Avalon Shiftronic

bzsubmaximal

Just leased my 2k6 Avalon XL, I am a longtime 5 Speed manual driver who always liked the sporty feel of actually shifting. I also always try to squeeze every inch of MPG out of my cars(being a child of the '70's who lived through REAL gas crisis and I foresee bigger and worser ones in the near future) But no longer being a child, and falling firmly into middle age, I now relent and give in to the reality that I am no longer comfortable in most Manual-shift-available cars (smaller more sporty sized) I admit, I bought my Avalon for comfort. 1 small consideration in the purchase of the car was the "avalable shift-tronic" transmition..the "Make-believe manual" I call it.

In my test drives I tried it out abit and honestly it wasn't really very "Manually".....but it was at least a taste of manual....now I'm wondering...will driving the Avalon in the shift-tronic mode, (if I actually learn to drive it right) actually give me any measurable improvement in gas mileage?..hey...I may want comfort...but I still want my 32 mpg...

catman2050

no. when you use the shiftronic, you're holding the lower gear longer...which causes the RPMs to increase...which requires more gas.

truthfully, although I like having the shiftronic option, the driving experience doesn't change all that much on the Avalon. In other cars I've owned, using the shiftronic gives you a very noticeable difference in the driving experience.

pat

Hi james52, welcome! Your post is more likely to be seen by someone who can help if it's in the general Avalon discussion so I moved it for you - just click on that link to get there.

emperorjvl

The Avalon's Shiftronic has got to be one of the worst features it has - only goes to "4" no matter what speed you are going. Even a Hyundai Sonata does not change the current gear when you go "manual". It responds slowly to shifting, too.

wwest

The only advantage I could think of for a "shiftronic" is being able to downshift manually for additional engine comoression braking. But since that will be fraught with safety hazards in a FWD (NO CLUTCH) it would not be advisable to do so absent full and certain sure knowledge of current roadbed traction coefficients.