i30 auto trans a bit notchy on cold start

taucross · **July 02, 2016, 07:51:42**

Hi forum,

I just purchased a 2010 i30cw SLX auto from a dealership the other day, about 50k on the odo.

After I start it, for the first minute or so the gears are a bit slow to change, even though it's an auto it feels like a cold manual. Kind of lurches on the auto change from 1st>2nd. After a minute it's smooth as. It's a pretty cold winter.

Does anyone else experience this? Want to know if this is normal as my only point of comparison was my previous 94 camry

Nick

Dazzler · **Reply #1: July 02, 2016, 10:58:00**

Nick. Unfortunately, there have been some issues with the auto transmission in that vintage of i30. It tends to start with a bit of hesitation when selecting reverse or 1st gear. It might be worth getting it checked. Don't commit to a costly fix though, without referring back to us for more advice on how to proceed. Most have had a warranty fix, but it depends on your dealer whether they will go in to bat for you, assuming you are out of warranty...

taucross · **Reply #2: July 03, 2016, 09:50:56**

Thanks Dazzler. What do you mean by hesitation? It takes about 1/2 second to switch between drive/reverse. Doesn't feel abnormal but I'm curious to know if this is unusual for this model i30.

Dazzler · **Reply #3: July 03, 2016, 10:18:20**

I haven't actually experienced it (all our three i30's have been manuals) But it has been described as a couple of seconds hesitation in the car reacting to selection of reverse and drive ... Read the attached links and others for symptom descriptions.

If you search Auto transmission in "problems" section of this forum you will find more info, here are a few links. It is s something to do with a faulty valve body.

Faulty valve body

2009 auto transmission failure ...500??!!!

FAO of members with Auto Transmission

i30cw petrol auto gear changes

So mixed results depending on the dealer. The diesel seems to be harder on the transmission than the petrol does...

Phil №❶ · **Reply #4: July 03, 2016, 11:56:30**

0.5 second would be considered normal.

taucross · **Reply #5: July 04, 2016, 07:07:01**

Quote from: Dazzler on July 02, 2016, 10:58:00

Nick. Unfortunately, there have been some issues with the auto transmission in that vintage of i30. It tends to start with a bit of hesitation when selecting reverse or 1st gear. It might be worth getting it checked. Don't commit to a costly fix though, without referring back to us for more advice on how to proceed. Most have had a warranty fix, but it depends on your dealer whether they will go in to bat for you, assuming you are out of warranty...

It's still under statutory warranty for a few months. I can always throw it at the dealer and say "pls fix" but it's always handy going in with some idea of what might be wrong.

Quote from: Phil №❶ on July 03, 2016, 11:56:30

0.5 second would be considered normal.

Great, thanks so much.

It also says in the manual that after disengaging the battery, the first few shifts will be "abrupt". This recently had a new battery in. Could this be the reason? Does anyone know how many shifts we are talking here?

Dazzler · **Reply #6: July 04, 2016, 08:41:01**

You wouldn't think many shifts would be required before it settles down. These modern transmissions are supposed to adapt to your driving style (although not quite sure how they do it)

taucross · **Reply #7: July 04, 2016, 10:01:04**

Yeah I would think as much. Well, it's booked in for the dealer to take a look on Monday. They're going to keep it overnight and try to replicate the issue. Will report back

Dazzler · **Reply #8: July 04, 2016, 10:08:59**

Good luck. It is probably fine, but worth a check. You could go around the yards and test drive a similar spec if you can find one. As a comparison. ..

taucross · **Reply #9: July 12, 2016, 09:48:24**

Took it back to the dealer, they agree that there is a problem. In two days they'll give me a call to drop it off at the trans shop. Wish me luck

Dazzler · **Reply #10: July 12, 2016, 10:37:37**

Sounds promising!

taucross · **Reply #11: August 09, 2016, 08:37:40**

Took a while, but they finally brought it in. Problem was valve body, and it was all fixed under warranty. Great ride now

The Gonz · **Reply #12: August 09, 2016, 10:21:13**

Awesome

Dazzler · **Reply #13: August 09, 2016, 11:06:25**

Excellent news!

asathorny · **Reply #14: August 09, 2016, 12:22:42**

Brill

i30niko · **Reply #15: August 10, 2016, 17:06:20**

I had the same problem and took it to the dealer 3 months before the warranty finished and they said I had to change the valve body also.
The next day my problem was solved:)
Apparently the early i30s suffer from a high rate of transmission valve body failures.

Dazzler · **Reply #16: August 10, 2016, 23:25:30**

Seems to be mainly MY10 and MY11 from what I've seen on here....

The Gonz · **Reply #17: August 11, 2016, 08:29:39**

Yes, and the manuals don't seem to have that problem either.

Phil №❶ · **Reply #18: August 11, 2016, 11:27:28**

The Gonz · **Reply #19: August 11, 2016, 12:02:16**

Quote from: Phil №❶ on August 11, 2016, 11:27:28

Phil №❶ · **Reply #20: August 11, 2016, 12:50:56**

So far, so good with ours mind you, we've done <> 70 k kms

The Gonz · **Reply #21: August 11, 2016, 13:09:26**

Quote from: Phil №❶ on August 11, 2016, 12:50:56

So far, so good with ours mind you, we've done <> 70 k kms

... and having met you, I get the impression you are especially sensible and kind to your car.

Phil №❶ · **Reply #22: August 11, 2016, 13:28:19**