Do production cars now have the firmware lag enhancement?

[swindler]

I have an '06 SLE V6 that is quite young, having just turned over 100 miles, but I'm wondering if I don't have the issue where the response lags a bit. It's more apparent at lower speeds when the tach is between 2-3K.

I've read the TSB 'TC006-05 ECM CALIBRATION: SHIFT FEELING ENHANCEMENT', and it looks to fit, but it specifically says it's for '04 and '05 only.

Does anyone know for sure whether new production vehicles are being shipped with this firmware enhancement? Or is still only applied if the owner complains?

I know I can do some enhancements on my own, but I'm running the vehicle stock for a while so I can develop a performance baseline.

Thanks,

Steve

[MrMikeL]

Hard to say. The TSB came out in late June, 2005. Not sure how long it takes for that to translate to the assembly line.

[Lone Solara]

I have a new 06 SLE (bought it in late July), and the lag is gone. The car came straight from the factory, so it was probably produced at the beginning of July.

[swindler]

Lone Solara, YOU'VE GOT MY CAR - to the tee. I even have a K&N filter waiting for me in the garage. But I had my Solara sitting in the garage for 6 weeks before I started driving it. It was delivered to the dealer on 6/17, so I'd guess it rolled off the line in early June. As stated, that puts it pretty close to the release date of the TSB.

I think I'll ask them to look at it, but I'm envisioning a service manager blowing me off.

Steve

[KeithH]

I've got that same combination (sans K&N for now) on the way from the factory soon (they say late next week or early the following week but it is just a guess).

Maybe I should have gone for that black one that was in town several weeks ago with the Nav.

Oh well.

Keith Hart
89 Supra Turbo
06 Solara SLE Convertible

[technole]

Hard to say. The TSB came out in late June, 2005. Not sure how long it takes for that to translate to the assembly line.

Its usually very quick because once a TSB is out, the assembly changes along with the bulletin release from the minute they roll it out by from a certain VIN number and forward.

[radmanGTO]

I have an 'o6 SLE V6 and it definitely has the lag .... it is scheduled in for reflash next Monday ... service dealer never flinched ... made sure he was aware of the TSB and he confirmed it ....

It's a real pain with this being an issue since '04 ... I would suspect it is an EPA thing ... once it's bought, they can "fix" it without EPA coming down on them .... Why else would it continue into the '06 production year..???

Barry

[swindler]

My issue was that the TSB specifically lists '04 and '05, but not '06. Yet they started production on the '06 model in March (or maybe early April), well before the TSB came out in June. It would seem as if they clearly have manufactured '06 models before the fix was put in production. So why wouldn't they list '06 on the TSB?

I talked to the local service manager and he said they'd do it as long as it showed up on their computer when he puts in the VIN. I'm worried it won't show up yet.

Steve

[swindler]

My final update.

I just got back from Toyota service - the guys there seem nice enough. And it turns out that my '06 SLE V6 already has the throttle lag enhancement. He showed me the main and sub calibration IDs on the OBD display and they were current per TC0006-05. So it's safe to say that the fix has been in production since at least early June. He told me that the firmware update was an improvement, but not a fix. Toyota has been trying to improve this on several models for years, but that it's a consequence of the basic throttle design. He wasn't optimistic.

I don't have a way to compare my throttle lag with anyone elses, so maybe it's not as bad as it has been. Also, my car has under 500 miles. I'm told that the ECM will 'learn' my shift pattern and improve over time. We'll see.

At any rate, I will begin to pursue things I can do myself. I think it's safe to say that there's a DocJohn Trick coming soon to a garage near me.

Steve

[yaddadaimsayin]

Sorry to bring this post back from the dead. But I figure it's better that I used the search function instead of starting a new thread altogether.

Anyways, TSB states that this warranty is in effect for 96 months or 80,000. My car is at 92k. Can I still take this in?

And is this recalibration a recall item or do you have to pay for it?

Sorry for the noob question. Thanks!

[NightRider]

^^^ Naw you wouldn't be able to get the TSB fixed because you are at 92K. You are over the mileage limit. If I remember correctly that they do call it the recalibration thingie and I didn't have to pay for mine when I got it done.

[SoSleek]

Sometimes they will offer a goodwill service to loyal Toyota customers. Chances are if you take it to the Toyota dealership you bought it from they will service it. Especially for just a simple engine flash. It will help if you have regularly taken it to them for maintenance and servicing. First off, ask for a Service Manager right away. Tell The Service Manager that you would like to remain a Toyota customer and continue to bring your Solara to them, as well as buy more Toyota's from them in the future BUT you would like them to help you out here, in this situation (you can fudge it up all you want, they just want to know that them servicing your car will help them in the future). Say that you wish you would be treated like a valued customer. It's all about being nice to them though. They will be much more willing to help out a friendly customer.

[SoSleek]

Ohh and a TSB is just a Technical Service Bulletin. There are hundreds for each car. It just means they are common problems that usually require the same fix. A lot of them are covered within your standard warranty and also under some extended warranties (especially those that cause safety issues). Each TSB has it's own warranty period in which they will fix it (it will be mentioned in each bulletin) if within the warranty period it will be free, outside of it you will hafta pay....UNLESS you use my above mentioned advice!

[yaddadaimsayin]

well i'm thinkin of buying a camry next week so I'll probably ask them to hook it up if they can.

[SoSleek]

Sweet! Are you keeping the Solara too?