GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hello, to introduce myself, my name is Ian. I live in S. Texas, about 5 miles from downtown Corpus Christi. Anyhow, I just recently (last week) bought a 2010 Vibe 2.4L. It is black and beautiful. I am having cruise control installed on it tomorrow from the dealership (GM dealership; got the full GM Certified warranty on it too, car has 26k miles on it, paid $11400 for it).Anyhow, my main question is about the instrument cluster. I have noticed there appears to be some kind of smear or something on the inside glass of the speedometer and rpm gauge. Obviously, wiping the outer part of it doesn't get it off. How do I go about cleaning this? It is most annoying to look at when reading my speed or rpms. Also, I have noticed when the car has been sitting for a day, the wheels seem to squeek when first taking off, and will last for about 15-30 seconds. Is this due to more lubing needed? Its not a squeeky brake sound, as it happens when I apply acceleration.Lastly, I notice that this car seems to have alot of low end torque. So much so, it tends to "jump" off the line when just applying light pressure to the accelerator. Just wondering if anyone else had thoughts about that?Anyhow, I look forward to many years of trouble-free ownership of this car. Undoubtedly, the best car GM ever had its hands on (at least up until this year... too bad the Vibe is no longer made!!). Ian

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Welcome to GenVibe!!! Auto or stick?Quote, originally posted by txsizzler »Also, I have noticed when the car has been sitting for a day, the wheels seem to squeek when first taking off, and will last for about 15-30 seconds. Is this due to more lubing needed? Its not a squeeky brake sound, as it happens when I apply acceleration.The tires themselves are squeaking or does it change if you pulse the gas pedal?

It is automatic. The squeeking sounds faster if I increase accelerator pressure, and stops if I let off the accelerator (even though the car is still moving). It lasts for about 15-30 seconds, and then no more squeeks.Ian

Quote, originally posted by txsizzler »Lastly, I notice that this car seems to have alot of low end torque. So much so, it tends to "jump" off the line when just applying light pressure to the accelerator. Just wondering if anyone else had thoughts about that?Oh God yes, this car has the touchiest accelerator ever. I think it's a "Toyota Thing" according to the people I know who usually drive Toyotas, but I had to completely re-learn how to drive a car (now it's second nature to me, and when I try to drive my husband's car, I am really confused why I am not jumping off the line, lol)

How does the serpentine belt look/feel?

Its not that kind of squeal (serpentine belt); it comes up from underneath the car... like the wheels. Its more like a squeek-squeek-squeek... and its a relatively light noise.Ian

Quote, originally posted by ponta2147 »Oh God yes, this car has the touchiest accelerator ever. I think it's a "Toyota Thing" according to the people I know who usually drive Toyotas, but I had to completely re-learn how to drive a car... Nissan's are the same way.. At least on the latest generation Altima's.. Maybe its a foreign thing?

Quote, originally posted by 09vGT » Nissan's are the same way.. At least on the latest generation Altima's.. Maybe its a foreign thing? I'd say you are right on that. The lower power cars that come from Japan seem to have the gas and brake pedal be a bit over sensitive to make the car appear more responsive to your inputs. Gives many the illusion that there is a lot left in the car when it pretty much gives all it's got within the first 25% of either pedal movement. They honestly act like the stupid sprint booster boxes they sell for cars to make them feel more responsive but in reality they just make it so 25% throttle is really 50-75% so the car feels faster but in reality it just hits the pedal harder for you and is a stupid gimicky resistor.The American and German performance cars i have owned and driven give a very linear pedal response with no jumpiness or overboosting. You'll eventually get used to the pedal action on the new Vibes that inherited some of that annoyance.

the brakes get a light coating of rust, in a matter of hours... the squeak you most likely hear is the sound of the rust wearing off.

As posted above the brake rust is the squeeking & is no problem. As far as the smearing ,,, I don't know. Try cleaning with alcohol to determine it is really on the inside or not.Gas pedal is touchy . Make sure the recalls have been done to yours by the dealer.You will love it. Mine is a 2010, too.Note; My dealer has given me exceptional service on it . Maybe they can do something with the smeared place.

If your car had the shim installed on the accelerator pedal, that might account for the jumpiness. Some have reported this. If the recall fix has not been done, you might try it - some also have reported liking the feel better after the shim was put in place.It is a torquey motor. I love it.If I had a smear inside the clear cover over the instruments, I might see if the dealer would clean it/fix it for me - maybe it came from the factory that way. I have no idea why anyone would have taken the cover off and gotten something on the inside.Could the squeak also be coming from the pedal? Then after it has been pressed it loosens up? I had a previous car that had a creaky pedal sometimes.I've not yet reached 17k on my 2009 with the 2.4L. It has been a great, great car. So fun! (But then mine has a stick).