# Problem with Vibe **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** pontiac, vibe\ **Created:** [March 24, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-vibe/78236 "2013-03-24T21:17:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mn\_comic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@Mn\_comic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mn_comic)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-vibe/78236/1 "2013-03-24T21:17:52Z")
I have a 2003 Pontiac Vibe and recently have had problems…after I drive 15-20 minutes the car will begin to slow down…even if I give it more gas the car will stay a constant speed…say 30 mph and will not go faster…if I down shift…(manual trans)… I can get the car back to normal speed…and sometimes it smells hot when I get out…like brakes…on the highway the car will begin to slow as well and stay at 45…then come back after downshift… ---
**Author:** ![Vhyle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/aeb1de/32.png) [@Vhyle](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Vhyle)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 11:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-vibe/78236/2 "2013-03-24T23:04:00Z")
Sounds like you honestly answered your own question. Sounds like your brakes are dragging. Get the car on a lift and check wheelspin. Can you tell if the smell is from the front or rear? ---
**Author:** ![Mn\_comic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@Mn\_comic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mn_comic)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 4:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-vibe/78236/3 "2013-03-25T04:31:22Z")
I think it’s rear…would it really slow down that drastic? ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 4:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-vibe/78236/4 "2013-03-25T04:41:57Z")
Yes, if a caliper was stuck or a hose was collapsing. Either way, it’s simple to confirm/deny whether the brakes are sticking once the wheels are off the ground. If they turn freely, then the brakes are not sticking. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 8:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-vibe/78236/5 "2013-03-25T08:02:56Z")
The next time this happens, check carefully if any wheel is noticeably hotter than the wheel on the other side. If you find one, your brakes are dragging there. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 10:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-vibe/78236/6 "2013-03-25T22:12:49Z")
I think you better check the oil level in the transmission, ASAP. Make that transmission and both differentials if AWD. ---
**Author:** ![AlanY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f4b2a3/32.png) [@AlanY](https://community.cartalk.com/u/AlanY)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 3:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-vibe/78236/7 "2013-03-27T03:58:33Z")
The parking brake could also be sticking. I’m not saying this is the problem but it should be checked. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 4:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-vibe/78236/8 "2013-03-27T04:21:34Z")
**_When The Vehicle Slows, Does The Engine Slow, Too, Or Does The Engine Rev Up As You Feed It More Gas While The Car Is Slowing ?_** I’m wondering if the burning smell is the clutch slipping after it gets heated up a little. _ **CSA** _ ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-vibe/78236/9 "2013-03-27T21:29:41Z")
I’m going to go with the clutch slipping theory. This sounds like classic symptoms of a worn out clutch. ---
**Author:** ![Mn\_comic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@Mn\_comic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mn_comic)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 3:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-vibe/78236/10 "2013-03-29T03:49:14Z")
Front right wheel very hot…practically smoking ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 4:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-vibe/78236/11 "2013-03-29T04:20:23Z")
**^** This would seem to confirm that you have a sticking caliper or a brake line that is collapsing. In addition to identifying the necessary repair(s) and replacing the needed components, you will need to flush the brake hydraulic system and put fresh brake fluid into the system. Your brake fluid has been cooked by the extremely high temperatures to which it has been exposed, and is no longer safe to use. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 6:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-vibe/78236/12 "2013-03-29T06:09:19Z")
And you didn’t tell us about the pulling to the right. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 6:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-vibe/78236/13 "2013-03-29T06:13:27Z")
I am wondering if a failing battery could be involved. ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 6:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-vibe/78236/14 "2013-03-29T06:28:24Z")
Assuming it is the brake…wouldn’t drive it, but have it towed if you must move it. But, if you wanted to check your clutch, while idling, with emergency brake on, put it in 5 th gear and let slowly out on the clutch. It it doesn’t stall immediately, slipping clutch. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 4:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-vibe/78236/15 "2013-03-29T16:59:43Z")
+1 to VDC’s comments. ---
**Author:** ![Mn\_comic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@Mn\_comic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mn_comic)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 5:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-vibe/78236/16 "2013-04-09T17:00:39Z")
Found the problem…bad brake proportioning valve and master cylinder… ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-vibe/78236/17 "2013-04-09T18:03:06Z")
Thank you for returning to the thread and reporting the solution to the problem. Happy motoring!