GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Has anyone tried using a small hand pump and piece of tubing to suck the A/T fluid out through the dipstick hole? I'd like to avoid paying the $30+ for a new gasket if I don't have to.

Is this for an All Wheel Drive or FWD Vibe?

Which supplier is getting $30+ for the gasket? This past spring went to NAPA and got the kit for my FWD 2005, gasket and strainer for $17. Shows the 2009 1.8L model a bit higher at $18
Link: http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Catal ... 0345620520" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
or just the base line gasket for about $5
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Catal ... 0271105266" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

FWD.

The $30 is for the ACDelco gasket, which is presumably rubber (and steel?) I don't like replacing A/T gaskets with the cheap cork or plastic ones.

Is there a drain plug on the pan?

Not that I noticed. The pan is pretty small, too.

was under my FWD base 05 the other day changing oil.. It had a drain plug for the trans too.. Might want to doublecheck that before rigging a vacuum with tubing..

Unless someone corrects me, your 2009 1.8L Base has an actual filter (not just a screen as 03-08 does), and at 100K miles, I'd suggest you drop the transmission pan and change the filter. It will let you know how crudded-up your tranny gets in 100K. Also the 2009 "filter" material may be susceptible to deterioration whereas the 03-08 Base screen will not deteriorate. The standard rubber gasket works flawlessly on the tranny pan which is a solid aluminum casting - not a flimsy stamped piece.
Before installing the new filter compare it carefully to the old filter, including counting the relief dimples on the tranny side (back side) of the filter. It must match exactly! Use a torque wrench to tighten the filter bolts and pan bolts to the correct torque!
If this is too technical for you, find a good mechanic.

I guess at 60K I should do a transmission oil and filter change, or is the interval longer? I have had no problems just want to do the right PM
2009 GT

Mick

Mick-F wrote:I guess at 60K I should do a transmission oil and filter change, or is the interval longer? I have had no problems just want to do the right PM
2009 GT

Mick

The manual says to change it every 60,000 miles if driven primarily in heavy traffic with temps over 90, in hills or mountains, when frequently towing or delivery/taxi/police use. I changed the fluid in my 10 GT back at about 65,000 miles since I did not know the history of how it was driven the first 36,000 miles. I just drained the pan and refilled it with about 4 quarts of Toyota WS fluid. Drain & refill capacity is 3.7 quarts per the manual.

I just changed the transmission fluid in my 2003 Vibe recently and there is a drain-plug for it. If you're laying down in front of the car so your head is pointing towards the driver's side and your feet towards the passenger side (US car, European layout would be reversed) the drain plug will be to the right and forward of where the oil drain plug is.

It's a good idea to measure what come out so that you can put the exact amount back in.