GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Been gone awhile. Kostby came out into the real world and found me. Wasn't you guys, the people taking car of my 87yo motherinlaw moved out without warning, didn't even tell us AFTER they moved. We found out the next day when she called 911. She has dementia. They just left her there. So real life has been a b*tch. They left behind mattresses leaning against the house, 2 gas grills with logs burned in them, and a total mess. Stereotypical white trash. It has been wonderful. And we have been trying to keep her out of a nursing home also. So much fun. And taking care of a special needs foster son, and my niece we took custody of. *STRESS* I had a car accident in a parking lot. Nothing happened to the vibe. Not even a scratch. The guy in the other car had been in line behind me in the store. He came around the lot and sort of hit me sideways behind. He had a bump in his door and a huge thing in front of his door (both driver's side). I was backing out of my spot. Then he was saying that I caused the huge thing. Uh Uh. Maybe the little bump. He wanted money or something. I could even see the bag on the front seat of his car, with his groceries in it. It was unreal. Then he called for weeks asking what we were going to do about it. We kept saying, "Call the insurance company". He finally did. But I have told them the whole story, so I hope they check into it carefully. His address is the part of town that routinely has driveby shooting. I hope that doesn't mean my part of town will soon have a driveby shooting? And my gas mileage? I have AWD, 4000 miles on it. Still about 21mpg american. Shouldn't it start getting better by now? Course all you naysayers that said the AWD didn't have any power! If I could keep the speedometer below 80, maybe that would help the gas mileage? But I am driving along I-84 and look down and the speedo on Vibey is creeping up to 80. And the speed limit is 55! I yell at Vibey, but he insists on doing it. Should I take away his doggie(car?) treats? The extra-cold windshield washer fluid? Whack him with the ice scraper? What?I need help here.

Welcome back Debi, hope things settle down for ya, remember good things happen to those who donate so much of their time to helping out others in need, whoever they may be. Good to hear from you, God Bless!

I would be overly upset if someone left my mother alone without telling me!

Yeah man, sorry to hear you luck. But hopefully everything will get better. And yes, going over 80 extremely kills your gas mileage. Inder

Welcome back Debi!Sorry to hear of your family misfortunes and the dreaded 'parking lot incident.' I suppose the guy does that same schtick about 10 times every day all over town and makes his 'living' preying on the unsuspecting that way. Your mileage will probably DECREASE during the winter = idling to warm the car is always 0 miles per gallon.And, yeah 80 in a 55 will also get you much unwanted attention from local law enforcement authorities in my area. I try to use cruise control whenever possible and set it at 72 (in 65mph zones). That way I don't get run over by the trucks going 80, and I don't run over the really really old geezers driving 55! LOL

Oops, are we supposed to idle to warm up the car?Longer than to put on the seat belt, and maybe scrape at some ice? Oops. I live in Connecticut. It is supposed to be 60 out there today. I am going to leave work now and find out. I try not to drive faster than the cars around me. EVER.Vibey just goes with the flow. The saturn could not keep up. I don't want unwanted police attention either. *Bad Vibey*

Quote, originally posted by debi5475 » I yell at Vibey, but he insists on doing it. Should I take away his doggie(car?) treats? The extra-cold windshield washer fluid? Whack him with the ice scraper? What?I need help here. the first thing to do is not yell at him, try to explain what he is doing is wrong. then threaten him with no baths, that should help. I also hope your family life gets better.

Even another minute or two of fast-idle while you're scraping takes its toll on the MPG.Re: obeying speed limits...Do you have a nice collar and leash for him? Maybe Vibey just needs Obedience Training. (Or perhaps his owner!) Or try the 'Scared Straight' approach: Take him out to the track (do they still have races at Lime Rock CT?) and let him watch all the REAL race cars run. Then promise him lots of nice warm 10-W30 and ethylene glycol if he obeys you!

He uses Dexcool. Is that the same, or a different formulation?