GS300 AWD six-speed auto transmission

[kitzler]

The manual states that the car will not shift into 6th gear until the
engine has warmed up. Don't understand why, but I can live with that.
What I cannot live with is the following: Whenever you start the car
cold and start driving, the transmission refuses to shift out of first
gear unless you gun it enough (3000 RPM on the tach), then it behaves
normally.

This occurs whether it is 100 degrees or below 0 outside. I frankly
hate to gun a cold engine that hard if you do not have to. I asked my
service manager if this might be a software problem, as it seems to be
getting worse with time. His response was that the dealership could
not do anything about the software of the transmission controller, but
suggested I drive in S-mode, which disables the fuzzy logic used in the
transmission, what Toyota calls "ECT-i the i stand for - with
intelligence".

I did do that and from now on always drive in the S-mode, makes it
easier to downshift, but the PROBLEM remains the same. Any thoughts
out there?

[Ray O]

Post by kitzler
The manual states that the car will not shift into 6th gear until the
engine has warmed up. Don't understand why, but I can live with that.
What I cannot live with is the following: Whenever you start the car
cold and start driving, the transmission refuses to shift out of first
gear unless you gun it enough (3000 RPM on the tach), then it behaves
normally.
This occurs whether it is 100 degrees or below 0 outside. I frankly
hate to gun a cold engine that hard if you do not have to. I asked my
service manager if this might be a software problem, as it seems to be
getting worse with time. His response was that the dealership could
not do anything about the software of the transmission controller, but
suggested I drive in S-mode, which disables the fuzzy logic used in the
transmission, what Toyota calls "ECT-i the i stand for - with
intelligence".
I did do that and from now on always drive in the S-mode, makes it
easier to downshift, but the PROBLEM remains the same. Any thoughts
out there?

You are describing the normal operation of the electronically controlled
automatic transmission. The system is designed to delay upshifts until the
coolant temperature reaches a specific point so that the engine will run at
higher RPM. By running at higher RPM, the engine will warm up more quickly.
The faster the engine warms up, the faster it will enter closed loop mode
for improved emissions, with side benefits of improved performance and fuel
economy. As the ambient air temperature drops, it will take longer for the
coolant to reach the target temperature.

[kitzler]

Post by Ray O

Post by kitzler
The manual states that the car will not shift into 6th gear until the
engine has warmed up. Don't understand why, but I can live with that.
What I cannot live with is the following: Whenever you start the car
cold and start driving, the transmission refuses to shift out of first
gear unless you gun it enough (3000 RPM on the tach), then it behaves
normally.
This occurs whether it is 100 degrees or below 0 outside. I frankly
hate to gun a cold engine that hard if you do not have to. I asked my
service manager if this might be a software problem, as it seems to be
getting worse with time. His response was that the dealership could
not do anything about the software of the transmission controller, but
suggested I drive in S-mode, which disables the fuzzy logic used in the
transmission, what Toyota calls "ECT-i the i stand for - with
intelligence".
I did do that and from now on always drive in the S-mode, makes it
easier to downshift, but the PROBLEM remains the same. Any thoughts
out there?

You are describing the normal operation of the electronically controlled
automatic transmission. The system is designed to delay upshifts until the
coolant temperature reaches a specific point so that the engine will run at
higher RPM. By running at higher RPM, the engine will warm up more quickly.
The faster the engine warms up, the faster it will enter closed loop mode
for improved emissions, with side benefits of improved performance and fuel
economy. As the ambient air temperature drops, it will take longer for the
coolant to reach the target temperature.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Makes sense Ray but I still think it is wrong to run a cold engine at
high RPM until it has had a chance to warm up.. If you say my
transmission behaves normally, then so be it... thanks for the
feedback.........

/Nick

[Ray O]

Post by kitzler

Post by Ray O

Post by kitzler
The manual states that the car will not shift into 6th gear until the
engine has warmed up. Don't understand why, but I can live with that.
What I cannot live with is the following: Whenever you start the car
cold and start driving, the transmission refuses to shift out of first
gear unless you gun it enough (3000 RPM on the tach), then it behaves
normally.
This occurs whether it is 100 degrees or below 0 outside. I frankly
hate to gun a cold engine that hard if you do not have to. I asked my
service manager if this might be a software problem, as it seems to be
getting worse with time. His response was that the dealership could
not do anything about the software of the transmission controller, but
suggested I drive in S-mode, which disables the fuzzy logic used in the
transmission, what Toyota calls "ECT-i the i stand for - with
intelligence".
I did do that and from now on always drive in the S-mode, makes it
easier to downshift, but the PROBLEM remains the same. Any thoughts
out there?

