09 Malibu 1LT problem
 

I just recently purchased the malibu 1LT. I just noticed that you can move the shifter from park to any gear without the key in the ignition or the brake pedal pressed. Does anyone know what is doing this...thanks

Thats odd. Sounds like the shifter lock is broken.

Ther is a recall on all the new models (well most of them) for shifter issues. I would imagine your car is still in warranty. Do not try to fix them yourself. Take it to the dealer and have them repair it. It will save you time, money and aggrovation. Use your warranty to your full advantage. That is how dealers make money. I would know.... I work for one. Here is a brief over view of the recall. It does not describe your problem, but the recall is for shifter issues in general. Not just staying in gear.

http://blogs.internetautoguide.com/6...ted/index.html

Thanks and another question
 

Thanks for all the info...i will be taking it in today. I do have another question. The car has less then 500 miles on it and it feels like the trans is lagging. I already took it in to the dealer a week ago and they said they reprogrammed or updated the trans. Does this sound legit or am i being dicked around?

Well, there is software that the dealer can update the tranny with if the software is available. Did it fix the lag issue? Would you be able to describe the issue more specifically?

I own a 2008 LT2, and if it feels like the tranny lurches ever so slightly everytime you step on the gas (not necessarily when it shifts), then apparently this feeling is because of the lock-up torque converter tranisitioning between locked and unlocked mode. I also found this new tranmission unsettling as it up shifts/down shifts way more than any car I've ever driven before (I haven't driven that many new cars though). My most annoying gripe about the tranny, is that while driving around the city, the tranny insists on shifting to 3rd gear after I hit 60km/h, but if I slow to about 50km/h it down shifts to 2nd, and if I accelerate to get back up to 60 km/h it shifts again! Sometimes, when I'm driving through town I'll shift between 2nd and 3rd a half a dozen times. It's not a big deal, but feeling the chuggle from the tranny shifting all the time is kinda unsettling.

Well if it just feels like there is slight hesitation before accelerating hard it would probably be because it has an electronic throttle body. They may just have said that to make it seem to you like something was fixed. Did you wait for it or did it take time to take care of it.

It could be completely normal it may not. I would have to drive it to be sure. I don't see how you would flash a TCM. But w/e. If you really think it's a problem then I would talk to them about it again. If something needed to be replaced they probably would have done it. Warranty work is money in their pocket, you would not decline it if it needed a transmission. Sometimes the manufacturer will tell them to do something first to avoid replacing something big. If it continues to fail then they will replace it. It's just how things work.

Like I said, if you really see it as a problem keep telling them. Also use your warranty to your full advantage. If your radio knobs start to peel or window switches, you can have them replace it as a defect. Like I said before warranty work is still money for them, so normally (they should) be glad to replace it. Make sure you tell your service advisor to explain what has been done thoroughly and make sure you listen. You can ask to see what they replaced to make sure they actually did it, and by federal law you can ask for the bad parts to make sure they were really bad and that they aren't just saying they did something or replaced something that didn't need it.

This goes for Dealers, Independent Shops, back-yard mechanics... everyone. Not all dealers are thieves. Mine is not and that is why I work where I do. In fact, we have given away tons of jobs for free to our good customers. Like a Passat w8 timing chain. Over 18,000 dollars in repairs. Free. I almost cried.

Dealers have bad reps because we are more expensive. Some dealers don't care who they hire as long as they have someone. They don't always hire people who have real experience. My dealer will no hire you unless you went to Vw-Audi school. Basically it is your college, but you go to a school in PA. And you have to live there. If you don't have any experience with vw or audi you will not be hired and if you do, you're gonna be a cashier. It's the way they should all be run to avoid places that help drill dealership business into the ground. So basically, you are paying more for well built, perfect fit, warrantied parts. And people who know what they are doing are working on your car. That's the idea. Sadly it does not always work out that way. When I came to Vw I had a year's worth of experience with audi and Porsche. My dealer and vw are strict on having certified people. So here I am 2 years later, and I am a certified expert parts specialist. Not a counter person. Those idiots can only get you incorrect parts and should be at advanced auto. ;)