Sluggish Auto

[Calaber]

We have two VY V6 autos in this family. My daughter's Exec is like a jackrabbit off the mark, light throttle, instant response, trans changes up and down smoothly and downchanges at exactly the right time. As far as we know, it is dead stock, the trans has never been serviced in the three years they have owned it, and has travelled about 170,000k's.

My Berlina has travelled only 78,000k's. It is dead compared to the Exec. Very smooth and quiet, changes up and down are good. However, it is slow off the mark, and almost totally reluctant to downchange for hills unless I hit the power button or the accelerator hard. It's due for a service, but has never been any different since we bought it with 32,000 on the clock. Initially, I thought it might still have been a bit tight and needed to loosen up, obviously, not so. Our car is slightly heavier than the Exec but that doesn't explain the transmission sluggishness.

Anybody got any ideas what might be behind our car's leisurely performance? And no, it's not because it's a Berlina.......

[TMM]

Reset the ECU (unplug the battery for an hour), then drive it like you've stolen it. The ECU will 'learn' and change the shift points and shift ferocity accordingly

[delcowizzid]

probably running a different version tune in the ecu. never know what has been flashed in at the dealer over time when they do updates while the car is serviced either

[Calaber]

Reset the ECU (unplug the battery for an hour), then drive it like you've stolen it. The ECU will 'learn' and change the shift points and shift ferocity accordingly

I might find it a bit difficult to do that (my hard driving days are behind me), but you are suggesting that the ECU is designed to "memorise" a driver's habits and controls the auto accordingly?

If that is the case, it should be a simple matter to reprogram the ECU, shouldn't it? Otherwise, the first owner gets to set the parameters for the car's subsequent owners, which is quite likely what has happened here. The car had only 32k after four years, and came fitted with weathershields left and right (which I hate and pissed off) and could well have been a "Grandpa car" before I bought it.

Do you guys know if re-flashing the ECU is a job that can be done say by Ultratune, rather than the Holden dealer?

[VYMAD]

I think the ECU continually monitors and adjusts to the way the car is driven. I disagree that an hour without power and then a flogging will set the ECU at a certain level for the many years to come!

But someone please correct me if I am incorrect.

[peninsulabands]

im not sure but i have also heard that the way the car is driven when its new is what the ecu programs into itself. maybe someone from holden can clarify?

[WogBoyz]

yeah ive heard of this before too although a lady owned my ute before me, and the auto didnt feel sluggish or anything

[burnz]

check how much slack is in the throttle cable, adjust if necessary.

allso ultra tune cannot adjust ecu as they are not equiped with tech II.
holden or a local tuner can adjust gearbox responce as well as engine.

[MYV6VY03]

They do have a computer which over time memorises your driving you can get the computer remapped but it will cost you about $500... easiest way to do it is like everyone said... disconnect it then flog it for a a tank or so. it may sound like a waste of fuel but worked a treat for my car