You are describing the normal operation of the electronically controlled
automatic transmission. The system is designed to delay upshifts until the
coolant temperature reaches a specific point so that the engine will run at
higher RPM. By running at higher RPM, the engine will warm up more quickly.
The faster the engine warms up, the faster it will enter closed loop mode
for improved emissions, with side benefits of improved performance and fuel
economy. As the ambient air temperature drops, it will take longer for the
coolant to reach the target temperature.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Makes sense Ray but I still think it is wrong to run a cold engine at
high RPM until it has had a chance to warm up.. If you say my
transmission behaves normally, then so be it... thanks for the
feedback.........
/Nick

I agree that running a cold engine at high RPM sounds counter-intuitive,
however, Toyota has been doing this since they developed the electronically
controlled transmission, IIRC around 1992 when it appeared in the first
generation Camry.

[mcbrue]

I like the idea of running the engine faster to warm it up. But why
does is take so long to get the car heaters working?

[kitzler]

Post by mcbrue
I like the idea of running the engine faster to warm it up. But why
does is take so long to get the car heaters working?

Thanks Ray O, I can live with that and forgo all my engineering
training, as far as McBrue, you ought to get heated seats, since I
started using mine, I hardly need the car heater, keeping my butt warm
in a car is like keeping a hat on your head outside, you don't need a
coat..

/N.

[kitzler]

Post by Ray O

Post by kitzler

Post by Ray O

Post by kitzler
The manual states that the car will not shift into 6th gear until the
engine has warmed up. Don't understand why, but I can live with that.
What I cannot live with is the following: Whenever you start the car
cold and start driving, the transmission refuses to shift out of first
gear unless you gun it enough (3000 RPM on the tach), then it behaves
normally.
This occurs whether it is 100 degrees or below 0 outside. I frankly
hate to gun a cold engine that hard if you do not have to. I asked my
service manager if this might be a software problem, as it seems to be
getting worse with time. His response was that the dealership could
not do anything about the software of the transmission controller, but
suggested I drive in S-mode, which disables the fuzzy logic used in the
transmission, what Toyota calls "ECT-i the i stand for - with
intelligence".
I did do that and from now on always drive in the S-mode, makes it
easier to downshift, but the PROBLEM remains the same. Any thoughts
out there?

You are describing the normal operation of the electronically controlled
automatic transmission. The system is designed to delay upshifts until the
coolant temperature reaches a specific point so that the engine will run at
higher RPM. By running at higher RPM, the engine will warm up more quickly.
The faster the engine warms up, the faster it will enter closed loop mode
for improved emissions, with side benefits of improved performance and fuel
economy. As the ambient air temperature drops, it will take longer for the
coolant to reach the target temperature.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Makes sense Ray but I still think it is wrong to run a cold engine at
high RPM until it has had a chance to warm up.. If you say my
transmission behaves normally, then so be it... thanks for the
feedback.........
/Nick

I agree that running a cold engine at high RPM sounds counter-intuitive,
however, Toyota has been doing this since they developed the electronically
controlled transmission, IIRC around 1992 when it appeared in the first
generation Camry.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

[kitzler]

Post by Ray O

Post by kitzler

Post by Ray O

Post by kitzler
The manual states that the car will not shift into 6th gear until the
engine has warmed up. Don't understand why, but I can live with that.
What I cannot live with is the following: Whenever you start the car
cold and start driving, the transmission refuses to shift out of first
gear unless you gun it enough (3000 RPM on the tach), then it behaves
normally.
This occurs whether it is 100 degrees or below 0 outside. I frankly
hate to gun a cold engine that hard if you do not have to. I asked my
service manager if this might be a software problem, as it seems to be
getting worse with time. His response was that the dealership could
not do anything about the software of the transmission controller, but
suggested I drive in S-mode, which disables the fuzzy logic used in the
transmission, what Toyota calls "ECT-i the i stand for - with
intelligence".
I did do that and from now on always drive in the S-mode, makes it
easier to downshift, but the PROBLEM remains the same. Any thoughts
out there?

