Transmission issue?

[yaris-me]

The Yaris engine and transmission is controlled by a computer, ECU. The ECU controls the warm-up from a cold start. The up-shift is delayed and will not up-shift to 4th until the engine is warmed, 2 to 5 miles. The ECU is adaptive and will adapt to your driving style. If you drive slow then switch to spirited driving the car will seem very sluggish until the ECU starts to adapt to the new driving behavior. There are a lot of threads on this type of complaint with new Yaris owners.

[woof]

The ECU controls the warm-up from a cold start. The up-shift is delayed and will not up-shift to 4th until the engine is warmed, 2 to 5 miles.

I wonder if using a high quality transmission fluid like Amsoil would reduce the auto warm-up time? Is there a fluid temp sensor?

Any ideas?

[Altitude]

Originally Posted by woof

I wonder if using a high quality transmission fluid like Amsoil would reduce the auto warm-up time? Is there a fluid temp sensor?

Any ideas?

I think the warm up time is based on the engine temp.

[yaris-me]

Originally Posted by woof

I wonder if using a high quality transmission fluid like Amsoil would reduce the auto warm-up time? Is there a fluid temp sensor?

Any ideas?

The cool light turns off at 130 deg, and the engine is warmed up at 180 deg. This is the engine temp, not the transmission temp. I don't think the ECU monitors trans temp. I don't have that on my PLX Kiwi.

[Twistoffate0817]

Originally Posted by yaris-me

The Yaris engine and transmission is controlled by a computer, ECU. The ECU controls the warm-up from a cold start. The up-shift is delayed and will not up-shift to 4th until the engine is warmed, 2 to 5 miles. The ECU is adaptive and will adapt to your driving style. If you drive slow then switch to spirited driving the car will seem very sluggish until the ECU starts to adapt to the new driving behavior. There are a lot of threads on this type of complaint with new Yaris owners.

This might be the case for me, but I do not want to get my hopes up. For most of the time I do go very easy on my yaris, and then once in a while i push it. If this is a case of my cars ECU being used to my driving style, then how can it explain my feeling of heavy-ness even when i am driving my normal slow way?

[yaris-me]

Originally Posted by Twistoffate0817

This might be the case for me, but I do not want to get my hopes up. For most of the time I do go very easy on my yaris, and then once in a while i push it. If this is a case of my cars ECU being used to my driving style, then how can it explain my feeling of heavy-ness even when i am driving my normal slow way?

You've taken it the dealer twice. I'm sure they have run a diagnostic and any code would have told the dealer the problem. Be patient and work with the ECU. The Yaris is a great car, but different.

[Twistoffate0817]

Yeah, i guess i will just play around with the yaris until i see a difference in how it runs. Thanks for the help everyone. :D

[Kal-El]

Are you noticing it more in the cold weather?

As others pointed out, the auto tranny delays its shifting until fully warmed.
Your description seems more erratic. Maybe a test drive of another is in order. Just make sure it's in the same conditions (cold weather).

As for your radio display, that's normal as well when cold on startup. Usually brightens up in immediately anyway.

Remember, the Yaris is literally one of the top 5 most trouble free cars in the world. So if you feel yours isn't, get to the bottom of it.

[Twistoffate0817]

Now that you mention it, this has only occured since its been cold out. I do not travel far (maybe 7 or 8 miles) everyday, so i guess by the time i reach my destination the car is finally warmed up. During the summer my yaris is not bad.

If there was a problem with the transmission wouldnt my engine light come on?

I also think my ecu is used to my light foot. As i mentioned earlier i am going to drive differently for a week or two and see if that plays a role in how the car is handling.

If my problems still persist by the time it gets warmer, i am most definetly going to be taking it to a few more toyotas to have it looked at.

Thank you for your help everyone!

[auxmike]

I dumped my stock head unit for a SCION t1808 oem stereo. Yes, the display on the original green factory deck fades sometime. The SCION stereo has nice thick deep black digits.

Sometimes I hit a dead flat spot at 30 MPH when trying to merge. It's scary! I floor it and the tranny does'nt react. I have to realease and floor again to get a result. Dangerous....

I'll bet there's nothing wrong with your car, it's just spookin' ya a bit.

[yaris-me]

Originally Posted by Twistoffate0817

Now that you mention it, this has only occured since its been cold out. I do not travel far (maybe 7 or 8 miles) everyday, so i guess by the time i reach my destination the car is finally warmed up. During the summer my yaris is not bad.

If there was a problem with the transmission wouldnt my engine light come on?

I also think my ecu is used to my light foot. As i mentioned earlier i am going to drive differently for a week or two and see if that plays a role in how the car is handling.

If my problems still persist by the time it gets warmer, i am most definetly going to be taking it to a few more toyotas to have it looked at.

Thank you for your help everyone!

If you keep stomping on the gas the ECU will adapt and eliminate any delays with the drive by wire throttle. You'll get instant wide open throttle. Switch back to slow driving and you'll find the the DBW throttle will open slowly and drive sluggishly. Occasionally, you'll stomp on the gas and the engine seems like the throttle didn't open.

Now that you're aware of the warm up, the trans won't seem erratic.

Driving spirited will take a toll on your gas mileage, because you've taken it out of economy mode.