Chevy Malibu Maxx

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  • sciguy85sciguy85 Member Posts: 45
    I have been "flashed" a couple times but my problem seem to be a bouncing of the lites with bumps and general vibration of the car. I see it on the Chicago green exit signs (I notice the light vibrating off the reflection) I also see it in the back of other cars in front of me. Anyone with a similar situation? Thanks
  • fulloutpwrfulloutpwr Member Posts: 11
    Hey everyone...
    Bought an 04 maxx LS on 3/7 and so far loving it... getting around 24 mpg during the first 500 miles...much better then the 13-14 i was getting with my nissan frontier. So far, no problems, waiting to get it tinted and put on 18's here pretty soon.
    Question- Where is the stock block heater plug at? The manual says its near the air box, i cant find it!

    Thanks!
  • e2helpere2helper Member Posts: 1,002
    Hi fulloutpwr!

    You are talking about the engine block heater, right? This is optional on U.S. vehicles so it won't be on yours unless you have the K05 option. The cord is only located by the air box on the 4 cylinder engine. On the V6 engine it is on other side of engine compartment, closer to the battery
  • fulloutpwrfulloutpwr Member Posts: 11
    Thanks for the welcome...
    Yep, i have the option. Ill look over on the other side tonight, 14 degrees now and wanted to try the block heater, couldnt find the cord!
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    http://home.att.net/~p.oswald/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html

    Just thought I would post it again for all the new Maxx owners...my 04 Maxx LT with the accessories..and my latest addition, 17 inch rims with 225-50/70 tires.......sign the guest book!
  • fulloutpwrfulloutpwr Member Posts: 11
    Eibach released lowering springs for us Maxx's... 1.2f/1.4r drop... FYI

    -fullout
  • townhometownhome Member Posts: 104
    Very nice, very nice, Pao. They look classy yet sporty.
  • ratifiedratified Member Posts: 4
    NICE!!!! Anyone know of any performance parts out for the 3500???
  • sschribersschriber Member Posts: 89
    What's with the big, ugly, permanent warning stickers on the visors? Is this mandated in all new cars? Can you buy replacement visors without the stickers?

    I sit tall in the seat and the bright yellow can be distracting at times with the visors up.
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    that is mandated by law i do beleive...there have been some TSbs out...to paste it there if they are missing....dont know if you can get new visors or not that are OEM..w/o the sticker on it....
  • yugoboyyugoboy Member Posts: 161
    Does anyone know when chevrolet is planning on releasing the ss version of the malibu maxx????

    thanks
  • hickorydhickoryd Member Posts: 57
    Why is it that the Asians tout horsepower in their ads but the American manufacturers seem to want to hide it? Will someone please tell me what the horsepower is rated at, and where it is listed in the owner's manual of the Maxx?
    Thanks.
  • jerrywimerjerrywimer Member Posts: 588
    For the same reason that so many people want to use hp/l to compare different vehicles. People (most) automatically assume that the car with the higher numbers will perform better than a car with lower numbers, even though it doesn't really mean any such thing when comparing two different vehicles. Horsepower alone doesn't really say anything though, because power range, weight of the vehicle, etc. all play a role in the true performance of the vehicle.

    Now, power/weight ratio would be a different story, but you rarely hear any of the manufacturers bragging about those stats.
  • prdmprdm Member Posts: 145
    200 HP, 220 TQ but not found in owner's manual - in fact precious little technical information is included in the manual.
  • maxxlibertymaxxliberty Member Posts: 82
    >Does anyone know when chevrolet is planning on releasing the ss version of the malibu maxx???<

    "Also available this fall are the SS versions of the Malibu sedan and stretched Malibu Maxx. They are equipped with a 3.9-liter V6 engine rated at 240 hp with 241 lb-ft of torque."

