Strange Transmission Shift

[chrisj]

Wanted to post this here to see if what I've experienced is normal or not.

Sometimes (not all) when going downhill at speed if I touch the brake the transmission will gear down, like it's going from D to 3 or something (obviously I have an auto trans). It has only done it a couple of times since I've had the car, but it still seems odd.

Is this normal, or has anyone else experienced this? TIA.

[CTScott]

I think Toyota decided that the Yaris needed a Jake brake, like a tractor trailer. I definitely notice the same behavior with my A/T. If you are going down hill and don't the brake, the car coasts. If you tap it, the A/T engages and you get some serious engine braking.

[chrisj]

Thanks man. I thought we might be having problems. Whew. :)

[BLH]

Normal on my 2007 sedan.
Depending on my accelerator pedal position. Mine also stays in 3rd after getting to the bottom of the hill.

[eTiMaGo]

yep, I think they call it hill assist, it'll downshift earlier when going uphill too.

[chrisj]

It was just strange, since I've never had a car that did that.

[krolos]

Ya this is normal, I forgot the name of that feature but the owner
manual says somthing about it.

[SimTronik]

Same here. techno yaris lol

[chrisj]

Manual? LOL!

[2007yariz]

OH! That's engine braking. I always thought is the ABS doing its job...