- #13445 of 14780
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Re: Toyota discontinuing Avalon [alan_s]
by bobwiley
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Feb 12, 2007 (6:22 pm)
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Replying to: alan_s (Feb 12, 2007 5:48 pm)
alan_s: My understanding is the oil ports in the engine were too small to allow "free" flow of the oil and Toyota was aware of the problem. Much like Ford and the infamous Pinto gas tank issue. Go to www.google.com Type in Maint Schedule for 1997 Toyota 4 Cylinder Engines. Scroll down and you'll find an article regarding "oil gelling" in Toyota engines!! Good reading.
Bob
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- #13446 of 14780
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Re: Toyota discontinuing Avalon [bobwiley]
by alan_s
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Feb 12, 2007 (7:24 pm)
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Replying to: bobwiley (Feb 12, 2007 6:22 pm)
Yes, apparently the diameter of the oil ducts machined in the block and head were intentionally reduced in size so the engines would run hotter in order to meet emission requirements.
As the oil viscosity increased as it deteriorated there was reduced lubrication and hence the problem. I switched to synthetics based on the theory that if a synthetic takes longer to break down and is more durable in high temperatures, my engines would be less likely to develop the problem, however later a Toyota mechanic told me that they had seen problems emerge even when synthetics were used.
Luck of the draw I guess.
We are getting off-topic, so Pat's venerable hammer may shortly descend upon us... 
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- #13447 of 14780
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Re: Toyota discontinuing Avalon [captain2]
by wwest
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Feb 13, 2007 (12:12 am)
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Replying to: captain2 (Feb 12, 2007 12:40 pm)
"..the GS is, of course, much too small..."
Are you thinking of the IS by any chance? My 2000 GS300 had a cabin size very close to my 92 LS400.
Speaking of the IS...
I figure the IS300 body, chasis, and drivetrain are good candidates for replacing the Camry and ES when the time comes, hopefully sooner than later.
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- #13448 of 14780
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Re: Toyota discontinuing Avalon [bobwiley]
by rpfingsten
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Feb 13, 2007 (4:28 am)
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Replying to: bobwiley (Feb 12, 2007 6:14 pm)
bob, are you saying that you go from "d" / Drive to "s" sequential shift while the car is moving? I didn't know you could do that without hurting the tranny... I've used the sequential shift a few times just playing around, but have always put it in "s" while the car was at a dead stop.
Roland
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- #13449 of 14780
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Re: Toyota discontinuing Avalon [rpfingsten]
by tjc78
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Feb 13, 2007 (4:41 am)
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Replying to: rpfingsten (Feb 13, 2007 4:28 am)
You can put the car into "S" whenever you want. It defaults to 4th gear.
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- #13450 of 14780
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Re: Toyota discontinuing Avalon [bobwiley]
by tjc78
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Feb 13, 2007 (4:52 am)
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Replying to: bobwiley (Feb 12, 2007 5:23 pm)
Bob,
I am not trying to say your car doesn't have a problem, but how do you "step" on the gas while rolling through a yield. Is it a quick "jab" maybe 1/3 way down, or a gentle "roll" of your foot to say 1/3 down? It does make a difference, the accelerator is so sensitive that the computer can get confused quite easily. For example, a quick stab at the pedal followed by an ever so slight reduction in pressure can make the car downshift and rev the engine then immediately cut back the revs. I really think this is what you are feeling. With my Av I had a slight learning curve with the scenario you mention (yield sign) I find the car is most responsive to slow even pressure of the gas pedal, rather than a immediate push to 1/3 or 1/2 open throttle. Of course if I need to merge in a hurry (quite common here in NJ) I just mash it to the floor and get an immediate downshift.
