Prado 5 Speed Auto "Rough Shift"

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

Hey there guys.
A couple of months ago i created a similar thread on this issue but i feel that it deserves another thread since last time i probably didnt choose the right title.

I bought the Prado new around a year ago and since day 1 i've noticed that under the right circumstances the transmission might do a rough or abrupt shift that can be felt easily.
All of the times happened when i am cruising at a reasonably high "city" speed (70kmh - 90kmh) but then i let the accelerator pedal off while going over a slight to moderate incline until i lose speed to around 25kmh - 35kmh then when i accelerate again gently and suddenly push the pedal a bit further to avoid losing speed and accelerate, it makes a rough or abrupt shift. I'm pretty sure its not my imagination since it has happened quite a few times.

Have any of you guys felt the same thing?

[V1SHRNZ Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close V1SHRNZ]

I also get this when I'm using 4L in D. I think it's relatively normal on the ratios when I'm D given the throttle input.

[FergitronZR Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close FergitronZR]

FOLLOWING - my 2011 ZR does this occasionaly

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

Yep mine has been doing this since new. It's a harsh down shift back to first at very slow speed. Sought of 'clunks' into gear. Trait of the box IMO don't worry about it.

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

I've never had a car that did anything similar so i though why would a Toyota do it.
I hope it has no adverse effects on transmission longevity and reliability.

[retroenduro Member Find all posts View Profile Close retroenduro]

its probably the tailshaft binding..had this on mine along with a clunk when pulling up at the lights. Had the thing replaced under warranty with a new one (different part no.) and its been fine ever since

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

I've never had a car that did anything similar so i though why would a Toyota do it.
I hope it has no adverse effects on transmission longevity and reliability.

I do not think it should happen. When the car slows down it should also lower the gears. So when you accelerate it should be in a lower gear already... if this is so then there should not be an abrupt gear shift. I think gear change of this sort - that can be easily felt - should not be / cannot be good for the transmission. Guess the fault is that it is sensing the resistance when you accelerate and the resistance is acting as a trigger to lower the gear. So guess the issue is change of gear AFTER you accelerate rather than when the car is slowing down. Random guess.. accumulator in transmission not doing its job as expected.

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

its probably the tailshaft binding..had this on mine along with a clunk when pulling up at the lights. Had the thing replaced under warranty with a new one (different part no.) and its been fine ever since

I've actually thought about this too but my daily commute involves going over some moderate inclines and i've actually noticed that by switching the transmission to "S" and keep the car in 3rd or 4th gear i can completely avoid this situation. In fact, i've never had this issue while in "S" but just a couple of weeks ago i forgot to do it and it happened again which made me ask myself if i was the only one so i created this thread.
With the transmission in "S" it never happens, ever!

I do not think it should happen. When the car slows down it should also lower the gears. So when you accelerate it should be in a lower gear already... if this is so then there should not be an abrupt gear shift. I think gear change of this sort - that can be easily felt - should not be / cannot be good for the transmission. Guess the fault is that it is sensing the resistance when you accelerate and the resistance is acting as a trigger to lower the gear. So guess the issue is change of gear AFTER you accelerate rather than when the car is slowing down.

That is exactly what i thought also.
The "ideal" situation is that the transmission would start downshifting when it is decelerating but it seems that it holds a high hear since im cruising at a reasonably high speed (At least 70kmh but usually around 90kmh in a completely flat road and then i start going up) and when i start slowing down while going up and then push the accelerator again it makes a rough downshift since the ECU/TCU recognizes that the car is not accelerating and needs to lower the gear.

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

The gear should shift into lower when/while you are going up not when you are pushing the accelerator again. Random guess.. accumulator in transmission not doing its job as expected.
Sorry .. do not know what transmission in "S" means. I am waiting for the Prado to be delivered. Hope you appreciate the sentiment.

[Fred63 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fred63]

the only time I have noticed mine actually shift down to a lower gear is when you touch the brake.
Otherwise is will sit in the higher gear until you either touch the brake or the accelerator.
My daily drive also a Toyota does exactly the same thing.
maybe we put it down to a Toyota thing.
I would not say the downshift is overly harsh in both vehicles

[Coolcol Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close Coolcol]

Hi All, I also had some strange changes of gears while going round a round about or quickly changing speed at an intersection but this was dealt with very early on with the dealer remapping the transmission to make the gear changes a lot more sensible. I wonder if you need the remap? I have a Prado 2010 gxl?