Q: Hard shift when I take off

asked by on October 29, 2015

Every time I shift from park to drive (takeoff) on my automatic 2011 Camry ES V6, the car shifts very hard and makes a clunking noise. This happens most often when I'm parked on a hill. The car has 35k miles on it and otherwise feels normal.

The first question that comes to mind regarding this issue is if the parking brake is being operated and if it is being operated correctly. Automatic transmissions use a pin, called a parking pawl, to lock the transmission in place when you shift it into ‘PARK’. The transmission in turn prevents the wheels from moving. This pin is very small in comparison to the vehicle, about the size of an average pinky finger, which is why you need to use the parking brake to assist the transmission in keeping the vehicle stationary. Without use of the parking brake or even with improper use, all the weight of the vehicle rests on the parking pawl. When you shift the vehicle out of park the clunk you hear is the parking pawl rubbing against the cavity it sits in to lock the transmission in place. If this problem seems to be occurring when you’re parked on a slope, I have a simple parking procedure you can try. After you maneuver your vehicle into its parking spot, while your foot is on the brake and with the transmission still in gear, firmly apply your parking brake, then shift the vehicle into park. This will allow the parking brake to carry most of the weight of the vehicle and allow the parking pawl to slide in and out of the locked position easier and reduce unwanted clunking. While this is the most common solution, there is also a technical service bulletin which could also improve hard shifting. The straightforward process of re-calibrating both the engine and transmissions computer with a dealer specific scanner, will update and reset the computer to just as it was when it came off the assembly line. Therefore it is vital you visit a Toyota dealership to resolve this issue. This process will allow the vehicle to learn and adapt to your specific driving habits and therefore provide a smoother shift.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What precautions should be followed with the antilock brake system (ABS) system?
Your car’s anti-lock brake system is designed to help prevent you from locking up the wheels during hard stops, as that can cause you to go into an uncontrolled skid. The system activates during certain hard stops and pulses the...
my car cranks but doesn't start.
Hi! A bit of info about your car can help us help you. Thanks!
Will putting a different tire size cause my car to shake or my tires to wear out quick and uneven?
Hi there. The engineers that design vehicles do so by making sure each part is precisely sized to match others - so the vehicle operates safe and efficiently. This includes the wheel and tire overall width and circumference (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-tell-the-difference-in-size-for-a-car-tire-by-jason-unrau). What...
Blown fs/asd fuse shuts down while driving
Hi there, thanks for writing in. Unfortunately, this is an issue that is still somewhat unresolved to the car community. I would recommend taking the car to the Dodge Chrysler dealer to interpret these codes, as these are not readily...
why oil filter be replaced ?
This is a very good question that I wish more people would ask. The reason why you change the filter at the same time you change the oil (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/do-i-need-to-change-my-motor-oil-for-hot-or-cold-weather) is due to the fact that the filter has a "lifespan"...
Hard to start car, it seems flooded. Fires right up by using starting fluid.
The fact that you need to use starting fluid suggests you have a fuel delivery problem. Without knowing the year of your VW Beetle, this may tough to diagnose due to the fact that the earlier Beetles were carbureted models...
Where and how do I check the transmission fluid? 2007 Toyota Tundra
Hi there - there is an oil port on the side of the transmission case where oil level can be checked. Requires getting the truck up on a lift. There is a specific process (and fluid temperature) for this check,...
Can a fuel cap cause my Chevy Tahoe to reduce engine power
Hi There, The check engine light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection) indicates that there is likely something wrong with the engine or transmission in your vehicle and will usually come on in conjunction with the vehicle going into the reduced power mode (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/reduced-power-light-is-on-inspection). This...
2007 bmw 335i code for ignition control module. Trying to figure out which part to get to replace
The code related to the ignition module suggests that either the ignition module itself is bad or the connections to it are not good resulting in erratic ignition timing and potentially misfires. In some cases, depending on how the ignition...

Related articles

2012 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2012 Ford Escape: Which One Should I Buy?
SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles) are a fun class of vehicle to drive – with their generally excellent handling on the road, their quick acceleration, and the ability to move a fair number of people while still looking pretty cool, they...
The Best Used Cars to Buy That Can Be Towed Behind an RV
Summer Summer is a great time for a road trip, but often travelers like bringing all the conveniences of home along, in the form of an RV. Then they tow their car behind it – sometimes this practice is called...
How to Replace Transmission Fluid
Whether Whether you have a manual or an automatic transmission in your vehicle, the transmission fluid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-is-transmission-fluid-and-what-does-it-do) is one of the most overlooked fluids when it comes to maintenance. Forgetting to change this fluid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-long-does-transmission-fluid-last) can result in some serious...