced as a matter of course. Obviously oil/filter/air filter regular changes should be accomplished. Tire rotations at the appropriate times. At this age you should take a good look at your brakes to make sure they're not doing anything funky.Otherwise if it's driving fine and not making any suspicious noises, give her a wash and wax and drive on, brother!P Sorry, I guess I did forget that. lol. It's at 186,000 miles. I've replaced the tires three times, and believe it or not, it's still on the original rear brakes. Front brakes have been replaced once. Belts and hoses are all original, which is the main thing I was questioning here, I guess.. I just found out about the in cabin air filter, which was also original, but I bought one of those yesterday when I was in Michigan, and I"ll put it on today. IT makes no strange sounds, no leaks, and there's no oil burning, leaking, etc. On my trip to michigan yesterday, it still comes back at 39.16mpg, too. I like this car, I just wanna make sure it stays good.

[djkeev]

I'd for sure be changing the trans oil. They say you don't have to but you'd be a fool not to. I assume it's a stick shift? Just make sure you put in the proper oil and not a universal mix. Get it from Toyota, you're better off and will pay less. I'm sure you know this is a Toyota Matrix with a Pontiac Emblem on it.Keeping your oil changed is about the best thing you've done.Belts and hoses, rot by age not mileage though take a good look at the back side of the belt where the ribs are. Do you see cracks across the ribs? If so replace the belt.At that mileage you might be looking at the seat springs! They've been sat in a lot!How is your drivers seat upholstery holding up? You are like a test track for Vibes for endurance.If you have any bulbs burn out, instead of replacing the one that isn't working replace them all. They've all been in the car the same amount of time and have burned for the same hours. Save yourself the hassle and possible ticket for missing lights and just wholesale replace every one. Start fresh.Good Luck!And to think I thought I was running high miles on my 07 with 52,000 +!!!!Dave

[star_deceiver]

Tranny fluid. Spark plugs. How's the coolant holing up?

[jasony0423]

Quote, originally posted by djkeev »I'd for sure be changing the trans oil. They say you don't have to but you'd be a fool not to. I assume it's a stick shift? Just make sure you put in the proper oil and not a universal mix. Get it from Toyota, you're better off and will pay less. I'm sure you know this is a Toyota Matrix with a Pontiac Emblem on it.Keeping your oil changed is about the best thing you've done.Belts and hoses, rot by age not mileage though take a good look at the back side of the belt where the ribs are. Do you see cracks across the ribs? If so replace the belt.At that mileage you might be looking at the seat springs! They've been sat in a lot!How is your drivers seat upholstery holding up? You are like a test track for Vibes for endurance.If you have any bulbs burn out, instead of replacing the one that isn't working replace them all. They've all been in the car the same amount of time and have burned for the same hours. Save yourself the hassle and possible ticket for missing lights and just wholesale replace every one. Start fresh.Good Luck!And to think I thought I was running high miles on my 07 with 52,000 +!!!!DaveNope, it's an automatic. Since I bought it as a leftover, my options were pretty limited. Is changing the tranny fluid still recommended, though? I was actually thinking a few days ago, the seats are holding up amazingly well. The back seat has never been sat in. Ever. I've had a passenger in there maybe ten times, so the front passenger seat is pretty much brand new, as well. The driver seat is the most worn, obviously, but it still is very comfortable, no rips at the seams or anything. Maybe I've just gotten used to the seat, but I think it's still in pretty great condition. ATM, I have no bulbs out. I've never replaced them all at once, but if I have one go out, I always replace them in pairs, ie left brake light goes out, I replace both, etc. That method has worked for me pretty well. Thanks for the advice.

[joatmon]

Do a tranny fluid change, even if just a drain/refill. Coolant is rated for what, 60K miles? Might be worth changing the serpentine belt

[djkeev]

Change Automatic YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I'll bet, you pull that dipstick the oil is a dark dark red, almost black color and STINKS!It should be a pleasant red color and smell, while not pleasant, but also not send chills up your spine from the charred smell.I assumed with your MPG's it was stick. With the driving you do I'd change that tranny oil every 30,000 miles or so. These units operate at a very high temperature which is very hard on the oils.I attached a photo of my old oil and what new oil looks like. I've actually sent my old oil to a lab to see what shape it is in and if Pontiac is scamming us about change intervals.Pull the oil pan (or have someone do it) you'll find a black sludge over everything. Look carefully at the bottom of the pan for silver or brass colored bits. A little dust is fine and normal. A huge pile or odd chunks of material of any color are not normal. Pull the filter and either replace it or clean it good with carb cleaner and dry it out. You'll need a pan gasket and a filter gasket and 4.7 qts of Toyota T IV oil. Get it from TOYOTA, or someone who sells the toyota T IV. Don't put in synthetics, don't put in a "good for all trans" oil.Run the car about 2000 miles and pull the tranny drain plug, this will take out a smidgen over 3 qts, run it another 2000 and do it again.Now you're good for about 30,000. You will have flushed out all that nasty black oil (or mathematically most of it)I've taken up to pulling the tranny plug about every 3rd engine oil change. You've never heard of someone being chastised by a repair shop "You ruined it!! You changed the oil too much!!!"The oil change intervals put out by Toyota and Pontiac are BS and publicity for low service costs. Don't risk your tranny by listening to it.Keep in mind, this is MY opinion based on my 07 in which I found black tranny fluid at 50,000+ miles. I don't drive hard and this happened.I don't trust automatics anyway and now I don't trust the factory service recommendations for this car.As a side note, don't FLUSH. There are exchange machines but make sure they use Toyota oil and that they also change / clean the trans oil filter and pan before they begin.Good LuckDave(aren't you glad you asked ! )

