coming off idle

[vintagegz]

Has anyone noticed how touchy the accelerator pedal is on 2.4 auto trans models, when you want to pull away from a light it is hard to accelerate smoothly, the first inch of travel seems to give too much fuel to the engine, causing it to surge forward. Would be nice if they could re program the mapping for that to smooth it out.

[nygiantzz1]

You are probably still in learn mode, it will settle down after you put a couple thousand miles on the car. I have about 2,100 miles on mine so far and acceleration has smoothed out.

[vintagegz]

will keep an eye on it, thanks

[kowell]

I have a 2.4L Auto and I had the same problem at first. I would always launch the car and rev the engine up to 2500K rpm off red lights. It took me about 2-3 weeks to stop doing it. This engine has very good low-end torque.

[ParknVibe]

Quote, originally posted by vintagegz »Has anyone noticed how touchy the accelerator pedal is on 2.4 auto trans models, when you want to pull away from a light it is hard to accelerate smoothly, the first inch of travel seems to give too much fuel to the engine, causing it to surge forward. Would be nice if they could re program the mapping for that to smooth it out.Yes, this is my big problem with 2.4L and auto. I have to concentrate just to press the pedal very lightly. I first noticed this when I test drove the dealer's car... I made the car take off fast. I read that this a common issue with Toyota Camary...(throttle lag) I mentioned this problem here before....no one here is talking much about it. I think it is a major problem. I am begining to think that if I can raise my foot higher on the pedal as I press it ...it may smooth out the acceleration.I may add a wood block to raise my foot. By keeping the foot low against the pedal ( pressing the lower part of the pedall) I think is causeing this throttle lag. I am just guessing about the cause...

[musicmanmu]

+1 on the jack-rabbit starts. I've already started to adjust. It's all about "muscle memory" if you ask me. I had the same problem in my Envoy, but after awhile I knew how to get it to accelerate smoothly from a stop.A few weeks and you (we'll) get our legs retrained and we'll be doing fine.

[shemp]

I noticed this when my car was new too... Call me crazy, but I suspect it is programmed into the ECU to give test-drivers the perception of a more powerful engine.

[vintagegz]

its called 'throttle tip in', and is in the ecm programing as we are throttle by wire. Would require a programming change unless ecm learn ability overcomes this as has been stated above, but I don't think it will get better. It seems you are always making a jack rabbit start.

[abbotlex]

Agreed. I've noticed the same issue. I assume everyone here that has noted this have a 2005+ Vibe.These Vibes are "Drive By Wire" (DBW) in that the accelerator pedal is no longer physically connected to the throttle body by a cable. Now, the ECM (the computer) determines based on the position of the accelerator pedal and other factors, how much to open the throttle body and therefore how much power from the engine and to the wheels.I notice this "lag" most in slow speed situations (around a parking lot for example). I press the gas pedal slightly with no reaction from the engine. A lit more on the pedal... a little more... then voom! It's not violent or out of control, but more of a jump in power than what I was wanting.The benefit of DBW is that fuel economy is increased. If that's the case (and I'm pretty happy with the mileage my Vibe is getting), I can handle this little annoyance.

[ParknVibe]

Well, I have the new 2.4L engine and the 2009 model. I just thought it was effecting the new 2008-2009 engines. Yes, I know it is a DBW system. I just want to know if it is the placement of the foot on the pedal? It seems natural to rest the heal on the floor. But if I raise the foot up a bit, I sense a more even acceleration ....however it is hard to do this.

[lowincash]

do you think changing the air filter to a more free flowing one will help? i don't know, on my old car i changed to a K&N filter and the acceleration was smoother and not as jumpy.