PatrickISF

Hi all, been doing some searching on here and I swore I read a thread about this awhile back and can't find it. I've noticed lately in auto mode (not in sport mode) when I'm going downhill on a section (doing maybe 45-50mph) of road and apply the brakes, the transmission wants to downshift automatically to 5th gear. I know in Sport mode if you are not using paddle shifters this seems normal. I don't think this is normal in just auto mode, non sport. Can anyone else comment about the behavior of your transmission in auto mode while braking downhill?

I don't think mine is normal as I don't remember it downshifting this much in auto mode. I'm thinking fluid level needs to be checked, but anyone else have any other suggestions? I know there is a sensor in the transmission that senses the angle of the car so not sure if it's being overly aggressive or not.

Thanks guys!

M4rk

My '14 does it too. I find it depends on the deceleration rate.

zmcgovern4

iTrader: (2)

I'm new to the ISF, but my IS250 did the same thing. When decelerating on a downhill, the vehicle would downshift to presumably help with slowing the vehicle down.

Onionboyz

iTrader: (3)

I want to say it's completely normal. Mine has been doing that since i've had my car at 11,000 miles and i'm at 26k now and living in San francisco, place is plagued with hills. Car will automatically downshift a couple of gears usually from 5th - 3rd riding 35~ mph after a slight tap to the brakes (also auto mode + nonsport). Saves on some brakes i guess, the car is just trying to help engine brake more often than not. My fluid levels and everything check out normal btw.

Bigjon3475

iTrader: (2)

You'd rather use the engine to brake than the brakes themself if possible for wear reasons. The motor cuts fuel when using the compression of the motor to decelerate the vehicle so no worries about fuel consumption.

PatrickISF

Thanks for your input guys! I'll just consider it normal for now.

lorenr

iTrader: (1)

Completely normal. Pretty amazing transmission.

I've noticed that it is even more sensitive if you leave it in "Sport" mode. I've started hitting the "Sport" button each time I think to do it. I'm sure the transmission's computer senses the slope of the hill and that the motor does not have a load on it. It then realizes that you most likely need to slow down and therefore drops a couple of gears. Don't want to slow down, then keep your foot in it.

tas02

iTrader: (2)

I installed a throttle controller device (Apexi) to further alter the responsiveness of the right pedal.

If I start to drive without activating it (along with the "Sport" mode switch), it feels as though something's wrong with the car. Kinda like "Sport+++" mode.

Bigjon3475

iTrader: (2)

Also, downshifting from an overdrive gear will be more noticeable than the shorter gears especially considering how close the ratios are to each other.

I8ABMR

yup mine does the same thing. I live on the side of a mountain. I think it does that to help maintain speed. so you don't accelerate too much as you are going down hill. Not sure. Just a hypothesis

cwajciec

Every day on the way home from work I have the cruise control set on 50mph. I go down a hill where it starts speeding up because of the slope. It downshifts 1 or 2 gears to maintain the set speed without intervention from me. I'd say it's normal.

Bigjon3475

iTrader: (2)

Yup. It won't allow the car to go but 10-11 mph max over the set speed when CC is on.

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

It's a feature not a bug.

Sxe10bd

I was experiencing the same thing and was not sure if something was wrong or this is normal but now i got more assurance from here