ShiftSense Pro - transmission shift controller for Gen3 Tacoma

Does anyone ever notice harsher downshifts with the smart shift pro?

 

Like with load or coast w/brake?

I've noticed the lack of downshift on coast w/brake which I've grown accustomed to with "D". Living in the Sierra's with long steep grades it'd be nice but I can always switch back to D to get it.

 

Or manually downshift in S.

 

The coasting downshifts are programmed at 6th to 5th at 65 mph, 5th to 4th at 45 mph, and 4th to 3rd at 25 mph. You will feel slight deceleration during those downshifts as the Engine RPM comes up from maybe 1000 RPM to 1300 RPM. I dont know if these are the ones you are referring to? Otherwise, downshifts under load in S mode are quicker shifts than it makes in D. I know you will feel this most with the 4-3 downshift under load in the ~26-35 mph area. Most of the time that shift will feel more aggressive than the relatively slow D shift, but that behavior is normal with the SSP.

And yes, the downshift (AI) while braking down a steep hill is turned off when in S mode. I know it is useful in many situations to help slow you on a hill, so you might want to make the shift down manually. I know personally, I had some bad experiences with that AI downshift in drive. In at least 2 instances while driving on ice pack in winter, the truck made that downshift and broke the rear wheels loose from the road.. Scary situation for sure, so I dont miss it!

 

Yep.

 

I felt like the downshifts, to me, were smoother. I would wonder if this had more to do w/ the low fluid or other issue. To each their own, but I thought it smoothed out the down shifts when I was coming to a red light/stop sign.

 

Same here, haven't been getting the jerky downshift when coming to stop.

 

I still get the occasional harsh downshift when coming to a stop whether im using SSP or drive. It has done it since the truck was new and never really changed whether using SSP or not. I am still holding out hope that Toyota will someday issue a TSB for it. Ive recorded alot of data during those harsh downshifts, hoping we could determine a cause for it and incorporate a potential solution by using SSP to modify the OEM downshift sequence.

What the data shows is that 95% of the time, while coming to a stop the truck ECU commands the final downshift direct from 3rd to 1st gear, These shifts are the smooth ones. However some other times, the ECU commands the final downshift sequence as 3-2-1, with a hold in second gear of only 0.5-1.2 seconds. This is where you get the jerky one. It has been difficult to correlate it to any particular driving condition though, because it is relatively random.

The SSP is designed to allow the direct shift from 3-1 for smoothness which is why it waits until 5mph to command its final index to S2. By that time, the OEM has already finished its 3-1 or 3-2-1 business. Ive heard some guys say they feel the jerky downshift only in S; others say only in D, others feel it all the time, and some lucky ones have never felt it. Unfortunately, Toyota has always said this is normal for the Gen 3.

 

Two thumbs up here - ordered mine on Sunday, it shipped on Monday, received it on Wednesday - I just installed it today (less than 10 mins), and took it on a 20 mile drive around town and on the highways - holy hell an all new truck, it finally shifts the way a truck (or any automatic trans for that matter) should!! Damn Toyota coders! Thanks SSP, it was worth every cent, i have a whole new truck now! Now someone needs to design something so we can adjust the accelerator so it gives it more fuel in a lesser range (need a "sport" mode).

 

Sprint Booster?

 

I have a feeling that Toyota is going to say that everything is "normal" for this Gen3.

 

Push ECT button.

Seriously try it. Drive 40 mph hold accellerator steady and reach stable speed. Push ECT and you will feel the truck accelerate without downshifting. IT seems to change the slope of the throttle map...or something like that.


Occasionally I do feel a slight jerky downshifting when coming to a stop. Nothing like the clunk that usually happens in D.



J

 

I do notice with the SSP on and the tranny cold I no longer get that damn driveline clunk at the first few stops in the morning. I don't know it its the SSP or our very warm weather we have been having.

 

I only notice it when nearly coming to a stop sub-20mph honestly. I guess I didn't drive enough without the SSP on to see if it happened in D as well.

 

Ah yes, the ECT button! Of course, i have used it many times but not with the SSP yet - so I just got back from drive using it, and yes, now it's got the right curve, thanks - i just need to start making it a habit to turn the damn thing on.

 

It quickly becomes second nature. They only time I forget is if I have to do an Austin Powers style multi point turn where I have to go R-D-R-D for whatever reason.

I usually notice a quarter mile down the road when if feels like my truck gained 1k lbs and starts bogging down.

 

Don't have the SSP yet. What does ECT do on top of SSP? Wouldn't it override the shift points? Or is it oomph on top of the oomph? Explain to me like I'm 5.

 

I was under the impression that ECT adjusted throttle response rather than shift points. I don't really know though.

For me the best aspect of SSP has been the maintaining of power through 3rd and 4th. It drives me crazy in normal drive when all power drops after shifting to 3rd gear.

That being said, the truck's powertrain (or engine + tranny ... I'm not a knowledgeable car guy, obviously) is an unmodifiable POS. I'm about 50 miles of highway driving away from trading for a tundra, which is a shame because everything else is great.

 

Order #1433

 

In D the ECT button enables a map that adjusts throttle curve and shift points. When you are in S mode shift points may be the same as D for the "gears" lower than your current setting. So in S mode with ECT you're taking advantage of the more aggressive throttle response. When you add the SSP+ and the ECT you get the automatic shift points at the appropriate RPMs and you get the more aggressive throttle response.


What I described in the other post at 40 mph can also be felt at other lower speeds. As you go faster it's harder to feel the engagement. You can eliminate the possibility of it downshifting on you by trying it in first gear as well. From a stop, drop into S mode, click down one notch and SSP+ ( if you have it) will disengage. Now you're in 1st. If you don't have it drop down 3gears to 1st. Apply throttle and hold steady speed. Now press ECT. Truck will noticeably accelerate about 5-10mph with same throttle input.


J