GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Over the last few days, when I initially shift the Vibe into Drive or Reverse, there is a slight noticeable jerk. A light groan noise too if that is a precise description. The car seems it wants to "go".Was wondering does anyone experience this and was not sure if it is normal or not.Thanks Again... Seems I missed the "f" in the word "shifting" in the title.

are you at all on a hill or incline? are the rev's up? is it really cold? I always use the parking brake since owning the vibe. Helps a ton on hills, so when shifting the transmission isnt "forced" into gear because it moved after put in park. So you stop, pull up parking brake, shift into park. and the car wont jerk back/forward as its braked. If you didnt do that, it would be, stop, shift into Park then let off the brake and the car would slightly roll. Then trying to shift into R or D results in a hard shift. Also if its cold the linkage could be hard and cause a "hard" jerk feel...and the fluid is cold.

This is on a flat surface and the vehicle has been running.

Assuming you're not moving at all when shifting, Have you checked ATF fluid? When was the last time it was changed? Could be a little low, dirty, or it could be a stuck solenoid. I've always found the Vibe to be a little 'shuddery' when shifting, but it sounds like yours just started doing this.

What was the fix to the Shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse problem? Thanks

Quote, originally posted by zubbyzu »What was the fix to the Shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse problem? ThanksNever got it fixed as it just seems to be nature of the beast.

Thanks. I was considering taking it in. I have observed the jerk disappears if I let the GT warm up for about a minute in the morning.

I have noticed this in my '09 GT as well. I just kind of figured it was the way it shifts. I have noticed if you shift it, but wait a second to actually take your foot off the gas it doesn't do it nearly as hard. It's funny though, it reminds me of how my Sunfires would shift with the B&M Shift Plus installed. It makes it feel sportier .

The jerk occurs only when I go from P to R and the engine is cold. This can't be normal and I plan to take it in next week.

The shop was able to duplicate and correct the issue as a known downshift bug. The car did not loose its (removed) and I think my MPG improved. I am not sure how the bad downshift and poor gas mileage connect but I will find if the increase MPG is real the next time I fill up. They also replaced my missing wheel caps with ones that is black on the inside, could be the new and improved replacement caps.