2016 6-cylinder 6-speed automatic erratic shifting and drivability problems?

Still all these issues in 2106? Son of a! Well if it makes you feel any better, my 2012 F150 FX4 was a clunky, hard shifting, slipping transmission, tons of driveline slop of a truck. Tick at idle is very likely the direct injection - they make more noise at idle. When you get in your truck - press the ECT button on the lower dash bezel ahead of the shifter. Then go drive the truck and the performance issues will be nullified. As for the lurch - I can only say I have experienced a harsh downshift at random times when coming to a stop. On my truck, it did it when it was new for the first 300-400 miles. Then it went away and it returns very occasionally for 2-5 stops, then goes away. It's most likely something in the calibration OR it relates to the delayed engagement I have from R to D when it's cold.

Don't give up on your truck. Use ECT and there have been random internet rumors of revised calibrations on the way. My guess is Toyota will update some of the engine and transmission software as they get more feedback and miles on the trucks out there in circulation. I've gotten used to it for the most part when not using ECT.

 

Basically on the new trucks, the ECU is trying to shift the AT into the highest gear possible, this results in the gear hinting. It actually gets better as the ECU learns your driving style. However, using ECT mode, sets the shift patterns so the truck shifts into higher gears later. Most including myself find this is much better and more like a AT should shift. This in a backwards way is how Toyota is giving us the EPA mandated mileage and emissions, but allows us to override that with ECT mode. Also 6th gear is way too high for just about anything but flat zero wind driving. Most with the Manual transmission love the truck, but he newer AT drive people crazy. I have also hear that on a lot of the newer multi gear AT's that they all do the same thing. The ticking sound is most likely the engine cleaning the direct injectors from carbon buildup.

These engines actually run better at higher RPM, because they are more in the power/torque band. I find the truck runs better at 70MPH than at 60-65 when it comes to the shifting.

Also some of the trucks with the tow package have been confirmed to come with low transmission fluid from the factory.

 

^^^ I agree . Dont give up on the truck , they are far better than any domestic truck you can buy . They are still more reliable . Most of these small issues you guys are having are caused by computer programming to save fuel . For now , make sure you have enough fluid in the transmission as it seems to be the most frequent complaint and there are soooooo many low on transmission fluid .
We still have to wait at least a year for aftermarket support . Once that support is in place , a new world of fixes will be out there for us to utilize
Spend some time reading at TW . Everything you guys are talking about has been discussed over and over .
Do a search but use google with TW in the subject line as you get great results this way

 

isn't toyota supposed to come with an ECU update soon?

 

Thanks for all of the replies. I really want to love this truck! There is definitely a "cool factor" that drew me to it in the first place. I will hold on to it for awhile and see what happens. Hoping for a happy ending!

 

Hang in there. I had the same complaints you have. When I'm in the city its in sport mode in 4th only. On highway I use 5th. Rarely 6th only if it's flat. I never use drive. Makes me crazy

 

That is just an internet rumor at best.
Some have reported that the service guy at the dealer said one was coming. But no official word.

 

^^^^^ I agree . I have only seen the " ONE " technical service bulletin for the 4 cylinder slipping between 2nd and 3rd gear .
http://toyosolutions.com/index.php?...-intermittent-2nd-3rd-gear-up-shift-flare.96/

We rely on you guys for our information .
With this said , if you get a flash update from the dealer , try your hardest to get all the info you can and post it up for your fellow TW members

 

I would like to suggest work around for the many 60-65 mph constant shifting, when I'm on a incline, throw the auto shift to left 1 click. It will keep it in 4th for the rest of your incline and then click over the shifter to auto after you crest the hill. Working for me just fine. 4th seems to allow the car to run in 1 gear from 60-75 no problem and minimal rpm around 3-3.5k rpm. I agree with everyone, shifts to early when inclined driving. Whats interesting, is the truck has a inclinmeter built in, Be nice if they could use this for input. I agree with others, just have to be patient for an update to the computer updates. It's all computer now and will be modifiable with another tuner technition or software update.

