GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Can anyone recommend a good repair book for my 2005 Vibe?It's time I started doing my own work on this car whenever possible.Thanks.

05-07http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VBAW353Oenter the code in the upper right hand corner wait 45 secondsthen click download. then use the index file that will open up in your browser to access all the pdf's2003 versionhttp://www.megaupload.com/?d=RK4K5SVS

Thanks, but I was hoping to get a printed book. Something I could keep in my car.

ok, you must expect your car to break down a lot if you want to keep a copy of it in the car with you...Your middle name isn't MacGyver is it? HAHA

don;t mind keith, it's spring, you know how that affects peopleThere is no small repair manual for Vibes, like from Haynes. Haynes books are ok in a pinch.The only other real alternative is to buy the factory service manual set. It's the best doumentation avilable on the car. The 2003 set I bought is big, maybe 8.5x11 inch pages, double sided, two volumes, about four inches thick. And pricey, You can get a set from http://www.helm.com The 2005 set is $135, probably plus shipping. Sometimes you can find a set for less on ebay, today I see one set for $129, but the listing has a picture for S-car manual, so it wouldn't be worth the risk of getting the wrong thing fo a $6 savingsOther than that, you could pick up a Haynes manual for a 2005 Corolla, it should be pretty close for the powertrain/suspension stuff, but I wouldn't trust if for working on Vibe electrical things

Yikes! Multiple volumes? Damn! These late model cars are so complicated. I like the simple days of my air-cooled VW Bug. One book. About 120 pages....and that's the factory book.

that download is looking better and better hu? Yea it's spring time... i'm silly like that

Buy the factory manual. Yes, it;s pricey and big (2 volumes) but I have done this for my previous car and the Vibe and it is worth having especially if you plan to keep the car for some time and plan to do most or all of the work yourself. For my previous car I hardly used it when it was new but as the car started aging and things needed doing I was glad to have it.

Quote, originally posted by Vibetastic »Yikes! I like the simple days of my air-cooled VW Bug. One book. About 120 pages....and that's the factory book.Sorry to go slightly off topic but....Yes, the good ol' days, where you basically needed only a 10 and 13mm wrench to take apart (and put together) most of the car.This repair manual by John Muir was the absolute best VW repair manual ever. It told you what to do and (more importantly) it told you what NOT to do!

Quote, originally posted by Ol’ Timer »Sorry to go slightly off topic but....Yes, the good ol' days, where you basically needed only a 10 and 13mm wrench to take apart (and put together) most of the car.This repair manual by John Muir was the absolute best VW repair manual ever. It told you what to do and (more importantly) it told you what NOT to do!Since you went off topic already, I don't like that book... a lot of what he tells you to do has been proven to be bad for the engine. A great deal of what was being done to them in the 60s and 70s is no longer seen as acceptable, a lot has been learned It has some good how-tos, but overall it's too dumbed down for my liking. I prefer the Bentley manual for most repairs... Although I do like the pictures For the Vibe, I use the Factory Shop Manual and internet forums...

Quote, originally posted by 2002sportside »Since you went off topic already, I don't like that book... a lot of what he tells you to do has been proven to be bad for the engine. A great deal of what was being done to them in the 60s and 70s is no longer seen as acceptable, a lot has been learned It has some good how-tos, but overall it's too dumbed down for my liking. I prefer the Bentley manual for most repairs... Although I do like the pictures For the Vibe, I use the Factory Shop Manual and internet forums...Having had VW's on and off since the 60's and having been a mechanic and doing virtually all of my own work, using a combination of Muir's book and Bentley actually works out quite well. Yes, some of Muir's methods are iffy and I wouldn't do it but some are down right clever and can get you out of a tough spot. The Genius is that he did inspire a complete how to idiot industry!GM factory manuals are top notch, spendy but good. I most always get the factory book for whatever I own. My 07 Vibe is too new to need it just yet but as the miles rack up that day draws nigh!My Sunfire manual is 3 volumes and tells you EVERYTHING, some of it to the point that until it breaks, it is just so much gobbly gook of words, two good examples would be for the passive restraint and anti lock brake diagnosis and repairs!Be thankful Chiltons or Haynes haven't seen fit to print a book for the Vibe yet, they are almost never worth the money you fork out for them!Go ahead, spend the money and get the real book, you won't regret it.http://www.helminc.com/helm/Re...H7HB1Dave

The Volkswagen Idiot book was the first repair book I bought after getting my first VW. It was simple and helpful.So far, I've had mechanics do all the work on my Vibe. All I've done is install a much louder horn and a few bolt on accessories.Too bad cars are so complicated these day.

stumbled across this on kijiji -- for the 03'shttp://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-cars...80523