Can you provide more details on how many miles you have on the car etc? I have an S and I notice when I put it in "Sport" mode the car holds higher RPM's longer than when its in "Eco" mode. I know historically there's been a lot of complaints and gripes about CVT's in general holding RPM's that make it feel like the engine is revving.
Other vehicles we have in the household (non toyotas) have engine breaking features. These are all 2012 or newer vehciles. It could be on the down hill thing that its just the trans "downshifting" to provide engine breaking. Do you know if there were any grade changes on the highway? Maybe the car was accelerating to maintain speed due to a up-grade in the road. Standard auto tarnsmissions will do this as well when cruise is engaged.

 

So what did you determine on the LE's CVT, bucketheadd? I'm getting a new LE in a couple of days and wonder if I'm making a mistake. Surely the CVT can't be all that bad, since it's an industry standard by now. Besides, there's always the warranty! Or maybe it's just us having to adjust to the new "normal." What do you think?

 

I have an LE and I have noticed that when I go down hill sometimes my rpms will rev in the 3500 to 4000 range........
Anyone else with the same issues????
If it keeps up its going to the shop.

Oh well, so much for replies.
In any case, I got my Corolla LE with CVT and it works like a charm. No RPM issues or any other problems, yet. Even after being a long-time manual and auto tranny user, this CVT is better for me.
I just hope the reliability stays and stays.
EW

 

I can explain the original problem. The cruise control will control the CVT trans in such a way that when you are going downhill enough to start gaining speed past what the cruise control is set at, , the trans will shift up in a higher rpm to act like it is downshifting to a lower gear. It is fairly seamless on gradual grades and other then the RPMs adjusting, you won't feel any diference. On steeper grades, you will notice some speed changes and on fairly steep grades, you may still gain some speed as there isn't a whole lot of engine braking available.

 

I just noticed this on my new 2015 Eco. It seems counter to the Eco designation as down shifting the engine (if that is the proper term on a CVT) seem to be counter to high mileage. It is also a bit annoying. In any other car if the down grade exceeds the engines ability to hold the car back and letting the car speed up a bit isn't an option, one simply applies brakes.

Any solutions to this?

 

The first time this happened it took me by surprised. However, I have done some reading and convinced it is working as designed. While in cruise control you want the car to maintain the set speed whether on flat ground or on an up or down grade. Going up, additional fuel will be used to maintain that speed. Going down, the cvt will cause the engine to have higher RPMs in order to restrict the speed that is set. If you are monitoring the fuel or eco gage you will see that there is no fuel being used. This is in fact the correct result and is not counter to the goal of saving fuel.

 

This is the normal behavior of the CVT while descending a hill. I disagree that it doesn't waste fuel. It may not burn any more during the downshift but you lose the speed and momentum to allow you to coast further as the grade levels out. The downshift slows you down compared to coasting and you have to re-accelerate sooner than you would if it didn't do this. The only advantage I see is it may save you a ticket by keeping your speed down. I always disengaged the cruise when this happened for the above reason and also because brakes are cheaper than a CVT to replace due to extra wear. Most CVT and automatic transmissions do this, one more reason I prefer a manual.

 

The other day it even happened on the highway, with cruise control on and it seems to be occurring more frequently.
If I throw it in neutral real quick and then back into gear it comes down immediately but piss on that every time im driving.

It is normal behavior for the CVT on cruise control, you don't gain anything by throwing it into neutral. You might as well disengage the cruise control.

The downshift slows you down compared to coasting and you have to re-accelerate sooner than you would if it didn't do this.

You may lost some of the "roller coaster" effect (which indeed may lead to a ticket !) , but it doesn't slow you done above the preset speed anyway, so I,m not sure you need to accelerate again.

In any case, the manual state that it is not recommended to use the cruise control on hilly roads.

 

It is normal behavior for the CVT on cruise control, you don't gain anything by throwing it into neutral. You might as well disengage the cruise control.


You may lost some of the "roller coaster" effect (which indeed may lead to a ticket !) , but it doesn't slow you done above the preset speed anyway, so I,m not sure you need to accelerate again.

In any case, the manual state that it is not recommended to use the cruise control on hilly roads.

Well, my drive is pretty much rolling hills the whole way, and I do use cruise. I always disengage it if the engine is going to brake and if its safe to do so, so I DO take advantage of the roller coaster effect. You do have to be careful though as you can really pick up speed going down the hill without engine or regular braking and you could get a ticket or have a close call with the guy in front of you if you aren't careful. It makes (to me) a significant difference in my MPG ( a few MPG per tank, which is significant to me with as much as I drive). If traffic is heavy I don't use it on hills though, as it just becomes too much of a pain engaging and disengaging. This is one reason I prefer manual transmission. I can decide if I want to engine brake rather than the car deciding for me. I'm not sure downshifting (if you can call it that on a CVT is really very good for the trans over the long term - maybe that's one reason they caution against using cruise on hills in the instruction manual). My Honda automatic used to downshift going down a hill whether you were in cruise or not - i HATED that.

