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Coupes & Convertibles Scion tC Scion tC Problems and Solutions 
599 messages, Last post on Oct 30, 2006 at 12:06 AM
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Replying to: stickguy (Jul 20, 2004 6:08 am) other than that, every other complaint (if you could even call it that) is just cosmetic - and those hardly warrant a mention. I just hit 450 miles on my tc (bought July 9). I'm averaging around 25 mpg, 50/50 highway/city. can't complain really. |
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at least it's not me. At some point I may ask the service department about it (at the first oil change if not before). IIRC, especially with the drive by wire throttle, cars can be set up to hold the revs for emission reasons. I remember with the Contique it was a common issue, and there was even a remedy (called "moosing") that involved putting a plug in some hose. It is just noticable enough to be noticable, if that makes sense, but doesn't really detract from the driving experience. I just notice it. Of course, if any owner finds out more about this, post for the rest of us. |
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Got a Toyota enthusiast to drive my tc this evening just to double check my concerns RE: clutch activity - seems I'm not the only one having a tough time with a clean shift. They too had trouble with smoothness but remarked that it's a long throw and I shouldn't worry. Still, we're talking about two people who are very adept at driving a stick, both saying essentially the same thing; it's a long throw that doesn't make for a clean shift, especially at higher revs. And while we're throwing out complaints, there is actually one other concern I have and that's the "missing" affect most especially on the highway. The enthusiast seemed to believe it's all due to the AC compressor draining the engine but, if that's the truth, it's one helluva drain. Certainly more than I've ever experienced in any other car. I also thought it was the compressor until I turned off the AC and it did it anyway. It does it less frequently and is less noticeable, but it's still there if you drive long enough. (of course, with the friend driving I ran into the "mechanic" scenario: you know something's wrong but the problem doesn't rear its ugly head in front of the mechanic and you end up looking a fool!) Any ideas what else it could be besides the compressor? Is it possible that the engine is so hyped to work that a constant 60mph is a bother for it? I suppose that's a stretch. Maybe I'm just not used to a car with so much torque? That seems entirely possible to me.
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I have no idea what the "missing" effect is. Can you describe the sensation? ALmost sounds like you are talking about a miss or a skip, and I haven't noticed anything like that. I will pay attention on Friday when I take another highway run, hopefully without tons of rain. By long throws, did you mean the clutch travel is long, or the shifter throws (which I don't consider long)? I notice the rev sensation when depressing the clutch (as if I hadn't lifted entirely off the gas), but have no problems with a clean engage. I also have been pretty gentle with it so far. Once it is fully broken in, I'll play some more with quicker shifts and shifting at higher RPM. I believe the tC does have drive by wire throttle, so it is software deciding what RPMs to be at, not the driver's right foot. if thats the issue, its possible that a reflash might be in order. Or we will just get used to it and eventually won't even notice. Biggest problem I have with being smooth is going back and forth to my Miata, which has a very stiff clutch with extremely short travel. Great for fast driving, not so great for getting stuck in traffic.
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Replying to: tahlequah (Jul 20, 2004 6:38 pm) I think the engine rev when engaging the clutch is for when you downshift. It's blipping the throttle for you to make for a smoother transition. Although, it doesn't quite feel right when it's happening on the upshifts. Personally, I'd prefer to match revs on my own on the downshift and not have the engine rev extra every time I engage the clutch. I too ran into the "skipping" thing on the highway. It's a perceptible nudge I can feel when tooling along. Almost as if the engine skipped for a fraction of a second. It is a bit disconcerting. It shouldn't have anything to do with the amount of torque the engine puts out. It's just a wait and see thing for the long term. Hopefully, it's just a software reprogram for both issues. Stick shifts owned 81 DeLorean (Mom's car. Learned how to drive a stick on this.) 81 Trans Am (M21. Heavy duty racing clutch. Brutal workout.) 80 Chevette (What do you expect for 50 bucks?) 90 Maxima (Very nice and connected feel) 00 Maxima (Ugh. Not very forgiving.) Smoothest and nicest clutch so far was a test drive in an 04 Mazda3S. It is just about the nicest stick I've driven. Supremely forgiving. Unfortunately, the price difference and a lack of adjustability in the seating tipped the balance in favor of the tC. Or maybe I should say fortunately 
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Replying to: stickguy (Jul 20, 2004 7:31 pm) It's missing like I've put "bad" gas in it. But it's worse than that - I shouldn't say worse, just more pronounced than if it were simply bad gas or the compressor. By long throws, did you mean the clutch travel is long, or the shifter throws (which I don't consider long)? The clutch travel is long. I notice the rev sensation when depressing the clutch (as if I hadn't lifted entirely off the gas), but have no problems with a clean engage. Yes, that's what it's like EXCEPT the engage is blunt, for lack of a better word. If I depress really slow (I mean really slow), it will catch cleanly (all the while revving as if I'm still on the gas), but to depress as one would normally, it's a jerk, especially in 3rd. I believe the tC does have drive by wire throttle, so it is software deciding what RPMs to be at, not the drivers right foot. if thats the issue, its possible that a reflash might be in order. Or we will just get used to it and eventually wont even notice. What does the drive by wire throttle do exactly? I've been driving a stick since '83. I've logged hundreds of thousands of miles, literally - 80,000 in one year! I've never burned out a clutch nor have I ever had trouble shifting the way I do in this tC. I suppose some adjustment time (on my part) is to be expected but this isn't coming to me quickly. But, in all fairness, I've never owned or driven a car with this hp and torque before so I'm assuming I am the problem at this point.
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Replying to: rodzilla (Jul 21, 2004 5:53 pm) I'm glad to know you've experienced the skipping/missing effect. Sorry that it's happening to you but glad that you know what I'm talking about. It is disconcerting indeed. I must have bought the only lemon Mazda ever made. I traded my 03' 6i for my tC. It was six months old with 3000 miles! It handled okay but what a nightmare that thing was otherwise. From the moment I drove it off the lot things went wrong. First time I waxed it, the paint on the trunk at the corners of the spoiler chipped off. That was the first paint job. Two months later, it happened again. That was the second paint job. By then, the dealer was so pissed at the body shop that they sent it to another body shop to have it painted a third time (KY's lemon law is four strikes...not three). In between all this there were brake issues (the pads were loose so they had to be replaced, that was at 1000 miles and the calipers were wasted), two recalls and a myriad of other things. I lost some $$$ dumping it but it was so worth it when I saw the tC. |
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What's your rpm in 5th gear when you notice this missing? I'm wondering if you are prematurely in overdrive. If you are trying to use 5th gear below 2,000 rpm this could explain the problem. |
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| the way the tC is geared, that would be about 40 MPH. | |
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Guys, one thing about the engine in this car is the VVTI or variable valve timing with intelligence. Here's a short explanation about the intelligence part, it is not science fiction, it is fact. The engine and computer in this car actually "adjust" to your way of driving over time. If you like to drive quick and fast the software "remembers" your inputs. Same goes for the "granny" drivers. It remembers those drive inputs. The throtlle has the ETCS-i or electronic throttle control system with intelligence. Same concept as the engine. Also remembers your inputs, the drive by wire portion does away with the throttle or accelerator cable and is replaced by an electronic sensor which is very fast acting to your input on the accelerator. Next time you drive the car notice how fast it responds when you press the accelerator. : ) Mackabee
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