2020 guys how you liking your transmission?

Even when I tested a 2017 it felt like the internet was (shockingly) be a bit over dramatic. I have a 2020 and it's for sure just being dramatic. In fact, the only "complaint" I have is ECT mode! (which everyone recommends you use). I drive mostly 25-35mph roads - at those speeds, ECT holds it in a lower gear for too long and I noticed high revs. I have used it on the highway and it's normal, drives a little better I guess?

Just a bunch of people complaining on the internet who don't like changes to things from the 90s - the new drivetrain is great, if it wasn't, toyota wouldn't sell nearly twice the next best seller.

 

Doesn't the system "learn" how you drive, so wouldn't everyone's truck be different, intentionally by design? Could be mistaken but I thought they adapt to driving habits over time, so everyone's will be a little bit different. There haven't been transmissions blowing up or rumbling like the GMs, so I don't think there's any QC problems....

 

I think in my case, it simply isn’t designed for Texas freeway conditions where the speeds now are TOO fast.

I remember a long time ago the standard MPH across many Texas highways was 55 or 60. Now they’re 70+. 75, 80 and 85mph are legal speed limits in parts of Texas.

Of course, when I had my 2017 I was always at or above 70. My normal cruise control setting was 75mph.

My truck had SCS wheels of approximately the same weight as stock OR wheels with 265/65/17 KO2’s. Slightly heavier than the stock Kevlar’s, those tires were a mistake ride wise, and likely created dissatisfaction with cruise control driving. The truck was a blast driving in the city. Nimble and quick on ECT which it eventually learned and was unneeded.

I had that truck 14 months. Therefore is was a very long extended test.

Towing, it did fine hauling my atv’s, motorcycles, etc. I was always in S4 with ECT. Occasionally S5.

I have no doubt people that report dissatisfaction here have legit complaints. Typically there is a lack of detail in their reports, so it is difficult to tell where the root cause is. I don’t think it’s fair to dismiss their observations though.

I will say that the truck excels at slow speeds. You must be patient with the new V6 and six speed. I ran ECT 100% of the time every other month for the first 8 months (9k miles). At about 10k miles, it wasn’t really needed. I don’t know if that was a good strategy or not, but I liked running around the city in ECT enabled mode.

I have no real summary. But, if after 12 months of ownership you aren’t happy, sell the truck. They hold their value so you aren’t going to lose your shirt. Life is too short to drive something that frustrates you. This is not directed at the OP.

 

There are also options for helping the hunting issue. At least you'll have a reliable truck as a base and then pick your transmission fix on top.
I think there is a gun case under the back seat of you are into the other hunting.

 

Got up here. I used the ECT option and seemed to maybe make the issue a little less. But it was still doing it when I was on the back roads doing 40-50mph.

I love the truck itself. All the options. Get compliments all the time. I want this to work

 

Transmission shifting complaints are not unique to Toyota, or the Tacoma. The Ford forums have plenty of complaints. Dodge has had many complaints, and several software updates to their 8 spd auto. A friend of mine says his Chevy Silvarado 5.3 V8, 6 spd auto shifts continuously going up the mountain. My boss's son in law told me he drives his diesel Ram 2500 in tow haul mode all the time, because he doesn't like the way it shifts in normal mode. These electronic transmissions are a bit fickle, it seems.

There is truth to the post stating that there are noticeable differences from one vehicle to another. Also, these transmissions don't act the same all the time, they kind of have a mind of their own. Some say the software updates helped, other say no so much. Law firms are working on class actions against Toyota, GM, and Ford over transmission issues. The 10 spd auto in my F-150 can certainly be a bit wonky at times, I still like the 10 spd, but it's not predictable like the A340 in my old 2003 Tundra, or the RH46 (A-518) in my old 1994 Ram. The 10R80 does things those older transmission couldn't do, and is well matched to the turbo engine, but it has a mind of it's own at times. It's the guys with the 5.0 V8 that really gripe the 10R80, they say it's not well matched to the V8's power curve, and many have bought tuners to correct the shift points. There have been a few software updates from Ford too. I don't know what the solution is. I guess the auto engineers will eventually get the software right. If you are so inclined, and have the money, I think a tuner is very viable option.

As with Toyota's ETC mode button, Ford has their sport mode, and it shifts much more predictably when in S-mode, but I don't like it due to the high shift points which aren't needed with the turbo engine, does shift nice in S-mode, but wastes fuel. Does the Toyota transmission keep the torque converter locked all the time, including when decelerating, and shifting up/down?

 

pot kettle black
Look in the mirror, pal

 

It’s going to take some getting used to.

 

Oh I didn't realize that meant you have to be a bunch of a$$h0les toward people with legit concerns. My bad.

 

I clearly did not say that, but you do you booboo.

 

Cmon ladies get back on topic

 

Sorry: "Oh no, my automatic transmission shifted automatically! The audacity!"

 

The best way to avoid problems is avoiding the Internet. I’ve owned 11 problem free new cars in the Internet era and every one of them supposedly had engine, transmission, Radio, noise, interior, paint, fuel economy, comfort, and countless other problems. The only exception was my 07 Tacoma that had the stuck open gas pedal on the floor mat issue. Every car is different from your last one.

 

OK, I looked over a few threads and this one seems appropriate. If not please advise. I will move this to it.
I am posting here on TW for an amigo with a 2020 Tacoma who was asking this on another (non-Tacoma) forum I read. Thanks in advance!:

... back to the MPG discussion... on my last trip to my place in Arizona, I found it strange that if I kept the transmission out of Overdrive, I got better MPG. I am driving a 2020 Tacoma, V6, 6 Speed Auto, 4X4, traveling empty. Traveling from Northern California to Arizona, I travel mostly around 76-77 MPH with the Cruise Control. My mileage during the first part of my trip, just letting the truck computer do it's thing I got 14-16 MPG. After three tanks of gas and manual MPG calculation, I moved my shifter to keep the transmission out of 6th gear and increasing my RPMs, my MPG jumped back up to 20-22 MPG over the next three tanks of gas and keeping the same speed. Hmmmm ??? JH

 

I have noticed similar data, and for me, it was when climbing, even a shallow, but long grades. In the highest gear, the engine is just working a little too hard, and it runs more efficient, down a gear. On a flat surface, or going downhill, then overdrive works great.

 

Thank you DR TACO for the reply.
Anyone else?

 

I recently bought a 2020 v6 auto, seemed for the 1st 600 miles the transmission hunted more and i had suspected a minor converter vibration issue when stopping. Since I've added a 1k more miles. This morning after doing a 12 mile ride the transmission seems to be working very smoothly where i noticed zero complaints. Its got me thinking all this is normal till you get some miles on the vehicle.

 

They did, trade your manual in and get the auto doesn't shift like a 1950's International Harvester