Anout to pull trigger on a 6MT

Correct me if I'm wrong here but I thought the new 4th gen MT was more or less just an Electronic sifter" with a physical stick. Meaning you tell the computer to shift by moving the mechanical lever. Is it a true MT like in an older pickup?

 

Still a normal transmission, very similar to 3rd gen but different ratios and it has an extended shifter housing, meaning the shifter stick no longer sits directly over the hole in the top of the transmission.

The electronic function is iMT, intelligent Manual Transmission. All that is is the computer monitoring the transmission via a switch that tells it what gear it’s in so that it can put the engine at the correct rpm (based on speed and trans gear ratio) so it can rev match for you. It also has the ability to maintain engine idle and bump it up so that you can lug it and still not stall, because the computer keeps the engine running for you by giving it the gas it needs. Sort of a cheat mode.

There is nothing electronic about the transmission itself, it just has a few switches on it to report to the computer what’s going on.

 

When you do that, look up the price of a an automatic transmission replacement as well and you'll be more inclined to purchase the manual.

Since my first Tacoma until now, I have always purchased a manual. I just prefer to control that myself. As someone else said, you can't complain how it shifts if you are in control. Love that quote!

 

Owned a few standard transmission vehicles before this. I miss it at times, but I went with auto so family could borrow the truck when needed, and I’m happy with the decision for my own piece of mind.

I wouldn’t worry about any “inconveniences” of driving it every day. It’s like riding a bike, once you get it down, you got it down. And it’ll only get more buttery as you learn how that specific vehicle drives

 

Thanks gents- comments are encouraging.

One question on 4WD...does 4Hi work the same was as an auto as far as shift on the fly? Or do you need to be stopped/in neutral?

 

4hi is always shift on the fly, auto or manual. 4lo you need to be in neutral on an automatic, in a manual it will require you to have the clutch to the floor. It says you need to be below 3 mph or so, but I find fully stopped with clutch in is perfect for 4lo. Mine has never not gone into 4lo, so long as clutch is to the floor. Doesn’t matter if transmission is in gear or not.

 

If you are asking if you need a manual then you don’t.

You gotta be MT fanboy to daily a manual.

 

Fanboy all the way back to the 80's this is the best review I've found
https://youtu.be/fWjN1m3X9O0?feature=shared

 

Have u not driven a stick before ? If so I would not recommend getting one then. learning on an expensive truck is not the smartest thing to do and more than likely u will burn that clutch out .

 

I guess it depends what you mean. Can I drive stick? Yes. Have I owned my own to daily? No.

So not learning from scratch but also not proficient if that makes sense.

 

So went on an extend drive, put it through the first five gears. It's definitely less boring than my 4Runner. But a couple of questions for 4th gen MT owners.

1. Do these things have any hill assist? I thought they did but I was rolling back on a hill start. Maybe it needs to be engaged but not sure.

2. Does your shift flop side to side a lot on bumpy road, while in gear? Was in 4th gear going maybe 55 km/h and on a bumpy road the knob was flopping around side to side, even the salesperson was like.. "why is it doing that..". Could be a quirk but want to to be sure.

 

So this guy answered #2! so the knob flopping is as designed.

 

1. The 3rd gen sport did, and it had a vacuum booster. The offroad and pros with the hydraulic booster did not. Now the 4th gen is only using vacuum boosters, yet I guess they did away with the functionality, assuming most don’t want it. Not for sure on that, maybe @Jeff Lange can add some info.

2. yes, RWD vehicles have the drivetrain twist quite a bit under torque, and you end up watching the shifter as a lever exacerbate the condition. Normal, no need for concern.

 

Going to take the weekend to think about it, they are giving me a bit off the MSRP, happy with the package as it has the sunroof, power seats, just not the big screen unfortunately or the leather seats.

It's a nice truck, honestly don't think I could go that wrong if I needed to trade it in later, it's still a Taco.

 

Think I'm just going to go for it, sink or swim. The only thing I need to do is make sure I don't have any bad habits - learnt today from a conversation with my dad that you shouldn't have the clutch in while stopped at a redlight as that adds excessive wear... somehow I thought it was okay as long as the pedal was fully in there was no wear.

Either way coming out on the other side of this being proficient - will put some cash aside for another clutch as I go lol.

 

I mean, if I cant drink my coke and eat my spicy chicken sandwich from chick fil a while driving my truck because I have to switch gears, I dont want it.

 

OP have you tried out the iMT button at all? I'd recommend turning it on while learning, it will rev-match your downshifts and help keep you from stalling when taking off.

As far as long highway trips, unless you're in the mountains it is just as simple as an automatic. Get up to speed and you just stay in 6th gear.

 

The owner's manual says it has hill stop. I haven't noticed it engaging yet, but there's not much in the way of big hills where I am and I grew up on sticks so my days of rolling back on some jerk who's on my bumper at a stop are over - but I still remember them fondly.

It says it holds for a max of 2 seconds after you release the brake. You can always get one of these too....

 

I don't advise it, but you can drink a beer, eat a meatball sandwich and put in a dip while driving an old 5 speed without cup holders, nearly simultaneously if you are really good. All it takes is practice and a little bit of steering with your knees. Don't ask me how I know.

 

Hadn't no. Neither the dealer rep or I were experienced enough to know how to turn it on or use it but someone posted a great review off the 4th gen manual and it seems it may be as easy as pressing iMT after starting up.

The main highway trip I take is rather hilly with steep inclines and decline - guessing it's good to use 4th gear? I used to use S4 on my 2017 3rd gen Tacoma on those uphills because the 5th and 6th gears had basically no torque. Same with my 4Runner.