GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I have 73k mostly highway miles, and my engine started idling a little rough when cold. After plug replacement the engine is alot smoother. The OE plugs looked perfect and the gap was still right on (.043"). Just looking at them I would have said they were still good.When I went to NAPA I had the NGK plug # from the owners manual (IFR6A11 for the 1ZZ engine), thier book didn't even show a NGK plug with that #. We looked it up by vehicle and it showed a Vibe w/1ZZ engine takes the IFR5T11 "Laser Iridium Premium", I hope this is the correct one. It was $41 for four of them...ouch.

You got the right ones. The 1FR6A11 is for the 2zz or GT engine. There is a note in the owners manual to use iridium tipped plugs.

i just picked up a 4pack of NGK XI plugs, forgot the model but i can try to find it. They work great and my car idles better and starts faster. My stock plugs were looking pretty bad. i have about 47k miles on my 1zz.

i thought u didn't have to replace them till around 100k??? im confused

Under normal driving conditions, the plugs are supposed to last over 100K. A lot of us drive a little harder and faster than normal. Other factors like towing or hauling, extreme weather, etc. can cause them wear out sooner as well. I have owned 3 vehicles (Vibe included) that required no maintenance (other than oil change) until 100k. I always change the plugs and coolant around 60K. I would rather spend $50.00 for maintenance then spend big bucks if the car dies and has to be towed to the shop.

My stock were shot at about 97,000 kms.......i got the ngk Iridiums.......could not be happier..starts much better and also idles much smoother.......40$CDN +tax for 4.

How difficult was it to replace the plugs. I bought a set, and then did not think that I could reach the plugs. I have 109k miles, and figured I need to replace soon. Any help would be appreciated.

Hi michaelgt,I had never replaced plugs before except for on a lawn mower. I did this last Winter and it was very easy. Got a socked with a plastic insert so the plug is held in the socket as you either pull it out or put the new one in. Had a 6" or 8" extension on the socket as well so it could reach the plug. It was maybe a 2 out of 10 in difficulty. Dave

How do the coil packs come off? Do they just pop off of the plugs or is there a clip you have to undo?Thanks, Jim

Remove the two cheesy nuts that hold down the wiring harness then unplug each coil pack, now you can just lift them out.

Hi Kissfan,The GT only has 1 - 10mm bolt holding each coil pack on. You should disconnect the wire first; it's a simple snap-in type connector. Then pull the coil pack out of the hole. the spark plug is about 6" down into the hole. You'll be able to tell how deep it is by seeing how deep the coil pack goes down. Dave

Quote, originally posted by nygiantzz1 » I have owned 3 vehicles (Vibe included) that required no maintenance (other than oil change) until 100k. Is this true even of the 03 models? What about trans fluid? It seems weird to hear that no maintenance is required until 100k...

Trans Fluid at 60,000 miles. I forgot about that one. Maintenance Free usually refers to the engine, not the tranny.