GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

We're experiencing some extreme weather here this week... down to -45c over night and I am getting a couple of problems.1. The whole car is so very stiff, the steering is almost impossible and the suspension are very stiff too.2. when I start the car off, I think the fan ( don't know where though ) makes some really funky noise for about 10 secs and settles down.Anyone experiencing this too ? thanksI really hope this stops soon, it's getting out of hand!

Hmm, you must be somewhere close to me. This morning it was -44C with windchill - the car started, but something made a strange noise.I won't even open my back hatch - last time I did,I had to slam it literally as hard as I could to get it to stay shut, and the other doors don't really want to close without being slammed either. It's just too cold!!!

Same symptons...my doors are frozen tooI am from SK BTW.

Those matrix folks have a thread on some of the weird stuff at temps that cold.

Yeah, my fan makes a pretty funny noise too when I started in -35, and like you said, after a few seconds, it goes back to normal.I also put my seat down to move my snowboard before it turned cold, and I left it down. Now that it's down, I can't put the seat back up, as it doesn't latch properly.Short of plugging in a blow dryer (which BTW sounds like a good use of the plugin! ), or waiting till it warms up, does anyone have any ideas on how to get that darn seat up?

I don't know what hair dryers are like nowadays, but I remember trying to use one to help warm up the inside of my car a few years ago when it was -28C outside and it did nothing but blow cold air. At the time I plugged into the same outlet as the block heater with an extention cord.Besides, I think a hair dryer draws more current than the Vibe's AC outlet would provide.As for stiff latches and such, I wonder if there are some cold weather lubricants that cold be used to help keep them from sticking?

Quote, originally posted by StampedeVibe »Now that it's down, I can't put the seat back up, as it doesn't latch properly.Well, you could just wait until the weekend when it warms up, or just ram it really hard, like I did with the back hatch

Quote, originally posted by StampedeVibe »Yeah, my fan makes a pretty funny noise too when I started in -35, and like you said, after a few seconds, it goes back to normal.I also put my seat down to move my snowboard before it turned cold, and I left it down. Now that it's down, I can't put the seat back up, as it doesn't latch properly.Short of plugging in a blow dryer (which BTW sounds like a good use of the plugin! ), or waiting till it warms up, does anyone have any ideas on how to get that darn seat up?I folded down the passenger seat today, hope it is still ok, I wanted to let the warm air go to the back a little more...Hair dryer sounds like an excellent idea but just make sure the warm air don't get to the windows as it might crack.. if the air is too hot.BTW, my Vibe is VERY VERY stiff to drive in the morning... even though I let it warm up for 5 mins before I drive off.The steering wheel is almost impossible to turn... any ideas ?thanks guys.

Yes, yes! Mine has been this way as well. We've been deep in the negatives off and on for a while now, but last night was -25C (-14F) with windchills considerably lower and my Vibe felt noticeably stiff. The steering was tight, the clutch barely moved, rattles and squeeks everywhere. However, I don't really imagine the rental Cavy I'm driving right now will fare much better. The only major complaint I have about the Vibe in the extreme cold is that my heater is not warming up... almost not at all. Anyone know if a thermostat change might help this? Is there a variance in thermostat temperature between climates with the Vibes?

Quote, originally posted by huy397 »BTW, my Vibe is VERY VERY stiff to drive in the morning... even though I let it warm up for 5 mins before I drive off.The steering wheel is almost impossible to turn... any ideas ?Let it warm up longer. Or you could move to California. When it's this cold out, don't know if there is much you can do. I would think all vehicles would have similar problems. Life on the prairies in the winter - where everyday activities become extreme sports!

