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Comments
Has anyone here used their "complete fuel system cleaner" or their synthetic 10w30 motor oil?
When the wipers are in vertical direction, turn ignition key off.
2. Put a sheet of paper towel under both wipers, to protect windshield from accidental scratches.
3. The ends of wiper arms are U-shaped, with the steel "U" wrapping above and around the plastic cental "connector" of the wiper blades.
Look for a small plastic pin, about 1/8 inch wide, protruding down from the connector. Or just find it by hand. Push the pin to unlock the connector, and slide the wiper down from the U-shape end.
4. Slide the connector of the replacement wiper blades into the U-end. It will lock with slight click.
That is all. You may turn ignition and retract the wipers.
The replacement takes about 3 to 5 minutes the first time, about 30 seconds with experience.
This timing assume you are installing either OEM blades, or "Exact Fit" ones. Made by Trico, type 22-1 if I remember it right. Available at Pep Boys. Costs about $7 a blade, $14 for pair.
Some manufacturers, like Bosch, are using more complicated, "universal" connectors. Good for auto shops only - the "one type fit all" reduces inventory. Takes more time to install.
Trico makes winter blades too. I saw them in Pep Boys, but never used.
Even #s of cylinders allow for inherent balance, but odd #s are quite possible...maybe not as simple.
The performance-vs-efficiency at the push of a button sound VERY interesting. I like what all automakers are doing with the engines nowadays. Even the pushrod ones...
Hydroforming is a combination of (I think) the following two technologies: 1. Use of hydraulic equipment to form frame members (similar to exhaust tube benders). 2. Tubular frame members can be formed to interesting contours for strength and durability by pumping hydraulic fluid into the tube and stretching it to the shape of an external die by pressuring it from the inside.
That's my understanding.
Rather than coming up with new engine designs, I'd like to see this country work on improving fuel economy in stop-and-go driving. On the IMPALA LS, I get as low as 12MPG sometimes vs a very nice 32MPG on the highway.
I would also like to see us develop more ethanol fuels made from RENEWABLE and abundant corn supplies.
Furthermore, if we stopped selling most of our Alaskan oil from Prudhoe Bay to other countries, we would be a lot less dependent on foreign oil. We wouldn't even have to look at ANWR for years down the road.
Duraflex: Let me look up the information for the Pontiac Solstice. This car is the by product of Bob Lutz' genius. It was developed in only 4 months at General Motors. It took only 16 weeks for the car to go from a drawing to a fully developed and working vehicle. The car is beautiful and it made waves at the 2002 North American International Autoshow in Detroit this past January. www.Autoweek.com has an excellent article this week on this faboulous car made entirely with existing GM parts bin. It is a small, sports RWD roadster a bit bigger than a Mazda Miata!
Okay, now I remember seeing GM head hauncho Lutz profiled on CBS this past Sunday morning. What a neat guy. Amazing that he's 69 years old, is sharp as can be, looks great and has loads of ideas. I hope he does well. He certainly seems interested in making cars more interesting - the way they used to be. In one scene, Lutz was pictured driving a sporty new convertible onto a turntable at an auto show - not sure if it was a BelAir or a Solstice. We were not paying full attention and just sort of had the TV on in the background during breakfast.
www.autoweek.com
Click on the "Cover Story" link and then pick the Feb 18,2002 edition.
I guess it is a sign of the times with the economy, but what i can't understand is why the dealerships in my area have almost no cars on their lots.
Could it be because they produced 7000 less than last year? I remember reading that somewhere.
Some people like it, others despise it. Bottom line is that since Bob Lutz joined GM in August 2001, he decided that the "batmobile" and "Body cladding" theme on Pontiacs is outdated, has hurt the brand image and products and it must let go.
The Pontiac Solstice and Pontiac Vibe are exhbit "A" of the new clean looking cars coming from Pontiac.
LOL!
RR
In the Intrigue forum there is much GM enthusiast conversation going on, not just posts that are Intrigue-concentric. I think we can all benefit to learn a bit more from GM in the automotive world with a sprinkle of Impala-concentric posts.
http://www.impalahq.com/
When changing wipers, I am using paper towel, not a fabric one. Throw it away when finishing. Always have a roll in my trunk, to wash windows etc.
There is a thick, soft, absorbent blue paper towel, produced specially for cars etc. It is available in Pep Boys, Auto Zone, and other places like Home Depot and/or Wal-Mart - do not remeber exactly where I saw them. Even some gas stations carry it. "Scott" brand, if I remember it right. Costs about $2 per roll.
yada Impala yada W-body yada
I have no idea what GM was thinking when they priced this car. By the way, in Canada, the VIBE and the Matrix BOTH have the 5/60 powertrain warranty.
