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The heated seats in the Malibu require you to activate switch each ignition cycle that you want to use it. It is more energy efficient but requires you to remember to turn it on
By the way the remote starter is not capable of turning on the heated seats but it does turn on rear defogger (if cold enough out). Also because you have the LT your Auto HVAC system will automatically go to a setting to optimize heating or cooling interior of your vehicle.
Finally, with the LT the outside rear view mirrors in your vehicle are also of the heated variety and are activated whenever the rear defogger is on. Those also turn on with remote starter if cold enough out
Result is that all noises are gone. Many years ago before silicon lubricant in a can was available, we used to squirt brake fluid onto all rubber bushes to quiten them. If you use brake fluid however, just make sure you don't get it on your cars paint. Don't use anything else but silicon lubricant or brake fluid or you will damage the rubber.
Another thing one can use to zap metal-metal and in some cases plastic creaks is CorrosionX from www.corrosionx.com. It has a mineral oil base and will slightly soften butyl rubber, but supposedly is safe on other stuff. It's primarly used by the USA Navy and Army to preserve metal (it will displace water and other stuff by its ionic creep). Works great on seat hinges, tracks, and other stuff.
New calibration with diagnostic enhancements for DTC P0340. Also improvements for starting, idle quality, and shift stabilization affecting 3-4 upshift.
By the way the remote start is working as designed. Whenever the engine control system has a current fault that will turn on the Check Engine Light, your Remote Vehicle Start system will not be allowed to start the engine.
Yesterday, took it to place advertising free alignment check: Tire Kingdom. A year ago took the Expy to same place and dealt a real tech who properly advised me to replace the Continental tires (it solved that problem 100%).
Yesterday, the manager and 2 tire swappers hovered over the machine and setup and finally got a reading that said the Maxx is out of alignment, causing it to drift to the left. The machine's software reported that the caster is not adjustable on '04 Malibu, per GM. The team said they could adjust the toe only (The Hunter brand machine displayed indication of left front wheel toed out, and also needing a caster adjustment). I told them to proceed if they were sure this would help.
After short test drive, I reported that whatever they did, was not a fix. They didn't charge me anything, plus I gathered from their huttles that the alignment tech was off yesterday.
Now here's the scary part. When I hit I-59, the tires began to sing and the front suspension felt a little different (as in loose). Suffice to say that I'm not going to mention to my dealer that anyone has touched the vehicle.
I am going to be firm with my dealer to do another check.
At least one Maxx owner on this site has reported that an alignment solved his left pull problem, and that he paid for it. I'd like to know:
Was that successful alignment done by the dealer?
Is it true that there is no caster adjustment on the Maxx?
Is it likely that another dealer would do an alignment check?
Thanks.
Go to the dealer before you wear out your tires!
Haven't posted in a while because I finally surrendered my Maxx to my wife and took back my '02 Liberty. For the record, the Maxx was purchased in January '04 and has a December'03 build date on the door label. I drove the Maxx again a couple of weeks ago to take my wife to a doctor's appointment and on the way back I got the chime and warning light for a power steering failure. Having read earlier posts, I did what everyone else has done, turned the car off and restarted it. That lasted for about a mile when it failed again. Another restart got me the rest of the way home without a problem. I left the Maxx parked in front of my home, and left NY on 1/21 for 9 days in Cancun (not bad... left the day before the blizzard!) I got home, and on 1/31 drove my wife to yet another doctor about 25 miles from home. On the way back, on a parkway, the steering failed again. Needless to say, I took the car into the dealer this morning. To my amazement and pleasure, without an appointment, the dealer took the Maxx in, replaced the steering column and had it back to me a few hours later in perfect condition. No stress, no problems! This has restored my faith in my Maxx and in my dealer, Dobler Chevy in Hempstead, NY!
It was listed as an "urgent upgrade notice" telling the dealership they're required to add the super lubricant to the door handles by march 31st on instock units. It said that GM started applying the lubricant at the factory on 1/07, so any car received by a dealer 1/28 or later will not be affected.
Plan to drop off Maxx at the dealer ASAP for a 2nd try. Two "We Owe" items they "fixed" were below expectations: "Malibu" bezel replaced in center dash is not lined up well, and removal of rust from passenger rear seat-back hinge was 50%. Svc department was closed when I picked it up last time, plus it was dark, so I was not able to let them know my level of (dis)satisfaction. This dealership is transitioning to new ownership so present level of quality workmanship may not be getting any one's attention at present.
I don't have any more info on it than that but at least you can reference it for your dealer in case they have problems finding it.
Yes the malibus have problems but so do its competitors. Biggest problem is our "independent business" dealer setup that guarantees wildly varying dealer quality and experiences.
Tonight while driving home with the sun in my eyes, I noted the DIC and odometer were dim. Turned out the headlights were on! The wiperblades were casting a shadow that was covering the headlight autosensor, and even though it was daylight and the rest of the dash was well lit by sun, the headlights were fooled into turning on! Switching the headlight auto feature off restored DIC brightness and turned the lights off.
Is there a way to adjust sensitivity of this feature so it does not trigger so easilly?
Other stuff:
On my maxx, the brake caliper mounting bolts had to be retorqued as they were loose - this got rid of some suspension clunks. I remember reading this has affected a number of GM cars.
I did work for GM in the 1980's as an automotive electrical engineer, but left in 1989 to pursue computer animation.
There is no way to adjust the sensitivity of the light sensor, sorry. I have also experienced sun low on horizon causing system to be in "Dark" mode a little sooner than I would like but at least you have the "OFF" position if you want to use it (although it also shuts off your Automatically turned on Headlamps and Taillamps).
Calibration on this sensor is a trade-off with overcast sky conditions. With an overcast sky the sensor will read more light than the driver is seeing on the ground and so might put you into a situation where headlamps are coming on later than you might like.
kurt, thanks for the reply. Any idea on how GM botched the steering on a car that should be a success? I'm completely puzzled.
Keep in mind __other__ manufacturers have similar recall problems. My '83 camry was recalled at least 4 times.
Thnx, E2, for the sensor update. And yes, the workaround I use is to turn off auto headlights.
I know this is too late for you now, but I would never by a <2003 malibu no matter how many miles it had on it unless it came with one heck of an extended warry.
Read:
http://www.imcool.com/articles/aircondition/AC_ControllersAreRepa- irable.pdf
Their offer was pretty weak to have me keep the car, so I'll probably be doing the buyback that they finally agreed to. Maybe I'll hold out for an 06, since we're already over halfway into the 05 model year.
My dealer is great but this car is really bad.
I have an 05 and the suspension is creaking. I thought I was hearing things. Can you give me more info and advise what I should tell my dealer about this problem. Thanks