When it's cold, it's good

Has anyone noticed how well the trans shifts when it's cold? Gears hang in longer and shift quick. All the bad "normals" show up once it's warmed up. Makes me wonder about the fluid being used and it can work well when cold so WTF.

 

Could be low on fluid too....

 

I brought this same issue up to my dealer and they had no answer.

 

Same here is this normal?

 

Have them PHYSICALLY check your transmission fluid levels .

 

Stays in gear longer to bring the trans temp up faster. Normal, does this in every Toyota I've ever driven.

 

Mine won't shift into 6th until it's warm is that normal too

 

I feel for you guys. My transmission issues were fixed with the first TSB and them adding the proper amount of fluid. I haven't even gotten the revisions, because I'm afraid it will set me back. It does so much better now.

I can't imagine still dealing with transmission issues after a year. I would have lemon'd my truck 6 months back if that first TSB didn't fix it.

It still occasionally holds onto a gear on the interstate (seemingly randomly--but I think its usually an ever-so-slight incline while I'm slowly accelerating), and it tries to be one gear too high on some occasions. But, its more responsive and immediately downshifts as needed since the TSB and add'tl fluid. I haven't noticed any excessive shifting on hills or on with cruise control on. It doesn't feel like the transmissions going to fall out of the truck when it accelerates ( I swore my truck left it on I-95 4 weeks into ownership). I have been "rolling on" the accelerator as one TW member described it. So, maybe its a combo of me learning how to work with it a little better?

I sincerely hope Toyota fixes this engine/tranny combo for those of you with issues. Toyota goofed with this 3rd gen and their damage control is lacking. The speed and transparency of their response its downright shameful.

Tthe only issue I have left is the diff howl. It's a big issue and Toyota needs to get off their ass and address it. I'm at the point with this truck that I've started to bond with it and would love to keep it. It has so much potential. But if my diff goes or gets worse I'll be getting a new vehicle and you'll have one of those "goodbye" posts like the guy that bought a new T4R.

 

My 16 that was low on fluid and needed the TSB revision was evidently worse when cold. My 17 works the same cold or hot. I'd get it checked out OP.

 

Tsan I had a 2012 f150 with six speed trans, it not shift into 6th until it warmed up when temps were in the teens or lower. my 16 Sr5 will not go into 6th when Temps are in teens also until warmed up. I think this is normal because the fluid is thicker and harder to pump, just puts more l load on the engine just like going up a hill, or into the wind. JMHO.

 

I think it's normal. Every morning I literally think I wish the truck ran like this all the time. As soon as it warms up we are back to 900 rpms in 5th gear at 35 mph... it doesn't go into 6th because I've given up on D.

I've had tsb checked and fluid added with really no change in behavior.

 

Yes, it is normal for any trans not to go into 6 until it's warm and I don't care about that. I have asked to check fluid level and you would think I asked for blood or they don't know how to do it. Is it so hard to take out a plug and see if it will take any more?

 

I rest my case, have them PHYSICALLY check your transmission fluid !! Its also not that difficult to do it yourself.

 

Find another dealer that is willing, if yours isn't.

 

Yes! colder is better for sure.
I don't get a clunk shifting from 2nd into 1st either.
I do however get the hesitation at full throttle from a stop when cold.
Dealer swears they have checked tranny fluid manually.
Has to go back in so they can take more "data"

 

I recently put a larger trans cooler in and have been experimenting with pinning the trans oil thermostat open while towing my travel trailer. The AC60 normally runs mid 190s but with the bigger cooler and thermostat pinned open my trans pan temp is in the 160s while towing.
The point of this is that I'm noticing the truck holds 5th gear much better (less down shifting) while towing. I can't be positive without some more testing but seems to be the case so far.

 

Someone should put a daisy chain of trans coolers on their truck and keep the temp permanently cold. See how long it lasts.

 

It's due to the two modes your vehicle runs under. "Open" and "Closed" loop. Open loop is the parameters for when the engine is cold and it ignores the o2 sensors and changes shift patterns etc. once it warms up, it then goes into "Closed" loop. This means it monitors the various sensors and runs its maps. It will always feel different when cold vs hot including the engine.

 

I feel like once the truck is warmed up the fuel pedal is spongy not very responsive almost like your flooring it all the time

 

Have to get those CATS heated up quick, or pollute you will.