Subtle jerking (transmission?)

First off, I’ll confess that this is my first rear-wheel drive automatic truck. I’ve been a 4x4 manual all my life so maybe this is a problem or maybe I’m just not used to it. But.... my 2019 Tacoma (purchased three weeks ago) 22,000 miles, seems to have a subtle acceleration jerking when I’m driving around 30+ mph. Like it can’t decide what gear to be in. Any ideas? Appreciate the help everyone- other than this I love my first-time Tacoma.

 

Hehe, subtle jerking…..



congrats on the truck!

 

These trucks like to shift into a tall gear to save fuel, and when in the tall gear throttle inputs and changes are felt throughout the drivetrain due to low engine RPMs. It is more likely, based on your description, is that your truck is staying in a tall gear.

I find when you have the sort of situation that your are describing, it usually helps to put your foot into the throttle which results in a downshift and higher RPM, eliminating the loading/unloading of the drivetrain.

More than any other automatic transmission vehicle I’ve driven, these Tacoma’s need some user input to drive the way you want them too. After time, you adapt and it actually can be kinda enjoyable in its weird way.

 

Thanks Stocklocker. This sounds right. I’ve noticed that hitting the gas tends to solve the problem, and that the RPMs are much lower than I’m used to. And my MPG is much higher than anticipated. So sounds like something I just need to get used to. I do find myself revving and coasting more than in my classic manual. Being in hilly country.

 

It’s subject of endless controversy here on TW. Some will champion tuning your truck, or pressing the ECT button every time you start the truck, super charging the engine, etc.

In my honest experience, it’s a case of getting used to driving the truck. Your pedal foot will eventually calibrate and you’ll be fine.

The complaints expressed are valid. Toyota definitely went for economy over drivability with the AT, however, the drama you’ll read about here is overblown in my mind, and will slowly become forgotten as you get used to the vehicle.

Hope you enjoy your new ride. Love my Tacoma. It’s not without its quirks, but still the best truck I’ve ever owned.

 

Man it's kinda weird how they set up the shifting with this transmission, but once you learn how to feather the pedal properly during acceleration and between shifts, it becomes much less jerky.

I'm so used to it because my previous vehicle was a Camry and it shifted the exact same way. I guess that's why I personally don't have the same level of hatred towards this transmission as most of the people on this forum.

 

My wife’s car is a Camry, and I agree, lots of similarities.

 

Yep. Based on the way you depress the accelerator, the shifting can be unnoticeable or dreadful. It's very odd. But regardless I loved that 2019 Camry, and I LOVE this Tacoma.

 

Interesting- I’ll have to study up on this ECT option, see how much of a change that makes. If it does change the driving experience then I’ll know for sure that this “subtle jerking” is a result of the purposeful gearing. All in all though I love my Tacoma. It’s the first non-Honda I’ve bought in 30 years and couldn’t be happier.

 

The ECT button (Electronically controlled transmission), changes the shift point programming. Toyota states this is for towing or use in hilly terrain. That may apply in your case. Personally, I don’t like how the truck drives with ECT on, and prefer to just force shifts with my throttle foot if I think the truck needs it.

 

I just put a Sprint Booster on my new '21 TRD OR after a couple-a-few weeks of ownership. Completely solved the issue with a plug & play device that took 10 minutes to install. The truck is completely different in acceleration in many good ways.

 

For driving around town try driving in S5, it’ll keep it from shifting into 6th gear and minimize that lugging feeling like your driving a manual in too tall of a gear.

 

S4 for street driving. S5 for highway. Makes the truck drive much better in regards to shifting.

 

My v6 auto did a lot of gear hunting for the first 1200 miles or so until it adapted to my driving habits, or road speeds i run. At 11k miles its perfect, very smooth and always knows when to up or downshift without playing without the gas petal, just like any good working atm. Give it time just using the D mode while resisting the ECT or S modes except for the S mode going down steep hills.

 

Check your palms, if they are hairy…..then that’s the tell tell sign of jerking.

 

You are a rare specimen to have never driven an automatic in this day and age.

I’ve owned both an automatic and a manual 3rd gen Tacoma and do not understand all the complaints about the auto. It is just like every other auto I’ve owned. I must have missed out on the auto nirvana that happens in other vehicles. In the end, I like my manual better.

Cheers!

 

KDMax tune will solve all the symptoms you described. Do it and you’ll never look back accept in you rear view seeing a big smile on your face ;-)

 

Can't understand why some trucks need these aftermarket tunes when these transmissions work perfect anyways....go figure.

 

I drove my ‘17 for 3 years and hated every minute of drivability. Get used to it? Never. Others have also driven it and concurred the same result the “learning tranny idea” is horrendous to drive. Living in the northeast and my heavy foot driving- my mileage isn’t great maybe 16 city and 18 highway. You can only polish a turd so much after all it’s still a turd.
Few months ago- I chosen a tune over gearing change only for two reasons, first-cost of tune compared to gear changing, and I do not use my vehicle for heavy off-road use or plan on bigger tires-occasional dirt road to camp so the difference of hundreds v/s thousands played a big part. Secondly, if I don’t like how it drives I can have it changed in minutes at no additional cost.

 

The torque converter will also lock and unlock. You might be feeling that too.