 

I'm experimenting with the ECT. I've found that it has far superior throttle response with the ECT turned on. Not sure how it will effect my gas mileage though. Don't believe it will stress the transmission in any way either. Running in regular mode with the ECT turned off, there is a noticable hesitation prior to the throttle responding. I'm coming up on 2k miles on the odometer. That has to be a ECU issue, or in other words...setting. I believe Toyota will get it mapped correctly and this TACO will move out off the line. As for now, there is the hesitation. To the gentleman teaching his daughter to drive, Toyota will fix this issue and the surging, I have no doubt. 3rd Tacoma, had 2 of the 1st generation trucks and loved them both. Brand new...give it a little time to work out the bugs...it will happen, don't worry.

 

Do you think toyota will come up with an ECU update? i highly doubt it

 

If it messes to much with the fuel economy, Toyota I doubt will mess with it. But the tech savy mechanics will come up with something, just not a Toyota fix. The injection system is computer controlled, per my limited knowledge...hence it should be able to be tuned. Brand new set up for a pick up, looking forward to that throttle response. The power is there, just needs to know when to spray fuel. The slight hesitation and lull, is a bit irritating. Hopefully the first service they have it dialed in, I hope!

 

I test drop a TRD Sport 4x4 DCSB and it had the same transmission issues. I hope to snag one in April but am waiting to see what happens about the transmission issue.

 

If you think the 6 speed is busy I hear dodge is coming out with an 8 speed automatic. In another 10 years will all think constant shifting is normal. All engines have a sweet spot rpm speaking, mpg, noise, torque, vibration, the more gears the easier it is to keep it there at different speeds

 

I have about 5200 miles now, and the transmission shifts much much better. Rarely goes into 6th unless it is completely flat. Shifts are very smooth. I really don't notice it much anymore. But in the beginning it did shift quite erratically, so I do believe that the ECU learns your driving habits and adjusts the shifting based on the driver.

 

The 2017 ford raptor is going to be coming out with a 10 speed auto, and the GM silverados already have the 8 speed.

 

Check the trannys fluid ASAP. Heard that they can come low from factory and cause such problems....so check that

 

I don't really have any complaints with the automatic transmission, other than when I manually shift it. There's a huge lag from 1st to 2nd. All other gear changes are instantaneous. When I have it in drive, it shifts fine with no lag. Anyone else had this?

 

I have a 2016 SR5 3.5 v6 4x2 that i purchased in October 2015. I have 15,000 miles due to long drive to work. Most of the miles are driven on the interstate. I average 19 to 20 mpg driving 75 mph. My biggest issue with the truck is that it seems under powered on the highway. On even the smallest hills it has to down shift once and on the bigger hill twice. I have a 2013 highlander 3.5 that i will dive on the same highway and it never downshifts and it get 25 mpg. I will be taking my truck in Monday 2-15 to have the tires rotated and see what my dealership shop has to say about the issues i am having. I did replace the stock tires and wheels with 17x9 fuel wheels and 265-65-17 all-terrain Nitto G2's and because the truck seemed so under powered i was scared to go any bigger with the tire size but I was already see these same issue before i changed the tires and wheels.

 

Keep this in mind, the new Auto Transmission has 2 overdrive gears 5th and 6th. So when you are in 6th gear the truck has to downshift quite a bit to maintain speed especially with cruise control on. With cruise control off, the truck behaves much better. A couple of things to try is first try the "S" shift mode and put it in 5th. This means now you have a 5 speed auto tranny. It will shift up and down normally but won't go higher than 5th. Also you could just drive with ECT mode on, this sets the shift points for more power and throttle response.

6th on the AT was put there specifically for fuel economy and really isn't necessary.

To up the economy numbers Toyota mapped the ECU and 6 speed tranny to be anemic, but gave us ECT mode so we could use a more realistic ECU and tranny map.