What gear am I in?

This may be a strange question, but here goes anyway...

When my truck tranny is in Drive, is there any way to tell which gear it is actually in? My tranny is very smooth and quiet and, while I can hear it shift from 1st to 2nd, anything beyond that escapes me. If there's some indicator light that I've missed somewhere?

Thanks!

 

Nope. You will be in 6th at anything over 35-40 mph when cruising. If you are curious slap it into S mode and watch your rpms change as you select the gears. What does it matter anyway, its just a number.

 

Yes, but I want to be sure it's the right number.

 

I know what OP is talking about. At work we have a 2013 Ford F250 that when in D has an indicator (as you can see when in S) that shows what gear. I didn't see that option in the 2016 Taco. It would be a nice thing to have but it's not that important to me.

 

The auto is already in 6th at 35mph??? Jesus no wonder it feels like there is 0 power for you guys or too much of a delay when putting your foot down.

 

if needed, you can probably shift from d to s which will light up the gear indicator. just keep an eye on your rpm as it will often downshift a gear at the same time

 

Precisely why I asked the question.

 

Mine always goes into 4th gear when I do that, doesn't matter if I'm stopped or moving. Is that normal?

 

Ye

Yes. Normal.

 

4 is the default.
If your speed is too great, it will choose S5.
Have you tried an D-S drop at 75mph?

 

Do you know what the reasoning is behind that?

 

No, haven't tried it at that speed

 

Drive the truck at a modest rate of acceleration on a traffic free road, and keep an eye on the tach. Or have someone watch it for you. Every time the tach drops, you just went up a gear.

That may help you get a feel for it.

 

Not sure. The engineers designed it that way. Low enough gear to avoid bogging down at lower speeds and avoid redlining if you are going fast?

 

It is assuming that you are going from D to the S mode because you want more power/torque for passing or a going up a grade. They could have left it in the gear you are in but I think they figured more people would want to immediately go into the lower gear for passing or onramp launch.

 

I agree, the last two vehicles I owned with that feature would stay in the gear you were in when you switched

 

My last two BMW did and I prefer this as I used to have to jog left and then drop it down a gear. It feels more like a manual in that regard.

 

I had a 2016 Cayenne loaner most of this week and one nice feature was that it showed the gear in addition to just "D". It was just interesting to watch. I'd like that in the Tacoma.

Amazingly, I left the Cayenne in the garage and drove the Tacoma more than half the time. I might need better meds.

 

Yes. Throws it into 4th...stupidest design/programming I've ever seen. Also, when I'm in "S" mode it will not let me shift it into 6th. I'm not impressed with how their "S" mode works.

 

+1