Anyone use the auto-transmission to manually shift gears?

I had a BMW 328i with the SportMatic AT - loved it. I rarely let the automatic transmission shift, I' d slap the gear shift to the left and cycle manually through the gears. Pictures I have seen of the interior the the Tacoma look very similar to the shift options of my BMW.

Does anyone use the AT to manually shift? Can you actually control the gear in which the vehicle is operating, or is it simply a "limiter"? In my Chevy Duramax Allison transmission, I can also control the shift somewhat, but it's only a limiter - doesn't allow the operation of the BMW which is basically a clutchless manual in the "sport" mode.

I keep hearing that some are not happy with the "gear hunting" of the Tacoma's AT, and it would seem that "hand shifting" would negate that problem?

 

you can manually control the gearing up to the redline, however it will downshift as needed if you don't, ie if you manually shift to 3rd it won't go into 4th unless you redline, by default it will go into 4th when you put it into sport mode so it won't jump into 5th or 6th unless you redline in 4th, but it will downshift into 3rd, 2nd, 1st automatically as needed.

 

Buys an automatic, uses slapstick for that genuine manual sensation.. makes sense..

 

It's a limiter. You can pick a gear but the computer will downshift as needed. I use it from time to time, @digitaLbraVo uses it all the time.

 

why not? I have owned several manuals and still have a manual TJ, there are times when I would love to be up to slide the stick over and put it in automatic mode

 

Par for the course at Tacomaworld. Literally the most backward, illogical automotive message board in the entirety of the internet. The rest of the thread will be the safe space defense force that will argue tooth and nail why

this is a great thing to do. We'll have a bunch of brand new Tacoma's running around on 3 inch block and spacer lifts, slap-shifting their auto-trans like manuals.

Never in my life would I have guessed that the Tacoma would become the final form of Neo-Rice culture. Just browsing around threads here, it seems like 4 out of every 5 users has inexplicably demolished their brand new truck through idiotic mods or driver practices ( O.P.) and for the life of me, I Can t figure out why the 3rd gen Tacoma is the victim of the unholy 2nd coming of early 00's, egregiously terrible modding.

 

Have you ever used this feature on a Tacoma?

 

Just get a manual transmission.

 

Yep. All you do is tell if "don't pass this gear" you can't stall the motor that way.

Makes freeway on ramps fun with bigger tires

 

Use mine all the time. On-Ramps and engine braking. Been doing it for years.

G.

 

I have the 6speed manual. Ive never slapshifted an automatic Tacoma.

 

Just reread this post: I don't believe 3rd gens have the same shifter as the 2nd? @eccracer104

 

The manual is superior in gear selection, you pick your gear completely. In an auto, lets say you're driving down the freeway and need to switch lanes from a slow lane to a lane moving faster. You could leave it in drive and just put the pedal to the floor, but it lags, if you "manually" select your gear you can down shift to build up the revs and merge over while accelerating much more smoothly.
I fully agree that if you want to pick gears 100% of the time, get a manual, but the "slapshift" absolutely has a place and serves a useful purpose to autos.

The 3rd gen one may be more restrictive, idk about that. But i still lets you up and downshift.

 

It makes me appreciate my Miata's paddle shifters that much more

 

Hey OP... I see that you wanted to know if you could choose the gear you are in... yes you can... The S does limit the top gear, but you can downshift to 1st if you want and control the shifts up to 6th, if you want...

I use the S mode coming into an off ramp/stoplight and then move to 3rd before stoping.... Always use S-3 or 4 in town...

I actually love having all of those shifting options...

 

It does not, however, work like the BMW setup. There it will stay in the selected gear and doesn't downshift unless you're going to risk damaging something. Tacoma works rather differently.

 

I use mine to engine brake going down long hills. Helps keep the speed in check. But it will never feel like your BMW's auto or any other sporty auto, it is very slow to react to the shifts

 

I use mine when I come into town. Put it in 4th while driving in a 30 or 35 mph zone. If I put it in drive it lugs along in 5th.

 

That saves fuel by getting into lower RPM ranges. That's the origin of the question: is it ok to "go manual" in an auto trans. Like @eccracer104 I use the shifter to get the laggy auto after I've upsized my tires and weight to feel more responsive. Getting on to the freeway in drive in a hurry is a total hack. Letting the 4L hit 4,500RPM? It feels like a monster at that point.

 

Thanks, appreciate that information.