2010 Vibe - 1.8L auto / recommended DIY stuff?

[Jack99]

Hi. My 1st post.

My wife & I recently bought 2010 Vibe with 1.8L auto transmission. If wondering, it only has 32,000 kms (20,000 miles). Will be driving it home this Tuesday. If wondering, it's our new local "drive about" vehicle and majority of time, it will be used for max 2 adults. Most of the time, it will be used for 1 adult and groceries. Or, 1 adult and 1 light weight kid. Thus, no need for larger size 2.4L engine. It currently has a front hood bug deflector (which appears to be factory) and no other visible mods. From now until this Tuesday, they are also confirming that all 4 x Recalls were completed as well.

For this year of vehicle and its most often "around town" usage, what other DIY mods/upgrades do you recommend? re: Driver / passenger window rain guards, clear silicone in leaky problem areas, yearly rust spray, low beam headlight upgrade, etc. etc? For this fall, I'm thinking new steel rims and deep knob winter ice/snow tires. If wondering, window ice/snow tires are mandatory in my north region.

Just wondering if there's other minimum DIY tweaking or minimum mods as well.

thanks.

[beemerphile1]

Welcome;

Order a set of the GM factory mud flaps. They fit great and blend into the body but keep crud off of the car.

Get a set of winter floor mats. There are several brands and they have all been discussed on here previously.

The factory headlights on the second generation are great and don't need anything in my opinion.

[Jack99]

.

Thanks for your tips about factory floor mats, factory muds flaps and factory low beam lighting. While picking the vehicle up, we bought factory mud flaps and their generic winter mats (and hooked the driver's mat into place). Since I bought at dealer, they also gave me a nice discount on each as well. Cost less compared to buying "average price" on E-Bay. And, I didn't have to pay shipping charges. So far, my wife likes her new Vibe (that has a mini-SUV shape). And for a little 1.8L engine, I was surprised that it had some muscle off the line as well.

Now... I gotta find another excuse to drive my wife's new (new to her) 2010 Vibe again. LOL!!!

Again... thanks for your DIY upgrades / factory tweaking suggestions...

.

[Jack99]

.

A few days ago, I completed the extra rear lighting install on my wife's Vibe.

If wondering, its a little ID bar installed under its rear bumper and it automatically turns ON when its running / clearance lights are turned on.

For pictures, surf:
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w251 ... erside.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w251 ... loseUp.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If wondering, I've been rear ended 3 times during 33 years of driving. The extra rear lights helps "to be seen" (at night / dark lighting times) and reduces the risk of getting rear ended again. Nice and easy DIY mod that anyone can apply - to any model of vehicle.

[biodieselrabbit]

Nice. I like it. Would consider for my own Vibe but it would get in the way of the rear hitch. Looks like you are a Pontiac family from the photos.

[Jack99]

Nice. I like it. Would consider for my own Vibe but it would get in the way of the rear hitch. Looks like you are a Pontiac family from the photos.

For our GM van, I installed extra lights under its rear bumper as well. Being our Tow Vehicle, I installed both running lights and combo brake/signal lights and still have a centre receiver hitch. re: http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w251 ... ghts-1.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; If wondering, centre extra lights are running (aka: clearance) lights. Outer lights are combo brake/signal lights. I went through a RIDE program at night time, and the cop really liked my vehicle's extra rear lighting. Perhaps 4 x lights under your Vibe's rear bumper might work great as well...

Yes. I've been a GM person most of my life. Had a Ford vehicle and it fell apart within 1.5 years. Recently, I've been using my wife's GM Vibe (which is a Toyota on the inside) and been using my son's 2008 Elantra as well. So far, these imports are impressing me. They get great mpgs, have more features (for the dollar) and have very low breakage items as well. And best of all, no oil drips on our driveway. LOL!!! Will continue to shop Imports in the future.

Regarding my wife's Vibe with 1.8L engine, I really love it (when she allows me to drive it - LOL!). Great MPGs, easy (and fun) to drive, lots of glass to see out it, smooth suspension, etc. etc. And, it takes a lot to impress me.... And surprisingly, the 1.8L engine isn't too weak - for my "put put" driving style.