A couple of months ago there were some posts from folks who were having vehicle stalling problems with the "drive-by-wire" throttle on the 2009 Corolla with manual transmission. There hasn't been much recently and I was wondering whether everyone's now happy or, like me, resigned to living with it.
I've had the car ("S" model) for three months now and there has been a steep learning curve. Where early on I would stall it at least once a day now I'm down to one stall every few weeks but it's still very irritating. The car is very unforgiving - if I neglect to get up to at least 1200 rpm when starting off it just shudders and stalls without allowing time for me to give it any more throttle.
In the past I've had other cars with stick shifts without any of this kind of problem. Once you get the Corolla going it's a pleasure to drive. However starting from a dead stop is a real pain, especially when you're on a rise and need fast foot work. If I had it to do over again I'd definitely choose the automatic.
For me the 'old school', where you could sync the clutch and gas pedal in smooth fluid fashion shifting with vigor was great fun, clutch pressing in at the same rate and time as gas pedal releasing, then the other way around as fast as you wanted and/or blip the throttle if down shifting to rev match. But toyota took all the fun out of with throttle by wire, with almost robotic movements: gas pedal out, depress clutch, shift, release clutch, resume gas control. I found if I tried to shift old school the engine would shoot 4-500 rpm or more which means no near red line fun.
Its because of TBW (and a little that my wife doesn't like manual shifts that much) we went automatic. Its pretty close to being just as fast and gets just as good mpgs.
I've had the car ("S" model) for three months now and there has been a steep learning curve. Where early on I would stall it at least once a day now I'm down to one stall every few weeks but it's still very irritating. The car is very unforgiving - if I neglect to get up to at least 1200 rpm when starting off it just shudders and stalls without allowing time for me to give it any more throttle.
In the past I've had other cars with stick shifts without any of this kind of problem. Once you get the Corolla going it's a pleasure to drive. However starting from a dead stop is a real pain, especially when you're on a rise and need fast foot work. If I had it to do over again I'd definitely choose the automatic.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LeanBurn
For me the 'old school', where you could sync the clutch and gas pedal in smooth fluid fashion shifting with vigor was great fun, clutch pressing in at the same rate and time as gas pedal releasing, then the other way around as fast as you wanted and/or blip the throttle if down shifting to rev match. But toyota took all the fun out of with throttle by wire, with almost robotic movements: gas pedal out, depress clutch, shift, release clutch, resume gas control. I found if I tried to shift old school the engine would shoot 4-500 rpm or more which means no near red line fun.
Its because of TBW (and a little that my wife doesn't like manual shifts that much) we went automatic. Its pretty close to being just as fast and gets just as good mpgs.
Yes, the drive by wire takes a while to get used to - it is easier to stall, and the rpms do hang up there for a second or so after you take your foot off the gas. I'd still get the manual again though. My '07 Camry 5 speed manual has the DBW (the first car I've had with DBW) and it sounds like the Corolla drive by wire is the same.
Why is it that most wives/girlfriends don't like manual shifts??
Yes, the drive by wire takes a while to get used to - it is easier to stall, and the rpms do hang up there for a second or so after you take your foot off the gas. I'd still get the manual again though. My '07 Camry 5 speed manual has the DBW (the first car I've had with DBW) and it sounds like the Corolla drive by wire is the same.
Why is it that most wives/girlfriends don't like manual shifts??
i bought my corolla for my wife, and it's her first 5 speed, she loves it
edit: i forgot to mention, the corolla was way easier for her to drive then my tacoma. i tried to teach her on it before we bought the corolla, but she couldnt get it. it took her all of ten minuets to get the corolla down
It certainly does take some getting used to. I find myself almost stalling a couple times a week, but quickly recover. I would recommend Toyota getting rid of the system imo unless it gives better reliability or gas savings.
You bring up a good question... I got auto because of that... no fuss and no headaches.
Fuss and headaches???
