Problem while accelerating down a hill...auto tran?

Let us know what happens. Thanks.

 

12 days since last post... any update on how the re-flash went? Same problem here on '09 TRD Offroad, auto. Bought it brand new last November, and has done this as long as I can remember too. Didn't 'learn' anyone else's style, but wife and I have both noted when driving that when you turn off a road onto another, or into a driveway/entrance of a shopping mall or something, then apply a bit of gas, the tach races up a bit with zero actual pull/engagement from the truck... and then a moment later you can feel it downshift and then you can apply gas and go. 'Pretty' annoying at first, but we've since downgraded the emotion to a 'live with it' annoyance. Not the worst thing in the world, but I finally had to get on the forum to see if anyone else had this condition and sure enough, they do!

Sometimes to 'work around' the condition, I'll just take my foot off the gas completely until I've made the turn or whatever, and then give it gas and by then it's been 'just long enough' for the gear to drop down to where it's 'ready' to grab/engage when I give it gas. Whatever. Would be nice to get it fixed I suppose; don't really see it as a safety hazard or anything like that.

 

Well, I actually had 2 issues going on.

First, my truck would downshift while coasting down a hill (without touching the brake). This caused sudden and abrupt engine braking.

Second, I have the same issue as you noted. There is one turn near my house that I routinely make and it does that almost every time. This is what I posted quotes of from the Tacoma Complaint page (original post). Once I make the turn, the road has a slight down slope. As I accelerate down it, the engine revs go up but it doesn't shift.

Since the reflash, I have not experienced EITHER problem. BUT, I have only gone around the turn where it usually revs without upshifting a few times. I have not experienced it any of those times but it never did it every time.

My truck no longer downshifts while coasting and I have been absolutely positive of that. It is so much smoother driving around hilly back-roads.

They did a full re-flash of my system. I hope this helps!

 

When I took mine to the dealer for this problem the service manager said a big percentage of the 09's they have sold have come back in with this complaint. He was sympathetic but said there was nothing that they could do. He said there had been so many complaints - and it is potentially a safety issue - he was betting that Toyota was already working on a TSB fix, probably a reprogramming of some sort. Hopefully they figure it out before too long....

 

Thanks for the info on the flash... did it take them just a little while (while you waited kinda thing)?

 

It only took 30 minutes. Just long enough to drink 2 free latte's - french vanilla and irish cafe!

I think they just plug in and hit 'reset'.

 

Veccster, what dealer are you going to and did you by the truck their?

 

My 08 DC and wifey's 06 corolla does this also.But only in one area and its like clockwork. I don't mind it because its down a slight grade going into a curve and I don't have to brake. Both have done this since new.

 

Toyota of Greensburg in Greensburg, PA. Yes, I bought the truck there. I had zero problems getting the rear leaf spring TSB or getting them to do this re-flash.

 

Mine does this too. Only fix I've found, like Steviestyles said is to accelerate slower.

 

I purchased my 09 at Washington Toyota and I've noticed mine doing the same as far as the downshifting problem. I'll have to look into it there and if they tell me they didn't find anything abnormal, maybe I will give Greensburg a call.

How does that lifetime warrantly deal work at Greensburg anyway?

 

Lifetime Warranty is a good deal (although factory is 6yr/65K, which is enough for most people). So long as I stay current on my maintenance, I can have warranty issues fixed at any dealer in the country. It's good for as long as I own the truck and didn't cost a dime.

I have bumper to bumper for 7yrs/75K miles and lifetime powertrain...I am good to go for a long time!


Regarding the downshifting, the truck uses its engine brakes if you put the slightest pressure on the brake while coasting. Giving it gas for a couple seconds releases the engine brake. My truck used to downshift with NO pressure on the brake. After the re-flash, it does not. I can now coast down a mountain without touching the brake and pick up speed the whole way.

If your issue exists without touching the brake AT ALL, you have the same issue. If it only downshifts when you touch the brake, your truck is normal (for an 09).