GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

2006 Auto, base engine, 36K miles. Running like a top. Local quickie lube place says transaxle fluid is dirty and gritty and should be changed. They recommend taking it to a dealer, so they are not trying to sell me a service. I KNOW if I take it to a dealer, he'll find SOMETHING that needs to be done. Owners book says inspect levels, and basically if you don't drive frequently under extreme conditions, then leave it alone for a very long time. Do I leave it alone, or should I have it checked out ?

Don't rust any QUICKIE LUBE type place. They pay their people crap wages, and the only way they can make any real money is buy UPSELLING sevices. Whether you need them or not. I know of what I speak.

Have you taken a look at the fluid on the transmission dipstick yourself? It should look reddish and pretty clear with no grit either visible or by feel.

The Vibe seems to always have dark looking tranny fluid, my '04 was no exception. Go with what the manual says.

if you want peice of mine change it.. but it's really not needed

That Toyota fluid is dark the second you pour it out of the bottle. It's nice that they aren't trying to sell you anything, but it seems to me they don't know what they're talking about. Unless the fluid is burnt, the you've got a whole other problem!If you're really concerned about it, get it done. Nothing wrong with that and may help in the long run. But is it really necessary? No, unless there's a problem. On the dipstick it has a label in engrish that says it never need changing or something to that effect. (on the 03's at least.)

I'm at 54,000 miles now and just had my f-i-l check it out for me. He says that the fluid is fine. Mine does have another problem though, we are going to try and figure it out. When I'm on a hill, put the car in drive and take my foot off the brake, I roll backwards. It's not supposed to do that, but we are trying to figure it out.

On steep enough hills any car will do this!

Quote, originally posted by zionzr2 »On steep enough hills any car will do this!Yes, I know that. This is on minor grades that it shouldn't. Over the weekend we are going to pull it apart and look. My f-i-l has been doing transmissions for 25+ years. I know he will take care of me.

Quote, originally posted by lovemyraffe » When I'm on a hill, put the car in drive and take my foot off the brake, I roll backwards. It's not supposed to do that, but we are trying to figure it out.Has it always done that or is it a new "problem"? I have a Honda that has almost no holdback on hills, perfectly normal for it. My pickup will actually roll UP a small hill at idle, of course it has a built $3500 transmission with a huge aftermarket torque convertor.....Point is vehicles vary, may be nothing wrong with yours.

Quote, originally posted by SkyVibe »Has it always done that or is it a new "problem"? I have a Honda that has almost no holdback on hills, perfectly normal for it. My pickup will actually roll UP a small hill at idle, of course it has a built $3500 transmission with a huge aftermarket torque convertor.....Point is vehicles vary, may be nothing wrong with yours.My Vibe has done this since I can remember, but he wants to tear it apart and look. Do any other Vibe's roll back on small hills?

Quote, originally posted by lovemyraffe »Do any other Vibe's roll back on small hills?You'd have to define what you consider 'small'? Any idea of the percentage grade?If the behavior hasn't been changing and the car drives normally, then I'd certainly follow the old adage: "If it ain't broke don't fix it."

Quote, originally posted by prathman »You'd have to define what you consider 'small'? Any idea of the percentage grade?If the behavior hasn't been changing and the car drives normally, then I'd certainly follow the old adage: "If it ain't broke don't fix it."Sorry, I have no idea what the grade would be. It's part of the driveway into the bay's at the shop. If there is some easy way to calculate it, I would do that. I do agree with "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." It isn't costing me anything. He wants to do it, he thinks there is something wrong with the car, he knows what he is doing. I just see it as a waste of time.

I replaced my tranny oil myself at like...50k miles i think. Its as easy as changing oil, but use like redline or toyota tranny oil. I used the toyota stuff to keep it all the same. The old stuff was burn dark looking and smelled nasty. Remember auto trannys work hella lot more harder than manuals and heat up more. I always cut the maintenance stuff in half and never had a issue with my vibe....

Quote, originally posted by lovemyraffe » If there is some easy way to calculate it, I would do that. A level (the kind with a little bubble in the liquid) and a protractor