Jerky Transmission
#16
Some of the manufacturers are already there.
And, on internet boards, you will find complaints similar to the ones in this thread for other cars with transmissions having 8 or more speeds. While I'm sure that there are relatively minor potential improvements in fuel economy with more transmission speeds, there are also definite drawbacks.
And, on internet boards, you will find complaints similar to the ones in this thread for other cars with transmissions having 8 or more speeds. While I'm sure that there are relatively minor potential improvements in fuel economy with more transmission speeds, there are also definite drawbacks.
#17
Think my problem is resolved. For kicks and giggles I tried the Eco Mode. Wow, a major improvement. I never considered Eco because read so many places that Sports Mode is the solution and it is better. I can not give a technical explanation but Eco gives a much smoother acceleration from a rolling stop. Maybe just my style of driving but I now look forward to driving my new ES instead of dreading it. Also, the stock stereo sounds great!
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ESh (09-26-20)
#18
Think my problem is resolved. For kicks and giggles I tried the Eco Mode. Wow, a major improvement. I never considered Eco because read so many places that Sports Mode is the solution and it is better. I can not give a technical explanation but Eco gives a much smoother acceleration from a rolling stop. Maybe just my style of driving but I now look forward to driving my new ES instead of dreading it. Also, the stock stereo sounds great!
#20
#21
No, Sports Mode made a big improvement. I dreaded Normal Mode which gave me whiplash if I accelerated from a rolling stop. Eco, for me, is a major improvement over Sports Mode. Sports Mode mitigated whiplash but I did not like the sports car growl and holding lower gears longer. I liked that in 1974 with my brand new TR6 but those days are long gone. I enjoy a quiet, smooth powerful acceleration. I bought a brand new LS400 in 1995. That car defined my idea of a smooth quiet powerful acceleration.
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kalel2127 (09-15-20)
#22
I too have the same complaints about the trans. I spoke to my SA about it and took one of the techs on a drive with me. He said he felt it and I wasn’t the first to complain about that. He said they had similar issues with the RX and Lexus had three software updates to correct it. That gives us some hope I suppose. Maybe they’ll do something similar for the ES.
I can’t do ECO mode. I find it far too muted and sluggish.
For the person that said they didn’t want the increased engine noise in sport mode, you could set the engine/trans to performance mode in custom if you have an F sport. It proves the same responsiveness as sport without the increased engine noise. Custom allows you to customize engine/trans, suspension and climate control. I have mine set to performance for engine/trans and suspension and normal for climate so it’s like sport+ without the reduce AC or engine noise.
Incidentally, there are very similar complaints about the new 8 speeds in the Avalons and Camrys in the Toyota forums.
I can’t do ECO mode. I find it far too muted and sluggish.
For the person that said they didn’t want the increased engine noise in sport mode, you could set the engine/trans to performance mode in custom if you have an F sport. It proves the same responsiveness as sport without the increased engine noise. Custom allows you to customize engine/trans, suspension and climate control. I have mine set to performance for engine/trans and suspension and normal for climate so it’s like sport+ without the reduce AC or engine noise.
Incidentally, there are very similar complaints about the new 8 speeds in the Avalons and Camrys in the Toyota forums.
#23
I too have the same complaints about the trans. I spoke to my SA about it and took one of the techs on a drive with me. He said he felt it and I wasn’t the first to complain about that. He said they had similar issues with the RX and Lexus had three software updates to correct it. That gives us some hope I suppose. Maybe they’ll do something similar for the ES.
I can’t do ECO mode. I find it far too muted and sluggish.
For the person that said they didn’t want the increased engine noise in sport mode, you could set the engine/trans to performance mode in custom if you have an F sport. It proves the same responsiveness as sport without the increased engine noise. Custom allows you to customize engine/trans, suspension and climate control. I have mine set to performance for engine/trans and suspension and normal for climate so it’s like sport+ without the reduce AC or engine noise.
Incidentally, there are very similar complaints about the new 8 speeds in the Avalons and Camrys in the Toyota forums.
I can’t do ECO mode. I find it far too muted and sluggish.
For the person that said they didn’t want the increased engine noise in sport mode, you could set the engine/trans to performance mode in custom if you have an F sport. It proves the same responsiveness as sport without the increased engine noise. Custom allows you to customize engine/trans, suspension and climate control. I have mine set to performance for engine/trans and suspension and normal for climate so it’s like sport+ without the reduce AC or engine noise.
Incidentally, there are very similar complaints about the new 8 speeds in the Avalons and Camrys in the Toyota forums.
#24
Mine has the noise in sport and sport+ But not in custom even with the engine/trans in performance mode.
i will say that I had the opportunity recently to drive an ES without AVS and boy is it different. Not nearly as smooth or responsive as AVS and the ability to tighten it up when you want the tighter handling is great.
i will say that I had the opportunity recently to drive an ES without AVS and boy is it different. Not nearly as smooth or responsive as AVS and the ability to tighten it up when you want the tighter handling is great.
#25
Mine has the noise in sport and sport+ But not in custom even with the engine/trans in performance mode.
i will say that I had the opportunity recently to drive an ES without AVS and boy is it different. Not nearly as smooth or responsive as AVS and the ability to tighten it up when you want the tighter handling is great.
i will say that I had the opportunity recently to drive an ES without AVS and boy is it different. Not nearly as smooth or responsive as AVS and the ability to tighten it up when you want the tighter handling is great.
#29
#30
Join the club. I had a 2013 with a 6 speed and it was smooth as butter. The 8 speed is always searching for a gear and is indeed "jerky"... What you describe is accurate. I found if you ease the accelerator the jerking is moderated somewhat. It is what it is at this point...
Anyway, I had a free 2020 ES rental for three days. I did not like the transmission. I agree it seemed like it was searching for gears. My six-speed on my 2014 ES works great. I drove the 2020 for three days and tried to be "honest" about being a "new" car and having to get used to it. But I think it just doesn't cut it. I came back to mine and I could speed up, slow down, etc., much smoother. I use the manu-matic a lot and don't like having to switch eight gears up and down either.