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2010 Corolla S Shifting Issue

by listoff, October 18, 2013



Hi all,

I am writing about my 2010 Corolla S - automatic - 60,000 miles. I realize the Corolla is not a sports car or designed to be fast. However, I do like a car to perform when I need it to...

The question is about the Corolla's shifting... I was trying to merge onto the highway the other day and there was a line of traffic preventing me from pulling out. I was running out the merge ramp at about 35 mph waiting for a spot to open up that I could accelerate into. Someone in the line pulled over so I could merge in. I saw my opening and decided to take it. At the time, my foot was not on the gas and I was drifiting at 35 mph. When I saw my opening, I floored the gas and nothing happened. The car didn't speed up or downshift. In fact, it almost stumbled like it might consider stalling. Then, it downshifted and took off. The stumble only took about 2 seconds - however a 2 second pause when trying to accelerate from 35 to 70 in a Corolla is an eternity.

I've noticed in a bunch of situations over the last year or so where the car doesn't seem to respond to my throttle input. The transmission fluid is full and red with no visible particles in it. From what I can tell, the fluid is ok. The engine runs smooth and doesn't have any signs of an issue. What could be the problem? Or, is there a problem? Is this just because I own a Corolla and I shouldn't expect any level of performance? I've wondered if it's the TPS, but have no way of testing.

It doesn't happen all the time, but when it does it seems like it is when I am hard on the throttle. Ideas?

Thanks!

I don't think you are alone on that behavior. There are others that experience a slight delay/hesitation between the transaxle downshifts and accelerates when you punch the accelerator. In some cases, it is completely unresponsive for some percent of travel of the accelerator, then suddenly takes off.

Not sure what is causing it directly - but my money would be on either the PCM (a restart causes this issue to temporarily go away) or something related to the DBW throttle system. I haven't experienced the delay between pedal application and the car's acceleration. I have a slight delay in my 2009 Matrix XRS - there are times where I can stab at the throttle repeatedly and have the car react oddly.

Has happened with my '09 S, as well. The way I understand the "adaptive" transmission, it "learns" how we drive. Given the situation, when we drive in a way different than we do normally, it's like the transmission gets confused. It's what it seems like to me, anyway. So when we stab the gas, it's like the trans goes, "Whaaaaa?", and then gets down to business.

Great way to describe the adaptive transmission! Thanks guys for the replies. I would think a WOT condition would bypass anything learned and go all out without any stumbling. Guess I have to start driving more aggressively so it doesn't spend so much time thinking and more time going!

Thanks!

I have been playing around and I think I'm on to something... If I turn the VSC completely off (come to a stop, push and hold the VSC button until it says it's completely off) and then drive - the car acts completely different. Sure, it chirps tires and the wheels slip, but the car seems to be more fun to drive. I'm not sure if this is an imagined thing or not, but shifts seem quicker and it has a sportier feel. Is it possible turning off VSC, in addition to taking some of the thinking away from the computer, also affects the shifting characteristic of the car overall? Or am I just imagining things...

Now, I would love to find a way to keep VSC off all the time and only enable it when I want it.

I have been playing around and I think I'm on to something... If I turn the VSC completely off (come to a stop, push and hold the VSC button until it says it's completely off) and then drive - the car acts completely different. Sure, it chirps tires and the wheels slip, but the car seems to be more fun to drive. I'm not sure if this is an imagined thing or not, but shifts seem quicker and it has a sportier feel. Is it possible turning off VSC, in addition to taking some of the thinking away from the computer, also affects the shifting characteristic of the car overall? Or am I just imagining things...

Now, I would love to find a way to keep VSC off all the time and only enable it when I want it.

Hey, I'm going to try this! Sounds like fun!

 

 

Now, I would love to find a way to keep VSC off all the time and only enable it when I want it.

Toyota Corolla DIY

Disabling VSC (10th generation Corolla)

"Here’s a quick DIY for disabling the VSC. Normally if you push the little button that turns it off, it will only stay off until you reach 32 MPH or so. Doing this will turn it off no matter how fast you are going. Here’s what to do…

1)Pull the E-brake

2)Start the car

3)Push and release the brake twice then push once more and hold the brake

4)While holding the brake pedal, Release the e-brake and pull it twice then pull it once more and leave it engaged

5)Then release the brake and press the brake three times

6)The light on your dash should come on telling you the VSC is turned off

7)Enjoy not having a computer controlling your brakes!

A couple notes:

-The VSC cannot be re-enabled until you turn the car off then back on. Pushing the button will do nothing.

-Again the computer will not control your brakes so make sure you understand that if you brake hard your car will be more prone to sliding/losing control

-I take no responsibility for what you do to your car/if it break/if it cheats on you/nothing okay!"

http://www.diymytoyota.com/corolla/disabling-vsc-for-track-purposes-only/



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