2009 Toyota Camry

exler

Let me know what they say--I have an 08 Camry built in 09-08--had more of that hesitation problem between 30-45 mph when newer but it still persists to some degree--It may be difficult to duplicate that problem for the dealer at all times on all roads but I know it is there when I drive on certain roads near my home-- - the dealer is 25 miles away-will the dealer take my word and do the TSB without a lot of hassle?

exler

Excuse me my 08 Camry-4 was built on 09-07 not 08 as posted--any info you can relay to my prior post on the hesitation problem would be appreciated--any hassle--did it make it better? etc. Thanks

santocs

I went to the dealer and he said that my computer has been updated with the latest update available. When i asked whats the number of the update. he said that they don't know whats the update. as they just hook up the system to the computer and the computer prompts them to update with the latest update. They just click on YES.

I drove back home and the hesitation problem in first and 2nd gear is gone. the cruise control was smooth.. would be trying more on that during my long trip this weekend.

The transmission seems to be much more smoother now.
The mechanic drove for around 3 to 4 miles and said the transmission issues should be resolved by these updates.

wwest

Some TSBs are issued to apply only under certain specific customer complaints.

wwest

The dealer probably reset all of the in use "learned" parameters and therefore your car will probably return to "normal" within 400 to 500 miles.

exler

Did you have to take the service manager for a test run to show the vibration or did they believe you from your experiences before doing the TSB? Thanks

mcdawgg

At my dealer, I just complained of the hesitation and told them to do the TSB. They did it without driving it themselves.

santocs

I just complained about the vibration, the hesitation, and other transmission problems and he said he will take care of them.... after he updated the computer... he drove it for around 4 miles.

He said he could not recreate the vibration but said that everything should be fine.

I will check during my long drive to see if the vibration problem has gone.

scalito

I recently purchased a new 2009 Camry LE V6. I am quite pleased with the ride on the highway, and enjoy the powerful V6. However, when I am driving at slower speeds, particularly when I take my foot off the gas, sometimes I feel like the car slows too quickly, and then occassionally has a jolt where it speeds up slightly before slowing down again. Can anyone explain what is going on here? I've seen reference to trying to take your foot off the gas more slowly to avoid such problems, but don't understand what is going on and it doesn't seem to help anyway. I got the car with 100 miles on it and it is now at 250 miles.

Thanks.

rearwheeldrive

car jolting on slowdown

It sounds like the computer isn't sure how to match engine speed to the the load on transmission.

The computer gets many signals from sensors on the engine and transmission. Trying to guess what is going on for a brand new car is not something I could do here .

My idea would be go to another dealer and act like you want to buy a Camry and drive one. Try and duplicate the same driving you do. Then tell them you want to trade yours in for a good one.
lol.

exler

Do not know if this will help but I have an 08-4 automatic that will downshift automatically when going down a hill at around 30-40 mph--heard they all do this---then when giving it the gas will upshift again----kind of strange but that is the new transmission I guess---I have a 5-speed-- I think the six has a 6-speed.

cubssoxs

Hey everyone I have a question about the sunroof on the Camry. When I push the button so the sunroof automatically opens all the way by itself I noticed that it does not open 100% like 95%. So then I push the button again holding it manually so that it is open all the away. So is that how all sunroofs are on Camry's and other vehicles?

adamw812

I tried mine tonight, I have a 2008 LE and noticed the same thing. It opens 95% and the extra 5% requires pushing the button again. There must be a good excuse, however, I cannot think of one.

wwest

You may need to "normalize"(***) the sunroof FULLY open position by holding the "open" button down for a longer period. Such things should be in your owners manual.

