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For the record, when we bought the car (new) I actually sent it out to be professionally cleaned on my dime as it was filthy throughout (looked like a New York City cab). Dropped that dealership right away and then every time our car was serviced at the next one the carpets (sometimes the leather seats) would come back with grease stains on the drivers side. We also had the vehicle bumper damaged while at the lot and general service levels have been pretty dubious. 3rd dealer (a) didn't respond on one enquiry and (b) stated trtansmission is working as designed" (as did dealer #2).
I'm sticking with dealer #2 as they are close to the Calgary house. Once the car is off lease it will go to an independent mechanic (Kal-O-Tire actually) who looks after one of our other cars as well.
I'm just grateful to have the rig's transmission issues fixed thanks to this site. After that we will go back to good old Mercedes and forget the fine folks at Toyota. Had 6 new Toyotas prior to ten years ago but they have really fallen off the wagon as best I can tell Mackabee. No worries, life is too short to seat the small stuff now that its running OK.
I have worked with engineers to program calculations with using formulas. Does the computer add up all of the bad transmission shifts and all of the good ones and average the two and uses the average to make future shifts?
My dealer tells me it takes 3-4 driving periods, allowing the car to cool down, between the driving intervals. This may be where the "about 500 miles comes from".
ange3
I believe the problem is compounded by the carbon filter used. While the activated carbon adsorbs odors it also is a food source for bacteria. This in turn serves as sort of a greenhouse where bacteria can live and multiply.
Most of all of the carbon filters installed on building drinking fountains have been removed because they feed and harbor bacteria and actually polute the water.
The point I am trying to make is, while the odor is offensive, when does the bacteria increase until it becomes a medical problem? One possible explaniation for random issues with odors is, if you drive often the slime -bacteria on the coil remain moist and continues to grow. Possibly if you drive at, say weeky or longer intervals, the bacteria may dry up and die, and have little or no problem.
ange3
As I remember it today...
Within a fairly short time of the driver starting the car into motion the learning technique will categorize the driver into 1 of 4 types. Within an additional driver period it does a "finer", more definitive, categorization, now into 1 of 16 styles/types. From that time forward it keeps a "rolling" record of the previous (2 minutes??) period and will change the category "on the fly" if the driver changes him/her driving style/type.
The "record" is ERASED each type the ignition is turned off, in preparation for the possibility of a new/different driver in the next drive cycle.
Some of the confusion, especially for the dealer personnel, arises from the fact that there are two types of learning that these ECUs perform, driver style/type, and control system parametric sensor signals and servomotor feedback sensors.
Two examples of the 500 mile learning period:
1. Prior to DBW almost all vehicles used an "off-the shelf" electric solenoid as a linear servomotor to control the idle air bypass flow. The idle RPM rate was set by the factory at say, 800 RPM, the downstream oxygen sensor is used as feedback for "learning" the correct level (no residual "unburned" oxygen in the exhaust gasses) of A/F mixture to attain that RPM.
Over time the engine ECU "learns" the correct voltage setting for that idle air bypass solenoid.
2. Most vehicles today use the downstream oxygen sensor to "calibrate" and learn, track, the tolerances, of the MAF/IAT signal levels. At idle or just cruising along at a constant speed the A/F mixture is controlled strictly and ONLY by the oxygen sensor(s). If you wish to accelerate, or use engine torque levels beyond normal cruising (uphill, towing, etc.) the system must enrich the mixture beyond the range of the oxygen sensing capability and so a switch is made to using ONLY the MAF/IAT signals to control the A/F mixture.
So the 500 mile learning period, or sometimes referred to as "drive cycles" have absolutely NOTHING to do with driver style or techniques.
Thank you for this informative note.
It answers questions for me.
Will be back home next weekend.
MT 236 to the P&N bridge, from Lewistown, is one beautiful drive.
Thanks for a real explaination.
ange3
This is exactly one of the crazy shifts noticed after driving home from the TBE fix for the 2005. After some real heated discussion with the service manager he agreed to contact corporate technical for answers and get back to me. Next day he tells me another procedure not listed on the TBS was suggested to get it right. This second try appears to be right on, with about 20 miles driving. The braking as you approach a stop, either slow or fast, dos not jerk into a lower gear. The down shifting, when in auto, appears to be slower and more braking is required. More time is needed to follow this a few times.
ange3
So far I am pleased with the fix. I would insist, demand, request,and tell them I will not go away until it is right.
ange3
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
The tranny shifting pattern was my only complaint. Now that it is fixed I'm very pleased and use it as my main rig.
The same is largely true of our city driving, but of course that is very variable, so I can't offer any true comparisons in that area.
I have always been impressed with the gas mileage for this size of car. Sometimes I wonder whether the trip computer is lying, but I can certainly testify that our gas mileage is the same as before the transmission memory reflash.
This is nothing new and has been posted many times. Didn't believe it till I tried it. Yes, my '07 Limited odo is 3% low. Speed is accurate, just the miles are off. Go figure... in this age of microcomputers... Still a great car for the money. Enjoy your Avy.
Rewop
Mackabee
Can someone help? What is the fix?
Mackabee
Mackabee
P.S. What's a vechile, a/f sensor and pending dtc? The Avalon xle doesn't exist.
The laser speed control got worse. Driving on the level and down small grades with laser control on, is fine.
Going up long hills, after dropping back 5-6 mph, the car accelerates to 4500 rpms, drops 2 gears, and races. It stops when the set speed, on Pa turnpike set at 68 mph, is reached and drops 2 gears down with a real big jerk. It was so bad I had to shut it off. The transmission, under full load, would not take too may more slams into overdrive.
ange3
Dealer is going to try again. Initially after driving about 5-10 miles I thought it really was right, but after 800 more miles it ends up worse. I would not do this fix knowing what I am going through.
Finding a dealer who really wants to fix you problems seems to be the key.
Perhaps you are thinking of the 2005 procedure, which does call for some parts to be replaced in addition to an ECM flash. But the TSB for 06-07 does not.
Mackabee
Mackabee
I do not have any transmission problems, but should I request that the "TSB" for 2005 transmission be done, or leave well enough alone? ( I did purchase the extended warranty )
Also: I will be needing new tires before the snow flies, I would like the least noise and smooth ride, the Michelins that came with the car seem satisfactory?, just wondering if anyone has experienced a better replacement.
Other than that the has car has performed super.
Mack
ange3
Mackabee