GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

When my car is heated, and i'm runnin the hot air, when i slow down, downshift or come to a stop, my heat cools down and almost goes cold. When i speed back up, it heats back up. Just me? Should i take it to a dealer. Anyone got any ideas lol

No problems here. The heat is awesome in this car!Might be your heater core...have it checked out...

Just you. My heat will run me out of the car if I leave it on too long...

Sounds like your coolant might be low - check the level.If it is, the engine needs to be running at higher revs to keep the coolant flowing. Simply top it up and the problem should go away.If it's not coolant level, then yes - you want to take it to the dealer.It could be a few other more serious things that need to be checked.

Make sure you check out the Thermostat.-Savoy-

my heat is awesome. A/C is another story. I usually leave ac off anyway cause it drags so much hp from my engine (yes it is very noticable)

I'd haven't had that problem, and sure hope it's not normal. I agree - take it to the dealer, that's what warranties are for.if you get it fixed, please let us know what the problem was and how they fixed it.

Ant other info on this problem. Mine started to do the same thing a few days ago, I also noticed that the temp guage started to climb this morning after about a ten minute drive where the guage was normal, when I stopped the car at an interstection, the guage started to climb. By the time I had the car in a parking lot (where I was going, about two minutes after I noticed the problem) the guage was approx 3/4 of the way to the top level.Any thoughts. Going to the dealership tomorrow

Definitely sounds like you've run out of coolant, trocar. Check the coolant resevior in the front of the engine.

Quote, originally posted by Savoy »Make sure you check out the Thermostat.-Savoy-That sounds like the most likely culprit.

I very much doubt it is the thermostat. They either work properly, stick open, or stick shut. If it takes longer than usual to warm up, then it is stuck open. If it overheats, then it may be stuck closed. I think it sounds like either your coolant is low or if it is not, then there may be a partial blockage somewhere in a coolant line or in the heater core. Thermostats really don't cause a condition like this. If you do find the coolant to be low, don't use the typical green coolant to top it off. There was a huge debate in here a while back over which coolant is the right one to use and I think the consensus was to go to a Toyota dealer and get the coolant that is used in the Matrix. I don't think our coolant mixes with GM's Dexcool coolant, either.

So what coolant are we supposed to use? And I don't want to see something like: "GM part number XYZ747593DLJE947". That tells me nothing.And are you sure about this? The engines in the Vibe and Matrix are 100% identical except for some of the electronics, which have nothing to do with what type of coolant is in the engine. I checked out my coolant the other day and it was an orange color. Is the Matrix coolant pink?

no the matrix coolant is red in color, the NEW super long life coolant is pink. in a glass its clear pink color. (see right thru it). the toyota red coolant is about 10-15 bucks. i couldn't tell you our parts guy keeps telling me different prices.

hi...Yeah, I've noticed this too. Seems less heat comes through the heater when the vehicle isn't moving. It was similar in my Ford Truck. I always assumed it was an efficiency thing. Similar with the AC in that it just doesn't pump out the cool while idling. I have noticed that newer vehicles don't even initially warm-up well just idling. The temp gauge doesn't seem to go as high while just idling, well, for the most part... It's not like I let it sit for hours anyway. Others mentioned that they didn't notice this so I don't know.... maybe they aren't as sensitive to it happening (or not) or somehow what's happening to us isn't happening to anyone else. It's not a drastic issue, I would even consider it a safety thing so that the car won't get too hot while just sitting. I dunno.Dave

Quote, originally posted by Stang2Vibe »I very much doubt it is the thermostat. They either work properly, stick open, or stick shut. If it takes longer than usual to warm up, then it is stuck open. My reasoning was that I had the same problem with my old Mazda MX6 And that is what was causing it. It may not have been as extreme but it did the exact same thing.

Sounds like your coolant is low. If your resevoir is full, open the radiator and see if the coolant is up to the top. Sometimes an air bubble will cause the coolant to not flow back into the radiator as the engine cools.

I have the same issue and live in Michigan as well. I'll be checking my coolant and check for the air bubble like ebslopp suggested!Thanks guys! If it doesn't work, I'll post more details![MisterHighway]

I'm waiting for a "this is what the problem was" post, because mine is doing the same thing. Just started today, while I'm driving the heat is just fine. When I come to a stop, the temperature of the air steadily drops. The water temp stays within a few degrees of 186 (scan gauge), where it always is so that really eliminates the thermostat. The reservoir and radiator are both topped off. I am overdue for a coolant flush, hopefully that will kick out any blockage. I'm hoping it's hot a heater core problem.

Bringing back the dead threads you are not liable to see an answer from the OP's of this thread. It hasn't been posted to in years.If you would like my "opinion" on the subject:1) An air bubble in the system that refuses to purge. Sometimes squeezing the radiator hoses several times AFTER the thermostat has opened up and at idle will release any trapped air. My wife owned a Saturn SL1 that did this on occasion.2) If the above doesn't work for you, a blockage at/in the heater core. A good professional back-flush should fix the problem.