Transmission slipping???

[gemsnewday]

I have a 2011 Equinox. I love the car. It fits my needs perfectly. I don't drive a lot. Car has less than 7500 miles on it. Two oil changes, and tires rotatated and balanced. Been in shop once for check engine light at 3K. They said they found nothing and reset the computer (???) At that time, I told them it felt like the transmission slips from time to time.

 

In the last month, it does it every.single.time I drive the car. Hills, flat surfaces, starting up, speeding up. I can't find a pattern or trigger. I've been driving since 15. My experience with this is what transmission slips have been like in the past. this sort of feels like that, except the engine really revs up sometimes (could be it trying to go in gear?). If I let off the gas momentarily, then press the accelerator again, it will usually shift normally. Today it seems like it is taking longer to recover and shift. Sometimes it will shift, but then when it tries to go in next gear right after, it does it again.

 

Just had it in shop last week for oil and tires. They said they "felt" what I described, but no codes come up. Said fluid levels were fine. ??? I don't think they drove it, because miles out were the same as drop off. This is the dealership where I bought the car and they have a good service reputation (or did last year).

 

I'm scared it's going to do this on the freeways here, not to mention with the dumb people that follow too closely I might get hit when it doesn't go. Plus, it's a new car and shouldn't be having these issues.

 

Any ideas? Does this sound like transmission, or accelerator, or engine, or what? Am I not explaining it correctly to the dealership? Any advice/help is appreciated.

 

ETA: I don't have a lead foot at start ups...I accelerate slowly from a stop and when increasing speed. It is how I was taught to drive.

Edited July 22, 2012 by gemsnewday

[Bad Doctor Frost]

I'd take it back. It's still under warranty. And if they don't want to fix it, take it to any other Chevy dealer.

[gemsnewday]

Thanks BDF. I was planning to take it back. He told me to drive it and if it keeps happening, call.

 

I just wanted some input to see if CB folks understood what I explain as happening. Also curious if it could be something else I might not be seeing/understanding. The last time I had transmission slipping problems was back in the mid 80's...car didn't have all this computerized, "eco" feature stuff on it. Much less complicated piece of machinery.

 

I am not happy with this service "advice". There obviously is a problem that is worsening, so if they won't investigate and fix, I will take it somewhere else.

 

It makes me angry that they dismiss my complaint so easily, and say they tested it, but no mileage was added to the car. Not even tenths of miles.

 

I'll be calling them in the morning, and if the service advisor gives me the run around, I will ask for the mgr. We will see what they say/do.

 

Thanks again.

[ICANHASMUNY?]

some cars have electronic transmissions, in which the shifting is triggered by electrical switches governed by sensors - it should be sensing the RPM's of the engine and shifting automatically.

 

if it's not shifting, a sensor or a switch is bad - so this is possibly an electrical problem.

 

Take it back and tell them to fix it, and replace the applicable switches and sensors, check the wiring .

[road2freedom]

Stay on top of the dealer and keep documents from each visit. Read up on your state's lemon laws and see what you need to qualify. Hopefully the dealer figures it out and you can continue to enjoy your vehicle. If not, you may need to begin the process. I had to do this with a brand new car in '06 and it was a real pain, but my documentation really helped.

Edited July 23, 2012 by road2freedom

[gemsnewday]

some cars have electronic transmissions, in which the shifting is triggered by electrical switches governed by sensors - it should be sensing the RPM's of the engine and shifting automatically.

 

if it's not shifting, a sensor or a switch is bad - so this is possibly an electrical problem.

 

Take it back and tell them to fix it, and replace the applicable switches and sensors, check the wiring .

 

Thanks so much for this info. I would never have thought of an electrical connection. I'm just gonna tell them the thing hasn't run right since I before the check engine issue, and I complained all along about the slipping. Wonder if that is why "resetting" the computer fixed the engine light? Electrical?

 

I don't know squat about the cars these days. My ex never let me do diddly, so I am in the dark. I think they want to shove me under the carpet until the warranty slides by. I'll get on this tomorrow, cause it scared the crap outta me today...trying to accelerate to pass and the thing slipped and wouldn't go on..took a few times of letting off gas and trying again to get it to shift. I came straight home and parked it in the garage.

