Hill-Start Assist question..

If I drive forward up a fairly steep hill, let's say 6%, and stop. Just as if there's a stop sign at the top of a hill. I leave the AT in D and let off the brake. The truck starts to slowly roll backwards, then there's a ker-thunk and some ticking coming from the engine compartment. The yellow Slip Indicator light starts flashing and there's a beeping in sync with the flash rate. The truck then slowly increases speed backwards and the flash/beeping rate increases for about 10 seconds, then the light goes off and the beeping stops, no ticking from under the hood. Now the backward speed continues to increase at a faster rate. Is the Hill-Start Assist working correctly as it tries to slow the backward rate and then gives up after 10-15 seconds? Or should the brakes remain applied after I brake and and then release the brake pedal. Should the Hill-Start Assist to prevent any backwards motion??
Thanks, Tim
TRD OR V6 AT.

 

I don't have an auto, nor have i ever had an auto with some sort of hill start assist (didn't think they needed it), but from what I have read on here, that is how it operates. How it provides any sort of advantage I am still unsure.

 

Mine does the same. Seems of no use. I'm a left footed braker anyway. .

 

It seems like "I'm going half-heatedly try to prevent the truck from rolling backwards for 10-15 seconds, afterwards you're on your own". It's not a big deal. Just wanted to see if that's SOP or an indication of tranny trouble. I have my 5000 mi service next week.
Thanks, Tim

 

Mine does the same, no hill-holding ability. Even does it on the freaking driveway, quite annoying.

 

If I take my foot off the brake, my truck stays completely still until I hit the gas. If I tap the gas very lightly, it will roll back, but if I push the gas, it will accelerate without rolling back at all. I live in San Francisco, so my daily hills are much steeper than 6%.

 

For the OP, that is NOT how hill start assist is supposed to work. @GeekAndDestroy described it accurately. My 2010 4Runner had it and my Taco has it too, though it activates much less consistently. Essentially once I come to a complete stop (nose uphill) I tend to depress the brake a bit harder (in the 4Runner, when I came to a stop, and the A/C was running, the idle speed would increase and would pull you forward if you didn't). I continue to do this out of habit with the taco. When you let off the brakes the vehicle should keep them applied for a few seconds - until you hit the gas and it disengages.

It's pretty nice for stopping on steep inclines with the manual transmission. No need to overcook the revs or worry about if the guy behind me at the light decided to get too close.

OA

 

2016 auto does not have Hill Start Assist. That is the traction/stability control hitting the brakes because you are in a forward gear and the truck realizes it is rolling backwards.

put your foot on the gas and don't let it roll backwards.

this only happens to me when I roll backwards BEFORE I drop it into gear

 

Incorrect. It is standard across all trims.

Check this brochure. It's on page 21, towards the bottom.

http://www.toyota.com/tacoma/ebrochure/

 

well, where is the button?

 

Correct. It is active for approx 2 seconds, beyond that what you explain OP is normal as the truck is sensing transmission in drive but truck slipping backwards.

 

It works automatically. No need for a button.

 

Again agreeing with geek. The only disclaimer here is Toyota is known for having inconsistent or incorrect info across its informational material. For example the brochure says its for Auto only. Their website says its on all trims excluding TRD OR manuals. I have a TRD Sport that definitely has it.

OA

 

it doesn't work for me. It would help me daily when parking on my inclined street

 

Yeah, the owners manual pg. 267 indicates the HSA disengages about 2 seconds after the brake pedal has been released. Seems like my truck starts rolling backwards when the brake is released. I wonder if the system is adjustable.. I'll try it again with the 2-second rule in mind.

 

Ahh FRACK!

 

Mines does the same thing. I thought hill assist was supposed to hold it from rolling backwards so you can hit the gas and go forward not allow you to roll backwards. It happens to me in my drive way and scared me the first time it happened.

 

I have a 2017 Tacoma also and I actually took mine into the dealer for HSA issue. The manual doesn't go into any detail and when the clicking sound and flashing of the HSA icon, I knew there had to be something wrong. After about 2 hours at the dealer, they finally came to me and explained that it is supposed to do this. I have to say; this is an annoyance that is worrisome even with me knowing its supposed to do this. The sound alone is extremely concerning. I'd like to simply turn off the function

 

Love me some BSG, dog!

Don't feel bad buddy, we've got our mad E-brake-clutch skills! And if all else fails, the magical (and obviously exclusive to MT) Clutch-Start-Cancel button.

 

What everyone in this thread failed to mention is a very important omission: you must FIRMLY push the brakes once stopped. Not just come to a stop. The you have a second or two before it starts rolling backward and making noise. FIRMLY is the key word here.