GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hey guys !!!!! Didnt pick up my vibe yet, but that will be a whole other story I have to tell soon. I wanted to ask what you veterans of new cars do when you first get them.1. Do you wax ?2. Do you underspray ?, i am an ontarian ofterall but i know new cars are made with galvanized steel so they wont rust out as much3. Block heater or thinner oil ?

I wax. You can find what many owners are using if you look in the Washing and waxing forum.As for under spray I'm guessing you mean like at a car wash place and spraying water under neither your car? If so this is all ways a good idea to keep salt and grim off of the bottom of your engine, trany, suspension componets, buttom of car in general.As for thinner oil that in my opinion is a must for as cold as it gets in Canada. I'd use Amsoil 0w-30Amsoil info

By the underspray, i meant oiling due to the salt. But if you find getting a ander carrage wash every so often then thats maybe what ill do.

Elvis.........Underspray is recommended for Canadian winters, and you should do it before putting the car on the road permanently

Elvis, my VIBE had both of these. The cost was almost $600 canadian.

DO NOT spray oil under any car. DO NOT undercoat any car. Unless you want it to rust out. It is true that manufacturers do a very good job preventing rust today. Metal is galvanized and painted both sides and hot wax is applied to the inside of all panels. The paint shop puts sealer on all joints before painting. The ONLY thing you should apply on top of the factory materials is either 'KROWN' or 'RUST CHECK'. Don't know if either of those are available in the U.S.A., but they are worth looking for. If you annually apply KROWN to your VIBE, it will never rust, period. Oil and undercoating just trap water, leading to premature rust. Believe me on this one. You are better off doing nothing than applying oil or undercoat. Go for the 'KROWN' in a heartbeat. Cans of 'RUST CHECK' are for sale at Canadian Tire in the automotive paint section. You can also pick up spray cans of 'KROWN' at dealers for mid season touch ups. Not really necessary if you have it 'KROWNed' regularly.

When my wife and I purchased our car the dealer sparyed what looked like spray on bedliner on the entire bottom of the car. I haven't had any trouble yet.

The Vibe should be covered under a rust protection warranty. I remember something to that effect when I signed the papers. It's either 36,000 or 75,000 mile protection.

I haven't waxed my car...I got the optional clear coat put on...and seriously, my Vibe has not needed a wax. As for the fear of pre-mature rusting....I got this little electronic item installed which is suppose to protect the entire car. Apparently it is better than going through the rust-proofing.

quote:I got this little electronic item installed which is suppose to protect the entire car. Apparently it is better than going through the rust-proofing.My dealer offered such a gizmo. It positively charged the vehicle such that it actually attracts metal from the environment. The pipelines use a similar system. The pipeline's does work, who knows about this system? What is yours called, where did you get it and how much $$$?

I know my Cavalier has a 10 or 12 Year rust proforation warranty, so why bother with it. I hope I don't need to keep my Cavy that long!

Ya when I use my block heater the car is so nice to start in the winter, and it heats the interior quicker...sweet heat!!!

Always hide it! It looks ugly. I leave it on all night. I plug it in when I go to bed, so maybe 6-8 hours tops. I'm not sure if thats good for the engine, but at least I have a warm car

Ya I know, but I only use it maybe 3-4 times a winter, only on the REALLY cold nights.

So i suppose its where you live really if its a benfit or not for the block heater. Thanks for all your posts, its appreciated.

Experience with no underspray/undercoat: My ten-year-old Saturn SW2, never coated with anything, shows not a single speck of rust on the galvanized steel underbody. I have to believe that GM/Toyota can do at least as well with a present day Vibe.Experience with wax: Ditto the above Saturn, I got lazy and never waxed the thing. Ever. The clear coat paint looks just about as good as when new. No fading. No oxidation. Since the NUMMI web site says that all their cars are painted with a clear coat (except for white for some unknown reason), I'm guessing that GM/Toyota can do at least as well with a present day Vibe. Note to Big_Red: the clear coat paint is standard. Your dealer gave you a very expensive wax job. In 1972, it was called "Glamour Glaze" when my dad got his big Chevy wagon. Cost $35 back then.Experience with cathodic protection: Those scam boxes use technology that works for pipelines and big underwater transit tunnels (like BART between San Francisco and Oakland). Properly applied, the technology will protect your Vibe from rusting if you dump the car in a hole and cover it with wet dirt for 20 years. Otherwise, forget it.

So basically cathodic protection is useless against salt and Harsh canadian winters! 1990 Mustang H.O. I never pust rust proofing on itthe car had no rust showing when I got rid of it 2 years ago. I winter drove it 5 years of the 10 I owned it, and it was a Ford, so I am prettyskeptical that the vibe should last for quite some time before surgeryis required!