New 8 speed transmission... (1 Viewer)

[LALC]

completely correct. I should of elaborated on that more in the "we don't drive like that" comment I made. When we drive really world, there just isn't much benefit to the 8 speed. Might also be why Australia 200s still run the 6 speed from what I last read.

But in theory, the exact right rpm for the load needed will get better millage.

US buyers just want numbers, and 8 is more than 6, so it must be better. That's why the US got an 8 speed. Read post #41.

What I really think is happening. The US 200 2016-2018 will test the 8 speed for the world. Then with the 300 series, the 8 speed will be combined with a smaller displacement V8 with some forced induction. And that will actually give some better MPG numbers.

I may be recalling incorrectly, but I thought you posted before discussing the gear ratios being much higher at the lower gears on the 8-speed versus the 6-speed, so this new transmission was providing greater torque/power at lower gears resulting in better towing or better low gear power output overall.

 

[LALC]

And by the way, ECT Power mode on will help you get to the optimal speed faster. When I first turned it on and drove like I did without it on, my MPG suffered, but when I adjusted my driving to getting to optimal speed more quickly and sitting there longer I was getting better MPG than before. So I get better MPG city and highway with ECT Power turned on, with the added bonus that the shifting is much better than with it turned off and it drives less like a tank off the line.

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

I may be recalling incorrectly, but I thought you posted before discussing the gear ratios being much higher at the lower gears on the 8-speed versus the 6-speed, so this new transmission was providing greater torque/power at lower gears resulting in better towing or better low gear power output overall.

The 8 speed is a tad better at crawl conditions, but worse when towing while at speed.

Really, I feel that 8 vs 6 speed. It doesn't matter. They both do their job, they both have benefits and negatives. Ultimately the 200 will be just like the 80. 80 series 95-97s are what everyone wants as will be the 200 2016+. No one wants 94 and older 80s just like 2008-2015, with 2008-2011 being even least wanted.

I guess what I'm also saying is I would buy or not buy a 200 based on the transmission in it. If you like the look of the new ones or have the money, buy a 2016+. I had the money, but not enough to buy a 2016+ and mod it. So I bought a 2011 for $35k in 2016 and used all that extra money for trips.

Not the right answer for all of us, just the right one for me at the time. If my truck gets wrecked in 5 years, and I can buy a 2016+ for cheap, I'll probably do it. But hopefully the next LC I buy is when the 500 series comes out in 20 years.

But in my opinion for anyone reading this in the future, don't let the transmission sway you. Buy the one you like for the price that works for you. And have money left over to use it.

 

[MrCWineMan]

The 8 speed is a tad better at crawl conditions, but worse when towing while at speed.

Really, I feel that 8 vs 6 speed. It doesn't matter.....

But in my opinion for anyone reading this in the future, don't let the transmission sway you. Buy the one you like for the price that works for you. And have money left over to use it.

Well said!

 

[LALC]

But hopefully the next LC I buy is when the 500 series comes out in 20 years.

Haha, right on

 

[Somebody]

Hello all -

New member; first-time poster; long-time lurker. I own a black 2016 LC, which I purchased certified back in April. I wanted to chime in with a few thoughts on this whole 8-speed discussion.

My primary gripe with the transmission is, I believe, a software issue. As others have noted, the transmission is very rough when accelerating from a rolling stop or after turning onto a street or driveway after coasting to a near-stop. From what I can tell, the transmission is shifting down to first gear whenever the vehicle slows to between about 5 and 10 mph. When you apply the accelerator in this speed range, the engine revs for a moment then immediately shifts to 2nd gear (after gaining 1 or 2 mph), which is a rough shift. In stop-and-go traffic, it's maddening. You apply the gas, the engine revs, the transmission abruptly shifts into second, you slow again, and you repeat the process.

I think a fix would be software related. Unless the conditions call for quick power, the transmission needs to hang out in 2nd gear during these slow, coasting situations. You can verify this helps by using the 2nd Start button in stop-and-go traffic (or while turning into driveways, etc.). At least for me, this eliminates the transmission issues described above. On the down side, it also makes the accelerator less responsive and prevents the vehicle from dropping to first gear at a full stop.

So, what do you think? Is this the same problem that others have described? Can this be fixed with software? If so, how difficult would that be?

Thanks guys. I look forward to contributing more on this forum.

 

[LALC]

@Somebody I agree with your report, similar experience here

 

[Somebody]

Folks in Australia seem happy to modify the transmission shift patterns in their LCs when they add lock-up kits. I wonder how difficult that would be for us to address this issue.

 

[SWUtah]

The 8 speed is a tad better at crawl conditions, but worse when towing while at speed.

Really, I feel that 8 vs 6 speed. It doesn't matter. They both do their job, they both have benefits and negatives. Ultimately the 200 will be just like the 80. 80 series 95-97s are what everyone wants as will be the 200 2016+. No one wants 94 and older 80s just like 2008-2015, with 2008-2011 being even least wanted.

I guess what I'm also saying is I would buy or not buy a 200 based on the transmission in it. If you like the look of the new ones or have the money, buy a 2016+.

