Fed up with my Taco

The thing I don’t get is when people say things like “I’ve really tried to like it.”

I can see a giving it a trial period, but after that you either like it or you don’t. There’s no “trying”. Life is too short man. Move on...

 

Let me make sure I understand this. You're upset that when towing, and doing 80 mph, that is shifts while going up hill?

 

Sounds like the OP shoulda got a M/T.

 

Sumpin' isn't it?
We all heard the tale of the 2nd gen guy that can do 111 mph, up broke back mountain holding in 16th gear, pulling a 19k lbs goose neck, and was averaging 29 mpg. If not, just wait, they love them some 3rd gens....
Happy Friday everyone!

 

Let me just say. Toyota Sucks! That said I really like my 08 rust bucket. I was lucky and got a new frame but many couldn't get one and are fucked. As for the transmission on yours, I'm sorry. I drove a 3rd gen and it's annoying as hell to listen to the Hunting. Dumb ass Toyota. Sold out to MPG to make a truck that could be better.

 

Except when it’s a solid platform. I like the look of the Colorados over the Tacomas but I got my Tacoma because of the proven reliability of the 4.0 as well as the rest of the drivetrain. I could have ordered a 2016 Taco or a new Colorado when I ordered my 2015 but I went with a proven platform. It’s not what I liked at first glance but I still tried to like it. And I fell more and more in love with the truck.

Yea, there are some annoying quirks and I think they are incredibly overpriced for what you’re getting but I look at all of the issues the other trucks are having and I know I made a solid choice sticking it out with the Tacoma. And now I wouldn’t trade it for anything haha

 

I don't usually agree with the immediate “Get an MT” response. But when I do, I do...

 

I too experienced transmission issues prior to software updates provided by Toyota. Mine was updated but still isn't "fixed" in my opinion. I am living with it for the time being and hoping that with the release of the 2020 Tacoma, which Toyota has stated there has been additional updates to software to smooth out shifting, will offer additional updates to the other Gen 3 trucks.

I towed my 18' fish and ski boat for the first time the other day and on the way up (125 miles) I couldn't believe how well the truck towed it. No hunting or anything and much better mileage than my previous Tundra. Then on the way back I had the same problems you have discussed. Racing in 5th gear at 5k rpm and hunting for a gear. I was towing in cruise control on a windy and rainy day. Then I turned cruise off and was able to control the shifting much better with the accelerator pedal when going up hills etc. I came from a 16 Tundra Crew Max which had zero problems towing the boat but the gas mileage was shit and the truck was not for commuting.

Anyway, I say all this to let you know that you're not the only one and that there might be some hope from Toyota at some point. That said, I got this info from the 2020 Tacoma release video where they were talking with one of the engineers. Who knows if it will actually happen.

 

So in a nutshell you gave it a trial period and realized you liked it. . .

 

you think all these companies just started producing high mileage cars/ trucks because they wanted to? CAFE standards set by politicians are driving the "why" they are doing this.

 

My 02 Tacoma (purchased new) did the same thing, so I kept it two years. I just bought a 19 without any research and it feels the same to me. (shame on me for not doing some prior research) Its not a HP thing its a torque thing and Japanese MFGs simply have insanely low torque figures unless they are forced induction. I find it hilarious that this truck tries to "cruise" under 1500 RPM at highway speeds. Just the wind resistance at those speeds keeps the truck on the verge of downshifting because of so little torque at that RPM range. They do it for MPG? Well then it should be better than 18-19. On my new truck the TRD exhaust does not help as it announces the downshifts with great fanfare.

A few years ago I read an article about a large Volvo SUV that was named SUV of the year. It had a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0 four coupled with a 10 speed auto transmission. The journalist said the combo worked perfect, but as a "motorhead" you just had to forget about all the shenanigans going on under the hood. Just drive it and let the vehicle do what it needs to do. Apparently the combo worked very good.

Maybe as enthusiast we are overthinking it, we are dwelling on it and discussing it and making it way more complicated than it needs to be. Maybe it is OK if it shifts millions and millions of times in its life, maybe we just need to drive the dang thing.

Check back with me in the fall of 2021, I'll either come to grips with this thing or make someone a really good deal on a low mileage truck.

 

✔

 

Does it really matter why they made the problem? The fact is they did!

 

With less than $3k I regeared and got OV tune.

For some, investing that money in the truck is a deal breaker. For me, it was an obvious choice. I don't blame anyone who doesn't want to spend the money, but personally, now I have a kick ass truck.

 

Try harder?


Just kidding- trade it in for something better if you find something better...

Good luck

 

OP I feel your pain. I just rolled 13k on the odometer and the erratic shifting is quite annoying. 8 month old truck, can’t wait to trade it in

 

I'm going to be the hypocrite who frequently hauls ass while towing a trailer, then turns around and says you shouldnt haul ass while towing a trailer. This truck is happiest at 65 when pulling that kind of load.

 

Now that I can hear and see what the truck is doing, I like mine more. Using my scanguageII I can see what gear it’s in while in D. Sometimes I think it’s downshifted to 4 but it’s just up’d the rpm’s and I’m still in 5th so I know not to hammer it to get to 4th. Otherwise she’ll go straight to 3rd. Also, adding the Borla helps hear what to expect. Like a motorcycle with a stock muffler, sometimes you don’t know what gear you’re in but, if you add a aftermarket exhaust you know based on sound. It works for me. Also, I run mid-grade ethanol.

 

Might be time to look at other trucks on the market. Toyota doesn’t give a shit about complaints here.

 

Buddy of mine has a 2018 and even without towing his shifting is erratic. Drives him nuts. I told him about the TSB's and software updates but when he took the truck in a couple of days ago they gave him some BS line about how the transmission just works that way. From my understanding the 2019's and 2020's software has been updated and although my truck (2019) does want to shift to higher gear i don't get the dreaded hunting for gear issues or high revs for no reason. I plan on towing a boat so i hope this isn't an issue when i do. If it is i will not get an M/T because I just don't want one. If i want to drive a manual i'll take my 66' vdub. It's either OVTune, regear, or Tundra lol(probably Tundra). Good luck OP.