 

And Road...I have kept every piece of paper and emails to service. I'll look into lemon law in TX a bit more, just in case. Also gonna research the slipping a bit more.

 

Thanks for the ideas.

 

Gems

[Fallon]

Check the transmission fluid. Is it red or burnt? What's it smell like?

[jgill84]

stay on top of the dealer. Your chevy has they factory warranty, and also has the powertrain warranty to 100k miles. I will check in the morning to see if gm has issued any internal tsb's of this problem and let you know

[gemsnewday]

stay on top of the dealer. Your chevy has they factory warranty, and also has the powertrain warranty to 100k miles. I will check in the morning to see if gm has issued any internal tsb's of this problem and let you know

 

Thanks so much. I would appreciate input whether there are any known issues with the electrical, engine, or transmission on this car.

 

I contacted the service manager this morning and complained. They are coming to get it tomorrow and will loan me a Tahoe. They said they may keep mine and drive it several days. I'm going to send the tech back to the dealership using the route I normally take...small hills, big hills, stop signs and stop lights. Plus a little stint on the highway here. I'm going to insist he go that way. lol maybe he can get it to act up for him...or at least see how the engine power drops significantly on a small incline. I know it is a lower cylinder car, but I've had 4 before and never had this much problem getting up a hill.

 

Since the check engine light issue, it has behaved so strangely. The more I drive it, the more weird stuff I get. I used to be able to go up small hills and not lose much speed. Now it loses down to less than 20 mph from 45 or so. On a big hill...I wonder if I am going to get up to the top or not. People start going around me. I took it out today and it shifted really rough, but no slips. I can't find any pattern.

 

The Srv. Mgr. was very nice and said they will check everything and reset the computers after they drive it several days if they can't find a cause. I let him know I will bring it back as often as needed until they make it run like the new car it is. Their nickel.

 

Fallon: I would if I knew where the transmission fluid thing is located. I can't go out long enough to poke around and look. I figured out how to put air in the tires, though...lol. I will get them to show me how to check fluid levels when they bring it back to me. Anything else I need to have them show me how to check? (I wasn't "allowed" to do these car things before...so I need to learn) I no longer want to be placed in a position as a helpless female, but would appreciate direction on what I need to know how to do between service visits.

 

Thanks to both of you!

[ICANHASMUNY?]

go to the local car part store pepboys, autosmart, Oreilly's, who ever - they are all over the place

 

ask them for a service book on your vehicle - it has all the basic's maintenence to dos' in front and pictures and diagrams to your hearts content.

 

they usually have these at the libaray too.

 

some local Community colleges offer basic car maintenence classes too.

[jgill84]

There were 2 issues that i found from gm. First is there is a software update for the ecm, which is the computer for the car. Only issue is alot of people are complaining about issues such as yours when the reflash is done, which im thinking they probably did when you first took it in for the check engine light. Second try turning off the traction control and the eco mode and see if this helps. keep us updated. If the dealer cant get it done, looks like your in texas, the dealer i work at in corpus christi can def get er done:) good luck

[Doodah]

I purchased a 2011 Equinox in May 2010. I received a recall notice 3 or 4 months later. The dealership had to recalibrate the computer and the slippage you described stopped. BTW, the vehicle wasn't for me.

Edited July 24, 2012 by Doodah

[gemsnewday]

There were 2 issues that i found from gm. First is there is a software update for the ecm, which is the computer for the car. Only issue is alot of people are complaining about issues such as yours when the reflash is done, which im thinking they probably did when you first took it in for the check engine light. Second try turning off the traction control and the eco mode and see if this helps. keep us updated. If the dealer cant get it done, looks like your in texas, the dealer i work at in corpus christi can def get er done:) good luck

 

They have reset the computer twice. Still same problems worsening over time. Ok...but can you help me understand how turning off the traction control will help with shifting and engine power issues? I don't quite understand the connection, but then I am not very car savvy.

