I'm thinking about replacing my 2006 TL, and tested out a 2013 (automatic transmission). As I was driving the 2013, though, the transmission was shifting really oddly (Hesitating a lot and jerky at low acceleration in normal city traffic), which is nowhere near like my current TL.

The sales guy noticed it as well once I pointed it out (He was new so didn't have canned answers, so even he said "Yeah, that's kind of weird). We ended up taking a second TL out, to try and rule out a one-off, but the second one was also shifting oddly.

We ended up talking to one of the tech guys, and got a lot of sparkles and sunshine about how the 6 speed transmission was awesome and fuel efficient, was way better than my 2006, was going to bring about world peace, and was a couple months away on that whole cold fusion thing... The sales guy didn't even try to talk numbers with me after, though, as he knew I wasn't buying it and wasn't at all happy.

My question is... Is the transmission in the 2013 "weird" when coming from a 2006? Or did I hit two bad test drives in a row? Or is there a break-in period (both testers were under 30 miles on the odometer)? Or...?

It's definitely not just a "I'm used to my car" thing... I've driven a Volvo S60, a Hyundai Genesis, and an Audi A4 over the past week, and not felt anything amiss.

 

^^^ I can honestly say that I have never experienced what you are describing. I have a 2013 6speed auto as well....

 

I don't understand what you mean about being jerky. The transmission shifts quickly form 1st to 2nd and hits a little hard but that is al I know of.

 

I just got stuck in some stop and go traffic today and noticed the same thing in my new 2013 TL. My 2007 Toyota Avalon did the same thing, like the tranny takes a second to figure out what it wants to do sometimes when you're going slow. Not always, but just every once in a while.
To me it's normal and I don't even think about it.

 

I've driven the 6 speed autos in the RL and TL, it seemed to shift perfectly and without hesitation.

Strange..

 

i don't have the issue that you are describing and trust me I would know.

 

I guess the post I made last night with more detail was eaten.. Oh well.

To more clearly describe (I hope) what I experienced:

1. After coasting on a flat road (speedometer said I was at ~30-35mph) I started pressing the gas pedal. At that point, I saw three distinct drops in rpm, which would indicate (to me, at least) upshifting by the transmission... Which seemed odd in that situation (If anything, I would have expected downshifting). It also took a while to do it (long enough for me to point at it for the sales guy and say "Huh?").
2. In city driving, I was trying to move into the lane to the left, so I started pressing on the gas pedal to speed up some. The car looked and felt like it was hunting around for the right gear.

Compounding this was the sheer amount of power when the gas pedal was barely touched (At least, as far as I'm concerned, I was barely touching it), which probably was also confusing the computer.


I've seen a couple of posts about the 2012 model and experiencing something like this, with people saying they use the paddles to get around it. I understand that, but if I wanted to shift the gears to use the car normally, I'd have looked at a manual transmission.


I'm half tempted to ask for a loaner for the next time my car is in, and specify a new TL auto, so I can have a longer road test with it and get a better feel for what it's doing.

 

I've found that the transmission is annoyingly geared for MPG. I mean, I appreciate the pocketbook savings, but it insists on upshifting too soon. Shifting is pretty liquid smooth though, but your further clarification is pretty accurate. S-mode without paddles is a good compromise. But non-spirited driving, I guess I appreciate the MPG savings of D-mode.

If I was single, I would have the manual transmission, but ah, compromise is key I guess with the spouse.

 

Or just marry a girl who drives a stick

Thats what I did.

 

^^^^^^^

Ken has the winning answer!

 

I've never experienced what the OP is describing, but I remember when my car was brand new and I babied it those first 500 miles I could feel the transmission searching for the right gear, however I attribute that mostly to breaking in and the ECU learning how I drive. As soon as I began to open her up that drive by wire system figured out my style and the car is a pleasure in either D or S, but I prefer S with the paddles.

 

Just picked up my TL a week ago and the transmission has been nothing but butter smooth!

 

Ken is Mr Smooth. Ken can get whatever girl he wants.

I, on the other hand, have to try hard not to get kicked out of the house, again.

 

OP - I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. I went from a 2005 TL to a 2012 FWD Advance with 1 mile on it. The first thing I noticed was how jerky the transmission was. It always felt as if it was always in the wrong gear. (usually too low of a gear at low speeds, and too high of a gear at higher speeds.) Passing other cars on the freeway was always stressful because of the pause in acceleration! At low speeds, I would get whiplash just coming out of my driveway and going up my street.

