'09 1.8 5-Speed, Clutch Question

[DocDoug]

I purchased a brand new 2009 Vibe , 1.8, 5-speed manual transmission, in September of 2010. (Yes, based on the build date, the car sat for 16 months on the lot.) When new, the car was VERY easy to stall, in first gear. It grabbed and jerked like no other car I have ever driven. Several others that are familiar with clutches agreed. After two weeks of this, I became frustrated and "rode the clutch" a few times. (I generally keep the RPMs as low as possible, when releasing the clutch.) "Riding" the clutch with high RPMs solved this problem. I assumed the face plate had severe corrosion from sitting 16 months with no use.

The next problem, almost since new, has been the lack of smoothly releasing the clutch in first gear. In other words, the last few inches of the clutch seems to grab and briefly slow the car down. (Gives the sensation that occupants are being thrown forward when shifting to second gear.) The remaining gears are fine. The more weight in the car or the higher the RPM shift, the sensation is significantly reduced or eliminated. The dealer, on several occasions, stated they couldn't find a problem. They convinced me not to worry as the car has a 5/100 power-train warranty that covers drive train issues. (Yeah, right.... the clutch?)

I now have 51,000 miles and the Vibe still "jerks" the last few inches of the clutch in 1st gear. (Yes, I know how to drive a clutch. This is my third manual transmission, in 27 years of driving.) No, the clutch does not slip at all. Also noticed that the first few shifts of the day can result in the clutch shuddering when releasing in 1st gear. I mentally wrote this off as a cold pressure plate and a hydraulic clutch.

Any one else experience these clutch sensations?

Thanks - Doug

[zyzyix]

I purchased a brand new 2009 Vibe , 1.8, 5-speed manual transmission, in September of 2010. (Yes, based on the build date, the car sat for 16 months on the lot.) When new, the car was VERY easy to stall, in first gear. It grabbed and jerked like no other car I have ever driven. Several others that are familiar with clutches agreed. After two weeks of this, I became frustrated and "rode the clutch" a few times. (I generally keep the RPMs as low as possible, when releasing the clutch.) "Riding" the clutch with high RPMs solved this problem. I assumed the face plate had severe corrosion from sitting 16 months with no use.

The next problem, almost since new, has been the lack of smoothly releasing the clutch in first gear. In other words, the last few inches of the clutch seems to grab and briefly slow the car down. (Gives the sensation that occupants are being thrown forward when shifting to second gear.) The remaining gears are fine. The more weight in the car or the higher the RPM shift, the sensation is significantly reduced or eliminated. The dealer, on several occasions, stated they couldn't find a problem. They convinced me not to worry as the car has a 5/100 power-train warranty that covers drive train issues. (Yeah, right.... the clutch?)

I now have 51,000 miles and the Vibe still "jerks" the last few inches of the clutch in 1st gear. (Yes, I know how to drive a clutch. This is my third manual transmission, in 27 years of driving.) No, the clutch does not slip at all. Also noticed that the first few shifts of the day can result in the clutch shuddering when releasing in 1st gear. I mentally wrote this off as a cold pressure plate and a hydraulic clutch.

Any one else experience these clutch sensations?

Thanks - Doug

Not to be harsh, but you "bent over" and took it really good, didn't you?" The fact the car sat for so long before being sold, should have scared you off if nothing else. I hope you got a really good deal for it to "ease the pain" of your getting screwed. As you've seen the dealer could care less, the car and brand are gone, and most important for them, they have your money. Not sure of the 2009, but there were manual tranny issues in earlier Vibes, whether they got the kinks out for later models, only time would tell. If you have not done so, try to contact a few tranny shops and get an idea of what may be wrong, or even if this is normal. If not, you'll probably have to live with this unless you'd want to sell. Good luck.

[star_deceiver]

I Also noticed that the first few shifts of the day can result in the clutch shuddering when releasing in 1st gear.

