When it sits for a while, it acts weird when I first start driving. For example, after sitting all night...I pull out of my development in the morning onto a straight road. After a while, it gets up to around 3000rpms and it makes the noise like the gear has to switch (it's an automatic car, though). Then all of a sudden it jerks and drops down to 2000rpms. It does that every morning.

I am also getting approximately 200 miles to each full tank of gas.

I don't have that bad of a lead foot...sometimes I do. Other than that, I'm average. I use A/C, but it's not on full blast all the time..usually on the first one.


What could be wrong??

 

It just takes a little while to warm up. Happens to me in the winter.

 

One thing to remember in automatics is the tranny will not shift into overdrive when the blue temp light is on. That may cause that hesitation. As for only 200 miles to a tank, that could be a combination of things.

 

I'm not a mechanic, but I'll tell you what it sounds like to me. If you say that it sounds like the gears need to shift, then it drops from 3,000 rpm to around 2,000rpm, that's exactly what just happened. When the engine is cold in the morning, the trans will wind out the shifts a little more than usual to warm things up. It will be much more noticable in the winter when it's really cold out.
I'm not sure about the milage issue, but what you said about the A/C caught my eye. Yes, using the A/C does use a little more gas than not using it. But once it's on, it's on. It doesn't matter what fan speed you set it at. The compressor runs the same.

 

^^^^^^
DING DING DING

Matt's got it on the nose.

 

Thanks everyone...

I just know that on my old car (hyundai accent) I never had such a problem as this...so i was worried.

It happens to you guys too?

 

Well, not me, I have a manual, but this is normal for all of the new "intelligent" Toyota/Scion transmissions. They know what they need to do and do it without consulting you.

I've driven many and it takes a little bit to get used to, but benefits you in the end.

-Alex

 

[sheepishly raises hand because he's ashamed to drive an automatic] Yes, my auto does the same thing. I usually try to baby it until the blue light goes out...

 

lol...thanks again. i was scared it was my transmission

 

Not exactly right If you keep it on high the compressor will likely run non stop. But if it is on a lower blower speed the compressor will cycle and only run as needed. That is the reason for the high pressure control switch. I've worked on A/C for prolly 20 years or more.

 

I stand corrected...(actaully I'm sitting right now). I honestly didn't know that. I know that the A/C will cycle on and off if it needs to, but I thought the fan speed was just that....fan speed. Oh well, thanks for setting me straight.

 

I also have a RS 2.0 with automatic trans. It was a little unnerving to me the way the trans stays in the lower gears till the blue light goes out. But I have gotten used to it now. I still on average, get 33-34 mpg. My wife and I just went to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg this past weekend, and I still averaged 32 with the air on and driving through traffic. Gotta love the Yellow Box. I only saw 2 XBs the whole time we were there. One black one rolling on 18s or 19s. And a Gray one from Knoxville with stock 15" alloy wheels.

 

ok so i am purchasing well ordering my xb in october and after reading this do you guys think i should get a manual instead?

i can drive both no problem i would just rather buy the btter one.

 

IMO, you can't go wrong either way. I test drove a stick just for reference, but we bought the auto because the primary purpose for our xB is commuting, and the AT is a lot less annoying in city traffic.

It's an excellent transmission. It's very responsive; you can make it upshift or downshift by the way you modulate the gas pedal. There's no perceptible lag; it shifts when it should all the time. It doesn't hurt acceleration or gas mileage much (and may get better mpg at highway speeds).

And if you're interested in resale, auto transmissions usually make used cars easier to sell (although the xB may be an exception; it's too soon to tell).

But there's no getting around the fact that the stick has a sportier feel and is a better aesthetic match for the small-car handling and overall ambience of the car.

For the record, I haven't encountered any odd behavior or scary noises from my tranny.

RichC

 

if you are truely concerned you should consult your service advisor. and they can fix a problem if there is one.

although, it does sound like a cold running xB to me. but, I drive a tC so what would I know.

 

NOTHING. nothing at all mickael. nothing at all. ha ha

 

the exact same thing happens to me. it almost sounds as if the tranny isnt going to get into gear and then all of a sudden WHAM...it slams into gear. same thing happens to me sometimes when i first crank her up.

 

ok phew

now all i have to worry about is the gas mileage...ugh!

 

happens to me too