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I keep the tire pressure closer to the max PSI on the sidewall (35) than the 32 as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Usually 34.
All in all, a real good car, so far.
I am looking at an 09 to replace, but I see the sticker MPG ratings are much lower than they were on the 07. I know the EPA adjusted the way they do MPG ratings. Did the engine/drivetrain change in the 09's where I should expect lower milage? If so I'll look for a used one.
Which one do you recommend?
I thought Vibe or Matrix were the same vehicle?
How do you like the power and performance of the 1.8 L. ?
I will also go for the automatic transmission.
If a tank includes 120 miles or so of 70mph Hwy I get 29 MPG
If a tank is all my commute/light city driving I get 27 MPG
If I put my foot in it and have fun now and again I get 25 MPG
I haven't had a full HWY tank yet, but I imagine it would be at least 31 MPG
I haven't had a full city tank yet, so 25 MPG is the worst I've had so far.
I drove the '09 1.8L and think it is a perfectly adequate motor for most situations. The only 1.8L left in my area was a stripped down base, so I got the 2.4L with the package I wanted. I like the extra grunt, and sometimes carry my family of 5, so the extra power is useful. If I'm careful, I can usually squeeze 28-29 out of a tank with my normal driving and that beats the 19 MPG I was getting in my old SUV.
Since you drove and experienced both the 1.8 L and the 2.4 L engines, is there a very big difference between both engines?
I don't know which one to take.
Yes, I like to have some power (my smallest engine was a 3.4 L.) in a Chevrolet Equinox but I'd like to save money on gas to.
I don't pull nothing, no trailers, no campers ect... I do mostly city driving (personal errands) and I work at home, our kids are all moved out.
My wife and I take 1 vacation trip per year and have to cross the Rockies (back and forth).
Is the 1.8 L powerful enough?
Q: Why is there a 5 mpg difference in both city and hwy from 07 to 08 with no
noted changes to drivetrain or body? Is anyone experiencing this variance?
Wanting to buy and have been shopping a fair amount. Anxious to hear of any experiences.
Edmunds.com - 2008 EPA Mileage Numbers
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
So I have two O2 sensors and two Catl convertor's ... I wonder if they are "cleanable"? Anyway, thanks for the tips.
My name is David, I reside in Ohio. Just found this Forum today, 1/8/'11
I own a '03 Vibe, 1.8L Auto. I believe I can help you with your Vibes' poor MPG. Please understand that I am not trying to advertise, but in order to help, I must name the needed products.
I purchased my Vibe used in '06 w/30,000 miles, no warranty. It has been (& still is) the best used vehicle I've ever had. It gets 42MPG on Hwy., 30-32 in Cty. & Country. But to achive this, the 3rd day after I bought it, I did a complete Engine Flush, Oil & Oil Filter change & a new Air Filter. The following week, had Tranny flushed & AMSOIL ATF installed. I also run Fuel Additive regularly.
Products used:
AMSOIL Engine & Transmission Flush
Supertech Oil Filter (For Engine Flushing ONLY)
AMSOIL Ea Oil Filter
AMSOIL 0W-30 (SSO) Motor Oil
Wix Air Filter
AMSOIL Multi-Vehicle ATF
AMSOIL PI (Performance Improver) Gasoline Fuel Additive
If you will do a complete Engine Flush (using a Supertech Oil Filter from Walmart for the 15 minute flushing process) & then install all of the above AMSOIL products, Wix Air Filter (AMSOIL does not make AF for Vibe) & run the PI, your MPG should come up to near mine. But to go all the way, you'll also need to have a Transmission shop do a complete Tranny Flush & install the AMSOIL ATF as well.
Also, the PI fuel additive will also clean-up your 2 sensors as well as the Cat. Converter.
I hope you see this & that you will let me know the results.
David/LubeExpert
Anyway, how much would all of the above cost (rough approximation). I only put about 5K miles a year, since it is our second car, so there might be a trade off. On the other hand, just wasting less gas would make me feel a bit greener, lol.
Cheers!
For all of the products (AMSOIL, Wix & cheap supertech filter for flushing), the Total @ Suggested Retail Price = $191.60
Total @ Dealer/PC Price = $146.70 As you can see, it really pays to become a Preferred Customer (PC) (hopefully through me). The $20.00 it costs for a PC account for a full year would be returned 2-1/2 times in a case such as yours.
As for the cost of having the Transmission flushed, I can't really say. It depends on the average prices in your area, who you go to, etc. Mine cost $170.00 & I supplied the AMSOIL ATF! BTY; A new Tranny Filter is also required. Since AMSOIL does not carry that filter, it had to be special ordered by the garage. Bottom line is, to do it all, you're looking at $300.00 - $400.00 Yea, expensive, but I am reading & hearing that by the end of this year, gas will be $5.00/Gallon!! Probably well worth the investment to get your little Vibe in Tip-Top condition!
litres petrol (approx 52mpg) on the highway without air conditioning. Is this mileage achievable
in real world numbers? Just some worries though: the airbag signal on the dashboard is always
on and the abs does not come on on the dashboard. Help please!