I notice this only at the beginning of a very humid day, generally a rainy one. Calgary is very very dry compared to most other places. On days like this I also notice a bit of rust form on the brake rotors so I'm assuming that the same thing happens to the flywheel.

I let the clutch out rather sharply, in first gear, at 1600 - 2000 rpm. At that rpm there's none of the weird lag/hop/shudder/stall/lurch that this very touchy Drive By Wire/Clutch system gives below 1000rpm. I've only owned manual transmission vehicles (84 Civic Wagon, 76 Datsun Pickup, 81 Toyota pickup, 05 Sunfire) and even out of all the other vehicles I've driven/borrowed over the years, the Vibe has the touchiest clutching point and accelerator tip in of all!

[DocDoug]

"The fact the car sat for so long before being sold, should have scared you off if nothing else. I hope you got a really good deal for it to "ease the pain" of your getting screwed."

BRAND NEW, I paid $7,800 on the road AFTER taxes!!! (Cash for clunker - 1991 Explorer with 200K, tranny bad, A/C bad, cracked windshield, and needed tires. I received $4,500 for my Exploder that was worth $250.00) Yes, I got a GREAT deal.

I had several to choose from that were 1.8 and 5-speed. All about the same age. Mine has manual windows and manual locks. Bottom line.. the Vibe attracts a younger buyer and most young buyers are too cool for school... and would NEVER purchase a new vehicle with manual winds and locks and furthermore most have never driven a clutch. It was for this reason, I believe that these were left on the lot.

My vehicle had only 6 miles on the odometer... wasn't really test driven.

[thebarber]

Sounds like you just need to be smoother first to second...

[SeattleJeremy]

Also noticed that the first few shifts of the day can result in the clutch shuddering when releasing in 1st gear. I mentally wrote this off as a cold pressure plate and a hydraulic clutch.

My clutch sometimes shudders on the first release in to first gear of the day, especially when it's cold out. I have 135k miles on the car with original clutch (06 5-speed). By the second or third shift of the day it's happy as a clam, so it sounds normal to me.

I have not experienced the other issues you mentioned.

[ZBVibe]

I've driven plenty of manual transmissions (gas and diesel) and I can assure you, this base 5-Speed has some "jerkyness" if you don't use the clutch a little more than what you would feel necessary for a different vehicle. I 'ride' the clutch a little more with this car to ensure smooth shifting. I don't think you should worry about premature clutch wear unless you're disengaging the clutch while revving the engine..... a lot.

[Scwmcan]

I have to agree that the clutch is not the smoothest ( even on the 2.4 ) so I don't think there is anything mechanically wrong with your car, it is probably something you are going to have to continue to live with. It just seems ( as was stated above) to be a poor relationship between the throttle and the clutch among it difficult to get a smooth start, I still stall mine on occasion when trying to do a smooth slow start, I think I have stalled this car more than any other I have ever owned, but it is getting rarer as I get more miles in it, and get more used to it ( have had mine for 4 months). If you feel it has gotten a lot worse then you may want to get it looked at, otherwise just drive it.

[zyzyix]

"The fact the car sat for so long before being sold, should have scared you off if nothing else. I hope you got a really good deal for it to "ease the pain" of your getting screwed."

BRAND NEW, I paid $7,800 on the road AFTER taxes!!! (Cash for clunker - 1991 Explorer with 200K, tranny bad, A/C bad, cracked windshield, and needed tires. I received $4,500 for my Exploder that was worth $250.00) Yes, I got a GREAT deal.

I had several to choose from that were 1.8 and 5-speed. All about the same age. Mine has manual windows and manual locks. Bottom line.. the Vibe attracts a younger buyer and most young buyers are too cool for school... and would NEVER purchase a new vehicle with manual winds and locks and furthermore most have never driven a clutch. It was for this reason, I believe that these were left on the lot.

My vehicle had only 6 miles on the odometer... wasn't really test driven.

I see, Cool you did get a really good deal. Is it driving any better?