I'll call Toyota next week and see what they will have to say about it. It really annoys me. It is quite bad in the morning when it shifts from 2-3 or 3-4 (sometimes both). Sometimes car revs up and changes a gear when other time it is just really noticeable. Our Altise 04 feels much smoother than this. I'll make few calls tomorrow and then back to dealer. I don’t think it is normal. Most of the recent Toyotas are promoted as a smooth gear change (or something like that) and what I'm experiencing is definitely not smooth. I dont understand dealers position. They get a customer and the job, fix the problem and get paid from Toyota. Just doesn’t make sense........ EDIT: The Drive By Wire system works by replacing the conventional throttle control system. Instead of relying on a mechanical cable that winds from the back of the accelerator pedal, through the vehicle firewall and onto the throttle body, Drive by Wire consists of a sophisticated pedal position sensor that closely tracks the position of the accelerator and sends this information to the Engine Control Module (ECM). This is superior to a cable operated throttle system for the following reasons: • Drive by Wire greatly reduces the number of moving parts in the throttle system. This means greater accuracy, reduced weight and, theoretically, no service requirements (like oiling and adjusting the throttle-cable). • The greater accuracy not only improves the driving experience (increased responsiveness and consistent pedal feel regardless of outside temperature or pedal position, but it allows the throttle position to be tied closely into ECU information like fuel pressure, engine temperature and exhaust gas re-circulation. This means improved fuel economy and power delivery as well as reduced exhaust emissions. • With the pedal inputs reduced to a series of electronic signals, it becomes a simple matter to integrate a vehicle’s throttle with non-engine specific items like ABS, gear selection (on Alfa Romeo’s and other fully electronic gear shift vehicles) and traction control. This increases the effectiveness of these systems while further reducing the amount of moving parts, service requirements and vehicle weight.