Kiss my shift/sense/pro goodbye

This has been my biggest complaint too, especially when cruise control is turned on around 70 or above. Interestingly enough today I did my normal highway commute home and found the truck drives WAY better in S mode set to 6. I set it like that and then turned cruise on, and the tranny and engine seemed to dance so much better together. As I went up hills the tyranny never shifted below 4th that I can recall and gave 5th a decent try before going to 4th (in D mode mine loves to immediately shift all the way down to 3rd and then hang out in 3rd or 4th forever when going uphill on the expressway). The best part was when the transmission did downshift, it didn't hang out in those lower gears any longer than absolutely necessary! It drove like one would expect a normal vehicle with good auto trans tuning to drive.

It's as if driving in S Mode 6th gear forces the truck to do everything it can to stay in 6th and this eliminates the normal tendency I've seen in normal D mode for it to go bonkers, rev unnecessarily high in 3rd gear, and then stay there forever while wasting gas.

If you have this issue when driving up hills at highway speeds using cruise control, I'd strongly recommend trying S Mode 6th instead to see if you don't like it better. This will become my default driving mode when on the highway going forward. It seems to be programmed much better for highway driving in this mode.

When I have time, I'd like to try and get a video of this in both modes on the same hill to better illustrate the difference. Drives like two different cars... one doing a lot of weird psycho nonsense (D mode) and one making actual sense (S Mode 6th).

 

Thats funny. I'm the idiot who didn't realize that manuals in my area are readily available and a couple of grand cheaper. I totally wish I'd done more homework and bought a manual just to save some money.

 

Can we just pay them to do it if the warranty won't cover it? If so, I wonder what that would cost.

 

I'm in Cincy and work near Beechmont. Please update us after they look at it. Curious to hear how it plays out.

 

I took mine in to the dealership this morning for my 3 month/5000 mile service at 4 months with only 1800 miles. They did an inspection and rotated my tires (which I then replaced elsewhere later in the day). I got the TSB installed while there (my primary goal obviously).

At first the service rep told me that he turned someone away the day before who asked about an ECU update, saying it only applied to 2016. I showed him the 2018 TSB and also told him that the 2016-2017 TSB was corrected yesterday to now include the 2018.

He then said my truck was so new that it probably already has it. I asked him the date of the TSB (2 weeks ago) and we agreed that probably wasn’t the case.

He printed the TSB, checked under my hood to verify part numbers and there it was. My receipt reads that the customer complaint matches the TSB. Software update done.

It’s not perfect, but I am very happy with it. There is still a one second delay from the pedal to actual acceleration, but it feels a lot stronger. Shifting while getting up to speed is much better. It now feels like a truck. This might be in my head, but I think it sounds better too.

I’ll take it.

 

Will do!

 

Going to still go in this morning and see what happens..................

 

Atkinson Toyota in DFW area performed the update for me. They did want to do a test drive though. Truck works better with more power off the line and no loss of power turning right on red anymore.

 

Let me know how that goes, I also am in the High Desert.

 

Update from Don McGill Katy, TX yesterday-

No, they didn’t do any updates. They said that they couldn’t duplicate the problems and that it was running ‘as expected’. I said yes I know but the expected is the crappy part lol. At the end, they told me that I had the latest software release, but never said it until I specifically asked, almost like they may have not checked. The service lady then proceeds to ask if I know what the ECT button was for and if I ever used it. I said yes I even mentioned 3rd gear on ECT in my complaints. I am taking it to another dealer for a 2nd opinion.

 

What was the date of the TSB release for the 16-17?

 

I thought I was crazy thinking there was a slightly different sound, its as if the engine is actually opening up. Glad it's not just me.

 

At the dealer we will see how it goes.....

 

Just got it done....

 

After all my stressing out they did not even test drive........they reflashed and done in about an hour.... will report back after driving

 

Update:

Took the kiddos to school and I could not believe it - pulling out into morning traffic was NOT a suicidal event!

Nice even power, no stumble or heart stopping moments.

 

What dealer?
I've been waiting over a month for Toyota of Plano to get a new gasket for my rear diff.

 

From the short drive back to work it feels more responsive. It seems to hold shift points and not rev up to 5000rpm for a small incline. Before, when not on the highway I drove 100% of the time with the ect button on. Now it seems better and not using ect......time will tell. The way I look at it can't be any worse than it was.

 

Toyota of Dallas. Service advisor changed his story from “needing replacement” to “we are monitoring”. No mention of rear diff in the paperwork.

I brought the truck in for leaf spring/drum brake noise and TSB. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the heads up, very much appreciated.