I’ve owned this 2014.5 Camry, 2.5L, 4cyl, 6AT for the last 3500 miles or so and I’m wondering if there is some issue with the transmission. In the attached video I start from a stopped position and accelerate up a mild and constant grade with constant accelerator depression throughout. My expectation is that car should accelerate and upshift steadily as speed increases under the constant load. However, about 8 seconds into the video, just under 30 mph, the engine speed jumps up by 500 RPM and then falls back somewhat about 4 seconds later. I think the car is in 3rd gear at this point and falls out of lockup for 4-5 seconds and this is why the RPMs increase during this time. It seems to me that the car should not fall out of lockup unless it’s about to upshift or the accelerator is further depressed or the grade increases so as to increase load. Of course in this case the accelerator depression is constant as is the uphill grade. This result is very repeatable. I’m confused about this behavior and am wondering if there is anything wrong with the transmission. I’ve not seen this with other cars I’ve owned. I’m hoping someone will know if something is wrong or why the car behaves this way. The car has 42k miles on it and has done this for as long as I’ve owned it. Thanks for reading.

 

Some of these new transmissions alter their shift points in order to maximize efficiency.
I have not driven one of these variable transmissions but I have heard that they take some getting use to.
Again, I could be way off on this because I do not have experience with them but I wouldn't be surprised.

 

Thanks Patonium for your response. Also, I forgot to mention that my engine is the 2AR-FE and I think the transmission is U760E series 6AT though I’ve not been able to confirm the transmission designation.
I too don’t know anything about the newer variable shift point transmissions but I think popping out of lock-up for no apparent reason as the car appears to be doing would degrade efficiency, not improve it. Lockup provides for lower losses in the transfer of torque so all things being equal it would be best to maximize time in lockup.
Has anyone else observed the behavior I described in the initial post or otherwise have an explanation? If there is anything wrong with my transmission I’d like to know since its still under warranty.

 

When in doubt, get it checked out. Especially when you have a warranty.