03 VUE VTI noise

[dancind]

I got my 03 AWD VTI VUE 3 weeks ago.

Since the first day, I hear this very high pitch whistling noise, especially noticeable around 70-80 km/h (45-50mph). It's similar to the high pitch noise from a jet engine (obviously not as loud).

The dealership said it's the VTI belt but it's 'normal characteristic'. They claimed they drove a few other VUE's with VTI on their lot and heard the same noise.

I don't remember hearing it when I test drove before I bought. This gives me hope that the noise will go away after the break-in period.

Is anyone else having the same problem?

dancind

[OhioVueBoy]

Yep, I ahve heard it on a few VTis... and at some speeds it sounds like a police siren.
~D.J.~

[ricksLS1]

THey also said the steering wheel noise in the L is "Normal" , "They all do it" , "We tested some in the lot". May or may not be a problem. YO uhave the 30 day 1,500 mile return if you are not happy. Your the 1st year tester for this as they work out bugs.

[OhioVueBoy]

Actually, it would be 2nd year tester. I am not saying this is normal in the sense that yea its a good thing, but the fact is the VTi is quite noisy compared to other trannies. Start up a Manual VUE and then start a VTi... they sound different, they idle differently, they drive differently.. everything is different.
~D.J.~

[ricksLS1]

Originally posted by OhioVueBoy
Actually, it would be 2nd year tester. I am not saying this is normal in the sense that yea its a good thing, but the fact is the VTi is quite noisy compared to other trannies. Start up a Manual VUE and then start a VTi... they sound different, they idle differently, they drive differently.. everything is different.
~D.J.~

The VTi is still very new and wasn't offered until the production problems were fixed way after the introduction. Have them call Saturn engineering and ask that a field engineer come out and listen to the noise. When they give you the normal crap just a way to say they don't want to spend the time.

[CanVueYes!]

Yeah, I heard the same noise in my 4FWD VTi. At first we were wondering where it came from. Now that we're getting used to it, my wife thought it was kinda cool. When she drives and hears the jet engine sound, she says its like piloting a jetplane. When we drove distances, my wife used to only wanting to drive for an hour or so. Now with the VUE she's hogging the wheels. Just this past long weekend she drove three hours straight and didn't want to pass the wheel to me. Guess I have to buy myself another VUE soon to prevent withdrawal symptoms. :D

I wondered what would happen to animals, like dogs, when they hear this high pitch sound. Would they jump out of the car or cover their ears? ;)

[Qlara]

That's kinda cool.....so is this 'Jet' noise only happens in specific rpm/mph range only? Or whenever there's movement, there's noise?

For VTi owners, did the Saturn Owner's Manual mention anything about VTi transmission maintenance? Fluid change, something like that?

[L300Boy]

come on, its a brand new transmission design. I wouldnt write it off as a flaw with the CVT just yet...just because it doesnt make the same sound as a conventional transmission.

NVH was never a top priority in saturn R&D anyways....id give them a couple years to silent the bugger up.

Im looking forward to a s/c or turbo 2.2L with a CVT ... all those wonderful sounds!

[OhioVueBoy]

Like every 50K miles the VTi needs to have an additive poured into it.. other than that it is maintenance free.
~D.J.~

[L300Boy]

is the additive intended for the fluid or the actual belt itself?

[OhioVueBoy]

Dunno, the bottle jsut says "Dex-CVT additive"
~D.J.~

[John1096]

The belt must not slip. The fluid is a frictional fluid. It is engineered on a molecular basis and the molecular shape provides a layer of "friction" between the hydraulic pulley and the metal belt. Over time and temperature, the shape of the molecules become "worn". The additive puts in some new friction molecules to prevent slip.

[L300Boy]

Now thats a damn good answer :D

[Alan eh?]

If I was a dealer, I would remember that one! Sure to dazzle the unsuspecting and confuse the knowledgable!

Sure to shut up a few 'noisy" customers!

=Alan=

[Qlara]

So the CVT just required additive every 50k, and no fluid change?
That's a very nich low-maintenance tranny box to own and drive. :whoa:

[L300Boy]

:o:

http://www.caseyhalverson.com/external/changebeltsoon.jpg

... yea.. ive pretty much drove that into the ground...

[radioouman]

I have a high pitched whine from my 2000 SW2... Definately related to engine speed, and is quite noticable at 65 mph. At 70 mph, it's nearly gone, and below 65 the pitch goes down. It was worse when the car was new, but it is still there at 36,000 miles and a transmission fluid/filter change at ~30,000.

It's a little irritating, but there are worse problems.....

[Qlara]

If you hear high-pitch noise relative to speed, make sure it's coming from the Driver-side? or Passenger-side?

Noise coming from the Passenger-side is usually Timing-chain, Belt, Pulley, Alternator or Steering pump related in S-series car. Tranny whine (from driver-side) won't be too obvious in high speed, it does generate some 'hissing' sound in low-speed though. But that's normal.

[02VUE93SL]

To add on the maintenance free tranny......

My sales and maintenance tech said my V6 AWD tranny needs no service until 100k miles! UNREAL!