 

Srv. Mgr called me today and said they were able to "sort of" duplicate the issues I complained of, and said based on how I drive (they've never been with me driving, so how do they know how I drive), the computer feeding instructions is overcompsating" or some such malarkey. He said the computer remembers my driving style. What? suppose it was a rental car, or I had other drivers in the home...it is going to be able to weed out each persons driving style, remember it, and put the style with the person? Or is he saying that the computer senses how I am driving and regulates accordingly.

 

The eco button was on when I got the car. Still get crappy gas mileage from day one. NEVER get over 19 city. Others seem to get 20-22 on average. It has hill climb assist, but won't go up hills any more without slowing to a crawl...with eco on and me pushing the pedal to the floor. The very same roads and hills I used to be able to climb with ease...until the check engine thing.

 

I don't drive this car any different than any other car I've ever had. Do not gun it at start up from stop, accelerate slowly but steadily, rarely pass cars, but when I do, accelerate properly. Nothing out of the ordinary.

 

I doubt I can make a trip to CC, but thanks for the offer to bring to your dealership.

 

SM said he is going to "personally" drive the car in differing road conditions tomorrow with eco on, then with it off and see if he gets different results. Said they are going to reset the computer after that, and then probably test drive again with eco on and off. Then bring it back. I'll do the recommended drive without eco for a few weeks and see if it is different. If it is not going to work and cause severe handling issues, why have it?

 

Thanks again for all your help and research. I will take it to another dealer if this doesn't resolve the issues with leaving eco off. I'll try turning off traction control, too. I should engage this when raining, though, right?

[gemsnewday]

I purchased a 2011 Equinox in May 2010. I received a recall notice 3 or 4 months later. The dealership had to recalibrate the computer and the slippage you described stopped. BTW, the vehicle wasn't for me.

 

I've never gotten any recall notices. Dealer has had my correct addy since purchase.

 

Reset computer twice already. We will see what happens. Thanks for the input. You wouldn't happen to know the notice number or what exactly the recall was for, would you?

 

Thanks.

 

Gems

[radi8]

He said the computer remembers my driving style. What? suppose it was a rental car, or I had other drivers in the home..

 

He wasn't pulling your leg, it's an adaptive transmission. Most of them are these days. It does learn your driving style and will adjust itself accordingly for best performance.

When another driver with a radically different driving style uses it, they'll probably complain the trans operates funny for a while, lol. Until it learns the new driving patterns.

 

Good luck! I hope your issue gets resolved ASAP.

[gemsnewday]

He said the computer remembers my driving style. What? suppose it was a rental car, or I had other drivers in the home..

 

He wasn't pulling your leg, it's an adaptive transmission. Most of them are these days. It does learn your driving style and will adjust itself accordingly for best performance.

When another driver with a radically different driving style uses it, they'll probably complain the trans operates funny for a while, lol. Until it learns the new driving patterns.

 

Good luck! I hope your issue gets resolved ASAP.

 

Adaptive transmission. Haven't heard of that, but now that you explain, I will research. I got my lil car back. I will drive it without the eco mode for a week, and then take off the traction control if eco wasn't the problem. Only drove home, so too soon to tell. They keep "advising" on the paperwork to use only top tier gasoline. That's all I use and told them before. Guess they are covering their behinds. lol

 

Oh, and they loaned me a Tahoe, TX edition, with buckets 2nd row and the backup camera. I was scared to drive something that big. It actually handles better than my lil equinox. Don't need a lot of the options, but love the 2nd row buckets and backup camera. The rest is good.

 

Now I want a Tahoe. I parked that big ol thing much more easily than my nox, and I love being up high to see around everything. May just end up trading in the nox and getting a tahoe. Going to look at leasing one, too.

 

Wonder if I took out the 3rd row seats if it would get any better gas mileage? Don't really need them. Would leave more room for the wheelchair and groceries. My nox is only getting about 19 mpg, and I obviously don't drive that much, so the mpg loss wouldn't be that bad. Will investigate maintenance costs/tires/repairs too.

 

thanks for all of your input. Will check back in a few weeks from now if eco wasn't problem.

[Doodah]

The issue was with the Transmission Control Module. The dealership will have the recall info.