New Taco owner gripes

I am a fairly new Taco owner, bought my 2017 TRD in April. Some things I'm not happy about maybe someone can help me out of point me in the right direction to help me resolve these issues.

#1 and most aggravating is the trans up shifting way too early and it has a intermittent 3-4 flair code (1 time only). I really don't like the way the trans shifts up so damn early the engine is never hardly allowed to get into it's torque band (unless you hit the throttle pretty hard) unlike the older 4.0l engine in my wifes 2008 4runner.

#2 Engine torque on this 3.5l engine is none existent under 2200 rpm and the trans situation makes it feel worse. Compared to the 4.0l this engine is a pig, but I realize it needs to rev a little before power comes in, but not too crazy about it. I love the power/torque of the 4.0l, it drives great, but my engine sounds like it's lugging high gear all the time.

So with this being said is there some TSB's, programming or easy fix to these issues? Thanks

 

Most people Tune it

 

Obligatory manual transmission appreciation post.

 

Touche

 

Same 2017 here trd off road. I agree with stock tune it’s a dog. Went kdmax pro+xt normal and I’m loving it. Now close to 8t miles since the tune it just gets better everyday. Tune woke up after a 5500 miles road trip to Indiana.this tune rocks. Pm @TWTaco or @PapaRee . Those guys are awesome.

 

I have heard that that is the best tune for these. Soon after the first of the year I am going to get it tuned by a local gut here that does them. Will it also help the trans shifting issue?

 

Stop pussyfoot lugging the skinny pedal ffs.

 

Definitely fixes it .

 

not being snarky, but the market is still fairly hot, you can sell it,,, just be sure to do a few lengthy test drives on the next vehicle and make sure you actually like the way it drives.

 

Did you test drive it before you bought it?

 

I had the same issue especially in third gear. I felt like the truck was slow and never wanted to accelerate. Best thing I did was let my wife drive it once. She even complained about the shifting and acceleration. Took it on a road trip to Tennessee and the shifting was horrible. I mentioned tuning it and my wife encouraged me to do so. I got the KD Max Pro XT tune about a week ago. Drives so much better. Shifting is smooth and acceleration is vastly improved! I highly recommend it!

 

most owners do not slap a tune on their Tacomas lol

 

If you love it now, just you wait until after several thousand miles .it will be awesome. Mine woke up during the 5t miles road trip. Manual cruise control is awesome too .

 

I’ve driven the four-cylinder and six-cylinder. I bought the four-cylinder. It keeps up with California traffic. California traffic moves much faster than the 65 mph speed limit. What the hell do you guys expect from these trucks? Luxury German SUV acceleration?

 

I believe there is a TSB for gear hunting etc... you should get yours done at the dealer it was applied to 2020 + models. Most ride with the ECT power on also.

 

Personally I like that the Tacoma can stretch the mpg when I want it to (early shifting, and low rpm).

It sounds like a regear would fix your complaints better than a tune. There's some REAL heavy tune drinkers that'll be along shortly I imagine. (I had an OVTune and ended up going back to stock.)

 

Down here in La the hot temps and horrible humidity would probably kill the 4 cyl acceleration. Oh and I work on those expensive German luxury SUV's, I would never expect that kind of performance, but after putting over 200K on the wifes 4Runner I was hoping that it would run better. Now if I do hot foot the loud pedal a little yes it will get up and go, but traffic dictates that I must stop and go most of my trip to/from work.

 

I mean it gets over 114° in the Bay Area valleys when we have our heat waves. I can’t imagine getting much hotter than that.

 

You are trying to drive it like the 1GR, just relax and let it rev - the 2GR loves to be around 4k rpm..

 

I try, but in traffic thats a no go! When running down the Interstate @ 70 MPH, the engine rpm is well below the torque band and is sluggish until I downshift it. Don't get me wrong, I love the truck, but I guess expecting the torque curve of the 4.0 is asking too much.