*** "Teach" the sunroof servomotor feedback control system where the fully open position actually is.

On the other hand (finger..??) it may be running into just enough sliding resistance that the finger/obstruction protection circuit is getting tripped. Manually open the "curtain" first and see if that doesn't help.

camryforlife

I just purchased a new 2009 Camry 4 cylinders and I notice the slow pick up speed after a total stop on red light. Is this normal? I drove a test drive 2009 Camry 4-cyc and it is much faster. Currently I have 500 miles on the car and the dealer said it will take about 7,000 mileage to break in and see increase of speed. Can anyone relate to this? Thanks guys!

mcdawgg

What's the manufacture date (on the sticker inside driver's door jamb)? Dealer is full of it.

camryforlife

manufacture date is April 2, 2008 but what does this mean? The earlier car I test drive was so much faster and it was a 4 cyclinder as well. Help...

mcdawgg

Your manufacture date indicates that it probably does not have the new software for the Engine Control Module. I would take your car in, complaining that it has a hesitating and sluggish acceleration, and tell them to do TSB-0068-08 5/21/08 ECM Calibration:Enhancement to Shifting Performance, Smoothness.

This software change will only take 25-30 minutes, and will make a very noticeable change in performance.

lucky4me2

Will any of the 2009 Camrys be built in Japan?

mcdawgg

Very, very few. In my experience, Japanese bulit vs. USA built doesn't mean anything - no advantage either way. I had Rav that had several assembly issues, all minor and fixed under warranty, but guess what? It was built in Japan.

Some people think that Japan assembled is better, but that has not been my experience. Most Camrys are built in Kentucky, and some in Indiana.

camryforlife

Is there a way to tell if the TSB software was programmed/installed without bring the car in? Also, should I do an oil change will that help the car's performance? I currently have 800 miles but someone told me it is best to get the oil change done since the manufacture date is 4/2/08. Any thoughts.

mcdawgg

No, but a good indicator is the manufacture date, which was before the TSB came out (5/21/08), so I am betting that it does not have the latest software. It only takes a half hour to do.

Oil change - at least every 6 months, even if it doesn't have many miles on it. I think the owner's manual tells you this.

lucky_777

I'm buying new 2009 Camry LE I4 next week. Is there anything to watch for from mechanical standpoint?

mcdawgg

See my post #374 above. Basically, just make sure that the car has the latest ECM software, especially if the car was built before mid May. Just ask that the service dept. check the software via the TSB I discuss in my post 374. It only takes half an hour, tops.

Other than that, it will be fine.

lucky_777

Does T-SB-0068-08 need to be applied even if car manufactured after May 21, 2008?

paul3637

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In April, I purchased an 09 Camry V6 LE assembled in Georgetown Kentucky. Since the owners manual is silent on synthetic oil, I wrote to Toyota about it and was shocked when they emailed me back within two days saying the "factory fill" was 5W30 mineral oil but I could switch to synthetic at the 5,000 mile service. The car gets incredibly good gas mileage (well over 30 mpg on premium gas 50/50 city/highway driving & 36 mpg highway at 65 - 70 mph) and I want to keep it that way.

I have used regular Pennzoil all my life. The owners' manual (more aptly described as owners' book with 480 pages) is silent on synthetic oil. Since the cost of synthetic versus regular oil is nil, I would prefer to run synthetic if it produces a gas mileage benefit but without causing increased oil consumption.

I know many years ago that people that swithced to Mobil 1 from regular oil would complain of increased oil consumption. The oil consumption rate on my car is virtually zero (dispstick level has not moved from full in 3500 miles), consistent with my prior experience with Lexus and Camry V6 engines.

Any advice or experiences regarding the use of synthetic would be appreciated. Thanks.

mcdawgg

No, they made the change to all Camry's produced after that date.

