GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

The problem with the car is it only goes 10mph when I floor the gas, and it revs at 1500 to 2000 rpms max. It eats up gas quickly, and stutters unless the rpm is up to at least 1100. I've never seen so much smoke from my exhaust. Im pretty much broke and cant get a job without this car so cheapest fixes first please. EDIT: Forgot to mention the car's at 80k miles and Ive had it newly used since 70k. And the CEL light is on.

For starters you might want to try going to a forum that has something to do with cobalts...

Cheapest would be to get rid of the car and use some other method to get to work (bicycle/scooter/vanpool/bus/etc.). I know lots of people (incl. myself) with good jobs who do not rely on a car to commute.Other options depend on whether you live in an area that requires emission testing.

A clogged cat on a "newer" car should throw a CEL light. Also being a 2005 it may still be under warranty? specially if a CEL is on its emissions so its covered after the 36k btb warranty. AND dont forget the power train warranty is like 60 or 75k. Sounds like its running freaking rich, with no CEL could be a computer issue. Go to a auto part store and have them pull cel codes off for free. then go to http://www.cobaltss.net and ask about it with the error codes, thats where cobalt owners are and I hang out there as well.

Not an option. Im in collage and the car's in mom's name. Im not even on the insurance.

Editted the first post to clear s ome things up but thanks for the input. Ill look up the DTCs myself when I get to school monday if they have the Modis chip for my car (Does the Modis need a chip for cobalts?). The idiots at advanced auto told my friend these symptoms sounded like a spark plug swap would fix it. And I wasn't the one drivin when it happened so i didnt know any better...

CEL can mean soooo many things, when it flashes thats usually a misfire. but if its solid something else can be up. So go get the free CEL scan at advanced or checker or some place then post those..Whats a modis chip? you mean something like a HPTuners?

The modis is a scantool. It does everything. Sometimes it needs a chip to connect to a vehicle but im thinkin not on a GM 05 Cobalt

any ob2 port scan tool will pull the cel.Before some igget behind the counter of advanced auto tells you to buy everything under the sun, get the code, post the code.We might be able to help you from there.

Quote, originally posted by Davisthabeast »I've never seen so much smoke from my exhaust. Why don't we start with the most basic question. What color is the smoke? White = Water/AntifreezeBlue = OilBlack = FuelQuote, originally posted by Davisthabeast »the car's in mom's name. Im not even on the insurance.Red Flag. Are you currently in a state that requires insurance? Quote, originally posted by Davisthabeast »Does the Modis need a chip for cobalts?No, ODB-II Scanners do not need extra chips to do the scan. That was only for Pre-ODB-II computers. All Model Year 96+ cars sold in the US are ODB-II.

Ill find out the code at school today

The smoke was black, Im in virginia so thats a hell yes, and ok I guess I was sleep when my teacher explained that in class.

ah yes seems like its running rich like a diesel