New member with 2009 Vibe 2.4 liter: Stabilitrak and lug nut questions...

[honda3504f]

Hello, Dave here, in Michigan. My wife and I just purchased a red 2009 Vibe 2.4 5-speed manual with 1,700 miles on it (!), loaded, alloy wheels, etc. We love it so far, and just have a couple of questions: Can the Stabilitrak be turned off? The Stabilitrak got me stuck in the driveway yesterday, after a good old Michigan snow and ice storm. Since the Stabilitrak prevents wheelspin, it was impossible to get any momentum going, and make it out of the driveway. Then, after getting stuck, it was impossible to "rock" the car back and forth, to get out! Is there a way to temporarily de-activate the Stabilitrak?Also, we are still looking for a set of OEM lug nuts that will work with the standard steel wheels and Pontiac wheelcovers (we still have not put on our steel wheels with snow tires yet). The GM dealers are quoting anywhere from $10 to $17 each! What a RIP-OFF!!! $200-$340 for a set of lug nuts that should cost 20-30 bucks??? Our local dealer did confirm that the GM part # 88972746 fits 2003-2010 Vibes with the standard steel wheels. He did a GM part # application search and said that the Vibe is the ONLY GM model that uses this unique lug nut with 12mm x 1.5 stud threads and 27mm outer wheelcover threads. A stop at the Toyota dealer parts desk turned up nothing (We looked at a Matrix and a Corolla in the showroom, and they use the more common snap-on plastic wheelcovers).I have not yet found a salvage yard that is even willing to mess with removing and selling me a set of lug nuts. To them, it must seem like I am asking to buy something ridiculous, like used spark plugs or a used air filter... Their common reply without even checking is "NO, don't have any" or "NO, we don't save and sell lug nuts" Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[ou.grizzly]

These may fithttp://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ories

[honda3504f]

Thanks ver much! I just sent a question, asking if they are the 27mm nuts...

[DrummerBoy]

Hi, I think there is a square button located at the bottom left side of the dashboard. This can be used to disable the Stabiltrak system.

[honda3504f]

Thanks! I am headed out to look for it now...

[09vGT]

Its a rectangular button with a car that looks like its sliding.. If you press it once it turns off the traction control. If you press it and hold it for around 3 seconds two light will show up. The traction control and VSC off.. and then its off!

[CarbonJohn]

Can anyone confirm that "disabling" the stability control completely disables the system? I often read about other Toyota systems not being able to be fully disabled. Haven't had enough snow here to try it out yet.

[bikeman1]

Quote, originally posted by honda3504f »Thanks ver much! I just sent a question, asking if they are the 27mm nuts...The outer nut size is actually a 21 mm socket........

[bikeman1]

Quote, originally posted by 09vGT »Its a rectangular button with a car that looks like its sliding.. If you press it once it turns off the traction control. If you press it and hold it for around 3 seconds two light will show up. The traction control and VSC off.. and then its off!does it restart at ignition or does the setting "stick"?anyway to turn it back on with the switch, or check status?

[CarbonJohn]

It should reset itself when restarting. And yes you can turn it back on while you're driving if you turned it off.

[Jyik40]

The stability and traction control re-engages when you reach a certain speed (I forgot the exact speed). It does get annoying when you just want the system to stay off. Sometimes going up steep hills in snow can be a pain because the traction control will turn back on by itself.

[star_deceiver]

If you hold the button for 5 seconds while fully stopped, the trac light and VSC light both come on. Traction control and stabilitrak are now completely disengaged. You can spin the tires to your hearts content, snowplow, fishtail and drift as you wish. ABS remains functional but that's it. You may now experience maximum fun in the Vibe!!!If you push the button again, Trac and VSC come back on.Simply pushing the Trac off button deactivates only the traction control. VSC remains active. Traction control comes back on once you reach 50km/h.Shutting off the vehicle resets the system and, yes, you have to hold the button again to turn it off!