210delray

I'd stick with conventional oil for the cost savings. You may see some improvement in the gas mileage with synthetic, but I seriously doubt there'd be any consumption problems. You can try it if you like for one or two oil fills and see what happens.

priggly

Synthetic oil is superior in every way to conventional mineral-based oil. The advantages include enhanced lubricity, superior suspension of contaminants, enhanced protection against heat, and increased drain intervals, among others. There is no increased consumption with synthetic oil. See the following link for additional specifics:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Petroleum-oil-vs.-Synthetic-oil:--A-Closer-Look&id=158- - 416

I even use synthetic oil in my Honda lawn mower and would not be without it for either of my cars.

exler

Is that the TSB for vibrations in the 30-45mph range--also read there is TSBs for this problem at TSB-0069-08 or TSB-0061 -08--Thanks for your help-- I have an 08-4 built in 9-07--never had any TSBs done.--trying to find out what TSB I need--just a little confused--hope you can help on this--thanks again.

exler

Just took my 08-4 on a trip--in cruise even on the beginning of small hills there is usually a downshift--then at the crest an upshift--my 02 with a 4-speed tranny never did this--any TSBs to take care of this anyone?--it is a just annoying. You may want to check this out on a test drive.--This will happen when in cruise going in the 50-70mph range.

kiawah

Don't know when your 08 was made, so don't know whether the 3rd TSB for engine and tranny performance is applicable or not. Your dealer can tell you.

The performance/shifting TSB's definitely addressed the radical cruise control down shifting. Mine would downshift from 5th(in torque converter lockup), down to 3rd. That's the problem I first reported on my early edition 07, and the TSB addressed.

exler

My 08 was made in 09-07---The downshift in going down hills is annoying, if it can be corrected that would be great--The downshift in cruise in going up hills in cruise is also annoying--can that be corrected?----these are not major mountain hills I am speaking about. Thanks for any info.

kiawah

Yes, take it to the dealership and suggest the latest TSB for engine and transmission performance. It takes about 1/2 hour, no big deal, and is a software load for the computer. It'll run great and makes a big difference.

Mine used to downshift even on the slightest Interstate grade, now it'll cruise along without downshifting at all on those same roads.

exler

Thanks for the info--Do you know if that is the TSB-0068-08 or the TSB-0069-08 they performed on your vehicle?----or what is the difference between them?-I really appreciate your input on this matter-- also do these TSBs have any relation to stopping the annoying downshift when going DOWN a hill?

09v6camry

my 09 camry was built february 08 in kentucky...does the tsb on engine and tranny performance apply to the v6 cause this has been a little issue of mine....thanx for the help

mcdawgg

TSB 068-08 hesitation/acceleration problem, TSB 069-08 is "Some customers may experience a vibration feeling most noticeable under light acceleration between 35-45 mph on '07-'09 Camrys with 2AZ and 5AT. The ECM calibration has been revised."

If you have both these issues, just tell your dealer. They both are very quick, they just hook it up to the computer and download new software.

TSB 061-08 is for V6 only, not I4.

santocs

when i start the engine after 2 to 3 seconds the bluetooth function shows that its calling a number (which usually is the last dialled number or the last received number) on your phone.. and when you check the phone it is doing nothing. the screen shows that the number is being called and you can hear the ring but nothing is happening really. I tried changing the mode to CD/AUX/FM but nothing works.
I have to stop the ignition and only then this stops.

I thought this would be a one time scenario but till now i have experienced this 4 times.

Please let me know if anybody else has experienced the same problem.

exler

Does the TSB 068-08 take care of the downshift when going up hills in cruise and going down hills when not in cruise? I have an 08-4 automatic

mcdawgg

Does the TSB 068-08 take care of the downshift when going up hills in cruise and going down hills when not in cruise?

I have read that it does take care of this, but I have a manual transmission, so I do not have first-hand experience with this particular problem. However, this TSB is for both manual and automatic, and I can say for certain that the hesitation that my manual '07 Camry had was solved with this TSB.

Do a search and you will find that many people say that the annoying downshift of the automatic is solved by TSB 068-08. Search Townhall forums, and/or type in TSB 068-08 in Google and you'll have lots of information.

