Toyota with MMT

lolly5648

I am thinking about buying a new Yaris and it has MMT (multi-mode) rather than a true automatic gearbox which I am used to.

Can anyone tell me the difference between MMT and auto - someone said they don't creep - I would like to be forewarned before I speak to a pushy salesman.

Thanks

DealDrivers_company_representative

Firstly you need a manual driving licence to drive an MMT...you can't use just an auto' driving licence.

The car can be driven as a normal manual using the gearstick, OR you can drop it into MMT mode and it will then drive as an auto'.

It does still 'creep' if being driven in MMT mode...!

It's a handy idea if you swop all the time between city and motorway driving, but other than that it can be a tad confusing having to remember to 'lose' your clutch foot each time you change driving modes.

Hope that helps....

vikingaero

Sorry Deal Driver but you can drive a MMT on an auto licence! The key differentiator is whether a clutch pedal is present which it isn't in a MMT.

I test drove a MMT Aygo and it doesn't creep. You have to get on the accelerator sharpish or the car will roll back if you don't hold it on a handbrake. As you drive along you momentarily lift the gas pedal (not necessarily come off the gas pedal altogether) to make it change up. I decided the MMT wasn't for me as it was quite rough when accelerating from standstill. Whereas a driver can fine tune a clutch to take off smoothly, the MMT seems to overcompensate the revs "just in case".

You definitely need to test drive one before buying as the driving experience is something that can improve with use.

movilogo

You can drive MMT with auto license - that's for sure!

I test drove Toyota Auris MMT and was not impressed. There, even in fully automatic mode, gear shifts were jerky (unlike in a true conventional auto).

I've heard that (search on internet forums) people have had issues with MMT gearbox.

You better stick to conventional autos. MMT is a new technology and will take another few years to mature completely.

Anyway, it's my personal opinion though.

lolly5648

Thanks guys,

I had my doubts about the MMT although I really wanted a Yaris. I have had a Corolla for 16 years which has been great but wanted a smaller car this time round. I really like Toyota but will have to start looking at other small cars with a proper auto gearbox as I couldn't go back to a manual.

DealDrivers_company_representative

We have checked this with 2 different Toyota dealers today and they both immediately said you need a manual licence, and both commented they are ask the question regularly and their training tells them to advise a manual licence....some of the Toyota range with MMT's don't require you to have one...as some have been modified to simplify the transmission changeover...so its worth double checking with Toyota UK customer services on the specific engine you want to buy and get the answer 'from the horses mouth' so to speak.

Manuf'rs producing these halfway-house transmission options are all trying hard to ensure they can be driven on auto-only licences but some still cannot be...so do check with Toyota themselves.

We've requested something in writing so if we can get it faxed over to us today we'll report back!

wolfehouse

i owned and drove an mmt toyota yaris for 31/2 years and i only have an automatic licence. it does drive more like a manual car and has a very complicated mechanism which takes into account all sorts of things like pressure on the pedals and temperature of the ground etc. to decide what gear to be in. But compared to an automatic it is like a rubberband and chewing gum which is why it is much cheaper.

i got rid of my mmt after the gearbox had big problems -suddenly popping out of gear and leaving me with no power. the clutch also burned out- which may be related to my driving style but still, i had no direct control over it.

i checked on the toyota owners club forum and several people have had this problem. I had the car repaired and sold it and now drive a fully automatic micra- i'm much happier now.

boyfred

DO NOT buy a Yaris with MMT. The gearbox is terrible! It hangs, particularly when changing from first to second. It could be dangerous in heavy traffic. Neither my Toyota dealer nor Toyota (GB) PLC want to hear about the problem, so you will waste your time complaining to them. I shall sell the car as soon as possible. I have owned seven Toyotas over the past 20 years, but I shall NEVER buy another.

boyfred

I should have added yesterday that I also have an old Yaris with a proper automatic gearbox. I drove back home on the M25 on Sunday; fortunately I had the old Yaris - I could have been killed in the new one, its gear changing is so slow when pulling out onto the motorway. By the way, I got the "technical expert" at my Toyota dealer to drive the car last Wednesday - he agreed that the gearbox is very poor; we also tried an Auris, which is somewhat better. But still no acknowledgement of the problem from Toyota.

If you want a small automatic there is not much choice, either a Nissan Note or a Mini. The VW has a gearbox similar to the MMT, but it is heaps better.

I repeat: DO NOT BUY A YARIS WITH MMT!!!!

lolly5648

Thanks boyfred you have really put me off the Yaris. I think I will wait and see what the new Mazda 2 is like and whether it will have a 'proper' auto gearbox. It is being launched in September.

Shame about the Yaris, my Corolla has been brilliant but after 16 years little things are going wrong so I need to change - it doesnt owe me anything.

nullogik

I find these "MMT" gearboxes rather troublesome.

I remember having the lend of a Smart Car that has a similar 'box and found it to be quite dangerous actually. If you need to get out of a situation quick (ie. quickly pulling out of a side road), the gearbox can be very hesitant to engage and slow to shift which could leave you in a sticky mess. No doubt that as years progress these gearboxes will improve but for now I'd stick with either a manual or a traditional auto box as you get used to the car you'll know its limitations.

Moreover, as these gearboxes tend to be more complicated than the equivalent manual or traditional auto, servicing costs are likely to be higher and parts too. It will also meant that you'd have to take it to a dealer to get the gearbox sorted out if it goes belly-up, as most independants might not have the expertise or equipment to deal with it - hence potentially higher servicing costs.

On the plus side, these "MMT" gearboxes do offer better fuel economy than a traditional automatic.