    http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Articles/articleId=105126
  • yugoboyyugoboy Member Posts: 161
    thanks for the link, will be intresting to see this maxx when it comes out!!!!!
  • townhometownhome Member Posts: 104
    The Edmunds article sure didn't seem to think much of a Maxx SS. Too bad whoever wrote it has decided to join the mass of mindless lemmings and continue to push the decades old notion that hatchbacks/wagons simply cannot be great vehicles with sporty moves. Interesting how most Europeans would never buy a sedan because of their cargo limitations, but most Americans would never buy a hatch/wagon because of their perceived image. Such a shame.
  • markf57markf57 Member Posts: 38
    While filling my gas tank today, I discovered that the Maxx has a place to "hang" the gas cap on the inside of the fuel door. I always hate letting the cap swing free on the tether.
  • e2helpere2helper Member Posts: 1,002
    Remember when there wasn't a tether? Gas stations probably ended up with a whole collection of gas caps with self serve and forgetful drivers - LOL
  • glavinsologlavinsolo Member Posts: 12
    So I've been looking at the Malibu Maxx LT 1sb for quite some time and decided to go into the dealership today. Grab a sales guy, ask him about the maxx, and first off he knows nothing about the car and apparently he started 3 weeks ago. But that's ok I know my stuff, now I just want to drive it. We find a LT 1SB Maxx and he goes and gets the keys. This is a brand new Black 05 loaded Maxx. We get in and I am not able to start the car. It is completely dead (maybe last test driver left light on or something) but dont they have battery run down protection? So we find one that is comparable in silver.

    Gets keys, we hop in, we are cruising around the parking lot to find a way out, and... The car just shuts itself off. Quarter tank of gas, no battery light on dash, nothing, car just shuts itself off and we roll to a stop. At this point I was in awe. So I put it in park and turned the car off, then restarted it. Doing a complete test drive afterwards and no problems. Very weird but I must say not a great first impression to the car.

    I would like to hear from owners of either the 05 malibu or Maxx to see what their take is on this car. Is this a common problem?
  • prdmprdm Member Posts: 145
    Flukes. Yes there is battery run down protection. Everything shuts off after 20 minutes. Roam around this forum including a recent thread asking if current owners would re-do the purchase and you will see enthusiastically positive responses.
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    The 'stall and roll to a stop' function is a dealer add on. Dealers will only allow you to take a car for a test drive up to 300 feet, thus limiting the miles put on the car and preventing the car from getting too dirty, thus diminishing the need for them to wash it every once in a while. Very ingenious, don't you think? (8 ^ (l)
  • prdmprdm Member Posts: 145
    I like that. Some might assume such a cynical ploy by the dealers to be counter-productive but the cost benefits are very real.
  • firemanjackfiremanjack Member Posts: 123
    Thanks for the chuckles guys, but perhaps those two vehicles have been sitting around for some time on that dealer's lot..That salesperson hadn't driven one before(knew nothing about the car). My '05 LS has been troublefree for the 4 months and 4k miles I have had it...I love the car...Good luck jack
  • kurtamaxxguykurtamaxxguy Member Posts: 677
    wrt run down protection, not totally. Yes, if interior lights are left on rundown protection does shut off the lights after about 20 minutes.

    But if you turn on and leave on your headlights (very easy to bypass the automatic headlight feature), you __will__ run down your battery.
    The car chimes to warn you when you open the door, but there is no display on the DIC to tell you what is going on.
  • kurtamaxxguykurtamaxxguy Member Posts: 677
    That's assuming the dealer lets you drive the car __at all_. Some insist you buy before you test drive, or will try to take all kinds of info (your license, bank account#, SS#, etc.) before letting you sit behind the wheel.

    Thank goodness GM's recent autodrive fairs don't put one though that nonsense! You do sign a general release, however.
  • glavinsologlavinsolo Member Posts: 12
    I have never had an issue test driving a car. I mean how the heck do they expect you to buy it if you have never driven it. Currently I have been looking for about a month. Cars driven: Mazda 3, Scion tC, Toyota Camry, Toyota Solara (twice), Chevrolet Malibu Maxx.

