Change the software of the automatic transmission
 

Hi

Can the automatic transmission be modified via software to act and shift more aggressive?

When I drive a slow corner with my AT car in MANUAL mode I go into first gear to make sure, the engine stays in an rpm range where I ve got optimum power. Lets say my speed at the end of the corner is 50 kmh (30 mph). I go on the gas and the car pulls instantly, because the engine is in an rpm range where it can deliver its optimum torque. Until 60 kmh (37 mph) I stay in first gear, than I go into second.

Same situation in AUTOMATIC mode, end of the curve, 50 kmh (30 mph), I put my foot down. Because the software choses second gear in this situation, the car doesnt pull instantily, because the engine is not delivering that much torque down there. It would be better, if the automatic software in this situation would go into first gear and pull to 60 kmh (37 mph) where the redline is and it can go into second.

Can this be modified?

Maybe drive in sport mode when you're going to be letting the computer choose what gear to be in.

Sport mode doesnt make a difference in the driving situation I described, I tested that. If you put your foot down (pedal on metal) while driving 50 kmh in AUTOMATIC mode the transmission software will always take second gear, no matter if you re in sport mode or not.

What I described appears really just during slow corners, for example on an alpine road. On a racetrack where the speed never drops below 60 kmh you can always put your foot down and the engine pulls because its above 4000 rpm.

The question is, if the TCU (Transmission Control Unit) can be modified. I ve found nothing about this so far in the forums...

The TCU can be reflashed as their has been Toyota/Subaru tsb with frirmware updates, for 2015/2016 TCU from memory.


TSB link below


16-96-15




However the time taken to reverse engineer any control unit in cars is substiantial and it likely their is little or no money in it else ecutek or other would do it. so its unlikely anyone will go to the time and effort to mod the TCU firmware.

Ok, I think you re absolutely right, thanks.

do you think this will apply to the 2013 models?

The only vehicles I know of that tend to get their automatic transmission software reverse engineered are VWs and Audis.

Dealer will only update it on specified year\model cars.

For 2013 their was a tsb for and engine ecu firmware update though for idle dips

Are you sure you are engaging sport mode on the transmission and not the stability control? (There are two different "sport" modes on the automatic)

My wife's 2015 AT does a great job when we put the transmission in sport mode. Putting the traction control in sport mode is pretty useless.

Yes, sport mode does baiscally a good job, but like I described not in every driving situation. Quite often it puts you in the wrong gear in slow corners. So as a result if you wanna really push the AT car you have to shift yourself.

If I had been a test driver for the GT86/BRZ project I would have made a complaint there. The engine just needs high rpm to perform best and so the automatic transmission needs to give attention to that fact.

In the AT Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X theres a Super Sport mode which keeps the engine speed always above 4500 rpm. Never tested that transmission though, just read about in a brochure. Such a mode would have been great for the AT-twins I suppose.