Quote, originally posted by millster »Is there a variance in thermostat temperature between climates with the Vibes?I wouldn't know about that - but what I can tell you is that mine heats up fairly quickly, even when it's -30C

Quote, originally posted by millster »Yes, yes! Mine has been this way as well. We've been deep in the negatives off and on for a while now, but last night was -25C (-14F) with windchills considerably lower and my Vibe felt noticeably stiff. The steering was tight, the clutch barely moved, rattles and squeeks everywhere. However, I don't really imagine the rental Cavy I'm driving right now will fare much better. The only major complaint I have about the Vibe in the extreme cold is that my heater is not warming up... almost not at all. Anyone know if a thermostat change might help this? Is there a variance in thermostat temperature between climates with the Vibes?Now that you mention it...Did you have the Air Conditions cable adjusted ? I did get it adjusted but I didn't notice the AC to be any colder... I don't know if that cable adjustment has anything to do with this though...Quote, originally posted by VibeChick »Let it warm up longer. Or you could move to California. When it's this cold out, don't know if there is much you can do. I would think all vehicles would have similar problems. Life on the prairies in the winter - where everyday activities become extreme sports!LOL... I guess I will have to do that.I need a heated garage... my brand-new 2003 Frosty is living outside while my old crappy 94 Dodge Spirit had a garage...BTW, Key Lake, SK was the coldest place on earth today, -52c before wind-chillProud to be SK'er ! LOL

Quote, originally posted by huy397 »BTW, Key Lake, SK was the coldest place on earth today, -52c before wind-chillWell, that makes me feel a little less sorry for myself!

For the steering being stiff, its probably the powersteering fluid being a little thick. Try maybe flushing that stuff out and fill it with climatic(can't spell it) fluid that can withstand like -50 or more before turning thick. Dealers can flush and install that for you.For the whine noise, my Vibe makes that to when its about -30 and I have not gotten worried about it. Least it starts heh, my brother's 2004 Silveraudo didn't

Quote, originally posted by huy397 »Now that you mention it...Did you have the Air Conditions cable adjusted ? I did get it adjusted but I didn't notice the AC to be any colder... I don't know if that cable adjustment has anything to do with this though...Yes, I did adjust it. It did make the AC a little colder. I would think that could be the case, but I mean that the engine itself doesn't heat up. The temperature gauge barely even moves off of cold even after driving the 13 miles home.

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »For the steering being stiff, its probably the powersteering fluid being a little thick. Try maybe flushing that stuff out and fill it with climatic(can't spell it) fluid that can withstand like -50 or more before turning thick. Dealers can flush and install that for you.Would it be warranty work though ?thanks

Well it might be different at your dealership but I did that very service this past morning on a 2003 Chev Venture van with a complaint that on cold mornings the steering would be stiff for about 10 mins of driving or so under warranty. Our low here in ontario has been -30 and currently -10. Ah so warm out there... heh I would give it a try at your dealership.

Quote, originally posted by millster »Yes, I did adjust it. It did make the AC a little colder. I would think that could be the case, but I mean that the engine itself doesn't heat up. The temperature gauge barely even moves off of cold even after driving the 13 miles home. Yeah, I find my Vibe is to relatively slow too.I am thinking of blocking my grills and see if it helps...

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »Well it might be different at your dealership but I did that very service this past morning on a 2003 Chev Venture van with a complaint that on cold mornings the steering would be stiff for about 10 mins of driving or so under warranty. Our low here in ontario has been -30 and currently -10. Ah so warm out there... heh I would give it a try at your dealership.I was just at the dealer today and I told them about the stiffness but they merely said it's normal for this kind of temperature.Guess I will have to start the car even earlier tomorrow...

Quote, originally posted by huy397 »Yeah, I find my Vibe is to relatively slow too.I am thinking of blocking my grills and see if it helps...Might help. I'm going to look into the thermostat as well. I might ask about it when I go pick the car up tomorrow.

Quote, originally posted by huy397 »BTW, Key Lake, SK was the coldest place on earth today, -52c before wind-chillMan, extreme isn't the word! That's just plain brutal.. the poor Vibe. I bet they really don't take this extreme cold/hot temps into huge account with vehicles for extended periods. My Vibe doesn't like 1/2 that cold you get, I can't imagine your temps.To hope to make you feel better, my '01 Cavalier also does some strange things (granted, it's a Cavalier) due to the unusually cold weather we've had down here.Keep summer in mind!