    I simply walked in and the first words out of my mouth were I want to test drive ****. In a matter of handing over my DL I was in one. I have never been asked for more info than my telephone number.
  • maxxlibertymaxxliberty Member Posts: 82
    Big surprise is the steering system "a variable-ratio, hydraulically-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system provides precise steering feel to create an &#147;on rails&#148; driving experience". Bigger brakes are a welcome improvement but the 18" wheels with 50-series tires are not pot hole or ride friendly. Maybe I can swap my 16" 2004 Maxx wheels for the 18's when I trade for the SS!
  • skyhawkskyhawk Member Posts: 126
    The Maxx does have run down protection. However the owners manual states that if the car is going to sit for more than 25 days, disconnect the battery. It is possible that that car had been sitting for a while.
  • prdmprdm Member Posts: 145


    For real? Just the chime for warning?
  • csandstecsandste Member Posts: 1,866
    seems better-- although keeping lights on automatic accomplishes the same thing. I have walked off from the 'Bu and left the lights on although I've since gotten used to not ever touching the auto. headlight feature.

    The first Maxx I drove on the dealers lot had a run down battery as well. That didn't bother me and I'm very happy with the car so far.
  • jerrywimerjerrywimer Member Posts: 588
    My 2004 Silverado had a dead battery when we went to take a test drive in it too. Everything seems fine since they jumped it and let it charge up (been close to six months since then). Makes me wonder what these dealerships are doing to drain so many batteries.

    On the other hand this was an early build 2004 that was still on the lot as the 2005's were hitting the dealership, so I'm fairly sure it was allowed to sit for far more than 25 days. :P
  • kurtamaxxguykurtamaxxguy Member Posts: 677
    yup...had a run down battery that day because I ignored the chime. Fortunately a coworker jump started me. These days I try to be more careful.
  • kurtamaxxguykurtamaxxguy Member Posts: 677
    The SS Manx engine improvements sound really nice, but if default 18" wheels and super-lo-profile tires are standard, it's off my list. Those wheels and tires will be lunch for our LA roads, aside from a compromised ride and (possibly) handling.
  • yugoboyyugoboy Member Posts: 161
    boy oh boy did you ever hit the nail on the head with your comments, i couldnt of said/written it any better!

    I wish more people thought like yourself!!!! You must have some european blood in you somewhere!!!

    I think the maxx is fantastic, one of the best and most well thought out vehicles gm has put out in a long long time!!!!!

    I will wait to see how the SS turns out, if it is too much on the sport side i might just settle for the regular trim!!!!

    :)
  • townhometownhome Member Posts: 104
    e2helper or anyone else - this is a long shot, but is there anyway for someone besides the dealer to check and see if the PCM has been reflashed/updated? I ask because my dealer was supposed to do the reflash for the hard start issue, but just a few days after he said he did, the same problem came back. I was wary of the dealer as soon as I dropped the car off, and now I am even more so.

    By the way, this is the dealer who grilled me the first time I brought the car in and gave them a TSB. And now they won't do what I want unless I actually have the TSB number! I asked them to perform the rear sunshade fix, but didn't bother to bring the TSB since they were so highly insulted last time. The SM got the "interior" service guy and they both said they had never even sat inside a Maxx before, let alone tried to work on one, and they didn't know anything about how to fix the shades. They said if I brought them the TSB they would "look into it". Aaaarrrrrggggghhhhhhh. I need a suggestion for a Chevy dealer anywhere in Southern California besides Martin Chevrolet.
  • townhometownhome Member Posts: 104
    Thanks, I did get back not long ago from living in Europe for about a year. Man, there are so many cars for sale there that I would LOVE to bring over here!!
  • maxxlibertymaxxliberty Member Posts: 82
    We're in a "fad" with the rediculous wheel/tire combinations observed for street-driven vehicles. It makes about as much sense as neon lights on the undercarriage - at least the lights don't compromise the vehicle! In my experience, and some testing I've read about, a 70-series tire is about optimal.

    A factory replacement 18" wheel - after hitting a big pot hole - will cost a miniumum $600.
  • jerrywimerjerrywimer Member Posts: 588
    I'd be happy with 17" wheels. As far as tire sizes I don't think any cars I've owned in a while have had over a 60 series. You have to keep in mind that it's only a percentage of the width of the tire. And car tires are generally getting wider. For example, the 1988 Mustang GT my father owned had P225 tires on it. My 1997 Malibu had P205s. Our LT sedan has P215s on it, 10mm narrower than the V8 powered performance car my father owned in 88. So this 60 series tire probably has as much sidewall height as the average family sedan with a 70 series back then had, it's just wider.

