Transmission shifting question - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

davidk1953 · 12-26-2011, 06:24 PM

We have a 2007 Limited that we love everything about except the way the transmission downshifts to first gear when it seems to me it should stay in second. My inlaws have a 2007 XLS and it doesn't do this. This is our third Avalon and the only one to do this. The dealer we bought from says this is normal but I strongly disagree. Is there a service bulletin on this or what else can be done. Any help appreciated.

deadrx7conv · 12-26-2011, 08:09 PM

Vehicle adapts to the driver.

You are probably a more aggressive driver than your inlaws.

I would start with an overnight battery disconnect.

Have the ATF exchanged.

***Tom in Tacoma*** · 12-26-2011, 09:09 PM

In this case it's probably not the car adapting to the driver. There is a TSB that calls for the reflashing of the computer that improves the transmission shifting. What you describe is exactly what I experienced before I had the TSB work performed. Since then the downshift to first gear doesn't occur like it used to. There are several threads in this forum about this - use the search feature trying 'TSB', 'Reflash' or 'Transmission' and have a good read.

Take the car to your dealer and talk with the service adviser.