Jumpy takeoff - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Amar_K · 09-04-2006, 05:08 PM

I have a 2006 Matrix, base model with automatic trans. I'd noticed since I got 10 months ago that it is kind of jumpy as I proceed forward from an idle position, or after I slow down to make a turn. As I start pressing the gas pedal it kicks forward in a noticibly unsmooth manner. My wife drives a Nissan Altimia 2.5. Her car is much moother that the Matrix, and she complains to me every time she drives the Matrix about how jumpy it is and how heavy the gas pedal feels compared to the Altima. I took the Matrix to the dealer and had him look it over. His answer: you guessed it, there is nothing wrong with it. This is how the Martrix is. I am a bit skeptic. Has anybody else noticed this in the Matrix? I would like to know if the dealer's claim is correct.
Thanks in advance.
Amar

Frank@toronto · 09-04-2006, 06:24 PM

The car with an automatic transmissions is peppy, but not "jumpy".

The only thing I can think of is that the throttle position sensor may be defective.

Just test drive another 2006 Matrix and see if their is a difference.

stevenspc · 09-05-2006, 01:50 PM

I noticed the same type of issue with a 2006 Camry that I had as a loaner vehicle but I put that down to what I assume to be an idiosyncrasy of the CVT transmissions that I've experienced with other vehicles.

My Matrix is a manual 5 Speed so I can't comment on the issue in the Matrix.

theirishfox24 · 09-07-2006, 10:26 PM

i have the same problem with my 2006 Matrix. when i take it in this month for state inspection, i might have the mechanics take a look at it. however, i suspect they will find nothing wrong.

Amar_K · 09-09-2006, 10:45 AM

Weel, I took it to the dealer yesterday. Their first reply was the usual "this is the way it is". I then spoke with the shop manager. He had one of his mechanic drive the car and I rode shutgun. I had him slow down and then accelerate several time so he could feel what I was talking about. The bottom line: when I first got the car 10 months ago I noticed that it hesitates to accelerate from idle, being impatient, I started flooring the gas pedal to get it to go. It turned out Toyota engines are designed to "learn" the driver's habit and adapt. This explains its tendency to jump when I first press the gas pedal (plausible). The mechanic reset the memory to the factory default settings. I am now supposed to retrain the car. So far I am inclined to believe this scenario even though it sounds a bit fanciful. I can actually feel a bit of a difference in the way the car reacts.