Auris T180

[chunkyhunk56]

i have a 07 plate auris t180

i purchased as a ex service managers demo car with 9000 miles on the clock. I have put a further 6000 miles on since sept 07.

i have booked it into the dealers for them to check the gear change which from cold is very notchy from 1st to 2nd , you almost have to feel the gears engage ,,, once a few miles have been completed it becomes smoother,,, anyone else had this with any of the auris gearbox ??

Also the fuel economy ,,, i use the gear change indicator and the cruise control on the m ways set to 2000rpm supposidly the optimum for economy,,, i struggle to get 40 mpg.

if a drive like a granny and change around 1500 rpm and do around 60mph on m way i got 45/46mpg ,,, i have owned 2 audi a3 and the later a 2ltr turbo diesel i could thrash it aound do 70/85 mph on m way and easily achieve 45/47 mpg if i took it easy i have achieved 52/53 mpg on m ways and long journeys.

Am i expecting too much from the 2,2 engine ?? or is it a common trait any comments please

[OldSkoO1]

even with the ocassional max power i can get 40mpg but this colder / winter

in summer same driving and i can get 44/45mpg

thrash it and its about 38mpg.

the toyota engines are much better on cutting emissions across the rev range. But to do this economy suffers a bit. Compare the 2.2 engine to a german engine esp. bmw on a throttle / emissions test and the toyota is much much cleaner.

gearbox - yes i have exactly the same problem, let me know how you get on!

[Aldridge Andy]

i have booked it into the dealers for them to check the gear change which from cold is very notchy from 1st to 2nd , you almost have to feel the gears engage ,,, once a few miles have been completed it becomes smoother,,, anyone else had this with any of the auris gearbox ??

Also the fuel economy ,,, i use the gear change indicator and the cruise control on the m ways set to 2000rpm supposidly the optimum for economy,,, i struggle to get 40 mpg.

My Sept 2007 T180, and March 2008 SR180 both had the same characteristics... as did my 1997 Corolla G6.

I guess the gear oil is just a little thick for the colder weather of late, I suspect once the milder spring days are with us the problem will either reduce dramatically, or disspaear.

With respect to fuel economy, I find that the weather has a large influence on the figures you get, for some reason it's always effected my diesel cars more than any petrol I've owned.

[OldSkoO1]

With respect to fuel economy, I find that the weather has a large influence on the figures you get, for some reason it's always effected my diesel cars more than any petrol I've owned.

Most fuels suffer in winter; diesel more than petrol

- diesels take longer to warm up and this time to warm up is increased in winter

- so... when fuel is cold it doesnt generate enough heat (power) so more fuel is required to get the same power

- at this point the engine is running less efficiently, more fuel is required for combustion mixture which includes air

- cool dense air common in winter months and since dense air is heavier more fuel can be pulled in which maybe good for performance but bad for economy.

- and finally the last possible reason consumption drops is cool dense air being heavier can effect the areodynamics of the car as it travels by increasing resistance which in turn requires more fuel to achieve the same power

Higher consumption is common in all car classes in the winter esp. diesels. Thats important to remember and the other thing is the t180 d-cat is a clean diesel engine. The mechanics it uses for keeping down emissions means the fuel consumption is not as good as other models. Having said that i still achieve 44/45mpg in the summer. For a car of its power, compared to a 320d for example which is slower yet returns about 48mpg average, i'm more than happy to live with that.

[chunkyhunk56]

even with the ocassional max power i can get 40mpg but this colder / winter

in summer same driving and i can get 44/45mpg

thrash it and its about 38mpg.

the toyota engines are much better on cutting emissions across the rev range. But to do this economy suffers a bit. Compare the 2.2 engine to a german engine esp. bmw on a throttle / emissions test and the toyota is much much cleaner.

gearbox - yes i have exactly the same problem, let me know how you get on!

:( well i finally got car into dealers , who said they could not find any problems with the gear change .

But suggested an oil change for the gearbox at £41,, i declined this,,, will see if the problem eases with the warmer weather

[OldSkoO1]

even with the ocassional max power i can get 40mpg but this colder / winter

in summer same driving and i can get 44/45mpg

thrash it and its about 38mpg.

the toyota engines are much better on cutting emissions across the rev range. But to do this economy suffers a bit. Compare the 2.2 engine to a german engine esp. bmw on a throttle / emissions test and the toyota is much much cleaner.

gearbox - yes i have exactly the same problem, let me know how you get on!

