GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I have a vibe with about 6,000 miles on it. The car has an annoying habit of shifting out of overdrive into 3rd gear when you are going down a steep hill. I can be going 50 down a big hill and the tranny jumps into 3rd gear and revs the motor. Talk to the dealer, said they have had the exact complaint from other vibe owners, I am getting it looked at next week. Anybody got any info? It only does it on a steep hill.

Kari had a similar (or maybe the same) problem. Check out http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=5932. Is that the same problem, or does yours do it even when you don't use the brakes?

It's not same problem. The tranny shift without the brake being applied. The dealer told me they have others reporting the same problem. It only happens on a steep grade, maybe 10% or more, never on a flat or a low grade. He did say they think it is related the computer chip. Thanks for the help.

I agree with the first reply, I think it is a built-in safety feature to prevent overheating of brakes. I believe if the car senses acceleration without the gas being applied it assumes you are going downhill and applies the engine brake.Even if the car doesn't, it's good to downshift one, or even two gears, if you're on a steep downgrade. Helps prevent premature brake wear...

You have more than a few steep hills in/around Scranton. I have the 5 speed, so can't say how normal the downshift is. Has anyone else here with the auto tranny had this happen?