Confused about "shifting" issues

[eav72]

I'm sorry but I/m a little confused. I've been reading these posts about the shifting issue and the "flash" forthe fix but I still dont see anywhere the actual problem.

I'll tell you my poblm and hopefully I can get a simple answer. I just purchased an 08 Touring in January. My problem issometimes it feels like the RMs accelerate up about 500-700RPM before down shiftng. Is this the problem you guys are having? It doesn't always do it. So I took my car to the local toyota dealer, and ofcourse, I couldnt duplicate the poblem when we rode tested the car. I left the car for the day there. Theservice tech said they checked everythingand hat the computer was loaded with the most up to date flash. I brought with me a print out of the flash fix but he said since my car is an 8 that it would not applyto my car.

Is it pssible that this will occur less when it is warmer in temperature outside. It still does i but not as much. It's very annoyng when Inotice it.

Any anwers would be greatly apprciated.

[fake_usa]

If your car is an '08 you have a 6 speed trans.
The "flash" was for the 05-07 cars with a 5 speed trans.
I haven't heard of any shifting issues on the '08's yet

[ManyMods]

My cousin who lives in Louisiana has an '08 Limited and he said he does not like the way the car drives. Here's what he said in a recent email to me.

You know the new one (2008 Limited) is not nearly as smooth shifting. When you let off the accel it slows down like the emerg brake is on or it is geared really low. It does not get the same mileage either......they usually fool around and screw up a good thing........this one gets 26; of course I only have 1500 miles on her...........still have the break in oil.......

- Peter

[eav72]

Originally Posted by fake_usa

If your car is an '08 you have a 6 speed trans.
The "flash" was for the 05-07 cars with a 5 speed trans.
I haven't heard of any shifting issues on the '08's yet

That's my problem. It seems the only posts about this is for the 2005-2007 Avalons. This is my second Avalon Turing. I had the 2005 but had no issues with it at all. So I know how it's supposed to drive. I hope Toyota will have a resolution soon.

[Mike Murrell]

More to the mpg comment above than the original post......my '06 Avalon gets on avg. about 27.5 mpg. Same figure before and after the reflash. For a brief period following the reflash, I thought it improved, but not long after that was back to the 27.5 mpg avg.

On occasion, I have gotten as high as 29.5, but that has only happened a few times in the 2yrs. I've had it. I use 89 octane mid-grade. The lower 87 octane seems to yield the same mpg, but it seems to purr a bit better on the mid-grade.

The car is actually my wifes, but I've riden and driven it enough to believe that Toyota did a lousy job with the '06 Avalon. I suspect the drive-by-wire may behind it all, but that is just my belief. I have nothing solid to back that up with.

Irregardless, I'll never buy another Avalon.

[long27]

Originally Posted by Mike Murrell

More to the mpg comment above than the original post......my '06 Avalon gets on avg. about 27.5 mpg. Same figure before and after the reflash. For a brief period following the reflash, I thought it improved, but not long after that was back to the 27.5 mpg avg.

On occasion, I have gotten as high as 29.5, but that has only happened a few times in the 2yrs. I've had it. I use 89 octane mid-grade. The lower 87 octane seems to yield the same mpg, but it seems to purr a bit better on the mid-grade.

The car is actually my wifes, but I've riden and driven it enough to believe that Toyota did a lousy job with the '06 Avalon. I suspect the drive-by-wire may behind it all, but that is just my belief. I have nothing solid to back that up with.

Irregardless, I'll never buy another Avalon.

[long27]

i,ll take it off your hands i want an avalon.BAD

[Mike Murrell]

Will sell for $42,500.00

Wife gets a new Accord and I get a new Harley

[Tom in Tacoma]

Originally Posted by Mike Murrell

Will sell for $42,500.00

Wife gets a new Accord and I get a new Harley

Damn! That's a pretty good deal! long27 - if I were you I'd go for that deal before somebody else snatches it up. Too bad I've already got an Avalon or I'd be on it like white on rice!


(...Mike - you suppose that'll seal the deal?...)

[long27]

Originally Posted by Tom in Tacoma

Damn! That's a pretty good deal! long27 - if I were you I'd go for that deal before somebody else snatches it up. Too bad I've already got an Avalon or I'd be on it like white on rice!


(...Mike - you suppose that'll seal the deal?...)

im happy for u. NOT!

[ManyMods]

Originally Posted by Mike Murrell

(Big Snip)
Irregardless, I'll never buy another Avalon.

Hi Mike,
It saddens me to hear what I understand to be your displeasure with a car that I really like. I know it is not a Bentley or even close, but for the money I really do think it is a very nice car.

I join these forums to learn more about cars I own, share constructive and hopefully helpful information with fellow car enthusiasts. That collaboration may improve our collective enjoyment of the purchase we made.

I take it for granted that nothing is perfect, and at under $100,000 you get what you pay for. I buy Toyota's because I think they are an excellent bang for the buck. I could easily own a Mercedes, BMW or Range Rover, but I will not pay the maintenance or insurance on one. I generally keep my cars for a long time.

As for mpg before and after the ECM re-flash, the Toyota factory tech rep told me when these cars come through from the factory the EPA tuning parameter specs are not as precise as when they re-flash the computer, so that is why the mileage may or may not change. I don't have enough mileage on the car yet since the TSB was done, but I am taking a business trip next week so I should have some better numbers to reference. My guess is the mileage will not improve and may go down. What I do know already is, and I have said it before, the post TSB performance result is much smoother all around performance. I personally would sacrifice mileage for performance although we should be able to have both. Proper tuning of the ECM is critical and we will not get that from a dealer, only from a professional competition tuner.

- Peter