I agree my 1995 FZJ 80 loved it loved the looks of it and the engine, I agree with that part of your post. The six speed transmission in a 200 LX 570 is very well sorted and appropriate for a big 5.7 L V-8 engine. The new 8 speed transmission is not well sorted and it’s totally not necessary for a big V-8 engine. Might be needed for a six cylinder or some turbo 4 in it then they might need all those ratios and then maybe, then but it’s still not sorted properly. They put in the new 2016 and up for gas mileage purposes and the added complexity is not a benefit. I know design is subjective but the best looking LX 570 is the 2013 through 2015 in my opinion I think in the 2016 LX they went way off the tracks trying to make it look like a sports car or snowplow. This is not the case, for the land Cruiser I think the newer ones are the best looking but then they have the eight speed transmission which is not a plus.

 

[Dan Higgins]

Hello all -

New member; first-time poster; long-time lurker. I own a black 2016 LC, which I purchased certified back in April. I wanted to chime in with a few thoughts on this whole 8-speed discussion.

My primary gripe with the transmission is, I believe, a software issue. As others have noted, the transmission is very rough when accelerating from a rolling stop or after turning onto a street or driveway after coasting to a near-stop. From what I can tell, the transmission is shifting down to first gear whenever the vehicle slows to between about 5 and 10 mph. When you apply the accelerator in this speed range, the engine revs for a moment then immediately shifts to 2nd gear (after gaining 1 or 2 mph), which is a rough shift. In stop-and-go traffic, it's maddening. You apply the gas, the engine revs, the transmission abruptly shifts into second, you slow again, and you repeat the process.

I think a fix would be software related. Unless the conditions call for quick power, the transmission needs to hang out in 2nd gear during these slow, coasting situations. You can verify this helps by using the 2nd Start button in stop-and-go traffic (or while turning into driveways, etc.). At least for me, this eliminates the transmission issues described above. On the down side, it also makes the accelerator less responsive and prevents the vehicle from dropping to first gear at a full stop.

So, what do you think? Is this the same problem that others have described? Can this be fixed with software? If so, how difficult would that be?

Thanks guys. I look forward to contributing more on this forum.

Maybe those of us with the 16+ should run with ECT PWR and ECT 2nd.
​

 

[MrCWineMan]

Okay, I’ve got to ask: am I the only one with a 16+ that thinks that this isn’t a big deal?

 

[luke27617]

Okay, I’ve got to ask: am I the only one with a 16+ that thinks that this isn’t a big deal?

No problems and very smooth after the sw update and I like to push hard

 

[Dan Higgins]

No problems here. Could be driving style. Could be that I don’t have a clue about any of this stuff anyway so I’m not surprised. Could be that I’ve always driven crappy vehicles so I don’t notice. (Then again, my previous 3 vehicles were LC, LX, LX, Acura MDX w/ 8-speed, LR4 w/ 8-speed. Hmmm. Guess that argument doesn’t work.). I seem to remember the LR4 “feeling” very similar.

 

[Sandroad]

Hmmm......there are enough folks on here with properly shifting 8-speeds that makes me think mine needs some work. I still get weird shifts when using cruise and topping out on long very gentle hills. As I've posted elsewhere, in that situation, the transmission will decide to downshift instead of upshift as the road levels out and I get a briefly high rpm engine. If it's other than level road, I don't use cruise anymore. I'll need to get a video of it and take it to the service dept.

 

[Somebody]

Is it possible to check the software version without special tools? I asked the dealer for the update but I couldn’t tell a difference.

 

[Andreas P]

In our family we have 2 2016 LX570s, one has a flawless transmission but the other even after the updates will sometimes vibrate when shifting from 1st to 2nd, only when cold.

 

[MrCWineMan]

Hmmm......there are enough folks on here with properly shifting 8-speeds that makes me think mine needs some work. I still get weird shifts when using cruise and topping out on long very gentle hills. As I've posted elsewhere, in that situation, the transmission will decide to downshift instead of upshift as the road levels out and I get a briefly high rpm engine. If it's other than level road, I don't use cruise anymore. I'll need to get a video of it and take it to the service dept.

Yeah, that is certainly not something I’ve noticed. Hesitation on a rolling stop, sure but downshifting over upshifting? No, might get that video.

 

[TeCKis300]

8-speed sounds awesome. For my purposes, I would most definitely take the 8-speed. Lower gearing off the line, and more cogs to choose between to go up and down hill, especially under load. Towing significant loads means the 6-speed works as a 4-speed transmission (limiting to S4 recommended in manual). Having 8, would mean 5-6 speeds to work with in these use cases.

It's especially useful with taller tires as it would make the lower gears overall ratios work similar to the 6-speed with 4.88 diffs.

 

[LALC]

Okay, I’ve got to ask: am I the only one with a 16+ that thinks that this isn’t a big deal?

On the whole, I'm pleased with it, no big gripes.

 

[SWUtah]

In our family we have 2 2016 LX570s, one has a flawless transmission but the other even after the updates will sometimes vibrate when shifting from 1st to 2nd, only when cold.

That's a significant observation! Sound like some manufacturing issues that have not been corrected.