automatic downshifting

ovtune. thanks

 

woah woah woah get that blasphemy outta here

 

Pretty sure a CVT would not meet OP's expectations, which appear to be neutral-only when not accelerating. Centrifugal clutch style.

Like PowerWheels cars.

 

no, hack. i've had jeeps and cars with manual shifting and auto 4-wd trucks for 40 yrs. this tranny is frustrating.

 

Got you beat by ten years and just as many vehicles. I agree this transmission is frustrating. Never driven one like this.

 

The 2012 Toyota Sequoia I traded in for the Tacoma. It's common for modern vehicles to downshift even more aggressively under hard braking and down hills. Comparing a vehicle to one even just a few years older, is apple's to orange's. Times changes, fast I know, some of it makes me uncomfortable too, the rest I just deal with, life's short.

 

Trade in for the 6MT.

 

So are you are actually looking for it to coast, and under what circumstances?
Interesting I’ve always hated autos since they don’t downshift aggressively enough, I want as much engine braking as possible. Tacoma needs way more downshifting early when braking. If you’re talking about the hunting from 6th to 4th under certain circumstances, that’s simply low engine torque isn’t there to pull the gear ratios they used.
If you are simply looking to let off the gas and coast, then with this engine management system, don’t actually let off the gas just let up a tiny bit. But you’ll probably never get true coasting without going to a manual.

 

My 2015 Tacoma did same and so does my 2019. It’s very minimally noticeable and extremely soft and subtle feeling but yes it can be felt. If I’m thinking the same as what you’re saying, let’s say you’re on a flat road and let off the gas pedal and begin to coast. As the truck naturally decelerates, you feel if shift into 4th then later into 3rd and all the way down to 1st gear? If so that’s fairly normal feeling for me since both my Tacoma’s did it and was so subtle it didn’t make me say something needed attention. Also when going downhill and applying break, at a certain point my truck, this one and the previous, a 2015 Altima (with cvt transmission), all raise engine rpm as it downshifts while breaking. Now my Altima does it even coasting downhill

 

I'm experiencing the same as the OP. I have a Loooong Roll-Off from the freeway at the exit going to work (on mostly level ground). On my previous vehicle, I could cancel "Cruise" about 100 yards from the exit. And be costing @ 25 MPH by the time I got to the stop sign at the end of the exit ramp (provided no one was behind me). I did this partly to save on brakes and gas too. Now, If I cancel Cruise at the same location, I have to accelerate about 1/2 way down the ramp in order to make it to the stop sign. I've owned vehicles that down-shift on down hill runs. But this one is the worst. I think they over-engineered this design.

 

I had a old Camaro that would slow to 20 or so from 100 mph down a 6% grade when you let off the gas. I only remember because I was trying to see exactly what felt so different from my daily at that time. I figured the stall and the short gearing.

I imagine they are just making torque converters 'grab' more now.

 

Use the quote feature, will make responding easier.

 

I hate to bring this up but you have a 2017 and the last updated ECU/Trans update may not have been done.
i have had it for a year and it coasts a LOT longer after it was done, like twice as long. not like if you put it in neutral but much better. there is a TSB for it.

good luck

ps i think this will get it, it came out july 17 2018
TSB 0062-18

 

I know your talking to the OP and not me. But I have a 19 and I know what he is talking about. I don't have a problem with it (It Is What It Is). But, IMHO, it's more excessive than anything else I've ever driven.

 

I thought so also , as whey the hell it this slowing down so much, always felt like the brake was dragging , was much better after the update. i do thing it could be better but i can live with it now.

EDIT: ok i don't know what the hell auto correct did to this .

"i do thing it could be better but i can live with it now."

how about, i know it could be better but i can live with it now

 

Doesn't help that the downshifts are clunky af while rolling. Gets even worse if you have to apply throttle after coasting. Truck will down shift, 1-2 gears and upshift just as many in a 10-15 mph range. Clunky, banging shifts. It's like riding with someone who can't drive stick. And the taco trans basically works like a cvt, hence why it feels so bad. I have an 18, tsb applied. The auto is poop on road, off-road it actually works

 

3 options
1. Live with it (complain to OEM, and see if you can get another update)
2. Reprogram if possible. will you like that program? Won't know until you try
3. Get a manual

If you're going to second guess shift patterns, I suggest 3.
I'm happy with the auto, if I wasn't, I wouldn't have bought it in the first place.

 

Yep, exactly, completely agree. My GMC has what they call Active Grade Braking (auto downshifting) and while towing or hauling heavy it's a godsend.

 

Get Shift Sense Pro. Keeps the engine in the power band and has smooth coasting. Makes a huge difference. I paired Shift Sense Pro up with a Sprint Booster and the Taco runs like you would expect it to run.

 

phenix ford, you get it. it's not broken. its over engineered. i want to coast. i end up adding power to get to my stop.