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- #13451 of 14780
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Re: Toyota discontinuing Avalon [rpfingsten]
by bobwiley
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Feb 13, 2007 (7:20 am)
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Replying to: rpfingsten (Feb 13, 2007 4:28 am)
Hey Roland--how ya doing--long time no hear from--ypu've been too quiet!! Yes, I slide the gear shift over into "S" and down shift to "1"--then after I take off and get to 15-20 MPH I just slide the gear shift over to "D"--NEVER a slipping or lurching problem. Try this--next time you come to a stop sign, shift into "S" and down shift to "1st"---take off and just push the lever forward thru 2-3-4-5--once in 5--slide lever over to the "D" mode. Watchout if ya have a "lead foot"--the Avy will fly--so watch the RPM's, be ready to "push" the gear shift forward as you reach higher RPM's and have some fun---it is a ROCKET!! I also use the "S" mode and down shift as I come down the long hill to our subdivision--works great and it's just like using a regular 5 speed without the clutch! I let the engine do some of the "braking" rather than riding the brake pedal for almost a 1/3 of amile. These Ozark hills are steep! Good luck and have fun with the manual shift capability of the tranny--this procedure works GREAT!
Bob
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- #13452 of 14780
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Re: Toyota discontinuing Avalon [tjc78]
by bobwiley
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Feb 13, 2007 (7:33 am)
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Replying to: tjc78 (Feb 13, 2007 4:52 am)
tjc78: This 1st time it happened to me, I'd had the car about 2-3 month's and I'd read about the problem in this Forum. I just figured I was lucky. When it happened to me, I'd come down our long hill, looked left--there is a stop sign and since I can clearly see down the hill, if no traffic is coming, I do a "rolling" stop. Well, imagine my surprise when I let my foot off the brake and applied moderate pressure to the gas pedal and all I heard was the engine revving and me still just rolling along. Then all of a sudden it lurched and I mean "SHOT" me forward to about 35 MPH. I called my dealer after running my errand and of course they'd never heard of the problem. Car was a year old 26 Jan 07. I lodged a complaint with both Toyota and the NHTSA. Of course, Toyota knew nothing of the problem and I've never heard from the NHTSA. Like I've said in the Forum--I just manually down shift to 1st and once going slide the gear shift over to D---NEVER a problem. I duplicated the "quirky" tranny yesterday--it does it EVERY TIME I leave it in D and do a rolling stop and then press on the gas--no matter if it's Light, Moderate or Heavy pressure. I'm now conditioned and my procedure works--I love the ride, comfort, quietness, gas mileage and almost everything else--so I just endure the tranny issue.
Bob
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- #13453 of 14780
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Re: Toyota discontinuing Avalon [fin]
by blackdog4
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Feb 13, 2007 (8:39 am)
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Replying to: fin (Feb 12, 2007 5:50 pm)
Ive had my 2007 limited for 3 months and have had no bothersome problems with the transmission. I have noticed that when coming to a stop, the transmission seems to "release" the engine braking. There is a slight but noticible feeling that the car suddenly looses the engine "drag".This is probably to allow the engine to drop to lower RPM and thus save a little gas.
I have also noticed that in the situation that bobwiley describes, that when I accelerate after slowing to say 10 MPH, the transmission downshifts and the engine revs in away that I would not allow if I were driving a stick shift. This reving is very short in duration, the acceleration is smooth and prompt, so it is not a problem for me. I wonder if changes have been made in the software controlling the transmission in the 2007.
I also have a 1997 Avalon that I still enjoy driving but in my opinion the 2007 is a quantum leap forward
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- #13454 of 14780
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Re: Toyota discontinuing Avalon [blackdog4]
by wwest
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Feb 13, 2007 (11:44 am)
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Replying to: blackdog4 (Feb 13, 2007 8:39 am)
"...This is probably to allow the engine to drop to a lower RPM and thus save a little gas..."
No, that's exactly what I thought at one time. You're losing the engine braking drag because that drag on a FWD vehicle can easily result in loss of control, directional control, if the roadbed happens to be slippery. You may notice that it also happens at higher speeds, the transaxle upshifts upon a FULL lift-throttle event.
Look around, Google for:
wwest "throttle lag" hesitation
For more detail.
Or start by reading the post I just added for the Suzuki SX4 thread.
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