the black button isnt stock, maybe thats your fog lights? if so the red thing next to it is (on other VX's, yours looks diff but might just be the picture) the alarm LED, if you use the remote to lock the doors, it should light for like 3 seconds then flash after that until you disarm

i use regular grade gas, and have no problems, at the meet i went to there was talk about improved gas mileage with higher octane, but i havent tried yet

its possible both of the fog lights are blown, id check that first, you should go to home depot and get 18w malibu outdoor light bulbs to fit in the sockets, they make a huge improvement over stock

my trans feels like it slips sometimes, try using (or turning off) power mode, many VXers drive with power mode on all the time, if the slipping trans really bothers you, you could try to order an autotrans interceptor from www.tonemonday.com (Tone on the forum) but if you are going to, hurry, last i heard he has 10 more and theyve been discontinued

as far as i know there arent any stock buttons under the steering wheel...