Concerned about Tacoma downshifting when climbing hills

Hello,

I'm planning on purchasing a 2015 TRD access but have some concerns after test driving one last night. On my test drive of the 2015 Tacoma (they didn't have a TRD) I noticed that it downshifted two gears while climbing a hill to keep it at 90kph. It was a fairly large hill but I used to drive a RAV4 6cyl and it took the hill at 90kph without downshifting once and I took the Nissan frontier (rental truck) up the same hill and it stayed in 5th the whole way up at 90kph. I've been driving the Nissan for about a week and it seemed like I had to give the taco a lot more throttle to go like the frontier. I would never choose a Nissan over a Toyota but it's the closest thing I have to compare it to. My concern is that I tow all the time. Never anything heavy but from 800lb-1500lb and there's always something hitched to my vehicle. The Jetta was a 5speed so I could control the rpm. The RAV4 was awesome, it surprised me how it don't downshift on some hills when towing.

I guess my question is, does the taco downshift all the time on the smallest hills while towing or do you think the truck just wasn't performing well because it only had 20km on it and it hasn't learned any driving styles?

I was debating a manual but I really like the ease of the auto and I don't like how my buddy is always riding the clutch in his taco when he's climbing rocks or pulling out his boat. I've also heard that the autos are a more reliable transmission. If I did get the manual I would go with the crew cab short box.

Sorry for rambling on but this is a huge decision for me to spend $40000 on a vehicle. This next part is just more ramblings and doesn't really connect to my original question but it's also part of my decision making, lol.

During the test drive I was not impressed with how the front doors in the access model have to be closed with force to shut properly. I also wasn't very happy with the dated interior but it's very functional.
I know the access cab can be a pain in the ass to use, we don't have children and have only used the back seat of the Jetta and RAV4 about 4 times in the 5 years I've owned it. It did come in handy for getting beers from the cooler when camping but the box of the truck will be handy as well. The access can has a larger payload, more towing, shorter wheelbase for trails and the most important thing is the smaller turning radius. I always find myself in tight places towing things on narrow cottage roads or trying to maneuver around the trees, fences, and other vehicles around my yard.

Thanks

 

Keep in mind the engine is a little "tight" when new. I noticed the same thing with mine but now I am getting close to 3000 miles and it already seems a little better.

 

First " downshift " felt was probably the torque converter unlocking , then it shifted from D to 4

 

Yes and the trans is a 5 spd so top gear is O/D. The down shifting is normal and has no effect on longevity.

 

This

 

Big fan of my manual AC. If I was a rock crawler I -might- go auto trans. I tow in the mountains frequently.

 

It's normal.

That said - if it bugs you, pick a different vehicle. That's why you take test drives.

 

I've owned 2 V6 autos & towed a lot without issues in VT.

 

had a 2013 4cyl auto ac, it shifted a lot better than this 2014 v-6 auto prerunner I have now. hate that you have to put your foot into it, to get it to shift

 

You can move the shifter you know

 

Dont start that, the other thread about shifting with the auto trans was pretty bad.

Some people see that D and think that's the only choice?

 

6-speed manual is fine.

 

Yeah, 6 spd is fine. Learn to adapt and drive. Just because someone doesn't like it or know how to drive it doesn't mean it sucks.

 

6speed. For people who actually enjoying driving.

 

Thanks for all the input. I'm going to try and find a manual transmission to test drive. I'm still thinking of the auto but it would be nice to try the manual.
drc42 said that his truck was shifting like that for the first few thousand miles but is different now. Has anyone else had that experience? I've been driving manual vw's for 20 years as daily drivers until I got the RAV4. I'm not new to manuals but I really like the simplicity of an auto. I'm also going to try out the crew can tonight. I'm just not sure I can get past the loos of it. I don't want an off road limo and the extra 1' will really make a difference in the areas I drive/park. I really hope I can find a manual. I can't even find an access TRD.

 

It shifts when it needs to shift...automatically. That's its whole job so let it do its thing. It does a pretty good job at it. When towing, you're supposed to be in '4' anyway. Also, the auto trans is pretty good for downhill as well. If you keep applying the brakes down grades, it'll downshift and hold that gear. Works pretty well for an auto once you get used to it. Most autos I've driven in the past will go straight for overdrive on a downhill and leave you to braking only.

 

I've never liked automatics and I'm finding myself extremely happy with this one. I do feel like things improved after I put some miles on. Only 3,200 miles so far. I have yet to tow with it but if I do I already understand to keep it in "4" so it doesn't keep trying for overdrive.

My biggest gripe is how I felt like I had to shove the pedal almost to the floor to get it to downshift and climb a hill. Around 1,500 miles I noticed this a bit less. At 3,200 I couldn't be happier.

Since day 1 the thing I liked the most was that I could feel every shift and they were very "positive". Some autos try to shift without you noticing. Not so with this one and I prefer it that way.

That's my 2 cents. In the end make sure you get what YOU like and enjoy!

 

hahaha. I live in the mountains. i shift alot.

 

ENGINE BREAKING and harsh downshifting .
For you guys with higher mileage ....Read this http://www.sonnax.com/parts/1778
Page 33 and 34 of this PDF explains downshifting
http://www.toyotatundraforum.com/pdf/A750E.pdf
Are you effected by the TSB ? http://www.pdf-archive.com/2012/01/0...sb-0373-09.pdf
beleive it or not , your truck is designed to save fuel when coasting . When you take your foot off the gas , the PCM tells the injectors to turn off . This is why your truck feels like its slowing down in comparison to older vehicles you have owned . Combine this with the converter remaining locked up and the transmission downshifting while going down hills can really be felt in the drivers seat .

 

love my 6-speed. still runs strong with over 190,000 miles.