:( well i finally got car into dealers , who said they could not find any problems with the gear change .

But suggested an oil change for the gearbox at £41,, i declined this,,, will see if the problem eases with the warmer weather

Problem definatly gets better with warmer weather. When the oil is cold its too thin or something so it makes the already very complicated gearbox more notchy or harder to engage.

Warm up the oil and things work much much better.

It was suggested to use the recommended oil and not switch to a different type as suggested here.

In fact i had this done on an older corolla once and it made no difference. Even though they did it for free.

£41 is a MASSIVE rip off even if you pay. They did the whole thing for free but its not worth it anyway.

Ive been re-assured that it wont cause any damage so im happy.

[Steve84]

My avensis t180 has the same gearbox notch on first to second. I Took it back to the dealer at 2000 miles they adjusted the gearbox cables. Came back alot better, but still not smooth. I then contaced a toyota dealer we send any warranty work to. Has soon has i mentioned t180 and gearbox in the same sentance he said its nothcy from 1st to 2nd sometimes feels like its crunching, i replied yes, its normal has they all do its not a problem its not going to cause any harm to the box.

[chunkyhunk56]

My avensis t180 has the same gearbox notch on first to second. I Took it back to the dealer at 2000 miles they adjusted the gearbox cables. Came back alot better, but still not smooth. I then contaced a toyota dealer we send any warranty work to. Has soon has i mentioned t180 and gearbox in the same sentance he said its nothcy from 1st to 2nd sometimes feels like its crunching, i replied yes, its normal has they all do its not a problem its not going to cause any harm to the box.

Thanks for the comments i will keep an eye on the problem ....im so disappointed as expected more from toyota and their engineering

:(

[Johan007]

There is no need to drive it at 60mph on 70! If this is your first Diesel then most people naturally improve mpg over time as they get used to driving it.

1. My top tip is to shift up before the "shift up indicator" is showing but make sure the "shift down indicator" never ever flashes (you will get the hang of it). Do not accelerate too slowly because you need to get into the higher the gear as soon as possible without laboring and without flooring it.

2. Check tire pressure. This effected my dads Avensis with the same engine by a massive 7-10mpg.

3. Use less breaks or try not use them :)

I find more savings to be had using www.petrolprices.com on Premium Diesel than Premium Petrol. Depending on your area you may find a bargain as I have. Generally however Premium feul will never make up for the extra cost in MPG but just keep an eye out.

[decuma180]

I have just had mine serviced and since then its been returning 43mp with no problem, thats without driving it like a nun. Before the service it was returning aout 39 if I was lucky.... Its now done 12500 miles..

[Johan007]

That is better. You expecting allot from the sporty 2.2 engine.

The 2.0 D-4D delivers the same economy focused mpg as all the other 2.0TDI's.

If your still unhappy consider changing it for the the 2.0 Diesel Mazda 3 that sits between the two.

[mbrennan29]

Hi Guys,

sorry to drag up an old thread. Just to put my twp pennies worth in the notchy 1st-2nd gear change as others have said is normal, i have been told it is a 'characteristic' of the t180 gearbox

[OldSkoO1]

Hi Guys,

sorry to drag up an old thread. Just to put my twp pennies worth in the notchy 1st-2nd gear change as others have said is normal, i have been told it is a 'characteristic' of the t180 gearbox

so have i :)

[GregP]

I have TR and change from 1 to 2nd it is sometimes bit funny. If you wait longer with clutch disengaged then works fine (I guess longer time for synchro to fully engage) but that is tricky as when you change from 1st to 2nd you do not want to wait as you are accelerating ;)

[mbrennan29]

i find its only an issue when the engine is cold. once it is up to running temp it is not an issue.

[OldSkoO1]

i find its only an issue when the engine is cold. once it is up to running temp it is not an issue.

same here

[cabcurtains]

i find its only an issue when the engine is cold. once it is up to running temp it is not an issue.

same here

Gearbox oil has to warm up, could it be this? I've had a few cars that had this symptom, its really bad on trucks (not that it helps ).

[hertsnminds]

I have had a notchy gearbox in a previous car and used Redline MTL http://www.redlineoil.com/products_gearlub...sp?categoryID=7 made things better but probably will invalidate any warranty if you use it.

[Bry]

As this post started with the age old problem of T180 fuel economy, 5th gear just confirmed it with a 32MPG test average!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh dear, thats worse than my 330i which is twice as quick and heavier, whats going on, we deserve answers from Mr T, he has 23K of my cash!