Just bought a 2008 Hatchback Manual Tranny and it shifts really strange - Toyota Yaris Forums

way way norcal · 09-09-2015, 07:31 PM

I have been driving manual transmissions since I was a wee lad. This is the strangest shifting vehicle I have ever shifted.
When I am at a stop and ready to go I push in the clutch and I have to give it a fair amount of throttle to keep it from stalling. Normally when you are at a level stop and you push in the clutch as you let out the clutch the rpms are enough to pull forward with very little throttle. If I am at a stop I have to be very careful or it will stall out. I have to ride the clutch and rev into the 1500 rpm range to get to find the sweet spot. And, when I go in reverse I have to give it gas or it will bog down and stall out. When I shift from first to second as I let off gas and push in the clutch the rpms go up slightly and then drop when I release the clutch.
None of these symptoms say to me it is a worn pressure plate. The strangest thing is when the air conditioning is on it actually shifts normally like it should.
Does any one have any idea what on earth is going on here?
I am thinking the idle might be a bit low but I don't know for sure

rocketyaris b3 · 09-09-2015, 08:29 PM

ive had my car since 2008. if im reading it correctly, ur car is acting pretty normal.

Kalispel · 09-09-2015, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by way way norcal

I have been driving manual transmissions since I was a wee lad. This is the strangest shifting vehicle I have ever shifted.
When I am at a stop and ready to go I push in the clutch and I have to give it a fair amount of throttle to keep it from stalling. Normally when you are at a level stop and you push in the clutch as you let out the clutch the rpms are enough to pull forward with very little throttle. If I am at a stop I have to be very careful or it will stall out. I have to ride the clutch and rev into the 1500 rpm range to get to find the sweet spot. And, when I go in reverse I have to give it gas or it will bog down and stall out. When I shift from first to second as I let off gas and push in the clutch the rpms go up slightly and then drop when I release the clutch.
None of these symptoms say to me it is a worn pressure plate. The strangest thing is when the air conditioning is on it actually shifts normally like it should.
Does any one have any idea what on earth is going on here?
I am thinking the idle might be a bit low but I don't know for sure

Unfortunately, it would seem that Toyota didn't bother to give the Yaris "friendly clutch" mechanics until the 2015 refresh. I wonder if people with 2007-2014 Yaris could request the redesigned 2015 version clutch if/when they ever needed/wanted to change out their clutch?

-

Mongoose7 · 09-09-2015, 09:20 PM

Yep, been driving a standard tranny for 35 years, and it took me the good part of the first year with my 2007 Yaris to learn how to shift it, it's way different than most any other car.
Mike

way way norcal · 09-09-2015, 09:36 PM

thats actually a relief! I thought there was something wrong with it. It is noticeable enough I really thought there was something that needed adjusting.
Is there anything like bumping up the idle or adjusting the freeplay on the pedal that help things a bit?
And what is the best method for shifting it correctly?

Kar98 · 09-09-2015, 09:37 PM

Another vote for, been driving manuals for decades, and the Yaris clutch is the first one that you need to operate just like it said in the driver's manual for the novice driver, just like yours, OP.

way way norcal · 09-09-2015, 10:50 PM

didnt get a drivers manual with it. The original owner is looking for it and will supposedly send it when she finds it.

CoryM · 09-09-2015, 11:00 PM

Yep, the Yaris clutch is probably (IMO) the worst part of the car. The slow throttle-body doesn't help much either. Nor does the engine being so quiet, and easy to stall. My clutch is now broken from driving for 3yrs on R-comp tires: Imagine what you have, but the engagement point changes at random. Sometimes it engages close to the floor, sometimes near the top. I'll be doing the clutch soon......

Interestingly enough my clutch isn't damaged from launching hard, but from tire slippage then biting HARD in corners. I think the previous owner took some life out of it too. I'm curious to see what a Luk clutch will do for the feel of the clutch because I'm sure not going to try an OE one again.

andrew109340 · 09-09-2015, 11:21 PM

Personally....I don't mind the clutch. Yes, you have to blindly rev high enough (because I have no RPM guage) but I got used to it. The clutch does require smooth transitions....I have a 2009 and it reminds me of my first car, a '94 Accord....

