Struggling sounds

Hi all! Got a 2020 Off Road TRD Auto- sounds like it’s struggling to shift into gear mostly on highway- sorry if this is repeat question, new to forum
16k

thanks!

 

Can you elaborate on struggling to shift?

Many discussions about gear hunting issues with the 3rd gens. Need more info if you really believe the truck has an issue.

 

Usually sounds like it wants to shift to higher gear but does not, usually around 70mph- I’ve been driving long distances in the middle of a move so use cruise control quite a bit too

 

Your description does not indicate any issues. The tune on these Tacoma’s is not always the smoothest.

 

Hmmm- around 2k rpm’s I’m getting the sound like it’s in too low of a gear- I’ll check some of the other forums but just doesn’t feel like it’s shifting gears correctly?

 

Try test driving one on the lot and see if sounds and behaves the same way.

 

Will do, thank you. She runs great and gets up to speed when I need it, just sounds like something is a little off when on highway speeds. I appreciate the replies

 

Are you using cruise? If I am using CC on the highway, it will stay in too low a gear, even when going downhill after a climb. My solution is to just barely bump the gas pedal with my foot. Just enough that the ECU reads a tiny change, then it will kick back to a higher gear.

 

The transmission’s factory programming is biased to find the higher gear as much as possible in virtually all types of driving situations, in order to burn less fuel. The parameters are only six total forward gears, so greater spacing. The motor prefers to offer up its power at higher rpm’s.

When you set cruise, you’re now also asking it hold a specific velocity, within two forward top gears that are widely spaced. Approach slower moving traffic or inclines, and it’s an automotive calculus equation: you will feel it try to hold the higher gear as long as possible, velocity drops, then what feels like a hard downshift as the engine immediately seeks higher revs to maintain your cruise setting.

It’s normal, and definitely not everyone’s favorite experience, especially on long highway drives. I found that dependent on highway traffic, I may just disengage cruise and right foot it.

Try borrowing a buddy’s similar truck and see if it feels the same before you get it checked out.

 

Thanks!

 

A transmission doesn't normally make a sound when shifting (at least not one you can normally hear in the cab). Are you referring to the sound the engine is making?