GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Does anyone know the reason why the 09/10 Vibe owners manuals say we need to change the oil every 8,000K or 3 months? I asked my local dealer and they told me that I only needed to change it when the light comes on. That answer made me feel better about getting my service done elsewhere. (On a side note, they also said that I was due for a power steering flush.)Toyota Matrix owners only need to change the oil every 8,000K or 6 months.See: http://www.chtoyota.com/downlo...E.pdfh ... o...E.pdfI guess you could argue that GM power train warranty is longer but feel that Toyota knows whats best for these motors...

My owners manual says every 8000kms. And I do it myself.An interesting footnote: I can find no mention of spark plugs in the Scheduled maintenance...

Quote, originally posted by peacock »Does anyone know the reason why the 09/10 Vibe owners manuals say we need to change the oil every 8,000K or 3 months? I asked my local dealer and they told me that I only needed to change it when the light comes on. That answer made me feel better about getting my service done elsewhere. (On a side note, they also said that I was due for a power steering flush.)Toyota Matrix owners only need to change the oil every 8,000K or 6 months.See: http://www.chtoyota.com/downlo...E.pdfh ... o...E.pdfI guess you could argue that GM power train warranty is longer but feel that Toyota knows whats best for these motors...Where does it say in the manual "when the light comes on" ?I never go by time, because my car stay's parked more then it gets driven. In three months, I only drove 600 miles. At this rate, I will pay more for oil changes then for gas. I only change oil at min. once a year. However, I am into my second year with my first Mobil I oil chance.

At least both manuals agree on the mileage (8k km or 5k miles), but the 3 vs. 6 month thing has never made sense. I doubt the GM 160k km power train warranty has anything to do with it - more likely an oversight of sorts. I'm always at almost precisely 8k km at the 3 month mark, so it works out perfectly for me anyway.While most other GM products have an oil life monitor, the Vibe does NOT have a light to let you know when it's "time". It doesn't appear that Toyota is keen on this approach, as even newer models still haven't adopted this technology yet. Maybe too hard to prove proper maintenance for warranty purposes relying on customers to tell the truth.As for the spark plugs, I believe it says to change them at 192,000km.Also related to maintenance - I noticed that new Toyota models have longer intervals specified for some engines IF their 0W20 synthetic oil is used. The 2009+ 1.8 is one that qualifies for double the "old" interval, although the 2.4 does not. I'd be curious to know the difference for this - but I'm not going to worry too much. 8k is a bit short to me by modern standards, but it's still not too bad. At least it's a very easy job with mine - simple spin on filter right at the front, and it faces the "right" way so there's no mess. I won't even comment on the silly design our 2007 Mazda 5 has for access to the oil filter. Lets just say it irritates the he** out of me.JohnP.S. - I'd love to see the fluid the dealer pulls out when doing the steering flush! They probably keep it next to their supply of muffler bearings and flasher fluid.

Quote, originally posted by ParknVibe »Where does it say in the manual "when the light comes on" ?If you wait for the "light" to come on, you will be waiting until the motor blows! Some dealers are real idiots about their products.

Quote, originally posted by trb »If you wait for the "light" to come on, you will be waiting until the motor blows! Some dealers are real idiots about their products. Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't think it was the oil pressure light that the dealer was referring to and go in for a change.

Quote, originally posted by ParknVibe »Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't think it was the oil pressure light that the dealer was referring to and go in for a change.I'm sure the dealer meant the oil change indicator on the instrument panel like almost evey other GM car has now, and not the oil pressure light. My point was that if the dealer had any clue about the products that GM sold, he would know there is no oil change monitor on our cars. And if the OP followed those instructions, the motor could blow since the oil light would never come on until it was probably too late. If my dealer ever tried to sell me something stupid like a power steering flush on a 3 yr old car, I would seriously ask them if they were that stupid or do they try to rip off every customer they have?

Quote, originally posted by trb »If my dealer ever tried to sell me something stupid like a power steering flush on a 3 yr old car, I would seriously ask them if they were that stupid or do they try to rip off every customer they have?The last dealership I went to wanted to do that and flush my manual transmission, 2200 miles after I changed the trans oil.I went in for the ECM recall and they hated to see me leave without giving up some $$.

I would find a different dealer if any of this was my case.I was going to get my automatic transmission fluid changed at 60,000 but they said it'd be fine to just wait until 100,000.

Quote, originally posted by 09vGT »I would find a different dealer if any of this was my case.I was going to get my automatic transmission fluid changed at 60,000 but they said it'd be fine to just wait until 100,000. I will be sure to change my will to note that to my heirs.

My car's never gone more than 3 months without an oil change -I'm following the manual and mechanic's recommendations. People tell me that's excessive, but I've never seen a check engine light, or had a powertrain issue, and am aspiring to get another 10 years out of my car. (fingers crossed)