- #13497 of 14778
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Re: Reminder -- how to cure quirky shifting episodes [wwest]
by havalongavalon
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Feb 17, 2007 (8:54 am)
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Replying to: wwest (Feb 16, 2007 10:25 am)
With a manual transaxle and FWD you would NEVER consider using engine braking to slow the vehicle if the roadbed is slippery or you have reason to suspect it to be slippery (...)
Not having an easy method for detecting roadbed condition most manufacturers of FWD have recently chosen to revise the automatic transaxle shift schedule in a manner that virtually eliminates engine braking on those front wheels at all times.
wwest,
I just confirmed that if in D, my 2005 Av XLS does downshift when I apply the brakes coming down a hill at say 100 km/h to reduce speed to 70, it automatically downshifts from 5th to 4th gear. When I drive in S5 on the same hill and apply the brakes in the same manner, it does not downshift.
You say this programmed downshift is dangerous. Since the Av is equipped with multiple sensors ("It may be icy?") I wonder whether it is also programmed to not downshift when conditions are dangerously slippery? I have not checked this.
Also, if things go sour I expect the Av VSC to take over. But, wouldn't VSC actions also involve downshifting?
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- #13498 of 14778
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Re: Reminder -- how to cure quirky shifting episodes [captain2]
by havalongavalon
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Feb 17, 2007 (9:06 am)
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Replying to: captain2 (Feb 16, 2007 2:00 pm)
Captain,
Earlier I mentioned the FE benefit of driving in S5, UP hills. Since the Av is programmed to use engine braking when in D, and engine braking is likely to affect FE, driving in S5 DOWN hills is also likely to improve FE.
Maybe you'll want to visit New Mexico to check this out 
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- #13499 of 14778
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Re: Backup Camera [ange]
by jlsexton
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Feb 17, 2007 (10:51 am)
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Replying to: ange (Feb 17, 2007 6:27 am)
I'll take your word on it and thank you for the heads-up on the wiring. I also prefer a wired camera to the wirelss, is there a particular product superior to the others. I often use buydig.com but a search might find me one.
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- #13500 of 14778
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Re: Reminder -- how to cure quirky shifting episodes [havalongavalon]
by wwest
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Feb 17, 2007 (10:56 am)
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Replying to: havalongavalon (Feb 17, 2007 8:54 am)
To alleviate the possibility of stalling the engine when you apply the brakes the lockup clutch is ALWAYS disabled the instant the brake lights come on. And absent the lockup clutch the transaxle CANNOT run in any O/D gear ratio.
So yes, upon brake application the SOLID COUPLING from the engine to the drive wheels MUST be removed in favor of the slush pump, torque converter, only.
Obviously, also, you will get less engine braking via the slush pump vs the solid engine coupling provided by the lockup clutch.
VSC uses brake application, or if the brakes are already applied brake UN-application.
My 2001 AWD RX300 will apply both rear brakes, to help slow the RX and thereby regain traction at the front, if understearing is detected. If braking is already applied it will "lighten" the braking at the front. With overstearing it will brake the front wheel on the outside of the turn/skid, or "lighten" the braking on the inside front wheel.
Apparently Ford is already using the OAT sensor readings to significantly reduce the level of regenerative braking on the FWD hybrid Escape and Mariner vehicles when the local climate nears or is below freezing.
More marques to follow...?
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- #13501 of 14778
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Re: Reminder -- how to cure quirky shifting episodes [havalongavalon]
by captain2
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Feb 17, 2007 (2:20 pm)
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Replying to: havalongavalon (Feb 17, 2007 9:06 am)
the fact that you can upshift uphill would be a testament to the flat torque curve that our 2GRs have  . Don't tempt me, might just have to poke my skis thru the back seat, and get over to Taos. I would actually look forward to the 1000 mile+ drive and the 2 tanks of gas it would take to do it.
Did rotate my tires today, my Michelins (after 43k) looking like they need replacing soon - anybody got any ideas?
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- #13502 of 14778
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Re: Reminder -- how to cure quirky shifting episodes [captain2]
by bobwiley
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Feb 17, 2007 (3:40 pm)
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Replying to: captain2 (Feb 17, 2007 2:20 pm)
captain2: Do you have the front end aligned at least every year? Actually its a 4 wheel alignmnet. Also, I check the tire pressure every month. I keep 35 PSI in my Michelin Energy whatevers--I have an 06 Limited--my Michelin dealer told me that was "optimum" PSI and still providing a good ride and tread wear. I also rotate them every 2nd oil change--I do 3,000 mile oil changes. Firestone used to offer a "lifetime Alignment" program, about $175--I bought it for the wife's Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited before we moved to the lake--problem is the closest Firestone place is near Ft Leonard Wood, about 50 miles away. I had BF Goodrich Long Trails on my F-150 and by following the above suggestions, I got over 60,000 miles out of them and Joel, our tire dealer asked why i was getting new ones--he said I still had over 10K miles left. I told him--I like plenty of tread! You should get an easy 75K plus miles from the Michelins with proper care.
Bob
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- #13503 of 14778
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Re: Reminder -- how to cure quirky shifting episodes [bobwiley]
by captain2
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Feb 18, 2007 (4:51 am)
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Replying to: bobwiley (Feb 17, 2007 3:40 pm)
Bob- no I have not had the car realigned and nor have I noticed anything unusual in treadwear or how smoothly the car drives. Looks like I may get about another 10k on the Michelins which have a wear index of 440, don't know that I could reasonably expect them to do much better than that (50k+) on OE tires. Have found the Michelins a generally satisfactory tire, maybe a tad too much road noise - but have also found that tires will generally show me that they are getting worn with noticeable traction losses well before I even see a 'wear' bar. And sure, with the new tires comes a 4 wheel alignment, although I have had these alignment shops (Firestone kind of places) doing more damage than good.
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- #13504 of 14778
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Re: Backup Camera [havalongavalon]
by jlsexton
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Feb 18, 2007 (10:19 am)
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Replying to: havalongavalon (Feb 16, 2007 1:53 pm)
I was under the impression that you get an email when a question was answered or related to your question, obviously not, I was searching and found your reply by accident. The Avalon license plate, because it is mounted in the bumper, probably for styling purposes, does make a camera more vulnerable than a trunk mounted one. As far as the camera, I presume it must be powered via the backup lights as that is its purpose, to present a rearward image and only needs to be on at that time. It should be a simple project. I suppose whomever manufactures it would supply a wiring schematic for your vehicle should you need one. I'm glad to here that yours works fine. Is it a VR3 2.4GHZ. unit and if so where did you mount the display.
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- #13505 of 14778
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Re: Reminder -- how to cure quirky shifting episodes [captain2]
by bobwiley
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Feb 18, 2007 (11:59 am)
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Replying to: captain2 (Feb 18, 2007 4:51 am)
captain2: Sorry about the last Post--try again!! Had a friend who was an engineer at Bear and he told me something that while amazing, doesn't surprise me. When cars roll out of the assembly plant, they roll over a device that shows whether or not the front end is within "acceptable" tolerances---not "true" alignment--but acceptable tolerance!! Anyway, as soon as he gets a new car, he has the front end aligned to meet "exact" manufacturers specifications. Guess if we knew all the "tricks" of the manufactureers--we'd probably quit buying new!
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- #13506 of 14778
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Re: Backup Camera [ange]
by jlsexton
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Feb 18, 2007 (12:15 pm)
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Replying to: ange (Feb 14, 2007 3:47 pm)
Thank you so much for your time and information, again I had to go to previous responses to find yours, go figure.
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