Can't use car charger in cigarette lighter outlet in 2006 Vibe?

Stereo, security systems, vehicle electronics, and electrical-related discussions
Post Reply
etd
Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2006 11:27 pm

Can't use car charger in cigarette lighter outlet in 2006 Vibe?

Post by etd »

I have a 2006 Vibe with a smoker's kit. In the owner's manual, it says you should not use the cigarette lighter outlet for powering devices such as cell phones. Of course, there isn't another outlet in the vehicle that can accept a car charger, only the household plug outlet. Is it OK to use a car charger in the cigarette lighter outlet, or is the owner's manual correct?Thanks for your help!
User avatar
joatmon
Posts: 10168
Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2003 5:19 am
Location: Room 101

Re: Can't use car charger in cigarette lighter outlet in 2006 Vibe? (etd)

Post by joatmon »

that's nuts, I can't think of any reason why you shouldn't use it for a cell phone charger, unless you tend to use the lighter and put the charger back in the socket when the socket is still hot.
Image
User avatar
ColonelPanic
Posts: 8434
Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2003 8:48 am
Location: South Central Indiana

Re: Can't use car charger in cigarette lighter outlet in 2006 Vibe? (etd)

Post by ColonelPanic »

Basically, the reason they tell you that is because of the two different types of outlets... You have your standard lighter socket, which you and I have, and then the 'Accessory Power Outlet' which is what would be on your dash provided you did not have the smoker's package (and this is the type of outlet that is in the center console for those of us who have it.) Internally the sockets are a bit different between the two types.Certain types of plugs don't want to plug into the lighter socket but work fine in the APO and vice versa... Sometimes the wrong plug for the wrong socket can even cause a fuse to blow, from what I've read on some GM TechLink articles that addressed this sort of issue. Honestly though, I wouldn't worry that much about it. A phone charger more than likely will be designed for the lighter socket anyway, but might also work in an APO if you have it as well... Plug it in and see what happens. I use mine all the time there, and I have used it in the APO in the consle where it worked just the same...
03 Vibe base. Born 10/14/2002 06:07 AM
Auto, Moon & Tunes, power package. 143k
Neptune/dying clearcoat/primer grey. :lol:

Image

'21 Elantra Limited - 2.0L/IVT
'15 Escape SE - 1.6L EcoBoost (hers)
Image Image
jimincalif
Posts: 622
Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2003 1:59 am

Post by jimincalif »

It should work fine. Parts of the manual are written by lawyers.
"We contend that for a nation to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle." - Winston Churchill---------------------------------Who is John Galt?2 Vibes, 03GT & 07 base (kids drive)1993 Lexus LS4001980 Fiat Spider
Post Reply