After a few months, the car learned my driving style. It no longer seems to feel so jerky and I haven't noticed it searching for gears in quite some time.

So, either I adapted to the car, or the car adapted to me! I must say though, the 2012 drives and performs significantly better than my 2005.

 

Never experienced that with my 2012. I am driving a loaner 2013 right now and it drives smooth with no issues. Transmission seems fine. Maybe it's the right foot?

 

The drive-by-wire system DOES learn your 'style' i.e. how much pressure you put on the pedal vs. what it 'thinks' you expect for acceleration.

And in 'D' it is biased for saving fuel/emissions.

 

I've never experienced any jerky problems. maybe you weren't driving normal and noticed weird shifts and zeroed in on it feeling weird. Maybe one car had an issue but not 2. Try to drive a little more aggressive on the test drive and see what happens. Were you pussy footing it around with the sales person in the car? I think the term goes, Drive it like you stole it!

 

That's what the paddle shifter is for.

Instant downshift, instant acceleration power, and no hesitation.

 

I do enjoy using those to set up for tight turns

 

Well, I spent the day with a newish TL Tech (1300 miles on the odometer) while mine was getting some work done, and I have to admit... It was good.

None of the jerkyness/hesitation/etc in the two test drives from last weekend. So, I guess whoever the ECU learned off of drove enough like me to make it feel good to me.

I guess I have to put the TL back on my list.

 

That is good to hear.. hope that you find yourself in one.. I have been very happy with my '12.

 

Currently, it's between the TL and an Audi A4 (I probably will go drive a BMW 328i, just to make sure).

Honestly, I prefer the gas mileage in the 4 cylinders as I do mostly city driving. On the other hand, my commute isn't that far (10 miles each way). And, on the third hand, it's a lot more money in the others to match up with what you get in a TL.

Decisions, decisions..

 

The 328i is lame, try out the 335i.

 

As far as the BMW goes if your going to go for a 4cyl bare in mind they have a newer model 320i also.

As far as the jerkiness of the transmission i myself have felt the same with My 2006 TL especially after my car had the engine mounts changed. I felt it alot with my 2011 TL as you said mainly when was at low speeds from time to time. I also notice it now even in my 2010 ZDX.

With both the ZDX & the 11 TL i noticed it the most when i didnt let the car sit long enough for warm up once it was running very seldomly felt it.

As far as the newer models i had a loaner 12 TL and in my opinion it shifter really smooth so that's a bit weird for a 13. But then again i only drove that 1 that 1 time.

 

Had a 2013 TL Tech loaner yesterday, did not experience what you're are stating.. i feel its better than my 07 TL.

 

The 335i would kind of blow the budget, though

I'd be looking at a 2013... I was under the impression the 328i has some extra creature comforts over the 320i, but nothing significant to the drive/performance?

 

Nevermind... I assume you're talking about the 2014 3 series? If so, I haven't seen anything besides wagon for that, and I absolutely don't want a wagon. The rest of the specs I've read for sedan versions that will be coming makes it look like there's pretty much no change, aside from the new diesel option. I'd be happy to be told wrong, but that's the impression I currently have.

 

I only mentioned the 320 because you mentioned gas mileage. I am not to sure how much more the 328 has to offer than the 320. i never did much research on the car i just know it exists. The car is a 2013.

you mentioned the 328. The 328 is about 3-4k more than the 320. So i assume you can probably get more bells and whistles with the 320 and im sure the gas mileage is even better than the 328 prob not by a gigantic number but still more.

Either way i dont think any of the cars are worth the money compared to a TL IMO though depending on what your looking for out of the car.

 

I had the transmission control reset in my 2009 TL by the dealer a few months ago and it was jerky and hunted for gears for a few weeks until it re-learned my style. I would assume that is what you are experiencing in the new one.

I had a loaner 2013 TL last Thursday and Friday and it was amazingly smooth, but it had about 900 miles on it.

 

The easiest solution to this would be to buy a 6MT!

 

I just purchased a FWD and do not have this issue. Had 6 miles on it.

 

I have 13 TL SHAWD adv. All I can say, our transmission shifts butter smooth. That 6 speed is one of the smoothest, quickest, and most decisive I have found recently.

It is one of the reason I did not go with Infinity M37 Sport AWD. The tranny seemed to be unsure on passing on highway. It stalled for a split second deciding which of 7 gears to go in.

Though, if the TL advanced offered manual...it would have been a tough decision. I have driven a stick since day 1 driving over the last 20years.