First non-GM truck...highway questions

Guys,
After owning seven General Motors trucks in a row I decided it was time for a change, so I just picked up a 2017 quicksand Tacoma off-road. So far I have 1000 miles on the truck and I enjoy it. There is definitely a learning curve going from a full-size V8 down to a midsize six cylinder. I have a few questions about highway driving and I wanted to get some feedback and see what everyone else's experience is. I live in South Texas, the roads are mostly flat and the speed limit is generally 75 miles an hour. I find that at highway speed going 75 to 80 mph, the transmission is constantly kicking down into fourth or fifth gear, even on the flats. The only way it seems that he will stay in sixth gear is going 75 miles an hour with the tail wind. I'm just curious if this is a normal For these trucks due to lack of low-end torque, or if this could be related to the bulletin in regards to transmission shifting. I appreciate the feedback, thanks in advance

 

Not sure if you aren't towing anything, but I take it out of D and put it into 4 when towing and encounter any sort of hill. Strange that it's doing it when you are on flat land.

 

just moved from a full size GM myself. Mine is doing the same thing. Supposed TSB fix...

 

There's a transmission TSB that will help, tons of info in the 3rd gen section. Take a look.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/t-sb-0077-16-rev-1.457782/

 

Sorry, should have specified.. Bone stock, not towing anything... And I read the hundreds of posts I regards to the tsb, but those seem hill related, and there are no hills here at all... It may just be me not being accustomed to the 6 cal power band

 

At 75-80 MPH, theres a ton of wind resistance for these bricks.

Yes it is normal, and it is annoying.

So there's really 3 major things you can do to avoid this.

1) Slow down. (I know, people in Texas drive pedal to the metal.)
if that's out of question,
2) Try driving it in S mode, on 5th. S mode gives you the power to choose the top gear in your transmission.
3) Drive with ECT mode on. Its like turning off Eco mode for this truck and drives a lot peppy-er.

Otherwise, welcome to Taco world. Hope you are enjoying a truck made in USA, even though its a Japanese brand. Just remember that when you get a Ford, Chevy, Dodge guy breathing in your face about your truck. (Most of those are made in Mexico or Canada.)

 

Also, the TSB most likely doesn't apply to you since you said you have a 2017. That TSB applied mainly to 2016 models. 2017 should have been fixed already.

 

Just turn on ECT Power mode. Changes the shift points, and you will be a LOT happier.

 

Well I guess it's just one more nail in the coffin of my theory of going to 285's. Thanks guys I appreciate the input very much

 

I have a 2017 model. And was told they did not do the update on those. Still need to take it in.

 

A ton of people do 285's. S mode in 4th will go good.
The gearing on these trucks are solid.

 

Regear!

 

I live in Houston and just got the TBE done 2 weeks ago. Didn't change any of the shift points that I could feel but the pedal is stiffer, shifting into D is quicker which I didn't know was bad originally and apparently 3 to 4 shift is smoother (can't tell). I still get the down shifts going 80 with any type of head wind or elevation change.

 

I wouldn't rule them out. Part of Toyotas model and how their reliability stays up is their idea to overgear and under motor.

I live in Austin and go to school in Lubbock and the drive is very similar to yours. I have a first gen with the 3.4 and I never use cruise control. I know it's annoying, but I get good mpgs that way being able to keep it around 2200 in OD going 75-78ish (up or down depending on the few hills). I also have 600lbs of accessories at least, though.

Haven't drive a third gen a long ways, read so many issues, no offense but I think everyone is just being picky. It's a small naturally aspirated V6 moving a brick heavy and aerodynamic truck. It still annoys me when my truck does it but oh well.

Good luck on your new truck and welcome to TW! If you have any plans to wheel the truck be sure to hit up the Texas section, or if you just want to be around like minded people.

Also, lol @ people telling us to slow down. If you're not doing 90 on anything 60+ you're getting passed by everyone. We just know where the cops are I suppose

 

Texas Tech? Bro and I would make the trip back down to Houston going 85-90 mph. Going the speed limit is more like minimum speed warning until you go through the small towns where they nail you going 1/2 mph over the speed limit lol.

 

question for you Texas people. I am down there probably once a month. Take the GW toll way all the time. Have not ONCE EVER paid. Have gotten a few things in the mail. They really take it that serious down there if I was to ever get pulled over?

 

Did you or now do you go to tech? I was driving once in my brothers car over Christmas break cause I had an advising appt and a state trooper got me at a solid 92 and he's like "yeah you were going over 90 sorry buddy" my truck tops out at like 80 downhill tail wind before my MTRs start wanting to kill me lol

 

Hahaha I'm going to have to let someone else answer the speeding related questions

 

Bro and I graduated 2013 haven't been back to the dust bowl since lol. I've always gotten warnings staying under 5 mph over.