07 Camry LE V6, transmission/hot

[DDL24]

Have been driving the new LE for the past two months. Bought it 8/1/07. about two thousand miles now. My previous car was a 2005 Audi S4 with 6speed manual, just so you know my frame of reference.

I swithched to the Camry mainly for my daily commute (27miles one way)in DC area which it does very well, comfortable, economical, stress free and reasonably powerful and surprisingly competent in handling.

The 6speed automatic in the Camry is definitely the least smoothest automatic I have experienced, from low grade rental cars to Ford to C/E/M class Mercedes to LS430. It wasn't as bad initially but as mileage rolls on, I have noticed deterioration in shifing quality, not much as surge but more of abrupt shifting in low speed, specially when just start a trip after overnight parking. But I already read about all those before I bought the car so I am not surprised. I will just wait till the first oil change and request them to re flash and see how it works out and report back here.

One thing I am a little surprised is the following.

after driving for awhile, the center consol surface area between where tranmission shifter and the little storage cube before the armrest, can get pretty warm. Is that normal? Not fresh cup of coffee hot but very warm to the touch. Thanks.

[Aceventura9586]

For the shifting you can try some of the LucasOil products. They make a fluid for ur trans that smooths out the shifting actually rather well. I use it in my car and it helps. Check that out for the tranny, and about the heat, I have no clue what that's all about. I'm still learning on the new camrys. Someone else chime in please

[TRD VVTi]

Yes, it's normal.

No, don't install Lucas transmission products into the transmission.

[Aceventura9586]

What's wrong with the lucas transmission products? Given I've only done it once.

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by Aceventura9586

What's wrong with the lucas transmission products? Given I've only done it once.

Call Toyota and ask them. They specifically state that no additives should be added to the fluid and that no solvents should be run through the transmission.

Lucas doesn't make any transmission fluids or additives that are Type T-IV approved.

[geoff5093]

I thought the Gen 6 V6 models had a closed transmission system, where you can't add any fluid to it by normal methods?

[akira751]

Originally Posted by DDL24

Have been driving the new LE for the past two months. Bought it 8/1/07. about two thousand miles now. My previous car was a 2005 Audi S4 with 6speed manual, just so you know my frame of reference.

I swithched to the Camry mainly for my daily commute (27miles one way)in DC area which it does very well, comfortable, economical, stress free and reasonably powerful and surprisingly competent in handling.

The 6speed automatic in the Camry is definitely the least smoothest automatic I have experienced, from low grade rental cars to Ford to C/E/M class Mercedes to LS430. It wasn't as bad initially but as mileage rolls on, I have noticed deterioration in shifing quality, not much as surge but more of abrupt shifting in low speed, specially when just start a trip after overnight parking. But I already read about all those before I bought the car so I am not surprised. I will just wait till the first oil change and request them to re flash and see how it works out and report back here.

One thing I am a little surprised is the following.

after driving for awhile, the center consol surface area between where tranmission shifter and the little storage cube before the armrest, can get pretty warm. Is that normal? Not fresh cup of coffee hot but very warm to the touch. Thanks.

I have none of those issues. My trans runs just fine.

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by geoff5093

I thought the Gen 6 V6 models had a closed transmission system, where you can't add any fluid to it by normal methods?

You can add transmission fluid by normal methods. You just can't check the fluid with a dipstick. There have been several posts regarding this in the past. If you do a search I know that you will find at least 2 threads.

[njerald]

Work generates heat and thankfully your tranny is working...............

[geoff5093]

Originally Posted by TRD VVTi

You can add transmission fluid by normal methods. You just can't check the fluid with a dipstick. There have been several posts regarding this in the past. If you do a search I know that you will find at least 2 threads.

Oh gotcha, I just remember the service guy at the dealer was saying that the transmission was a "closed" system. Now that I think about it, I remember a few posts showing how to add fluid to the transmission.

[carlo$]

my damn camry shifts like a sling shot from 1st to 2nd! all the time.

i think it just the way it is.

car runs fine.

[Camry5genrocks]

First the 07s are not using Type T-IV fluid. Beginning for the 2007 model year, several Toyota vehicle transmissions (Camry, Avalon, Tundra, 4-Runner, Prius, & Highlander Hybrid) have "WS" transmission fluid. There is not a recommended drain interval for this fluid at this time. Don't use any Lucas oil in your transmission. How will it interact with WS fluid? Wait until the Powertrain Warranty is up and then start experimenting with your Camry. Toyota can deny you warranty work, if they found out that you added an additive to your tranny.

[silverSEV6]

Ok. Enough about the fluids and oils. What about that warm spot by the shifter? I have it too. And its not everywhere, its only in one little particular spot.

[vinniemak]

Originally Posted by carlo$

my damn camry shifts like a sling shot from 1st to 2nd! all the time.

i think it just the way it is.

car runs fine.

Carlo$ get the TSB # EG036-07 I4 ECM Calibration done under warranty...you'll be shocked how smooth the tranny shifts...

[beejay21k]

I've noticed the warm spot on the console too. It's very small, pretty much in the lower left corner, just below the P-R-N-4-D... lights. I just assumed it was something to do with the circuit for the lights. Anybody have any ideas?