auto tranny jerks when shifting into drive

When shifting from P to D, the truck sometimes jerks forward fairly strongly.. It doesn't occur everytime.. I haven't figured out what it needs to shift like that (maybe engine RPM?) My 03 Taco has a 3400 V6 with 73K miles. I just bought it used..

Is this normal?

 

Mine does that sometimes as well, I don't know what it would be though, sorry

 

Does it do it when cold or hot? Does it actually move (the truck) or is it more engine moving like mounts or something. I have the same truck and about the same miles, no problems like that. Check your atf level.

 

My 04 does the same thing. I tend to notice it when I first take it out for a drive, but not always, so I've always guessed it had to do with it being cold. Have you checked the fluid to see if it needs changing?

 

ATF is clean and red... I haven't noticed whether it's only doing it at certain ambient temperature..

Since I have not driven another toyota truck with the 3400 V6.. I only have my Honda Element and my wife's Sonata to compare to.. Those engines + trannies are much smoother...

 

Mine does it too. But only when the truck is cold.

 

does it matter whether you have the brakes pressed down when shifting?

 

I have a 08 V6 and it does it to when it is really cold

 

I don't think you can shift from P to D without pressing the brakes. From Neutral to D ya I think you can. So if you are doing that then yes you will feel a bit of a jerk then especially when it's cold. The truck that is.

 

You're comparing apples and oranges between the truck and element/sonata. Front wheel drive vs. rear wheel drive. Truck base vs car base. So yes it the truck will feel harsh or different.

 

right I mean from N to D...

What would be the inherent difference between a car and truck to cause this difference? not arguing.. just curious..

 

A firm shift or jerk is good. Dont worry about it.

 

Shift points. Shift logic. Also different gearing.

 

Mine does this. I just called my friend who works for a tranny shop. He said it's normal to feel a "jerk" because with an automatic. The load is now being placed on the engine to " drive" the car. Whether it be forwards "Drive" or backwards "Reverse". When you are at a stop and release the brakes, the car moves forward right? And when you are in reverse backing up, you release the brakes and move backwards right? Same principle applies here. The jerk is simply u, the brakes, and the frame fighting the engines torque making at attempt to move. This sounds logical to me. He said though if it makes a metallic thunk, or thinks while shifting and accelerating, that this is a sign of a bad tranny mount.

 

Mine also jerks really bad when shifting from P to D and D to R but I halfway expect that.. What I dont expect is when I come to a stop it will make a hard enough clunk that I can see the gear and four wheel drive shifters move inside the truck. What would be causing that? Bad mounts on the engine and tranny or just the torque of the engine?