Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
And no, other than hearing of possible SS version, I've not heard of any major changes for 2006.
There doesn't seem to be such an issue for the '05.
The only thing I ever use the lower gears for is sudden deacceleration while not painting a big red x on my rear end for johnny law to see. But I guess that doesn't really work these days but then again, why stick out.
On another subject, my current '04 Maxx is a March04 build date. The first '04 Maxx I purchased was a May04 build date. In comparison of the two, the May04 was a little "tighter"--less creaking/rattles, and the transmission/engine seemed to be more in sync. Will have to check for the transmission shifting TSB. I've got a rattle, that I THINK is related to a problem with the left rear passenger assist handle--will check it out later today.
Still, I must confess that I really enjoy my Maxx(es). I paid $14,299 (after rebates) for the first one, and traded it @ 15,002 miles straight across for the second Maxx without a $ out of my pocket, thanks to a GM Mastercard bonus credit.
e2hepler--GM/Chevrolet is to be congratulated for building such a versatile vehicle--I think I could go for a third Maxx next year, especially if there is a SS AWD version (hint, hint).
madmax, you may find your "assist handle" rattle to actually be the driver seat head rest. The plastic heigth adjuster/locks do not mount tightly in their metal shafts and can rattle. Just moving your head around slightly can make this rattle audible or not.
Yes, I wish that the car magazine would have gotten it right (LOL). I think they were the instigator for the addition of "L4". I think that just made it more confusing for the owner.
And I thought it was confusing now, just wait until next year
GM has spec data at http://media.gm.com/division/2005_prodinfo/powertrain/
but I am sure that is not what you are looking for
They are notifying all customers with eligible vehicle and will replace the steering column under warranty, even if steering has not yet failed. The program expires on Jan 31, 2006.
GM has issued Bulletin 04050 which documents the specifics.
VIN range for Sedan is 4F10001 - 4F166649
VIN range for Maxx is 4F100161 - 4F166645
Not all these vehicle may be affected. The dealer will have to check the bar code number on the steering wheel on the above cars.
I noted the Buick version of the 3500 V6 gets a steel crankshaft while other versions make do with iron. But at least the iron crank has been strengthened!
By the way, I've had the "pull to the left" syndrome since day one. When dealer said his alignment machine was broken, I took it to the GM (Pontiac-Buick-GMC) dealer that is buying out the "Broken" dealer. Within 15 minutes, the busy service writer notified me that the problem is not alignment, but rather a steering "part" that he has ordered. Quite a change from the selling dealer who has had the Maxx twice and done nothing...starting to feel a bit more optimistic about the Maxx.
That dealer (which has flunked simple stuff like oil changes and interior part rattles) proved very competent for this repair.
Hopefully hickoryd, you will find one as competent to fix your Maxx.
However, I have two mechanical issues with my vehicle that I have not been able to receive definitive answers from Chevrolet, NHSTA site, etc.
The first problem: When the vehicle is fully warmed up, but the outside temperature is cold, and I am at a stop in traffic (red light, etc), the engine runs rough - feels almost like it is missing, feel vibration in steering wheel, on occasion feels like may stall, but never quite does. When car was first purchased, this did not occur, and seems that it doesn't occur to same extent when outside temperature is warmer.
The second problem: Vehicle has 4 speed automatic overdrive. When accelerating moderately from a stop, the best way I can describe it is that it feels like a 5 speed - starting from first, you can actually see the the RPM drop back 4 times and feel the accompanying hesitation. I know that there are only 3 speeds after 1st, but this is driving me crazy.
The dealer hooked up to a computer and said they got no bad readings/lights.
Any one know about either of these? Thanks.
involved (I believe computer re-flash). Can someone confirmed if it helped? I am going to try to address this problem with dealer on next oil change.
Us '04 Maxxers get this with the throttle but not the cruise control. There you will have typical 4 speed transmission behavour. In 4th gear, the vehicle will loose some speed, then abruptly shift to third gear, speed up again, shift back to fourth, and repeat the cycle endlessly until you shift to third, or switch cruise off and go back to using the accelerator.