It's no big deal, just go to your dealer, and you'll leave shortly with the new software and a great-performing car.

exler

Thanks for the info--read other forums as you suggested--can any of these TSBs when applied make things worse? At present I can live with my 08 Camry, just do not like the downshift in cruise going up hills and a slight vibration at times in the 30-45 range--just wonder how Toyota got into this tranny problem when they had a good 4-speed in the past. What did they gain with this 5-speed? Just afraid resale values will go down if too many complaints on the tranny.

wwest

Think of/about a CVT, Continuously Variable transmission. Those allow the engine to ALWAYS operate at the most optimum RPM for best FE regardless of roadspeed. So, the more gear ratios you have available the closer your "standard" automatic transmission can come to reaching FE equal to a CVT equipped (otherwise equivalent) vehicle, provided you allow the engine/transaxle controlling ECU to make use of ALL of those ratios as is appropriate.

So, you want best FE, that means lots of up and down shifting with even the slightest change/perturbation in the roadbed.

210delray

Yes, more gears = more shifting, presumably for better fuel economy.

Personally, even with my 4-speed Camry, I cancel the cruise when going up a steep enough grade. I prefer to use my right foot to maximize fuel economy. And after 54K miles, I know how steep the hill has to be for me to turn the cruise off.

exler

In interpreting your info I should get better FE in my 08 with a 5 speed rather than what FE I got in my 02, 4 speed. In reality I do not see any real difference in FE between them. Maybe I am missing something here. Any further analysis is most welcome.

mcdawgg

Thanks for the info--read other forums as you suggested--can any of these TSBs when applied make things worse?

I have never read anyone say that this new TSB made it worse - all the new Camrys coming off the production line have this new software, it is just the old ones that need the updated software. I'd get it done!

In interpreting your info I should get better FE in my 08 with a 5 speed rather than what FE I got in my 02, 4 speed. In reality I do not see any real difference in FE between them. Maybe I am missing something here. Any further analysis is most welcome.

You cannot compare the two, because they are different generations, meaning different weight, coefficient of drag is different, etc.

exler

In the 08 manual it says to turn off the cruise in going up a "steep" hill---I guess "steep" is a matter of judgment to each of us. Mine will downshift in cruise on what I would call a slight grade at times and other times will not downshift--You may have the answer--just cancel it on grades. I will discuss the TSB with the dealer to see what results they have had with other customers on this issue after installing the software. Thanks for the info.

mcdawgg

From what you describe, "slight grade" downshifting, I have read LOTS of similar complaints of downshifting when going over just a regular overpass over another road on the highway. They all said that after the TSB, they did not have this annoying downshifting anymore.

If you discuss this with the dealer, they will just connect your car to the computer, check the software, and download the new version. You will leave very quickly, and you'll be very happy once you drive it and see what a positive difference it makes.

In all automatics that I have driven (rentals while out of town on vacation or business), the best way to handle steep hills is to cancel the cruise on most cars. But the Camry before the TSB was, from what I read, downshifting all the time for just a tiny hill.

Again, get the TSB done - you'll be glad you did.

wwest

The "problem" with cruise control in this circumstance is that unlike you, "it" cannot "see" the upcoming incline. Since it cannot see the upcoming incline it reacts "after the fact", having allowed the roadspeed to decline slightly, resulting in the downshift being much more abrupt, or even an extra gear level, than it would be with the driver, rather than CC, in control.

Rather than cancel cruise control I find it more convenient to either switch off the O/D at about the time I would apply more gas were I in the "driver's" seat, or actually over-ride the CC by depressing the gas pedal myself until well into the upward incline area.

exler

Is it true then the TSB-0068-08 will take care of this situation for the downshifting on grades? Thanks for the info on how you override this problem.

rearwheeldrive

I think until cars have radar, seriously, the cars computer cant match a smart driver perception of grade change and traffic situations and how much gas to give, or not to give to stay ahead of the the engine as far as how much power it needs to get over that grade or, when to power off to try to stay with the flow of traffic.