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[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by jasony0423 »ATM, I have no bulbs out. I've never replaced them all at once, but if I have one go out, I always replace them in pairs, ie left brake light goes out, I replace both, etc. That method has worked for me pretty well. Thanks for the advice. The only reason I say replace them all is to avoid the hassle of being pulled over by police. They seem to have become so (removed) and pull you over for a burned out light. I don't have the time for such silliness and don't enjoy the flashing lights in my rearview mirror that follow me to the side of the road!All the bulbs are cheaper than a ticket, then factor in your time.Keep in mind with headlights that the brighter they are, giving you better night vision, the shorter time they will burn for.Dave

[Scooter Dave]

Check/adjust the valve clearances.

[jasony0423]

I took it in for an oil change today. They checked the fluids and told me everything looks good, but that my drive belt needs to be replaced. I looked, and it does have some cracks on the ribs, at least on the part that is accessible. They quoted me $160 for that. Reasonable? Anything else I should do while they're in there?As for valve clearances... This is based only on what I've read here since signing up a week ago, but doesn't that only apply if there is tapping or ticking? There's no tapping from the engine, and it still idles at around 800 rpm.

[ou.grizzly]

Change the best yourself. Do a search and there are some threads that talk about changing it. Save yourself the cash.

[pljenkins]

wow! 186,000 beats my 134,000! Good job! Anyway, at that milage, it's good to take a look at everything. Most of this is easy to accomplish yourself, but if you're skittish about wrenching your own car it's best to let a pro go at it... It will cost you much more though... In any event, if the belt looks suspect change it. I did this myself and it wasn't the easiest task in the world, but it's hard to screw up if you're paying attention. Iridium plugs are rated at 100,000 miles, so if they're original it's time for them to go. This is a wickedly easy task since Iridium plugs are pre-gapped. Do a rear brake job as a matter of course. Even if the shoes have sufficient meat, the mechanical bits are going to need to be inspected and/or replaced. If you can't answer the question of when the tranny fluid and radiator fluid have been changed then replace those now. Replace the PCV valve also. I'm willing to bet that's gone past it's expiration date.I think the gap check might be unnecessary. You're getting outstanding mileage and there's no funky noises coming from under the hood. Tearing into the heads might do more harm then good.Other then that, a thorough inspection of the underside, engine compartment (look closely at engine mounts for cracks/corrosion).Have fun!P

[Scooter Dave]

Quote, originally posted by jasony0423 »...doesn't that only apply if there is tapping or ticking? There's no tapping from the engine, and it still idles at around 800 rpm. There should be some tapping/ticking. If not, the valves might too tight. Usually the valves seat into the head making the valvetrain "tight". If they get too tight, they won't close properly and you burn a valve. The manufacturer recommends checking every 60k miles. It's ironic that most people like the Toyota engineered drivetrain but don't follow the Toyota engineer's maintenence advice [somehow it doesn't apply to them]. BTW, an "audio check" is worthless. There is no way to measure thousandths of an inch by ear. I suggest you have them checked (there are 16 to check).

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by Scooter Dave »There should be some tapping/ticking. If not, the valves might too tight. Usually the valves seat into the head making the valvetrain "tight". If they get too tight, they won't close properly and you burn a valve. The manufacturer recommends checking every 60k miles. It's ironic that most people like the Toyota engineered drivetrain but don't follow the Toyota engineer's maintenence advice [somehow it doesn't apply to them]. BTW, an "audio check" is worthless. There is no way to measure thousandths of an inch by ear. I suggest you have them checked (there are 16 to check).Valves are easy to check, tough to adjust. Pray they don't need adjusting!Belt replacement isn't hard but can be confusing even with the little diagram under the hood.If you replace the spark plugs do it only with the engine COLD. A warm or hot engine runs a high risk of pulling the threads cut into the head out with the old plug. This is a repair process that is so overlooked it is frightening. They don't do it cold because of the inconvenience of getting it done. Insist on it though, could save you many $$'s and much aggravation if a hole strips out. They will claim that it's not their fault so you get to pay to fix it and now you have a buggered up head for the rest of your time having the car.I'm amazed that the trans oil is still healthy red at that mileage! dave