GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

From time to time shifting becomes a bit of a struggle. For example, if I'm going from 2nd to 3rd, I have to push up once to get out of 2nd then give an extra push to get it into 3rd. Is anyone else experiencing this?

Do you have a 5 or a 6 speed?In my 6 speed GT, I haven't had any problems like this at all. If no one else complains of this, I would definately consider taking it in.

I have a base 5spd.

The shifting is kinda notchy for me, and I have the 6 speed.I find it hard sometimes to get into 3rd...and end up in 5th. But not all the time...what I did when I was learning to drive it was put the parking break on in my drive way and just go through the motion of the gears so I got accostumed to where everything is and how it feels shifting from one gear to another.

That doesn't sound normal to me. I have a 5speed base and I've never had that problem in the 6600 miles that I've had it. I would have your service department look at it soon.

My 6 speed took some getting used to. I still sometimes have trouble going from 2nd to 3rd, requires a little extra shove. The bitter cold temps recently have made shifting a chore when the engine/transmission are cold. My biggest problem is returning to 1st to start out again when going stop sign to stop sign when cold. I really have to shove the stick to get it into first. Sometimes I just use 2nd to start out if I am on a flat area. Getting to be annoying. Usually returns to normal once everything warms up. This is my 3rd manual transmission car and in every one, I've noticed that the deeper cold temps make shifting harder.

I was going to start a thread about this exact same thing. I have trouble sometimes going into 3rd gear too. Base 5 speed manual. Might be worth asking the dealer about. Only about 500 km on my VIBE, so I thought maybe it would loosen up a bit over time. Maybe not. Keep us up to date on your experience, and I'll do the same.

The shifting is kind of clunky - not much different than in the 5-speed AWD turbo Eclipse I used to have. The shifting is a common criticism in many of the reviews you read about the Vibe.

I'm 26 and I've driven sticks basically since I could drive and this transmission is tricky especially when you're on the boil revving the motor and trying to keep it on the high lift cam, especially on the 1-2 and 2-3 shift. This is on a GT, of course. Anyway, when the weather is cold, it's going to be harder to shift. Never force the shifter into a gear. If it won't go into 1st or third for example, pull 2nd or 4th and without letting up on the clutch push it into the gear you were originally trying to get into. Also, those of you have a hard time with the 2nd to 3rd shift, when you're in second, gently push STRAIGHT up, the shifter will pull itself to center as it crosses the detent(sp?) and slide right up into third. Don't put any pressure to the left at all, as you don't want to go back to first, but the transmission WANTS to go from 2nd to third and the spring will push it to the right for you, so all's you have to do is slowly/moderately push straight up. Obviously, don't prevent it from moving itself to the right. clear as mud?

If you examine closely, I think the shifter gate is actually mounted slightly at an angle (to the left) so shifting from 2nd to 3rd is as straight a shot as possible. My problem in the cold going back into 1st feels like when a synchro is shot and it won't go into gear. I have this problem with a 3-ton 1994 GMC 5-speed we have at work. Every time you shift from 2nd to 3rd you have to double clutch it unless the engine and transmission rpm's happen to be equal when you shift, otherwise the gears grind really bad.Shifting and keeping the engine in the high lift cam range is done by letting the engine wind all the way out almost to the rev limiter (8200 rpms) and then shifting to the next gear. I can do this regularly now. If you get your shifting arm and hand coordinated well with your left leg, you can pull off these power shifts as fast as you can move your arm and leg. I do it all the time. If you miss the coordination a little bit, you end up missing the gear and grinding . Sure to make or break any impromptu street race you might engage in. But it is possible to stay in the increased powerband.

I generally find the shifting precise (picky shifter) as is the design of the 6-speed. It is however more difficult to shift in the morning because of the temperatures. It has not been over freezing here in a few weeks. It was -1 F yesterday morning and never made it past 16 during the day.Jason

I had the same issue. After a while the shifter will brake in and smooth out.

I agree with You, I am experiencing the same trouble on somedays ...I had a Stang 5.0 for 10 years and I NEVER had a mis-shift problem from 2nd - 3rd like how I am having in this vehicle. My Clutch on my Stang was way more stiff then the clutch on the vibe day and night difference, My concern is that mis-shifting like this often will either require pre-mature clutch replacement or screwing up the transmission.....Back to the Stang, I had that car for 10 years..I bnought it new, I NEVER burnt or replaced that clutch, it ran like a charm. till I was done with it.....I am hoping that this will also be the case with my GT.....Also did you guys have a funny smelle when you first took the vehicle of the lot!....Like a burnt paint smell....I think that was due to the engine breaking in or somethingh, again this was the first vehicle I ever smelt these odors........On all others I had, I never had this problem!....Your comments/feedback are welcome...so pop out of the shed and speak up!

I've had problems with the tranny shifting hard too. Mine causes trouble through 1-2, and 2-3. Everything else including downshifts stays smooth. Seems like it's really only when the temperature drops low though and it doesn't usually occur at high engine revs. Feels a little bit like sticky synchros, but I can't imagine that would be a problem on such a new car. It occurs to me that it could be a clutch adjustment problem too, like the gears crash a little even though the clutch should be fully disengaged.Cubanpete, I did smell the same thing when I first drove my GT. I'm not sure what it was, I just chalked it up to it being a new car having purchased mine with just 50 miles on the odometer.

Milster..I bought mine at the end of October and had it locked up all winter taking it out occasionally........and took it out today on full time basis..... I smelled this paint-rubber smell...car has like 200 Kilometres on it.so yes its is brand new.........The smell blew me away earlier and needed some feedback! I also cant imagine a clutch problem with 200 clicks unless it was defective from the factory....This is the second time I smell this! First time was 2 months ago...I made nothing of it thinking it may be just a new engine break in, and the heat causing some parts to reek a bit.....I still think thats the case, but will see shortly!

That is strange. I've not had the smell come back. Once I'd put a few miles on it it went away. Of course I may have just become accustomed to the smell. I'd be interested in finding out what that is. The next time I go anywhere I'll pay more attention and see if I still smell it with my car.

i have the same prob witn my gt in the cold azz temp 3rd is a little pissy in the morning temps

The shifting on the Vibe is not that smooth. Most of the magazine articles mention that. I have 21000 miles and it is still notchy, this is not a complaint, you just get used to it. If you ever get to drive a rear wheel drive with manual trans (like a BMW 320i), it will make you think your syncro is shot, it isn't it is just the linkage...There isn't really any adjustment for the clutch, it is hydraulic...

While I agree that the shifting is notchy, this was definitely abnormal. When I first purchased the car it didn't feel this bad. It got to the point that when I shifted there was a noticable "clunk" as the shifter slipped into place. I first noticed the problem when winter set in. However, today things were finally warm enough to go wash my car. When I arrived at the car wash, I proceeded to remove the floor mats to vacuum out the interior. The driver's side floor mat had slid up from it's optimal position and had bunched slightly in such a manner as to interfere with fully depressing the clutch pedal. Guess all I needed to do was pay attention to the inside of my car a little more. I've also now discovered what the funny little plastic things are that I found in my glove compartment. The floormat shall never slide again. I wish the rest of you luck in solving your problems as well.