Transmission lag in 09' - update

[JPinCowtown]

Or non-update, because I learned nothing new. I took it into the dealer for it's first oil change and told them about the annoying transmission lag when it tries to upshift after coasting at slow speeds. The two service guys looked at each other as if to say "well, here we go again". They checked it out and said they could find nothing wrong but did say that at least half of the 09's sold at that dealership have come back asking about the same thing. He didn't try to sell me the " the computer is learning your driving habits" theory that some of you have heard. He just said it is a characteristic of that transmission. That's just great. Guess I'll just have to get used to it.

[Captain]

My new (4500) miles, 09 has the same issue. Just trying to get used to it. Let me know if you ever hear of a fix for this. Thanks

[techgeekwill]

I've got about 4300 on my 09, not noticing the problem. Then again, I haven't really been looking for the problem either.

[Jester243]

I run my '08 in 4th instead of "D" and it seams to be much more responsive in town. It really seems to keep shifting to a lesser amount. Other than that I dunno.

[STLTaco09]

I've got almost 7500 miles on mine. I don't really notice this issue.

[chris4x4]

My 07 shifts perfectly......Im not sure what the difference is between the years, but there shouldnt be an issue like this.....

[kmann6905]

I have 1700 miles on my 09 and noticed this when pulling into my street which is a downward grade. As soon as I complete the drift around the corner and begin to accelerate downhill there is a momentary lag for the transmission to catch up with the drift. I write this off to driving a truck and not a SUV.

[LiftedForLife]

This is one of my only issues with the truck, but it has to be related to the low first gear in the trans. I drive through an area with two stop signs in a row and the truck frustrates me everytime. I don't come to a complete stop at each one (since I can clearly see each intersection, there is hardly anyone on the road and the signs were placed there to keep drivers from driving to fast on the road), so when I slowly roll through and try to accelerate again, the truck surges as it jumps into second gear. I have an 09' with 6K on it and its done it since new.

[T-rev]

My 08 used to have this issue when I first got it, I have about 17k miles now and it has gone away since now that I think about it.

[wired_af]

Originally Posted by LiftedForLife

This is one of my only issues with the truck, but it has to be related to the low first gear in the trans. I drive through an area with two stop signs in a row and the truck frustrates me everytime. I don't come to a complete stop at each one (since I can clearly see each intersection, there is hardly anyone on the road and the signs were placed there to keep drivers from driving to fast on the road), so when I slowly roll through and try to accelerate again, the truck surges as it jumps into second gear. I have an 09' with 6K on it and its done it since new.

My '07 does this, but it may not be as pronounced, because I never considered it a problem.

[Richman21]

My 2009 has the lag issue. I had a 2006 with no transmission lag. I have almost 3,000 miles, the lag seems to be lessening. We'll see.

[lsocoee]

I didn't realize they changed the transmission between the years. My 07 works great.

[MassTaco]

I don't think that it's a "lag" issue. I think the problem is that when the transmission should stay in 2nd gear, it downshifts to 1st. It's an "over-downshifting" problem. When I approach a slow corner (between 10-20 mph) I let off the accelerator and brake as needed, enter the corner then lightly press the accelerator again (maybe 20% throttle). When the accelerator is pressed, the transmission is already in 1st gear, it doesn't kick down to 1st. The transmission then realizes that it's in too low a gear then upshifts to 2nd (and then sometimes 3rd) in rapid sequence.

This could easily be addressed by a change to the ladder logic in the transmission control module. It's clear that it's being directed to downshift unnecessarily.

[VancityCK]

I know the problem everyone is referring to, since I have noticed the same thing. I've adjusted my driving habits slightly, and have noticed it less since. Its almost like the truck likes to be driven hard, so I oblige it and give it more gas.

Oh, I've got about 2500 miles on it now, and it has done it since new.

[sierra141]

Maybe because we are used to the older 4 speed automatic transmissions and these newer trucks have 5 speed tranny's one extra gear to cycle. I dont know just a thought..

[FL4x4Taco]

My 2009 Does that same thing!!!!!! If I coast to a slower speed and then get back on the gas.... good god it's down a gear/lag.... reving up.. Not what you'd expect ya know. Me and my wife have noticed it. I just chalked it up as the way the trans is programmed. I can see a trans TSB in the future. And yes I also feel it's a "over down shift" issue.

[Richman21]

Originally Posted by sierra141

Maybe because we are used to the older 4 speed automatic transmissions and these newer trucks have 5 speed tranny's one extra gear to cycle. I dont know just a thought..

My 2009 has the same type of transmission as my 2006 that had no issues.

[BeachBoy]

my 2009 does it and it's annoying.

I can't find how to not have it do it, but I found out gunning it is better than trying to get it to go smooth.

[tussery]

I could be wrong but when I have turned off the A-TRAC and Auto LSD my '09 seems to not do this as bad. It kind of seems like the truck is trying to keep you from giving too much gas through the turn.

[FL4x4Taco]

It's called a bad auto trans program. Or a very aggressive one.