Cold weather Clutch issues

OK,
I know there are at least two old threads on here about cold weather clutch issues, but they are older, and i didn't want to bring an old thread to the top of the forum..

I have a 2015 Tacoma 4x4 4cyl with a stick.. I love my truck.. But recently it has been very cold outside. I know already about the timing chain slap, and the tensioners being hydraulic sprung..
So i am not really concerned with that noise.. and i do warm it up for about 15min before i leave in the morning. Though, today when i went outside to start my truck it was -15F with a -30F wind chill.. Cranking it is slow, but it does start, and is generally near operating temp when i leave.. Here is the issue...

My clutch feels like molasses, which i know is normal due to the fluid getting gel'd in the cold, but, the pedal doesn't return all the time, i can push it down, and release it, and move my foot to the floor mat and hear it go clunk eventually to the normal position. This is causing 1st gear to not engage, and i have to drive the truck for the first few miles like it doesn't have synchromesh or it will grind in 1st to 2nd. (double clutch). I have had a variety of toyota's over the years, and this is the only one that has ever had this issue.

Has anyone else had this issue?
Does anyone have any luck on a solution?
It's under warranty, but the dealerships around here are completely worthless..

 

every tacoma with a manual trans has this problem because it is hydraulic, mine does the same thing when it is cold maybe not where it sticks that much but if your talking -30 i wouldnt be surprised you know how thick oil gets in that temp

 

Yup, i had the same set-up in my 2010, 4 cyl with the 5speed. Anything below 5 degrees outside and the first couple of miles my clutch movement was real slow. The sticking when depressed would happen to me in negative temps. Just had to remember to wait for the clutch when it got that cold out in the morning. I never bothered trying to find a solution for it, just got used to it, but I also don't think it caused any real problems with the truck.

 

Yep..just like the old threads say...
We all have this same clutch issue when it's cold out.
On a side note...my wife's civic clutch has no cold weather issues.

 

When it is -20 Celsius outside it can feel like I am kicking a wall when pushing the clutch in. Using the remote starter and letting it run for a 10 minutes really helps to warm the oil up and within 1km it is back to normal.

 

Cold weather clutch response has been a problem as long as there have been clutches. For example, when I lived in VT my '69 VW bug had the same slow action issues during winters when it was below zero. Things are better now due to newer fluids, but you can't beat physics. Just push the clutch in and stop whining

 

Hahaha.. Perfect answer..

 

It's really been the sticking that has been alarming.. My older toyota's never had the sticking issue.. but this one does, which was the concern, not really worried about that gel'd feeling.. Really just happy it starts.. My older Subaru used to freeze to the point i had quick disconnects on the battery terminals so i could bring the battery inside or it wouldn't start.

 

My 2015 sticks as well, but I've gotten used to it. I sometimes have to pump it a bunch, after it's warmed up, before driving.

My last few vehicles have always had stiff clutches below 0, but this is the first time I've had the pedal stick to the floor.

 

I don't mean to like it.. but i do mean that it does suck, though i am glad you are having the same issue, as at least that say's it is consistently badly engineered.. LOL..

Was thinking maybe this summer i would flush the fluid for a high performance fluid.. Though i am not convinced it isn't the actual pedal assembly that is causing it..

 

You can actually use any auto-start you want to use with a manual, same as automatic, but you have to wire in the clutch bypass switch on the floor, i did that on a 99 corolla with a stick.. just don't forget to put it in neutral or you will have a new garage door in your future..

 

my 99 taco and my 88 toy 4x4 would not like to shift when cold out

I would put transfer into 4x4 N and then put into 1st gear and wait a min then shift to third

Once it stopped lugging I would then put back into 4H and drive away

 

The 15 doesn't have an option for neutral anymore through the transfer case, i wish it did.. But it has the stupid electronic switch on the dash.. I mean it does work, but.. the actual shifter was more pleasing to engage..

 

I didn't know the 2nd gens standards were like that, mine is an auto

 

Flush your brakes and clutch every 3 years. Brake fluid absorbs water.

 

pretty normal. don't plan on any fast get aways until it warms up. i lift off the clutch and don't use the gas pedal for an extra second or two while the clutch works it way back out.

 

Yeah they changed that a while back.. Not really sure why, since it's a truck after all..

 

I am still trying to figure out if it is actually the clutch though, and not something binding in the assembly.. Because when it's hot, it squeaks.. which makes me wonder if the pivot is somehow binding..

 

I have a 2015 and I live in Manitoba. The clutch is stiff when it is very cold.