That's what I learned on. Driving these newer cars with 6 speeds, reverse on the other side and not needing to gas it while changing gears confuses me.

bronsin · 09-10-2015, 09:34 AM

Unfortunately theres no way to adjust this clutch and I get the feeling it wouldn't help if there was.

IllusionX · 09-10-2015, 11:33 AM

The drive by wire and the usual low RPM does not help either.

With AC on, because the compressor takes some HP out of your engine, and keep idle a bit higher than usual, you don't experience this issue.

When shifting from 1 to 2, rpm does up because you did not let go the throttle soon enough... Again, DBW issue. There is nothing you can do, and you can only adjust yourself to this.

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

Kar98 · 09-10-2015, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by way way norcal

didnt get a drivers manual with it. The original owner is looking for it and will supposedly send it when she finds it.

I didn't mean an owner's manual specifically for your Yaris. I was referring to how novice drivers are being taught to operate a manual transmission. Slowly increase RPM, gently let out the clutch and as if by magic, the car starts moving. Every other car I had, the clutch was pretty much on/off. Stomp on the gas, pop the clutch, and off you go. With the Yaris, you have to follow "proper procedure."

way way norcal · 09-10-2015, 05:23 PM

I'm learning

BLKHILLSGUY · 09-10-2015, 06:11 PM

That's how my 11 Yaris was. And I constantly killed it in 1st gear. And I've driven manuals all my life. My first car was a manual 91 Ford Festiva. My 15 Yaris SE is a huge improvement in the manual from my 11. They put a new clutch in the car for 15.

way way norcal · 09-10-2015, 07:17 PM

i wonder if you can upgrade the clutch in the earlier years? Someone has asked that question somewhere. I am sure.

miami · 09-10-2015, 08:16 PM

same issue with my '07. When you turned on the a/c, launched much easier!

nookandcrannycar · 09-10-2015, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by way way norcal

i wonder if you can upgrade the clutch in the earlier years? Someone has asked that question somewhere. I am sure.

I'm wondering the same thing as well. I wonder if going TRD would do the trick?

Rigaud · 09-10-2015, 09:01 PM

Yes you can upgrade. Get a stage 1 preformance clutch, well worth it. I installed a stage 2, forgot what brand but I'll look it up and post later unless someone else who did the same chimes in.

09-09-2015, 07:31 PM	#1
way way norcal Drives: 2008 Yaris Hatchback Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: CA Posts: 12	Just bought a 2008 Hatchback Manual Tranny and it shifts really strange I have been driving manual transmissions since I was a wee lad. This is the strangest shifting vehicle I have ever shifted. When I am at a stop and ready to go I push in the clutch and I have to give it a fair amount of throttle to keep it from stalling. Normally when you are at a level stop and you push in the clutch as you let out the clutch the rpms are enough to pull forward with very little throttle. If I am at a stop I have to be very careful or it will stall out. I have to ride the clutch and rev into the 1500 rpm range to get to find the sweet spot. And, when I go in reverse I have to give it gas or it will bog down and stall out. When I shift from first to second as I let off gas and push in the clutch the rpms go up slightly and then drop when I release the clutch. None of these symptoms say to me it is a worn pressure plate. The strangest thing is when the air conditioning is on it actually shifts normally like it should. Does any one have any idea what on earth is going on here? I am thinking the idle might be a bit low but I don't know for sure

09-10-2015, 09:34 AM	#10
bronsin Drives: 2009 Base Hatch 2 Dr Auto Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: nj Posts: 4,784	Unfortunately theres no way to adjust this clutch and I get the feeling it wouldn't help if there was. __________________ Synthetic Oil: Its All In Your Head

09-10-2015, 11:33 AM	#11
IllusionX It's the illusion you see View User's Garage Drives: 07 Yaris Sedan Aero Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brossard, QC Posts: 3,888	The drive by wire and the usual low RPM does not help either. With AC on, because the compressor takes some HP out of your engine, and keep idle a bit higher than usual, you don't experience this issue. When shifting from 1 to 2, rpm does up because you did not let go the throttle soon enough... Again, DBW issue. There is nothing you can do, and you can only adjust yourself to this. Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk __________________