Supposedly there was a service calibration to fix this cruise cycling, but it did nothing for my Maxx.
Also, the trans is an "adaptive" type in that it apparently "learns" your driving habits. I do not know the exact details of this feature (E2helper or someone, details appreciated) but have noticed my trans has adapted to me and shifts more smoothly than when the maxx was new.
Also I think in Maxx problems and solutions there is a TSB for the headrests.
R. Mason
Boston, MA
R. Mason
Boston, MA
It is nice having my Maxx back. They had me in a Bonneville. The Bonny is nice, but the steering feel is awful, the car floats a bit in hard turns, it gets terrible gas mileage, and the car doesn't hold a candle to the Maxx's versatility inside. Also, for those who hate the Maxx's headrests, go check out the Bonneville's. The headrests are about the same distance from your head as the earth is to the sun. I see no practical purpose to having headrests way far away. I love the fact that I can rest my head in an upright position in the Maxx. I guess to each their own.
I would have to comment that it seems that the converter lockup and disengagement is much more sensitive to pressure on the gas pedal than in other cars I've driven.
It's easy to have an overdrive feature on a transverse mounted engine because the transmission is coupled to the torque converter and engine by means of a chain and sprockets. By making the sprocket on the engine side bigger than the sprocket on the transmission side, the output shaft of the transmission will turn faster than the crankshaft.
A typical ratio would be 0.85:1. That is, if the engine crankshaft turned 0.85 of a revolution, the output shaft of the transmission would make 1 revolution.
In the torque converter lockup mode with overdrive, there is a direct coupling between engine and transmission output shaft. There is no slippage in the torque converter and fuel economy goes up. Also, because the engine turns slower there is less wear.
I also thanked him for turning the rotors, at which point my SM told me that ANY aftermarket roter is 10 times better than the thin rotors GM puts on their Chevys. At the point when I cannot get mine turned any longer, I will have them swapped out for something other than what came with the car.
By the way, the rear shade fastener stiffeners do appear to hold the shade quite a bit better.
Any ideas what causes this? My 04 Maxx has only 7500 miles, about half of which is long trips, so I can't believe I'm up for a pad replacement already. Thanks for any input.
Incidently, anyone noticing more drivetrain "slop" as their Maxxes get older? I'm feeling a fair bit in mine now that was not there when the vehicle was newer (most noticeable in 10-20 mph range). Is this a symptom of the "bad" transmission chain reported earlier?
Thanks.
again, thanks for the info
Does anyone have an idea what that "part" might be?
Thanks.
#1 (Rydell, San Fernando); Paid for two inserts, dealer misordered them twice and - a month later - refused to let me take received parts home because there was a $2 additional charge that I could NOT pay for in cash (they insisted using my charge card, and then could not read it). I left without inserts and wrote letter to service manager.
#2 (Power Chevrolet, Valencia); Waited 30 minutes just to talk to a parts guy, who found 6 variants of inserts for the Maxx, asked me for my VIN, and found the same 6 variants and "guessed" which one was right (not in stock). Meanwhile another customer was peeved because dealer had called him that his parts arrived, then had lost his parts "somewhere in the back".
I declined to order.
#3; (Rydell, Van Nuys). Given VIN, found inserts on first try, not in stock, took order (had no trouble with the charge card).
We'll see if they are successful.
A real pity GM just doesn't monitor dealers like they should. It's a terrible way to promote repeat business!
I also had some trouble getting a trim piece (rocker sill cover) in from factory; it took three tries but they had no problem letting me take it and install myself.
If I had to replace entire blade with aftermarket would probably go with Bosch or Luxor.
Main point of blade thread was to point out inept dealer parts situations.
The car won't sart now. Which fuse is blown. My door locks don't work. I used to install stereos for a living is this is pissing me off. I have to get to work with this car tomorrow! Somebody please help me ASAP! Sunday 9:00:00 CST.
We have a slightly sloping driveway and I have noticed that when I put the car in park and take off the brake, the car rolls back significantly. Does anyone else have this observation?