2023 Tacoma transmission hesitation/stuttering

That sounds a legit 3G tacoma. You just need a tune, yes, a tune, that's it.

 

I got ott tune and still sluggin' up hills, just a little more gracefully

 

I drive a tuned 22’ manual and it’s a pleasure to drive because of the specific valley runner tune I flashed with.
Went for a drive in a 23’ ranger the other day for sits and giggles and the first hill went up the engine dropped down to a lower gear and you heard was “KUUUUUNNNNNNNGGGGGKKKKKKKTTTHH” as the engine bogged down before shifting. …..
….
Maybe we just have a sleepy transmission from the ECU tune? How many of you out there have checked your CPS.

I’d rather have the 6 speed auto than the 10 speed dual clutch.

 

Sure must be a lot of chitty running gen3 tacoma's out there that need help, or is the issue just here? I can't find fault with mine, nor have others complain when I asked them how they like their truck. I'm getting to think more, and more, that some just bought the wrong vehicle expecting something different from them, now its sour grapes.

 

That's interesting because I've searched TacomaWorld for others having this issue. I have found numerous threads with you specifically commenting on all of them about how great your truck but how your buddies 19 Tacoma has this behavior pretty bad. It could very well be that your truck has the correct amount of atf and others are getting trucks that have been underfilled from the factory. Either way, why weigh in on the discussion when you are only being condescending?

Also to add, I only get this behavior on hills but otherwise my truck drives great on flat terrain, what kind of terrain do you have by you? That very well could be your answer.

 

My 22' SR5 with 20k miles on it has developed this along with a little rougher shifting at times. I'm in South Florida so there aren't any hills, it happens right around 42 mph if I am accelerating lightly or cruising around that speed. Harder acceleration it does not happen and it does not happen all the time. Truck is going in soon for the deceleration vibration from 30-10 mph TB so I will have them look at this too. With my luck I'm expecting them to say they can't replicate the issue or that it's normal.

 

They don’t all do this. My 2018 does, both other third gens I drove recently do not. Same with shifting. Some trucks you can feel every shift, others are smooth as glass like other Toyota vehicles.

 

most likely a ton of people just don't know any better or are just ok with the uncivilized trans or trans tune. to me it makes the trucks feel under geared. most are just clueless though. its unbelievable what the clueless don't notice about the vehicle they are driving.

 

Have you checked your trans fluid level yet? My 20 came low from the factory and didn’t act up until I lifted it. I was having similar issues, the truck hesitated to downshift from 3rd to 2nd and when it did the truck would buck. It only would happen in sharp turns for me if I remember correctly. Took it to a reputable shop and they confirmed my fluid level was low by a quart or two. Topped off and haven’t had any issues since. Truck drives great

 

How long did you drive like that? I'm checking my fluid this Thursday. I'm convinced now my fluid is low in my 2023. Not thrilled to have put 4,000 miles on it in this condition, if applicable. Most likely applicable...

 

i was driving in ECT mode last night and noticed a pulsating vibration when cruising around 20-25 mph. i'm wondering if i need to change the fluid. Also get a clunk when coasting and then getting back on the gas. i wonder if it's the flex lockup in the torque converter. may not like the Idemitsu fluid i used for my last drain and fill.

got a service appt scheduled for next week but if i can figure it out on my own, then I'd prefer to do that. may just get the entire transmission flushed so I know I have all new fluid of the same type.

guess it could also be the carrier bearing, u-joint, slip-yoke, or front diff. any ideas?

 

Supposedly the older tacoma's from around 2019, and back had more of these issues with the way their auto's worked. Mine was checked at the dealer during the first toyotacare visit for all the fluids being at the correct levels, plus it already had the latest transmission tsb done from the factory. I just got back off the freeway coming from an appointment in a city 12 miles away. I'm always amazed how well this truck runs. I can set the cruise on any speed between 70, and 75 mph, and the truck just glides never downshifting like a buddies use to. Reminds me of my 4.7 tundra, but kills it on fuel mileage.

 

Hoping after an ATF fluid check that mine runs the same way.

 

Multiple people have reported of torque converter shudder going away after filling their transmission to correct level. A full transmission flush is most likely overkill. I would first start with that. I'm doing a fluid check and if the symptom remains for me, I'm just gonna drive the fucker until the wheels fall off and not worry about it.

 

I don’t quite remember but it was also longer than I was comfortable with once I discovered the possibility of low ATF. Probably 2-2.5 weeks of daily commuting and trying to figure out what was wrong.

 

I can't fathom why your's shouldn't. Idk, what the deal is why some of these trucks preform better than others. I'm guessing it could have a lot to do with the way they're initially broken in/operated. I was instructed never to use the ect or s modes, till I had a number of miles on it. Just keep it in the d mode till the transmission learn your driving habits, and road conditions. I noticed a major power increase between 1,200, and 1,500 miles. It was like the truck came with a breakin chip to limit performance till I had over a 1000 miles on it.

 

Low fluid is a good place to start. I'm vaguely remembering a similar issue and when you say it happens on a hill it's the low fluid moving to one side (front or back)of the tranny and it messes with the fluid level internal sensors.
I had shifting issues on my 2016 trd automatic and it was the tps sensor or tdc? sensor.

 

i've already done that. fluid level is good.

 

did it throw a code? i wish i could get a code. that would make it easier to fix.

 

I have the KDMax Tune on mine and it fixed the issue. I had the ECU reset at the time of the tune.