 

OK, its been a while since I posted on this topic, but here goes.
I have come to the conclusion that this is "normal" behavior for this car.
The shop say everything is fine, but damn is it irritating.
I guess its something to get used to.
Jolly, it usually doesn't happen in cruise control, mostly on the regular roadways when going 25-45, and its really stupid.
I agree with dlayman, its cheaper to replace brakes than the CVT. If I`m going to fast down a hill I can simply apply the brakes. I`ve been doing it like that for years.
I also have a 100,000 mile, factory, bumper to bumper on the car.
I`ll be rid of it before that is up so go ahead and break, see if I care. hehehehe

 

If you're not using cruise control and going only 25-45 on a flat road, I'm not sure that the downshift IS normal behavior. I only ever experienced it in the Corolla if going down a hill in cruise. If I disengaged the cruise and it wouldn't downshift, no matter how fast it got going or if I applied the brakes. Some cars still do the downshift even when not in cruise (Honda calls it "grade logic") though, but I didn't think the Corolla did. I don't like that effect either.

 

I also think this is entirely normal. Let me put it this way: While in cruise control and going downhill, my 2015 Corolla holds its set speed better than any car I have ever owned. That's what's going on with the transmission -- it is allowing "engine braking" to happen -- which, by the way, if you watch your ECO level display, doesn't use a drop of extra gasoline. In the end, this is just "engine braking" -- if you're not familiar with it, you can find plenty of information about it with a quick Internet search.

You can certainly disengage the cruise control while going downhill -- then the engine will return to idle, and depending upon the height and grade of the hill, your car should wind up going quite a bit faster than it would if you had kept the cruise control engaged.

 

He's saying it's happening when the cruise is OFF. THAT'S the part that seems odd, but it may be normal. I never experienced my car doing this except when cruise was ON.

 

I also have 2015 LE and I am seeing the somewhat same thing in sport mode around town at lower speeds but not in cruise. I am going 30 in sport mode and when I apply the brakes the RPMs stay at about 2000 until I get to about 10 MPH with no noticeable drag. Is this the way it's supposed to work. I have AC on in sport mode in an LE.

 

Unfortunately yes, it seems to be "normal".
It is something that irritates me in my hilly little city but the dealer says that its fine.
It has only happened a couple of times on the highway and always in the same spot, but constantly around town
Really not a bad car though, just a few little things after 35000.
Good luck

 

Thanks for the reply. Sound like I'm not alone. I like the car. Had it for about a month and I have no issues except hard plastic where i rest my arm up by the window and can't get my MP3s to play on a USB drive. I'll figure the MP3 thing out. I'm a computer guy....so all in all....good car. Like it a lot.

 

I have tried FAT and FAT32. Both should work. I had all MP3s in the root. I tried putting all albums in their own folder.
I have not updated FW but I just got it. I assumed it was up to date. I will check.
Thanks

 

Updating is way overrated unless it is to correct a generalized bug or add a functionality. None of those apply in regard with simple mp3s reading.
Basic :
Is the usb key or connector otherwise working (try another key with just on or two mp3s).
Is there anything else than music on the key ?
Do the files have the correct extensions (.mp3) ?
Are the files recorded within the prescribed debit (see manual)
Etc...

 

I'm not sure if the Corolla behaves this way, but a pretty standard way of engine braking with the CVT is for the ECM to cut the fuel injectors when the engine RPM is above a certain threshold and your foot is off the gas pedal. That way you're actually using zero fuel during engine braking - which is a pretty clever design. On my 2012 Outback you can feel when the injectors kick back in once the RPM gets low enough. I.e. if I accelerate to 30 MPH on a flat road and let go of the gas pedal, the fuel injectors cut. Then once I'm down to a certain RPM I can feel a slight nudge as the injectors re-engage to prevent the engine and car from stalling.

I've never driven a Corolla with CVT though. My 1994 Corolla features the bullet proof A245E 4-speed auto :-D

 

This feels like what it's doing, although a minimum amount of engine breaking when I take my foot off the gas pedal. Strange feeling after driving Tacoma 4 speed for 14 years.

 

Personally I don't find the engine braking is enough to hold speed. My last car (a Mercedes) would use the brakes as well as engine braking to maintain speed. Wish the Corolla did the same.

 

To OP, this is absolutely normal.

My car does this, it's usually used to save the brake pads when going downhill.
Engine braking won't hurt anything either, and it will save gas too.

 

The issue mainly is when I slow down to stop at a red light or stop sign (In Sport mode - or S in a Corolla LE) The engine stays at about 2000 RPM without the feeling of any braking until I reach 15 MPH. It then drops the RPM. Maybe I misread the feel. I have only duplicated it 3-4 times. Maybe it is having a braking effect and I'm not noticing because I'm on flat surface each time. Also, maybe if i pressed the brake harder it would drop the RPMs faster.

