Finally a fix from Toyota for Stumble condition (TSB 0062-18)

S mode is for you then.

 

You mean drive in S mode so that the ECU comp learning will be based on S mode therefore maximum likelyhood of keeping more of fresh off flash driving experience?

 

There is no learning in S mode.

 

Even in S mode, or just in D?

 

No.

"Learning" occurs when driving in D. Always and forever. It never stops learning and is always evolving. Whenever you drive in D, it will "behave" according to what it's "learned".

In S-mode, no learning occurs. And it always drives exactly the same (just like it does RIGHT NOW)--independent of what was "learned" in D.

If you continue to drive in D, and it continues to please you, stay the course. But if it starts to do funky stuff again, and it might (because it changes based on driver input over time), then try S modes.

As a guide-- S4 for up to 35mph. S5 for up to, say, 55mph. And S5 or S6 at interstate speeds.

The S modes simply limit the highest gear the truck will shift into and will not implement "learned" behavior (which maximizes fuel consumption). Nothing hidden here. In S4, the truck will never shift into 5th or 6th gear (over drive gears). In S5, the truck will use gears 1 to 5. In S6, the truck will use gears 1-6.

 

Nope not in S mode, just D. That was the first thing I noticed about the S modes-- drastically reduced engine effects on braking.

 

The S modes + D are basically just like the D, 3, 2, 1 that have been in any other vehicle of the last 40 years.

The 2nd gen Tacoma's "learned" when in D, as well. Most vehicles do nowdays. But the overall throttle mapping + NON-Atkinson cycle engine in the 2nd gen had a very different feel (it felt "normal" for a truck).

The difference here is that the 3rd gen "D" is very very super majorly tuned for max fuel consumption. And it feels abnormal to many of us. I'm not suggesting there aren't other problems with the transmission (many of us have/had problems). But if you want a consistent, more "normal" driving experience, S mode is where you'll find it.

This is my understanding of what's going on.

 

OVTune!

 

A nice option, but it shouldn't be necessary on a new truck in 2018.

 

Too damn expensive for my wallet. Isn’t it around $800?

 

Then it starts learning.

 

So if I have a mixed route, city/freeway, would I start in S5 and leave it or do I need to shift as I gain speed? The manual is really vague about this.

 

You can drive in S5 the whole time if you want to. If you have weight in the bed or any head wind at all, S5 would be preferable in my opinion.

But if you get up to speed, and rpm's are feeling high, just tap it up into S6.

 

Yeah, just start out in S5. It'll still cycle through gears 1-5 on its own.

 

I have to wonder if some are giving up on the tranny learning process too soon. Mine is shifting very well and I just made a 180 mile trip that was about 2/3 hills. Previously I could only get mid 19s, likely in part because of the 80 plus mph highway portion. I averaged 21.7 this time and the shifts were far better now. I had some crazy stuff going on for a while but I’m very pleased with mine.

 

What would you consider too soon? I was really happy for 2k miles after the TSB. Then I started getting that feeling of power dropping off when accelerating again. Now it's happening frequently. Around town it's going to a higher gear way to soon.

Note: I'd still recommend to everyone to get the tsb. Overall, everything is better.

 

There is no way to completely answer that. But, when new my truck was in learning mode for almost 4,000 miles whereas others reported it being over around 1,500. Maybe because of my driving style mine took longer. I don’t know but I do know that mine took a very, very long time to adjust to my driving habits. The techs seem to state and think that the reflash cannot reverse itself but what is being reported seems to conflict that. My 60k plus Yukon XL doesn’t shift much better than my Taco. Many of these new transmissions are similar. Honda and Acura have been plagued with shifting issues in their 9 speeds. Just because others brands have funky shifting doesn’t make it better, but the grass on the other side might not be as green as we might think. Unfortunately I’m not sure that this truck will ever shift the way some would like. I wish it was better, but it is what it is. I will say that I’m dumbfounded by the problems and lack of refinement in something as basic as a 6 speed. I can see some people ultimately going to different brands because I don’t think some of these issues are going to get fixed.

 

Yeah I wouldn't think there any reverting going on. I can still clearly tell that it's different than pre-tsb.

 

There are certain areas that I drive where S5 sounds like a solution. Otherwise, I will give it time in D. I just wish the gas mileage was better in the meantime. Moondog, did your gas mileage improve once the truck stopped learning?

 

So I got mine done a little over a week ago, and take off and acceleration are much improved. I will say nothing has changed running 60mph with cruise on. It will drop to 4th if the wind is blowing against you. It does however go back to 6th a lot better instead of holding that low gear. I have about 300 miles on it since I got the update. It’s improved but not fixed. Cruise has been and still is useless in this truck. With cruise I’ve tried S5, S6, etc, all the same results. Drops to 4th like 5th and 6th have no torque at all. (2018 DCOR)