You are describing the normal operation of the electronically controlled
automatic transmission. The system is designed to delay upshifts until the
coolant temperature reaches a specific point so that the engine will run at
higher RPM. By running at higher RPM, the engine will warm up more quickly.
The faster the engine warms up, the faster it will enter closed loop mode
for improved emissions, with side benefits of improved performance and fuel
economy. As the ambient air temperature drops, it will take longer for the
coolant to reach the target temperature.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Makes sense Ray but I still think it is wrong to run a cold engine at
high RPM until it has had a chance to warm up.. If you say my
transmission behaves normally, then so be it... thanks for the
feedback.........
/Nick

I agree that running a cold engine at high RPM sounds counter-intuitive,
however, Toyota has been doing this since they developed the electronically
controlled transmission, IIRC around 1992 when it appeared in the first
generation Camry.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Say Ray O., what about my comment on driving only in the S-mode which
is supposed to disable the ECT-i (intelligence) from the tranny, I
still get the same problem whether I use the D-mode or S-mode..........
Still I feel better driving after reading your comment, I really
thought there was something wrong with my transmission and the dealer
was just soft shoeing me.

/N.

[Ray O]

Post by kitzler

Post by Ray O

Post by kitzler

Post by Ray O

Post by kitzler
The manual states that the car will not shift into 6th gear until the
engine has warmed up. Don't understand why, but I can live with that.
What I cannot live with is the following: Whenever you start the car
cold and start driving, the transmission refuses to shift out of first
gear unless you gun it enough (3000 RPM on the tach), then it behaves
normally.
This occurs whether it is 100 degrees or below 0 outside. I frankly
hate to gun a cold engine that hard if you do not have to. I asked my
service manager if this might be a software problem, as it seems to be
getting worse with time. His response was that the dealership could
not do anything about the software of the transmission controller, but
suggested I drive in S-mode, which disables the fuzzy logic used in the
transmission, what Toyota calls "ECT-i the i stand for - with
intelligence".
I did do that and from now on always drive in the S-mode, makes it
easier to downshift, but the PROBLEM remains the same. Any thoughts
out there?

You are describing the normal operation of the electronically controlled
automatic transmission. The system is designed to delay upshifts
until
the
coolant temperature reaches a specific point so that the engine will
run
at
higher RPM. By running at higher RPM, the engine will warm up more quickly.
The faster the engine warms up, the faster it will enter closed loop mode
for improved emissions, with side benefits of improved performance and fuel
economy. As the ambient air temperature drops, it will take longer
for
the
coolant to reach the target temperature.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Makes sense Ray but I still think it is wrong to run a cold engine at
high RPM until it has had a chance to warm up.. If you say my
transmission behaves normally, then so be it... thanks for the
feedback.........
/Nick

I agree that running a cold engine at high RPM sounds counter-intuitive,
however, Toyota has been doing this since they developed the
electronically
controlled transmission, IIRC around 1992 when it appeared in the first
generation Camry.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Say Ray O., what about my comment on driving only in the S-mode which
is supposed to disable the ECT-i (intelligence) from the tranny, I
still get the same problem whether I use the D-mode or S-mode..........
Still I feel better driving after reading your comment, I really
thought there was something wrong with my transmission and the dealer
was just soft shoeing me.
/N.

While the engine is warming up, the air-fuel mixture has to be enriched for
the engine to run, and while the extra fuel is being added to the mixture,
fuel economy goes down and emissions go up. Also, the O2 sensors and
catalytic converter(s) have to be fully warmed up to function, so the sooner
everything gets up to operating temperature, the sooner emissions go down
and fuel economy goes up and the easier it is to make the car comply with
emissions standards. With this in mind, I think the designers would design
the delayed shift parameters to override the D or S modes until everything
is warmed up. As far as harm being done to the engine, modern motor oils do
a much better job at temperature extremes and my guess is that there is
little or no harm being done.