09-10-2015, 09:01 PM	#18
Rigaud Drives: 2009 Yaris Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Rigaud, Quebec, Can. Posts: 357	Yes you can upgrade. Get a stage 1 preformance clutch, well worth it. I installed a stage 2, forgot what brand but I'll look it up and post later unless someone else who did the same chimes in. __________________ 2009 Toyota Yaris (Little toy) 2002 Audi A4 Avant Quattro 3.0L (Big boy toy) 1998 Subaru Legacy GT 2.5 (winter & DD)

09-09-2015, 08:29 PM	#2
rocketyaris b3 View User's Garage Drives: '08 Yaris 3dr Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sayreville, NJ Posts: 7	ive had my car since 2008. if im reading it correctly, ur car is acting pretty normal.

09-09-2015, 09:20 PM	#4
Mongoose7 Drives: 2007 Yaris HB Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Liberty NY Posts: 65	Yep, been driving a standard tranny for 35 years, and it took me the good part of the first year with my 2007 Yaris to learn how to shift it, it's way different than most any other car. Mike

09-09-2015, 09:36 PM	#5
way way norcal Drives: 2008 Yaris Hatchback Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: CA Posts: 12	thats actually a relief! I thought there was something wrong with it. It is noticeable enough I really thought there was something that needed adjusting. Is there anything like bumping up the idle or adjusting the freeplay on the pedal that help things a bit? And what is the best method for shifting it correctly?

09-09-2015, 09:37 PM	#6
Kar98 Drives: 2011 Scion tC Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: DFW Posts: 651	Another vote for, been driving manuals for decades, and the Yaris clutch is the first one that you need to operate just like it said in the driver's manual for the novice driver, just like yours, OP.

09-09-2015, 10:50 PM	#7
way way norcal Drives: 2008 Yaris Hatchback Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: CA Posts: 12	didnt get a drivers manual with it. The original owner is looking for it and will supposedly send it when she finds it.

09-09-2015, 11:00 PM	#8
CoryM Drives: 2009 5-door, 5-speed Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: White Rock BC Posts: 687	Yep, the Yaris clutch is probably (IMO) the worst part of the car. The slow throttle-body doesn't help much either. Nor does the engine being so quiet, and easy to stall. My clutch is now broken from driving for 3yrs on R-comp tires: Imagine what you have, but the engagement point changes at random. Sometimes it engages close to the floor, sometimes near the top. I'll be doing the clutch soon...... Interestingly enough my clutch isn't damaged from launching hard, but from tire slippage then biting HARD in corners. I think the previous owner took some life out of it too. I'm curious to see what a Luk clutch will do for the feel of the clutch because I'm sure not going to try an OE one again.

09-09-2015, 11:21 PM	#9
andrew109340 Drives: 09 BLK hatch stick 3 dr Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 2	Personally....I don't mind the clutch. Yes, you have to blindly rev high enough (because I have no RPM guage) but I got used to it. The clutch does require smooth transitions....I have a 2009 and it reminds me of my first car, a '94 Accord.... That's what I learned on. Driving these newer cars with 6 speeds, reverse on the other side and not needing to gas it while changing gears confuses me.

09-10-2015, 05:23 PM	#13
way way norcal Drives: 2008 Yaris Hatchback Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: CA Posts: 12	I'm learning

09-10-2015, 06:11 PM	#14
BLKHILLSGUY Drives: 2011 3dr LB Polar White Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Black Hills of South Dakota Posts: 344	That's how my 11 Yaris was. And I constantly killed it in 1st gear. And I've driven manuals all my life. My first car was a manual 91 Ford Festiva. My 15 Yaris SE is a huge improvement in the manual from my 11. They put a new clutch in the car for 15.

09-10-2015, 07:17 PM	#15
way way norcal Drives: 2008 Yaris Hatchback Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: CA Posts: 12	i wonder if you can upgrade the clutch in the earlier years? Someone has asked that question somewhere. I am sure.

09-10-2015, 08:16 PM	#16
miami Drives: 2007 Yaris LB Base Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 30	same issue with my '07. When you turned on the a/c, launched much easier!