Question for 2016 V6 AT owners: does shifting "improve" with mileage?

Let me start by saying that I've never owned a Tacoma, but I've always wanted one. I've owned many 4wd trucks and Jeeps, both automatics and manuals. Back in August, I test drove a 2nd gen 2015 4.0L TRD OR AT which I really liked. The 4.0 V6 engine and AT transmission seemed fine, but knowing that the new 3rd gen was coming, I decided to wait. Just over a month ago, I ordered a 2016 TRD OR DCSB AT from my local Toyota dealer. It will be at least 2 more weeks before the 2016 Tacoma I ordered will arrive.

Yesterday, I was working out of the area when I passed a Toyota dealer with a V6 3rd gen in stock (DCSB SR trim with some type of appearance package, dark grey 16" aluminum wheels). I test drove it and to be honest, I was a little disappointed. The motor felt kind of weak unless I really rev'd it out (had pretty good power in upper RPM's). However, most noticeably, the transmission really seemed to "hunt" around for the proper gear and it shifted a lot more frequently than I would have expected. Engaging the "ETC" button seemed to help somewhat, but I still walked away a little underwhelmed.

My question for 3rd gen V6 AT owners: does the AT transmission "learn" your driving style and become more settled as you rack up some miles? Also, I drive off pavement a lot which is what drew me toward the Tacoma. Does the new 3.5L V6 do as well in low speed off road situations as the outgoing 4.0?

I will say that the 3rd gen seems to look better in person than in pic's. The rear bumper felt kind of cheap, but otherwise, the overall materials seemed very nice.

 

Anyone?

 

The ECT-i improves fuel economy by using low-friction gear transfer technology, an efficient torque converter and an optimized gear ratio range. The transmission also utilizes artificial intelligence shift control, which allows it to change gear shift patterns depending on driver input or driving conditions. The transmission learns the drivers shift patterns and shifts accordingly, providing a more comfortable and personalized ride. It also incorporates uphill/downhill shift logic, which prevents the transmission from shifting into gear when the vehical is being driven up or down a hill. This feature helps to reduce gear hunting.

 

source please? I would like to read the whole article

 

Put the shifter in "S" and move it down one notch to "5" and the shift logic will behave similar to the old 5-speed. The 6th gear is a highway cruising gear; there's no need to use it unless you foresee sustained cruising at 60+ mph.

 

I am no tranny expert, but it seems like it is inherent that the greater the number of gears, the more it will 'hunt' for the right one since the bands are narrower with similar overlap. As these transmissions become 6-10+ speed, I would think this would be more commonplace to bounce around gears.
While it may seem disconcerting, it is doing what it is supposed to, though some slight software tunes may be in order.

I know someone who has this Land Rover and he said it (the tranny) has had 7 software tunes since he bought it.

 

I have owned 4 different vehicles with 6 speed automatics (2011 Ford Raptor, 2012 Ford Raptor, 2013 Ford Taurus, and 2015 Ford escape). All seem to shift just fine with none of the "hunting" I experienced when I test drove the new Tacoma. I made it a point to drive the Escape exactly how I drove the Tacoma immediately after the test drive on the exact same roads. I really want to like the new Tacoma, but I'm still not sure about the new 3.5 and 6 speed auto.

BTW, I'm not a Ford fanatic, the Taurus and Escape were company cars. I traded the 2011 Raptor for a year newer due to some options I regretted not ordering.

 

Interesting. I may go back and try that. Thanks!

 

From experience, the more gears the better. When the transmission shifts back a gear it is a whole lot less noticeable on a 9 speed (jeep) compared to a 4 speed. I would rather shift back a 9 speed on a hill than lug the engine of a 4 speed until it eventually shifts back and screams. However us Canadians have yet to test the new 6 AT, so it may need a software update, or to learn your driving habits.Just my $0.02

 

^Most people's experience with the Jeep 9-speed have been rather terrible. Whereas a 4-speed might need to downshift one gear, the 9-speed usually needs to downshift 2 in the same situation, at which point the shift time becomes quite a bit longer. It's more important to have ratios matched to typical driving conditions and the engine's powerband, than to have more gears. The 1GR-FE + A750E combination was very good.

Depends on how the transmission is designed. If it had more gears spread over the same ratio range, then you can expect more shifting. However, in the new Taco 6-speed, gears 1-5 are similar to the old 5-speed, while 6th gear is an extra-tall cruising gear add on top. Both 5th and 6th are overdrive ratios.

 

My point was all else being equal the more gears the better. So let's say the jeep 9 speed (again simply used as an example) came with a 4 speed, same engine, driveline, etc, the 9 speed would still reign superior to the 4 speed, again all else being equal.

Side note, jeep 9 speed with 2.4l 4 cyl, I agree, 3.2l 6 cyl, I disagree.

 

^It's a very drastic difference. If the Jeep 9 speed came with a 5 speed, the 5 speed would be more pleasant to use in most situations.

 

Agree to disagree.

 

^Counter-example: the 2nd gen had a 6-speed manual that gave worse milage on the highway and slower acceleration in 0-60 mph and 1/4 mile. Why? Because the ratios are not as well matched to the engine powerband and to driving conditions. If Toyota made a 6-speed auto with the same ratios as the 6-speed manual, it would have been worse than the 5-speed auto in all aspects (except for maybe track driving with the X-Runner).

 

Like I said, all else being equal. A shitty 9 speed will be worse than a good 5 speed.

I have a 6 speed 2012 ram sport crew, drove a few days in a 2015 rental, all else being the same as my truck, but an 8 speed auto, and it would destroy my 6 speed in EVERY way.

 

I disagree to disagree

 

Now I'm confused

 

Wasn't that the tranny that behaved like a 5 speed, but chose between two slightly different 2nd gear ratios depending on situation?

 

Kind of. It shifts down through all six, but the 2nd to 3rd on the upshift is basically non existent. (Using manual mode makes this obvious)

 

I'm up to 750 miles on mine and the shifting is getting better, but it still hunts around a bit, especially going up hills.