I forgot to thank you for replying. Maybe you have seen the same behavior. Thanks. Anyway, that was the issue. Staying at 2000 RPM in sport mode when coming to a stop without the feeling of engine braking. At about 15 MPH it drops to about 1200 RPM.

 

Well "S" in LE is for engine breaking ("B" for harder engine braking).[/quote]

Yes, but driving around in 20-35 MPH zones it seems to accelerate and handle better in "S". I still get 32-35 MPH (old school calculations) around town. Here is what Toyota says. Even in the LE "S" stands for "Sport"

http://toyota.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/7871/~/what-are-the-s-and-b-gear-shift-positions-used-for-on-the-2014-corolla%3F
Another thing Toyota says
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a2drYhBWgc&feature=youtu.be

 

Yes, but driving around in 20-35 MPH zones it seems to accelerate and handle better in "S". I still get 32-35 MPH (old school calculations) around town. Here is what Toyota says. Even in the LE "S" stands for "Sport"
http://toyota.custhelp.com/app/answ.../7871/~/what-are-the-s-and-b-gear-shift-positions-used-for-on-the-2014-corolla?
Another thing Toyota sayshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a2drYhBWgc&feature=youtu.be

Indeed "S" keeping RPM higher feels sportier (not sure about better handling though) but higher RPM also means a bit of engine braking when you release the throttle, thus, what the owner manual says :

​

 

Good post. The owners manual is the go-to for your car.

With that said, Toyota uses the "S" position in LE Corollas for other purposes. As both links I provided explain. They gave us the "S" position for engine braking but they say themselves it is a sport mode to have more power coming out of the curves. It holds lowers RPMs longer. The shift points are programmed differently.

It's also good for coming down a hill to brake without wearing the brakes.

Toyota USA YouTube channel has this posted to explain. Not only "S" models have Sport mode

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a2drYhBWgc&feature=youtu.be

 

Can I ask something about CVT? at city speed around 30 km/h and 1000 rpm, D gear, my car does not drive smooth, just like the engine was doing some braking. When I slow down to stop, there is a slight thud like changing gear and then roll a bit until it stop. last 3 weeks I flushed my transmission oil in garage that specialized in transmission and certified by AA. The garage is using some generic cvt oil but I'm not sure what brand they use. is the use of non toyota cvt oil can give this kind of problem? I don't recall how is it behave before I change the oil.

I went to toyota service center a week ago and a technician was doing road testing, and he concluded that he could not find any problem. the toyota service advisor suggest me to do the computer check, which I plan to do next week (a NZD 200+ for 2 hours labor). Is it worth it? I also think to flushed the transmission again at toyota and use the genuine toyota (cost me another NZD 571)?

Thanks for helping

 

Personally, I would never use anything except the approved Toyota transmission fluid in any Toyota transmission. Automatic transmissions are very persnickety about the fluid used. Even though a particular ATF might be listed as an equal to what the car maker originally filled the transmission with, that does not mean the transmission will perform the same as it did with original factory fluid. In fact, surprisingly it can perform very differently...and almost always not to your liking. Many people have found out the hard way that changing to a non-OE ATF causes the transmission to have less than desirable idiosyncrasies.

 

It's also a very difficult procedure to fill the CVT to the right level. Take it to a dealer or a transmission shop that has the right equipment to change it. It takes vacuum a chamber and a pump full of the right fluid along with 2-3 adapters to do it right. There is a video on YT on what it takes to change a 6 speed, and the CVT uses a straw inside like the Toyota 6 speed I believe. It's not just drain and fill. The fluid has to be at the correct temperature. You need the right equipment and knowledge.

 

I kinda like the Toyota engineer's choice of AT fluid myself.

 

I have noticed this type of behavior on my 2014 S when I'm driving in SPORT mode. It only seems to happen to me when I'm at a good amount of speed and need to stop quickly especially on the expressway. It's like the car does it to engine break and help slow the car down faster. Other than that I never noticed anything out of the ordinary on the CVT, that would cause for concern.

 

I experienced this just now. I was on a VERY steep downhill grade going only about 30 MPH. On the way down I was in D mode with my LE. The computer (or CVT) took the RPMs up to 3000-3500 RPM for a short time. It was a short slope. I think it's great for the transmission to act this way. Maybe there is a gyroscopic sensor that detects your grade.

I have been in canyons 4-5 times now, but normally I stay in S mode in canyon areas when the speed limit is 20-30 which it is in my canyon road I normally drive. I will try D mode and see if it acts to slow me with the RPMs.

If so, I think it's a good call by Toyota. It saves your brakes and does not harm your engine to be at 3000-3500 coming down a grade. Being in cruise is another story. I have not had enough driving on grades with cruise.