Wheelin': Man vs Auto tranny

Hi,

I'm about to trade my '08 Taco in for a '12 Taco. My last 3 Toyota trucks were all manual, but some of the new traction control features are only available with the auto and I'm keeping an open mind about which way I might go.

Specifically, I'm wondering about the HAC (Hill Start Assist Control). Is this control aggressive enough to assist in off road driving? Or is this more for people pulling trailers up steep hills with a stoplight at the halfway point?

In a way it's kind of too bad they don't have HAC on the manual... it would be nice if I didn't have to heel/toe the brake/gas pedal while feathering the clutch.

Also, how useful is the DAC? A brief read said it was for use in 4Lo and caused the vehicle to descend at a rate of 2-4mph. Is this more effective than just using the brake and letting gravity carry you forward? Just thinking about descending without my foot on the brake pedal gives me a bad feeling in my stomach... not sure if I'd be able to handle it in real life.

 

It's your preference mostly your best bet is to go offload in a manual and in an auto to test it

 

Wait, what's the point of DAC/HAC on a manual? Downshift, you've got your own DAC/HAC built in. Not sure what you mean with heel/toe/feathering clutch. No need, unless you're racing IMHO. Never needed to muck with that while wheeling, just rev match downshifts to make for a smoother downshift....

I'd say you should decide based on usage. If it's a DD and you're in a lot of traffic - probably an auto would serve you better. I got the 6MT because my commute is mostly highway, little to no traffic - plus IMHO there's nothing like jamming gears while wheeling.

With that said, I certainly don't do hardcore rock crawling - where an auto might behoove you. Plus, the auto gets better mileage. That hurts, but c'est la vie. Technology finally caught up in the transmission world...

 

Autos are way better for wheeling.

Stick shifts are good for race cars and the Tacoma is not a race car.

 

IMHO that really depends on the kind of wheeling you do. I don't do "hardcore" wheeling, and I much prefer my manual when wheeling.

If you're doing rock crawling, then a manual might be a good decision. If you're just going on forest service roads etc, then manual all the way.

 

A friend of mine has an auto but he won't let me wheel it.

Honestly, I see no point in the DAC regardless of tranny type.

The HAC would be cool on a manual if it meant I didn't have to control both the gas and brake with my right foot while feathering the clutch with my left.

It's pretty flat terrain around here. Most of what I need to do is crawl through rutted/washed out hunting trails, and farmers fields.

 

They both have their ups and downs. They auto definatly is awesome when ur on the rocks. i stall out my fair share of times with my 5spd. Though with my past experience with auto transmissions i will stick to ole reliable.

 

My previous 08 was automatic and it was a lot easier to wheel with.

My current 6 speed, it takes getting used to. I use 4LO alot when climbing/crawling. I tend to slip the clutch at times to prevent stalling which isnt good.
I prefer the 6sp over auto for wheeling as I think I have better control. The only thing I hate is that the throttle delay is much worse in manual than automatic!

 

Could you explain that in more detail?

 

Manual is my vote, more precise control when starting out (no gunning then braking).

 

must be...

 

What's up with the negative comments on the 6spd tranny?

I haven't been on any Tacoma forums since 2008, but I don't remember any complaints about them before. I've had two Tacoma equipped with that tranny and zero issues on either of them.

 

Manuals are dinosaurs. Useless for off road and I suspect will not even be available inside of 5 years.

Don't get me wrong, I like manuals in certain situations but seriously check around there are reasons professional racers in rock crawling to baja 1000 don't use manual transmissions.

Manuals can be fun for sure but when where the rubber meets the road, they are not the way to go. Those that disagree are just responding with emotions not logic.

 

Warning: You will get a lot of feedback and opinions from people who either don't have these features, don't wheel them, or both. I am not one of those people.

HAC: Ok, but I still prefer the old-school method of gently riding the brake for a half second alongside some gentle gas until driveline torque takes over to keep you from sliding backward on the hill. This method is smoother than HAC with less driveline shock (as opposed to HAC holding the hill with brakes and the driver romping the go-pedal).

DAC: Very cool feature, not without caveats. Most of the time my preferred hill-descent method as it is easier on the tranny and brakes than you could ever be, even with proper engine braking. Of important note: Doesn't work well on extremely uneven surfaces or extremely technical rocks...dropoffs from ledges seem to confuse the system. In those situations low range, 1st gear, feather-pedal is still the king.

Traction Control System That Must Not Be Named Or David K Will Ruin This Thread: Very cool feature. Will pull you up A LOT of stuff you thought only lockers would get you up. Still has its limits: Doesn't work well in mud and steep, loose dirt where momentum are key. However, far better than open diffs, far better than mechanical limited slip diffs.


Simulated 2wd rear LSD: Mostly useless. 4-hi is usually a better way to get you where this will get you, and gentler on the truck.

Auto Tranny: The ideal wheeler's transmission in these trucks. Offers a gated shift lever with a selection for each and every gear ratio, so engine braking is a breeze. No clutch to piss you off on steep starts. Easier to engage low range. Better mileage.



Hope that helps.


Edit:

Some of the conditions I've tested these features in, so you know where I'm coming from. (Also, good excuse to whore my truck):


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feQ6meRKEdg

 

For me the hill start assist comes in handy mainly at boat ramps... the DAC for crawling down steep inclines without touching the brake pedal.

 

Autos with manual shift capability are hard to beat. I've always been a diehard manual guy, but even I have to admit that. The only remaining issue , that can be fixed easily enough is heat buildup. If I ever do buy an auto, I'll make sure that is has a temp gauge and aux cooling. Heat is what kills autos, and wheeling them creates alot of heat.

 

i used to have a manual tranny 1986 pickup for wheeling. it was great. very easy to drive. myy 06 tacoma is an auto. i still really enjoy it for offroading. i havent found any problems with it really so far.


only dis advantages with it so far are:
-when you choose gears with the stick, it goes into neutral for a second, and if youre on a steep hill, that quick blast of speed can really screw you up.

-rolling bakwards in drive, kills the engine sometimes.

I WOULD like to install a cooler for the transmission, but i am unsure of how to do so. i dont want to overheat the sucker.


major advantage of auto: drive home from wheeling is total relaxing and chill.

 

when you choose the gear with the automatic stick, as if you are driving manual. when it switches gears it definitley goes into nuetral for a split second.

 

well it rolls completely freely for a second, whatever. however it is a downside to the tacoma auto.