Auto holding 4th till 60km/hr

[Riv39 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Riv39]

Ok it's been some months since updating the software to fix the hesitation at 2400rpm and my 150 now consistently holds 4th till 60km/h whether in D or S. It will not shift to 5th before 60 indeed whilst in D it will hold 4th all the way up to 80km/h whilst under medium acceleration. This is definately costing me in the fuel economy area around town and I will not drive in D anymore as the shift pattern is completely incorrect IMO.

It would appear on face value that this holding 4th may have been done to correct the excessive lugging suffered previously. If so then I believe that Toyota has gone from one extreme to the other as the car does not need to be in 4th at say 55km/h under no load.

I am curious to know other owners experience with this as I am wondering whether my dealer upgraded the software correctly as I believe they need to drive the vehicle after the upgrade so that it can 'learn' how to shift again.

Is this correct....anyone else have any experience?

[Melbo Member Find all posts View Profile Close Melbo]

I have checked a couple of times at 100km/hr speed, even in cruise mode, switching between D and S, and it is always on 4th. I shifted from S5 to D and back to S, it would show me 4th gear. I thought that is the norm and it stays in 4th always when in "D" mode

[Riv39 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Riv39]

Yes you are correct, when selecting S it will default to 4th. You can then select 5th and the car changes up an down as required or you can downshift if required for engine braking.

The isssue I refer to above relates to the revised shift pattern caused by the software update issued back in August 2010.

[Foxy49 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Foxy49]

Hi Riv ,Mate I have just replied to your letter privately .I'm not overly fussed about the extra fuel but I do know towing it in S makes towing our van easy. Even my Lady had her first go the other day and she did very well and safely Cheers Foxy

[Mack Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mack]

Mine shifts to 5th when under no load around the 50 to 60km/h mark. Since the upgrade it did lag a lot more but it seems that it getting back to normal now, or I have have just gotten used to it. But once in 5th, all it takes to shift back to 4th is a very slight incline while driving under about 80 km/h.

[Riv39 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Riv39]

Checked with another dealership in a different state to me and they concur that this is a characteristic of the software update. They also said that thay had received a number of complaints about it so I will get my dealer to lodge a DPR and hopefully they will refine the update to improve the shift pattern (eventually).

[Schniff Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schniff]

What they really need is the 6 speed box from the 200, it craps on the A750F for smoothness. I don't see this happening until they change engines however.

[rob_macca67 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close rob_macca67]

Not knowing how auto's work, but thinking back to when I had a manual, I would never change into 5th gear unless I was doing a least 80km/hr due to placing unneccessary strain on the 5th gear. I assume a similar thing would also apply to the Auto's too, but driving ours around after th re-flash, it definitely drove and responded better and I reckon smoother too

Just my thoughts though....
rob

[Barnesworth Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Barnesworth]

Riv, from what you pointed out on previous threads I'm sure that they updated my transmission at its one month check up (september delivery). Agree it's holding too long, lots of 50km/hr limits here in Adelaide so momentarily have to exceed speed limit to get into 5th. In its first month I never noticed the flat spot, if it was at 2400 rpm then I don't see why the change from 4 th to 5 th at low rpm needed to be modified.

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

I have had the update and the gearbox does not hold 4th when in Drive, I've noticed overtime that the change pattern has changed based on the way I drive.

In S mode the gearbox does hold gears a bit longer, which it should.

[Riv39 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Riv39]

Steve, so you are saying that it changes to 5th in D at under 50km/hr?