Gear Noise

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 58 other vehicles, including the 2003 Saturn Vue, 2003 Saturn L300, 2003 Saturn Ion 3, 2003 Saturn Ion 2, and 2003 Saturn Ion 1. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Gear noise or whine is audible from 20-55 MPH under 4 driving conditions:

Drive - Acceleration or heavy pull.
Road Load - vehicle driving load or constant speed.
Float - Using enough throttle to keep the vehicle from driving the engine, the vehicle slows down gradually but the engine still pulls slightly.
Coast - Throttle is closed and the vehicle is in gear.

Gear noise most frequently has periods where the noise is more prominent, usually between 30-40 MPH and 50-53 MPH. Gear whine is corrected by either ring and pinion gear replacement or adjustment, depending on the mileage of the gearset.