Sticky clutch 17' 6spd

Hi All!! Just got my first Taco 2 weeks ago after many years of dreaming - 2017 TRD Sport 4dr 6 speed. I have had it for ~2 weeks and LOVE IT!! Anyway, we have had a few cold days between 5F to -5 before windchill here. My question is the clutch seems very stiff even after the truck warms up and even after 18 miles of driving to work. Is this normal or should I have it adjusted a bit? This is my 4th manual vehicle and never had this before. Above ~15f or 20f the clutch feels normal.

Thank you for your help and/or ideas

Cheers,

 

You're not the only one:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cold-weather-performance-or-the-lack-thereof.408322/
(search "Cold Clutch" in the 3rd Gen section).
I'm going to be asking Toyota about it when it goes in for the last included service early next year, hopefully they're able to do something.

 

Thank you for the reply and link. When I bring it in to the dealer ~5000mi I will bring it up.

Cheers,

 

Sounds like the fluid just gets too thick when that cold. Never been in an environment that cold, but Google-ing some folks change their fluid to something thinner during winter, and then to something thicker during the warmer months...

Besides the $ to be doing changes, not sure on if it'd create other issues...

Hopefully someone with Real Life Cold Weather experience can chip in and give you sound advice ...

 

Mine is three years old and it gets as stiff in the cold as it did the first winter I had it. I don't think it's a problem, as long as your clutch never slips when you hit a new gear. Mine never has.

Just keep driving it man, and be thankful you had a manual tranny on the icy, wintery roads.

 

All the 2nd and 3rd gen's do this. Hydraulic clutch and the fluid thickens making it hang up til it warms a bit

 

My 2008 did not due this as the brake and clutch shared the same reservoir, my 15 has the clutch reservoir out on the fender and it gets a little slow in the cold.

 

I was thinking about swapping to motul, its in the 20s in the morning and the clutch is spongy.

 

Yes, it's stiff, but my 09 I almost had to pull it up with my toes, so this one is pretty good. I find that a few extra pumps when at a stop helps.

 

Hmm.. Again thank you all! The tranny never slips when shifting, but sounds like it is common so I will keep on enjoying my new truck woo hoooo!!!

 

Just wait until it temperatures warm up a bit and you get some miles on the truck. Then you'll have they creaky wooden floorboard clutch

 

That is easily corrected with a little Disc Brake Grease, I found that to be the only lubricant that would stay put under there.

 

and I will happily drive with the creaky wooden floorboard clutch, as its better than what the automatics sound like.

 

The hydraulic fluid for the clutch is brake fluid....ummmm pretty sure that stuff is engineered to handle cold temps as well as extreme hot temps.

My clutch gets sticky anytime under say 30F until warmed up. I bet its the rubber seals in the clutch master cylinder. Doubt its the fluid or we'd have other more critical issues.

 

I cant find anything on the operating temps of the dot 3 fluid they use. Brake fluid seems to be engineered for hot temp, but cant find much about cold. Looks like this problem has been around for 3 generations from what google has to say. Even the 2nd gen had a tsb and replacement parts including the fluid. Mine get stored in a garage so it isnt too bad.