Quote:
Originally Posted by tacorolla
i bought my corolla for my wife, and it's her first 5 speed, she loves it
Wow! She's a keeper!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tideland Prius
Don't know but I only know one friend that's a girl and drives a manual (old Volvo wagon).
Knowing more than 0 females that drive stick is unusual! I still can't decide why they don't like it??
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrantG
It certainly does take some getting used to. I find myself almost stalling a couple times a week, but quickly recover. I would recommend Toyota getting rid of the system imo unless it gives better reliability or gas savings.
It's cheaper, so they'll never get rid of it - reliability? and gas savings - doubtful.
I don't regret getting the 5-sp at all. The DBW throttle has all of the troubles that have been mentioned here and I still occasionally stall it after 7000 miles of experience with it. I've found that starting on hills and such isn't so much of a problem. The system seems to respond pretty well to the quick, deep throttle one typically uses to start on a hill. But it requires way too much attention and effort to get smooth, light throttle starts. I've found that RPMs in the 1500-1800 range and then a fairly fast clutch release are the norm for starting out fairly smoothly.
Owned my XRS 5 spd stick since May, put on 15,000 km +, have stalled it maybe 3 times, all of which where going into my garage over a 1.5 - 2 inch lip uphill.... I dont think the tranny or clutch, or DBW is to blame so much is the person driving it... Honestly...
__________________ 2001 Toyota Tundra TRD 1994 Jeep YJ - no top, no doors May-Oct 1996 Toyota Tacoma - RIP! frame recall $16,638 2009 Toyota Corolla XRS - SOLD
Why is it that most wives/girlfriends don't like manual shifts??
Quote:
Originally Posted by sinnaever
You bring up a good question... I got auto because of that... no fuss and no headaches.
I specifically wanted a 5 speed just to keep my girlfriends from driving it.
(my old car was a 2007 Grand Prix GXP,
which was totaled by my idiot ex-girlfriend)
Quote:
Originally Posted by trucknut1
Owned my XRS 5 spd stick since May, put on 15,000 km +, have stalled it maybe 3 times, all of which where going into my garage over a 1.5 - 2 inch lip uphill.... I dont think the tranny or clutch, or DBW is to blame so much is the person driving it... Honestly...
I couldn't agree more. When I bought this car I had literally never driven a five-speed before, and taught myself by driving it home that day (after Google-ing "how to drive 5 speed"). I stalled it a lot the first few days, but now after 3,500 miles experience I never stall, and I have even raced it and get consistent low 16's on the 1/4 mile (at the track where racing is legal of course)
I like the manual transmission. I have the XRS and find that I don't even mind the DBW as much as I thought I would. I have no trouble heel-toe downshifting and I usually rev match every downshift. It just takes a few days to get used to compared to other cars I'm used to driving like the Supra, AE86 and AW11's, etc. I find I have no problem switching between various cars including my 09.
When I bought this car I had literally never driven a five-speed before, and taught myself by driving it home that day (after Google-ing "how to drive 5 speed")
Now I have heard it all, Google has replaced the person in the passengers seat helping people learn to use a stick! GatoradeBoy I am impressed! Kudos on learning how to drive the only tranny that makes a car worth owning, a manual
__________________ 2001 Toyota Tundra TRD 1994 Jeep YJ - no top, no doors May-Oct 1996 Toyota Tacoma - RIP! frame recall $16,638 2009 Toyota Corolla XRS - SOLD
I did a 15-mile test drive in an S with 5MT before I bought an XLE auto. Compared to my '99 with 5MT, I didn't care for the '09 clutch and shifter. Clutch feel is too vague. Shifting is too imprecise and mushy. The 5MT setup in the '09 4-cyl Matrix felt far superior to me.
Making matters worse is the low gearing. The gears wind out too quickly. RPMs and engine noise are too high at highway speeds, plus the associated hit in MPG.
I didn't try the XRS since I wasn't interested in the bigger engine.
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