my automaic changes gears hard

I got a automatic and recently it will jerk a little when changing gears. Could this be because it fairly cold here about 25 degrees in the mornings? Or need to change transmission fluid? I don't drive it hard

 

Same problem here. Clunking down 5 secs after coming to a stop as well. Sometimes my (automatic) transmission even provides 'breaking' (after downshifting into 3rd, I think) while coasting. Not always though, but most of the time. Wonder if a tranny flush will suffice. What? Me worry! Other than that it an awesome truck.
Hope you get some answers I can use as well.

 

Try using manual mode. This increases pressure lines in the tranny. If it doesn't shift hard, I wouldn't worry about it. Cold trans fluid is really thick. Transmission needs to heat up before it operates properly. Unless your towing something, it takes a LONG time for it to even Get warm. Double check your trans fluid too.

 

shit, there is this stuff u can put in ur tranny to make it smoother but i forget what its called at the moment. it works wonders, made my ol 99 tranny feel like new

 

That stuff is HORRIBLE for transmissions. Does nothing but, gum up your seals. Yeah it works....for now! But pretty much destroys your tranny in the long run. Double check your fluid. If your fluid is low, the pump keeps increasing pressure until it MAKES the tranny shift! (hard shift). That and being cold

 

Bump

 

I don't know how to check the trans fluid. It said there is a plug that you fill it to. But today was alot warmer and it did better. How often do you change the fluid. My truck has almost 55000 miles and I bought it at 49k,irk if its been changed yet I read every 30k and 60k to change it.

 

I have just under 5,000 on my 2011. The other morning while leaving my house at 17 degrees my transmission gave a jolt when changing gears. Normally it's smooth as silk. After driving about a mile it smoothed back out. I'm inclined to think it was because of the cold transmission fluid. My '98 Silverado would not engage overdrive a cold mornings until it had been drived 1 1/2 - 2 miles.

 

I believe auto tranny fluid is good for life or like 100,000 miles

 

Make sure the fluid level is topped off and you might check your u-joints

 

I have had the same issues since we reached freezing temperatures here. Even after an hour of driving.

 

I have a brand new Taco, 1,200kms. It shifted hard the day I picked it up from the dealer but once it warmed up it was fine. Still get the odd clunk a few seconds after stopping.

 

Sounds like this is a commom thing.

 

mine auto shifts hard from 1-2 intermittently at light throttle. It has always been like that. One of these days I will have the dealer check it out.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/135166-shift-ponts-2010-v6-double-cab-4wd.html

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/199922-2012-transmission-problems.html

???

 

It depends what you read. I think Toyota recommends every 60,000 if you tow/100,000 if not or every 6 years...whatever comes first. According to the Chilton's manual it's every 30,000 or 24 months. Take your pick.

 

You are not alone. Right after I got mine, I tried to check the transmission fluid.
I looked all over for the the friggin' dip stick. Well there isn't one. I called Toyota and asked how to check it. They gave me a generic answer of "It's fine until 100,000 miles. I even asked them to check it, but they said it would take 3 hours for the fluid to cool and warm or something.


Mine does the Auto Engine brake as well. Well, not really. It actually down shifts and fells like an engine brake. It also clanks when you are pressing the brake and change gears. I finally figured it out(thanks to this forum), and it's the brake pads. That is normal as well. And unless you want to change the brakes that still have 1/2 the pad left then you just live with it.

I will say, TOYOTA QUALITY has gone DOWN with the Gen 2 models.
My old 96, 98, and 99 were better trucks.

 

definitly common with cold.bought mine in summer first cold day or two and shifted different.i would worry as long as fluid is full. if you want you could unplug battery and reconect to make computer to learn how to shift again which doesnt hurt anything. just has to relearn itself if it went off a little.

 

yeah, i liked my 98 much better than my 2nd gen. i do like the upgrade to the double cab, though. the braking issue is normal, as someone already said. i actually like it... i am guessing that the reason for it is so you don't have to ride the break on hills with an auto transmition (or downshift, which would be a pain in the a..)

 

That's prolly it...

But FWIW harder shifts are (generally) better for transmission life. Soft shifts means the clutches slip and slipping clutches means they wear out sooner. Wear gets much worse when you're towing.

If you feel the urge to change transmission fluid be sure to use the Toyota ATF-WS. Using something different can change shift feel.