03 auto

car downshifts for no apparent reason...even when coasting downhill. also upshifting takes longer than it should sometimes....anyone have a clue why?

 

the car has a sensor that if you apply your breaks downhill under load the car will down shift and result in engine breaking.

I'm sure chodthewacko's page has an explanation on his info page. Take a look.

 

thanks!

 

He's right. Its the grade logic built into the car. The car will dtermine the grade when going up or down hill. If you are going down a decent decline and tap the breaks it will downshift, and when going up hill it will find the optimal gear so the car wont be gear hunting. Great to save the brakes when going down hill....

 

When faced with the option of using the brakes (which can be replaced for $65) or using the weak transmission (replaced for thousands of dollars out of warranty) I think I'd rather use the brakes.

 

I was thinking about this earlier, my car started downshifting when its not on a hill. Hit the brakes to make a turn on a relatively flat hill and the car will down shift. It might just be me because I'm a little on edge...the ole 106k I was going to run the car to the dealership so they can check it out....I've had her since 40k and no problems so far...