Very important information about Corolla/Matrix/Vibe - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

feng · 03-18-2009, 06:43 PM

I own a 09 1.8L Vibe which uses the same engine and transmission as corolla/matrix made by toyota

nummi. I also notice the oil consumption problem.

However, I think that I find the reason.

The car has 3-D, 2, L. I always assumed it meant 3=D, and there's nothing in the owner's manual to suggest otherwise.
But it is not ture. "3" and "D" are two different gears. You can bump the lever to the right to get into D, and bump the lever to the left to get into 3.

When I use "3", the engine is noisy, especially when the speed is more than 80km/h, and the RPM is always between 3000-4000 or even higher, which I think made the engine consume more engine oil

(High tempreture and High RPM). Also, the mileage is poor.

When I use "D", the engine is quite, especially when the speed is more than 80km/h, and the RPM is always between 2000-3000 which I think made the engine consume less engine oil (Low tempreture and Low RPM).
And the mileage is good.

I may be stupid. I noticed the difference between "3" and "D" after driving my car for more than 2500 km (2000 miles). Before that time, most of the time of driving, I was using "3" instead of "D". So I had a oil consumption problem and poor mileage on my vibe 09.

Now, I am using "D" gear during my driving, the oil consumption problem seems gone and the mileage is really good now.

I hope my experience can help others.

Any comments are welcome.

ericgu22 · 03-18-2009, 06:57 PM

Why are you even driving on 3?? I never drive on 3!!

feng · 03-18-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericgu22

Why are you even driving on 3?? I never drive on 3!!

I thought "3"="D". And these two gears are in the same level with very near positions.

cabur · 03-18-2009, 07:58 PM

You must be the only one here that drives on 3.
Are you a new driver?

ericgu22 · 03-18-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feng

I thought "3"="D". And these two gears are in the same level with very near positions.

I mistaken it for D sometimes too but the RPM in 3 are higher than D which I immediately knew something wasn't right!!

feng · 03-18-2009, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cabur

You must be the only one here that drives on 3.
Are you a new driver?

I am not that new. However, it seems I am the only guy think that the "3-D" gear is one gear after reading the manual. LOL

In the manual, it only mentioned D, 2, L. There is no "3" at all.
It also mentioned that you can push the accelerator pedal all the way down to gain more power for passing at D gear.

So I thought that the "3-D" gear is a combination of "D" and "O/D". LOL

feng · 03-18-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericgu22

I mistaken it for D sometimes too but the RPM in 3 are higher than D which I immediately knew something wasn't right!!

It seems I am really stupid. When I notice the RPM is high, I read the manual first. I thought it is morden tech and I just push the pedal too hard.

Only the difference between the mileages of these two gears waked me up. LOL!

ericgu22 · 03-18-2009, 08:38 PM

You must be new to Cars!

feng · 03-18-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericgu22

You must be new to Cars!

Yes. Or because I did drive so many different cars before I drove this one.

cabur · 03-18-2009, 08:48 PM

feng,
Do not feel too bad. Really appreciate you for this thread so all will know.

Not mentioned in the manual too is this car's auto have a lock into gear feature to give you engine braking.
What it does is when you are going downhill on D and you feel the car is going too fast you can tap on brake and the transmission will lock into gear instead of free wheeling giving you engine braking. I find this very helpful especially on icy roads.

LeanBurn · 03-18-2009, 08:50 PM

Hey guys.

Take it easy on the noob. At least he had a a piece of advice to share, he actually opened the owners manual and read some of it (unlike some other goombahs around here) and he purchased a decent car.

"E" for effort anyways.

***PhatRoyale*** · 03-18-2009, 09:24 PM

switch to a 30 weight oil. from what I hear, that seems to help the oil consumption problem.

feng · 03-18-2009, 10:01 PM

Hi guys, thanks for the comments.
I wonder if it is harmful for my car. I have been driving on "3" for more than 2000km, most in city. The highest speed is 80-90km/h.

FirstXrs · 03-19-2009, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feng

I wonder if it is harmful for my car. I have been driving on "3" for more than 2000km, most in city.

Nah, didn't hurt anything except your wallet. You should change your oil sooner because of the constant high-rpms, however. Perfect chance to switch to the 30w.

Dorkinheimer · 03-19-2009, 10:24 AM

When my mom bought her 2009 Corolla, the salesman told her not to make a mistake between 3 and D....lol I still prefer the old type transmission lever, you can't make a mistake because you get to D before 3, and I find it faster when you want to back up and put it back in D often, like when you're stuck in the snow.