2021 tacoma automatic trans problems like previous years. and it shakes...

After reading all the transmission horror stories, I didn't know what to expect when I test drove a Tacoma for the first time. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it drove very smoothly without any of the weirdness I read about.

I really like the way my truck drives. The engine and transmission combo are perfect for my purposes.

 

whats lugging...................mostly a wives tale

look at the dyno sheet

every engine V6...... V8 diesel has a sweet spot

operating in that range is the goal

some mention rpm’s as low as 1000...............scarcely idle

well below cold or fast idle

rear end gearing is an alternative.......costly one every mile

some ECU / Engine control module can give a readout type o driving

usually a min 30 minutes

the insurance companies want that info

in serious /fatal accidents that info is Impounded by law enforcement

to say it does NOT exist

to say its NOT part o the program is a huge error

 

Wrong guy, don't know why a transmission has to learn, they said that with my 2016 also, never did anything different, I just got used to it.

 

in many recent vehicles they do follow the prevalent trend of driving environs & habits

 

Can i say the hell with it and get an Manual Transmission??

 

The manual isn't great either, I suggest Toyota make a new powertrain that is actually half decent.

From the dyno charts, it looks like the 2GRFKS makes about 250 FT-LBS at 3600 RPM vs the old 5VZ making its peak 220 Ft-lbs. (I chose 3600 RPM because the old 3.4 didn't have VVTi)
This is why I felt disappointed in the lack of improvement over their Tacomas from 25 years ago. Toyota made a truck that weighs 1000 lbs more with only 30 ft-lbs more torque down low.

My subie makes 258 ft-lbs at 2000 RPM, that is a powertrain I enjoy.

 

Not me. I like my 3.5 and 6AT just fine.

But, I guess that just makes me a “fanboy” since I don’t hate the truck. lol

OP, it really comes down to your expectations for how the transmission should shift and when. It’ll adapt somewhat to your driving and probably improve, but whether or not that’s enough, will be your call. I’ve heard great things about OVTune, so if you like the truck, that might be a worthwhile investment. For what it’s worth, my 2020 seems to get better and better every day. Though I didn’t really have any complaints driving it off the lot. Your results may vary.

 

This post is going to be all over the place because am trying to respond to multiple posts at once. The rear drums were warped since day 1. I drive the truck like a truck, I don't haul the mail. Nothing a turning of the drums won't fix. Why they came warped, no idea. I will say when driving on the highway with cruise control on (Dynamic) when the truck breaks it will shake like the wheels are going to fly off, not sure how thats different from normal breaking.

I drive 30k a year in my 18 chevy Cruze which is a notorious pile of garbage, which also has a 6 speed AT shifts like a dream compared to my tacoma, in all types of driving. One point should go without stating, I have owned/driven many other trucks, SUVs, and cars and NONE of them shift like the tacoma. I totally agree that the truck has a sweet spot in the RPM range, its just that the truck is never in the sweet spot unless your foot is in it or in ECT mode and thats what bothers me. They programmed it for MPG NOT drivability. It just wants to be in the heist gear ALL the time. Again I live in the mountains and am almost always on some type of hill. When driving on the hwy it isn't that bad. Regardless its something I can and will get used to over time. My solution is just drive in ECT mode 100% of the time. Don't get me wrong I like the truck a lot. I am not going to do anything that could void any warrantees until the out of warrantee. Thanks for all the input. Ill try and take a video and upload it at some point to show exactly what I am talking about.

 

OP has some valid points, but I dunno. I use my truck as a truck, tow the shit out of it, climb mountains and hills, play in the mud with it and get groceries.

My 17 was odd initially, but the TSB from 2 years ago fixed the delay I had. Otherwise I have no complaints. I drive my wifes Rav4 and while it's a completely different vehicle, I don't notice any odd shifting that people seem to think makes an AT Taco unique. I don't notice any odd behavior compared to ANY AT I have ever driven. It's just low hanging fruit at this point for people.

It is definitely tuned to achieve MPG though. I use S mode almost exclusively to avoid the learning part of the tranny. I would advise OP to disconnect the battery and reset the computer, then drive it hard for a bit and see what happens. Or just use S mode and be done with it.

 

I may have missed something, does driving in S change the way it shifts? Assuming Driving around in S6 or are you just referring to the top gear limiting aspect.

 

Yes. S mode disables the learning aspect of the tranny and limits the highest gear it will shift up to. It will shift down as regular though. The S mode operates as a traditional AT and in D, it operates as a "Learning" transmission. You can reset the learning by disconnecting the battery and then driving it again. IF you drive it aggressively upon reconnecting, it will drive more aggressively in D. For awhile... Eventually you will end up with the same complaints as the tranny is always learning.

I use S5 exclusively, partly due to I tow so much it's just muscle memory for me at this point, and partly because I am on 33's and stock gearing and tune so the top OD is just wishful thinking for the most part nowadays.

ETC is always there as a last resort.

 

Also the manual has tons of useful info in it and as much as I hate to say "RTFM", it can actually be helpful, sometimes lol.

 

I didn't know that. Thanks. Ill check out the manual now. What do you tow?

 

I have a cargo and utility trailer, nothing over 4k though.

 

Cool. I have a 16' travel trailer that I haven't towed yet. its only 3klbs

 

I’ve only noticed erratic gear hunting in my 2019 using cruise control on steep inclines. It does shift kinda hard sometimes too..

Ovtune and regear will improve it for sure but all that will cost you around $2700 i think

Welcome to TW

 

Tomorrow ill run some errands in s mode and see if it makes a difference.

 

Neither does mine. Didn’t on the test drive and it doesn’t now 30K miles later.

 

And yet they sell them hand over fist. . .

 

BTW, I’ve noticed that on every one of these threads people always mention engaging the ECT button. It’s funny but on my truck it doesn’t really make any noticeable difference whether on or off. My wife’s RAV has one and it makes a hell of a difference when you engage it. It’s feels like a different vehicle. My Taco I honestly can’t tell a difference at all.

Thing is my truck shifts smooth as silk also. I have zero transmission issues. I don't know if the two are linked or if these guys are getting high on the assembly line when they make them so it’s luck of the draw what you get. But whatever the case I’m happy with mine.