In December 2011, I got the 2012 TL SH-AWD Advance which features the new 6-speed automatic and overall its a great car, but the transmission has not been fun.

Gripes

1) it feels like the automatic starts out in 2nd or 3rd gear always. So there's never power when you want it.

2) Forget about pushing in the accelerator to get the transmission to drop down a gear for additional power, you have to darn near put your foot through the floorboard to make the transmission wake up. And even then I get frustrated and use the paddle shifter, which takes almost 3 seconds for the car to make the shift happen.

3) During regular driving the car seems to live in 4-5-6 gears. Even if I slow down when approaching an intersection to make a right turn, make the right turn and then accelerate, it feels like the car is still in 4th which means NO POWER.

Question

- Is there a way to change the behavior of the transmission? I really think the main thing hurting this car's performance is its lazy shift behavior.

Feedback is appreciated.

 

http://www.heeltoeauto.com/buddy-clu...etb-f106b.html

 

That's more throttle response. I believe OP is talking about a modified torque converter, or a shift kit. Put me on the list too.

 

Have you tried putting it in S mode and tapping the paddles for spirited driving?