Sienna when in [D] no pickup power :(

If it's a 04 or later Sienna it should go like a scarred rabbit, if it don't then take it to the dealer for diagnostics and repair.

I've never driven the older Siennas.

I have a 1998 Sienna. Even with all of the oil sludge problems I must still admit the performance isn't that bad. Zero to sixty in under 10 seconds with a 3.0 liter V6 isn't a dog! It rev's up faster than my 04 Ford 4.0 liter Sport Trac with it's 5 spd auto!

Sludge, huh? How often did you change your oil, if at all???!!!

I dont understand what do you mean by scared rabbit??

I guess you meant to say it should go fast, and mine doesnt! Very poor pick up, unless if the gas paddle is being pressed quite deep into the floor THEN it awakens and runs with power. Or, if the shift is into [4[ or better [3]. Is this necessary? Will the dealer be honest and fix it to be perfect as a brand new?

THANKS!

Probably not.

I disagree.

Sorry, I'm into this thread partway through the discussion and these suggestions may have already been given but here's my recommendation to the OP:

If it is a current model year, drive another one at the dealership to see if it performs the same way. That way you will have a basis for comparison. Depending on what speed you are going when you want to "go fast", the transmission probably has to downshift from overdrive. For example, if you are going a steady 40 MPH, the transmission will be in fifth gear with the torque converter locked. If you want to gradually increase speed to 55 MPH, the vehicle will do so without downshifting for optimum fuel economy. If you want to rapidly accelerate from 40 to 55 MPH like an expressway on ramp, you will have to depress the throttle pedal further so that the transmission will downshift and allow faster acceleration, at the expense of reduced fuel economy.

It is also possible that the kickdown point is not set correctly, the torque converter is not unlocking, the transmission is now downshifting, or the engine has some problem so that is why you should let someone from the service department with the dealership vehicle drive it. If they say that it is working normally, then ask to drive another one on the lot for comparison.

It will not hurt a thing. Some trannies are clalibrated to upshift sooner for maximum MPG. Downshifting when crowding it a lot can acutually exceed tranny life because it reduces the input torque load on tranny which also reduces the heat generated in it as well.

Dear Ray O.

Thank you so much for expert advice. I will follow thru step by step.

Eventhough I am not a techie AT ALL, but I appreciate the mechanical part of your message where you write "kickdown point is not set correctly, the torque converter is not unlocking, the transmission is now downshifting"... So I will be able to check on those point with the dealer's mechanic I guess.

Thank you again!, E.

I dont understand a word, and there is for me to do to make it work best for the longest time..

Dear E,

You are very welcome.

If you have ever driven a vehicle with a manual transmission, you have experienced the need to shift the transmission to a lower gear in order to accelerate. With an automatic transmission, pressing the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor tells the transmission to shift to a lower gear for quicker acceleration. How far you have to press the pedal is the kickdown point.

A torque converter is the connection between the transmission and the engine. It allows the engine to remain running while the vehicle is stopped with the transmission in drive. If you picture 2 electric fans facing each other, with 1 plugged in and 1 not plugged in. If you turn on the fan that is plugged in, the blades on the other fan will spin, and that is the same basic principle that a torque converter uses, except that instead of spinning air, it uses fluid. In order to gain more efficiency, the transmission can lock both sides of the "fans" together so there is no loss through the fluid. In order to speed up, the transmission has to unlock the torque converter.

Good luck!