GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hi guys,
My Automatic vibe 2008, 120 000km, is going crazy. They changed the computer 1 month ago and I noticed recently that my car consume a lot: 10.5L-100km (highway only). It should be 7.1L or cose to that.

My air filter is clean, car sound to run well.

I have some concern about RPM. when cold, the car run on park at 2000 rpm, when hot 1200 rpm. This seems to be a bit too high. Also on highway, the rpm show 2800 when going at 110km-h (68mile-hour). This seems a lot compared to other car I can compare with.

I'm doing 460 km with a fill, should do 585km. there is a problem somewhere. I use all the time the Cruise and do not overaccelerate.
*the tank does not leak overnight!

what do you think going wrong?

I assume you are in Quebec like me. Our winter has been extremely cold. Warming up the car uses more fuel. Also snow tires use more gas than summer ones do. Winter gas gives poorer gas mileage also.

The oxygen sensors might be getting a little tired with 120K but shouldn't be bad. Is your check engine light on?

2800 rpm at that speed is about right.

BTW Why did they change the computer?

Yes I'm in Quebec too. No check engine, nothing...

they changed the computer because it had trouble with shifting and they spotted many "errors". The problem I had was no downshift (poor acceleration).

I'm very surprise you think my consumption is normal. I'm traveling 80 km 2 times a day and can see the gas indiccator falling. Even on -8 celsius days.

I don't think your consumption is normal. I'm just trying to justify a big drop in mileage in the winter. 2800 rpm at 110 kph is normal for a small 4 cylinder automatic.

Some areas have "winter" fuels. The tend to loss MPGs.

Salsa Guy wrote:Some areas have "winter" fuels. The tend to loss MPGs.

See post #2.

Oxygenated fuel which is what winter fuel is called burns faster than summer blends, You're right to be concerned on the idle, 2000 and 1200 are too high. it should be idling under 1000 say 600 or 800 RPM. There may be an issue with the new computer installed.

ok thanks a lot. I'll take the car to the garage. Probably something will be tuned.

I just wanted to finish with this topic. With more testing, the consumption still be lower these day. I'm now at 9.1L/100 km. Thats way better but still higher than expected. The garage inspected with the computed ans everything sound good. They added it's normal to have 20% more consumption in cold days.

Are you sure your trans is going into overdrive ?
What is your rpm at 100 km/h ?
My Lincoln uses 10.9 liters per 100 kms with a 4.6 l engine and my wife's Vibe does way better than that .