Transmission downshifts when foot lifted from accelerator pedal.
What is your question?
Why does my automatic transmission downshift instead of "coasting" when there is no demand for power as my foot is lifted from the accelerator? The transmission will down shift at specific speeds as the car begins to gradually slow causing an increase in RPMs on the tach, and a "noticeable decrease" in speed. It is as if downshifting to use "engine braking" to slow the car down. The transmission can be felt downshifting at approximately 46mph with a very slight increase in engine rpm; more noticeable at approximately 37mph causing a 250 rpm change; again at approximately 30mph. At about 24mph, as the car slows due to the braking action, the transmission seems to upshift, releasing the sensation of "engine braking" and feels like the car is "coasting". There have been times when going between 25-30mph that the transmission seems to "hunt" for a gear to be in creating a "brake-coast-brake-coast" sensation.
The issue has been reported to the dealer and they were "not able to duplicate". At my request the transmission was "reset" and the issue remains.
I have read that another Toyota model, as well as some other makes have had similar issues.The Toyota issue was evidently caused by a control module adjustment.
I read that an engine or transmission control module could be an issue.
The car is always driven in the "normal" transmission mode and upshifts very smoothly.
I have access to three other cars and have not experienced this issue. I had a job that required me to drive 70-80K miles a year in numerous cars and I never experienced this.
The sensations are felt more when the car is warmed up after 1.5 miles. I am the only driver.
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Hello, I certainly sympathize with you and your evident frustration. I do not have first hand knowledge of the way that transmission operates, but it doesn't sound "normal" to me as you've described it. My true suggestion is to be persistent with your Toyota dealership. They are really the only ones that can help, being that it sounds like your vehicle is still under a powertrain warranty. Being persistent means taking a technician on a road test and showing them what you are experiencing. Asking to drive a "like" vehicle they may have in their used car department to compare how yours operates with another vehicle. Certainly, when showing a trained technician what your car is doing, they can help you. I wish you the best of luck!
Have done some more searching of the internet and found that other people have complained of the same issue.Seems that this may actually be a built in "fuel saving" action called DFCO, or "deceleration fuel cut off" in automatic transmissions. Personally, I'd rather coast then feel the braking sensation all the time. I'll down shift on my own when necessary.
This exact same thing happens to me. I just started daily driving mine on a new route that involves more backroads; I constantly find myself between 35-45mph. At 37, just like you said, it kicks down when im not on the gas. It is EXTREMELY frustrating. I'll be cruising 39/40, let off the gas to coast down a hill, and then a second later its slowing down rapidly after it bucks me into the lower gear. Really, really annoying. Pretty sure mine kicks down at the other shift points you mentioned. I can't find anything else online about it, but I am about to get rid of this car solely because of that; you would think the transmission is failing! My car is at 85k miles, 2013. Did you ever find a solution? There is no way its fuel savings, if anything it slows you down more making you have to speed up later, rather than coast and use your momentum.
Have done some more searching of the internet and found that other people have complained of the same issue.Seems that this may actually be a built in "fuel saving" action called DFCO, or "deceleration fuel cut off" in automatic transmissions. Personally, I'd rather coast then feel the braking sensation all the time. I'll down shift on my own when necessary.