As for Impala, I still am waiting to hear if anyone KNOWS what is coming for 2oo3 and will share!
Resale is a valid concern for sure
Dennis
(Don't remember my build date but it's a 2000 well equipped base Impala still w/ retractable cupholder!)
I don't have models for you because I was never that big of Volvo fan to follow it.
Sorry I couldn't provide more info..
Impala.
My black 2000 LS has seen better days when it somes to "dings" and hairline scratches. Given the amount of highway driving I've done in the time since I picked the car up, I'm not surprised that there are dings and scratches. The thing that concerns me and has prompted my return to the chat board is marks that appear to be cracks in the clear coat. I have a number of areas on the hood ranging in size from 1/8" diameter to 5/8" diameter that are not scratches. The areas have no real texture but have an appearance that resembles a "spidered" piece of glass. A few people I have spoken to suggest that it may be the very beginning of the paint starting to bubble or peel. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, what did you do about it?? Does it justify a trip to the dealer to do some complaining (the car's still under 3yr/36k).
Thanks
nutz4LS
GM is quite liberal when it comes to repainting cars(unlike Ford).
My '87 Camaro had the peeling paint problem. Evidently there was a problem with the primer and the basecoat not adhereing to it.
There was a recall and even though my car was past the mileage max (76,000 miles) they did a bare metal repaint.
Instead of the water based paint the car had originally they used poly. 9 years and 130,000 miles later the car still has the wet look and is so shiny you can't look at in bright sunlight without sunglasses.
The only downside is that the poly chips easier than the factory paint.
"What Edmunds Says: It may be called the Impala, but this dreadful front-wheel-drive family sedan has little in common with the V8-powered rear-drive models of the past. Skip it in favor of the more refined offerings from Ford, Chrysler and Toyota.
Pros: Six-passenger seating availability, big brakes, torquey V6 engines.
Cons: So-so styling, no V8, wallowy suspension, big front-drive cars rarely sell as well as big rear-drivers."
Also read the glaming description they give to the Malibu:
"What Edmunds Says: Chevy's non-descript Malibu is one of the best cars General Motors makes. Roomy, quick and loaded with features for a low price, it's tough to go wrong with the too-often overlooked Malibu.
Pros: Comfortable and roomy interior, speedy acceleration, contemporary styling, ultra-low price yet loaded with features.
Cons: No traction control, soft suspension, refinement is exchanged for low car payments."
Why do we Impala owners continue support Edmunds by posting in here????
The Montecarlo/Corvette owners had bigger cojones...they left the Edmunds boards after the constant trashing of their cars.
Edmunds' editors hate our cars with a passion. Shame on you Edmunds!
The more time I spend in my Impala the more I like it. It truly has become a part of me when I drive. I like the ride, I like the performance, and I know the capabilities and limitations of the car. The value in the Impala can't be matched. Period.
Whew! Remove soap box. Return to your regular programming.
Brad
I came to Edmunds because I really don't care about what they or any other resource says - except for the most important ones which are the real, live, day-to-day owners of the vehicle. This doesn't only include the Impala but any other car. This is why I came to this board and will remain here. I would hope that anyone with some common sense would realize that what the editors say only goes so far. The proof is on this board and other alike.
To make an educated guess, we have to take the good with the bad, but the facts from this board is what made me seek and purchase the LS I own and love.
So if anyone reads the Edmunds review alone and uses that to rule out an Impala, well so be it - send them to Ford and the Impala can be OUR LITTLE SECRET. Shhhhh!
RR
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/index.jsp
select the tire category you prefer, like Grand Touring or Performance All-Season. You will be happy with any of top five models in the category.
Personally, I have installed Firehawk SH-30 on my Malibu, and like them very much. They really excell in rain. Safety first. However, I live in New England; the wet performance and resistance to aquaplaning, most probably, doesn not matter in Los Angelos.
By the way, do you really hope to use tires for 10 years?
Unfortunately, even if we love our cars and our experiences have been mostly positive, the underlying point of view of those who control the content of this site will always be more prevalent.
Our experiences will be left at just anectodotal evidence.
Malibu the best car GM makes? What a joke! This is the first car site that has such words of praise for a N-body car. Edmunds conviniently omits the excellent crash test scores of the Impala vs the lousy crash test scores of the Malibu. The rough Malibu engine, the nagging quality problems, the rattles, etc, etc never mentioned by Edmunds.
With all your due respect:
Christian Warldlaw and company:
YOU SUCK!!!!!
BTW, that Impala review has been there since last April, at the very least. I read it when I got my LS. Much of it rings true. Some of it I disagree with.
Now, take a deep breath and repeat, "It's just some guy's opinion. It doesn't matter. Baseball season starts in a month."
Ahhhhhh!!!!!
Edmunds Sucks!!!!