5th Gear Problem 2003

[Corolla Abuser]

I've found lots of posts about Corolla's popping out of 5th gear, but that doesn't seem to be my problem.

I noticed when I was doing about 120 km/h and 3000 rpms that when I put the clutch in or pulled the gearshift out of gear that the rpms did not change for a few seconds. I tried other gears, slower speeds, giving gas... it comes down to 5th gear over 100 km/h causes hesitation in rpm reduction after putting in neutral or disengaging the clutch.

Any ideas?

[invader]

It's for catalyst protection, as noted by Toyota:

On certain vehicles equipped with manual transmissions, the engine computer may momentarily keep the engine speed above idle when shifting out of fifth or sixth gear at highway speeds. This condition occurs only briefly and only when the vehicle is in neutral. It is designed to prolong the life of the catalytic converter.

[silver04rollas]

Good information, invader. Good to know. Though, I have not noticed anything when putting into 6th gear overdrive on highway.

[invader]

It usually does with mine. At about 65 mph when I get out of 5th into neutral to coast for a moment while approaching my driveway, rpm's actually hang perfectly matched for a 4th gear downshift.

It was a great mistery as to why within 9th gen corolla forum as well, until I got the answer in the mail, along with other carpet fitting info, etc, from Toyota headquarters a couple years ago.