    The only objection I have about the 18's is that they add additional unsprung weight / rolling resistance. That will sap some of the horsepower. I wonder if the new larger brakes would fit in 17" wheels?
  • kurtamaxxguykurtamaxxguy Member Posts: 677
    will be interesting to hear if brakes require 18" wheels.
    my concern is thin tires offer very little bump absorption/wheel protection, and our roads fall apart everytime rain hits them. At night you cannot see these holes. (Maxx survived some very nasty freeway potholes that would have wrecked my previous ION or Prism's wheels).
  • jerrywimerjerrywimer Member Posts: 588
    True. It's going to be even worse with the SS' because of the stiffer suspensions too.
  • balloo814balloo814 Member Posts: 16
    Does anyone know if someone has come out with a cargo mat for the maxx yet? The only ones I seem to be able to find are universal fit.
  • e2helpere2helper Member Posts: 1,002
    Well townhome I certainly can't get in between you and dealer if you know what I mean but am sorry about your difficulty. I don't know if anyone who has had experience with Chevy Customer Assistance would say they could help with your situation or if that only aggravates it.

    I bet Kurtamaxx guy might have some comments since he is also from SoCa I think - since he went to the Burbank customer clinic I attended last April.

    I am pretty sure your dealer reflashed your PCM vehicle earlier this month - don't ask how I know ;)

    Post again your specific current complaint - thanks.

    BTW, there isn't any way for a customer to tell what calibration is in engine controller.
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    i just added 17 inch custom rims to my maxx..check out the website on modifications....put 245-50-17 tires on the car and love the new ride and feel of the car...plus the looks....cheers
  • kurtamaxxguykurtamaxxguy Member Posts: 677
    The Burbank clinic I attended to was excellent - first time I have ever seen a car manufacturer take customer comments seriously. The engineers were very nice in explaining the vehicle's characteristics and fine tuned a few things. Only problem that arose was the body work they did made some hatch-based rattles and squeaks much worse (that was because of the fasteners, which I've tried to keep from rubbing on the aluminum with some success). They also seemed to enjoy the fact I once was a GM engineer.
    However, keep in mind this is a "one shot deal" - once it's over, it's over.

    As for normal "customer service", it's pretty much nothing, both with Saturn and with Chevrolet. They prefer to hand stuff back to the very dealers that are messing my cars up. And it's these pushy, inept dealers that are killing any chance GM has in selling me another Maxx.
  • townhometownhome Member Posts: 104
    Thank you e2helper for your valuable info -- I won't ask how you found out ;)

    I am not in any way unhappy w/my Maxx, and actually I'm not super upset w/ the dealer or GM, just kind of curious. I've been in retail way too long to get upset about something minor so quickly!

    Once again, thanks for taking the time to answer -- your input REALLY helps make up for these dealers.
  • e2helpere2helper Member Posts: 1,002
    NP, I try to HELP where I can. If you get a chance though please remind me about the complaint you have. Can't promise anything but will pass along.
  • billymaxxbillymaxx Member Posts: 12
    Here is a link to a site selling the GM accessories for the Maxx including the cargo tray/mat. There prices are below MSRP.

    http://chevrolet.autowebaccessories.com/store/cat691_781.php

    You can also go the GM Accessories website:

    http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/accessoriesjsp/accessorylist.jsp?gmaz&make=chevrolet&model=mal- ibu&year=2005&subline=INTERIOR&sublineName=Interior
  • townhometownhome Member Posts: 104
    e2helper:
    I have had the hard start issue about 7 times in 4200 miles and finally got the dealer to reflash the PCM in accordance to the TSB. The dealer was very unhappy that I brought them a TSB and they wanted to know why a customer had access to that info. Anyway, they said they did the reflash and I expected to never have the hard start issue again, but it happened just a few days latter. With their annoyance at being told of a TSB and the hard start happening again, I suspected that they did not do the TSB but told me they did, just like they told me they fixed one of the speakers (that was one of the other things I had on my to-do list) when they did not fix it.

    Anything you can offer e2helper would be great.
  • e2helpere2helper Member Posts: 1,002
    Not an area of great experience for me but is this a hot engine restart complaint or only when cold or random cold or hot?
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