Well the only thing that I have to say about my Vibe (and I don't know if you agree or not), but the damn thing sounds like a Diesel tractor in cold weather.....I mean I bought the car in September 2002 and it sounds like it is 10 year old VW Jetta. However, once the car is warmed up it runs great.

I went winter camping back in junior college in 1981. We left for the woods of Mégantic, Qc at -5C but after a few days, it went down to -50C (about -70F). That's *before* windchill We had an 'army' tent with a tin stove (btw, chopping wood will keep you warmer than a tin stove... lol). We made it fine (actually, we complained it was too warm when the temp climbed back to freezing point). We had to go to town for some supplies the day after the deep freezer. We were happy x-country skiing at 20 below. It's the car drivers that were having trouble btw, mother nature does not go on hold, not even at 70 below... but that's another story sylvain

when the temp drops below zero either in c* or f*, machines act strange...i dont know if you can change the thermostat to a higher # eg 205* w/o affecting the computers.....i know on the chevy 6.6 diesels here to get them to put out heat, people disconnect the cooling fans for the radiator then block of the surface of the radiator w/material of their choice......at -45*f w/slight wind my car never got past the 1/4 on the temp guage and really only put out heat when the engine was working.....have you guys experienced the square tire syndrome yet? you know it bone a** cold when your tires turn semi-square !! you also might experience temporary non functional abs systems since the computers dont like the cold either and go into limp mode ( it takes longer for the wheel to unlock and lock, so you slide more than usual )....basically we just let our vehicles idle alot and if you own diesels, ya never shut them off!!!! in the railroad yards here, when its cold all the engines run 24/7 and do all other diesel fired equipment including fork lifts, vehicles, semis e.g. Remeber to try to park your vehicle so you dont have to turn your steering wheel much when you leave....this saves the boots ! also if possible let your a/t tranny cars idle in neutral, this helps the tranny fluid warm up faster and reduces the jolt to the system as when that cold fluid hits the pumps and seals.....most important always carry cold weather gear in case you have to walk a mile !!!! currently -36* but has wind so actual is -50* F ( myweatherbug stats ) i feel your pain my frozen brethern vibbers !!!! SPRING IS COMING !!!!!!

jeeze, and i am pissed because temps here are in the teens in F!how warm does it get in summertime of SK?

Summer time in SK, average temp is about 25C (77F). It can get up into the high 30's or low 40's (99F to 108F).I've had square tires all week. I hate it. The only time my temp gauge moves off -30C (the bottom point) is when I put it in my insulated (but not heated) garage, where it is a balmy -12C.BTW, my downshifting problem is back. I guess my car does not like it at -35 with a 30 km/h wind. The dealership is supposed to phone me back this afternoon.

I think we got record summer this past year ( for temp nearing 40 ) and almost record winter now again.A friend just got back from Mexico where it was +40c and she came back to -45c yesterday... that's 85 degrees difference! Never have I been so happy to see -28 in forecast, which is supposed to be this weekend's temperature.I only get square tires in the morning though, I park my car outside all day but the tires are still round when I go home...BTW, it looks like -35 is the most my Frosty can handle...

Did your car say -45 degress or was that the wind chill factor? I worked one night two weeks ago, got into my car and said -6 degrees. Didn't know if it even read into the negative but it does. Takes forever to get heat to and everything is stiff untill I get going.

Quote, originally posted by jgvibe »Did your car say -45 degress or was that the wind chill factor? I worked one night two weeks ago, got into my car and said -6 degrees. Didn't know if it even read into the negative but it does. Takes forever to get heat to and everything is stiff untill I get going. -45c was without windchill factor... We're back to good weather now, it was -11 today and my Frosty and I were very happy campers. For Canadian spec Vibes, the temperature gauge can only display up top -30. I thought my temp gauge was broken but pmh013 pointed that out to me.

I have experienced all the above. I was going to bring the car in to the dealer to check about the rear hatch, but I just started using the rear window instead of the hatch. On the –25 days the defroster had a hard time keeping the front glass clear. Luckily I park in a heated underground parking lot so the car gets a chance to warm up and drop the big lunkers from the wheel wells.PK