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Go downhill - downshifts

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13K views 14 replies 14 participants last post by  ToyotaToday  
#1 ·
I think this is normal, but want to double check.


Everyday after work, I drive down this hill which is fairly steep. As I'm going down the hill, the car picks up speed, of course, I lightly tap the brake pedal to slow down a bit, and the car downshifts to 3rd gear, and the RPM revs up, of course. I assume this is normal, correct?

It's just that my previous auto car didnt do this, probably not as advance as the Camry auto


Thanks
 
#4 ·
yup, it definitely downshifts during uphill for more power. But i dunno about downshifting when going downhill. I dun think my car does that or I haven't noticed it.
 
#13 ·
leasaunce said:
the drive train dont downshift when you're going downhill, UNLESS you shift down. It usualy stays at the highest gear (which is the 4th Gear on Auto, unless your O/D is off then its 3rd Gear)

WRONG>..ALL gen 5 camrys do this.....4 speed or 5 speed...read the technical manual..when you apply brakes, it shifts down to help slow car when in overdrive.
 
#14 ·
kevintomb said:
leasaunce said:
the drive train dont downshift when you're going downhill, UNLESS you shift down. It usualy stays at the highest gear (which is the 4th Gear on Auto, unless your O/D is off then its 3rd Gear)

WRONG>..ALL gen 5 camrys do this.....4 speed or 5 speed...read the technical manual..when you apply brakes, it shifts down to help slow car when in overdrive.
Thats right. Its called grade logic. There must be some type of mercury tilt switch somewhere that tells the car you're going down a hill. I think even a corolla has it.
 
#15 ·
kevintomb said:
leasaunce said:
the drive train dont downshift when you're going downhill, UNLESS you shift down. It usualy stays at the highest gear (which is the 4th Gear on Auto, unless your O/D is off then its 3rd Gear)

WRONG>..ALL gen 5 camrys do this.....4 speed or 5 speed...read the technical manual..when you apply brakes, it shifts down to help slow car when in overdrive.
Correct. I agree. This makes sense. Just like driving a manual (standard), you would gear down to slow the car down on a steep hill and to gain more control of the car.