New Tacoma, having problems already!!

Last week I became the proud owner of a 2012 Tacoma - Double cab, SR5 4x4 V6. I have 250 mi. on it now. I am really bothered by the overly stiff gas pedal, as it gives me a cramp in my foot & up my leg from pushing so hard after 5 min of driving. Also, the engine seems quite sluggish going up very slight inclines, you have to pound the throttle to get going! Also, it does not maintain speed when driving either in town or on the highway, even though you are keeping the throttle depressed. So again, you have to pound on the gas pedal to get back up to speed. I dont think the brakes are sticking because when you let off the gas, the speed doesnt overly decrease.....am I being too hasty by calling the dealership to have them look over it already? I totally appreciate any feedback!!!!!

 

What was your previous vehicle?


and Welcome to TW!

 

Can't be for real.

 

Try moving your foot higher up on the gas pedal, I've had similar issues and that always seemed to work. It only ever bothers me if my legs are tired or on long drives

 

Thanks for the welcome!!

Tacomatrd99 - I am so for real, and its really got me worried!


My previous vehicles were a 2009 Camry LE, and hubby's 2007 Toyota Tundra with the 5.7, which I miss TERRIBLY!!!! I never had any trouble like this with either!

 

X2

You may just be used to the way your other vehicle drove.

 

Go to the dealer, try the gas pedal in a few Tacos and other cars in the showroom, and see if your pedal is stiffer. If so, you could have a bad gas pedal module. it's very easy to replace (two screws and a wire connector).

 

I know this seems weird but the Camry had more pickup and it was a 4 cyl., so far 11 mpg.

 

Being used to a 5.7 will make a 4.0 seem weak. A Camry is much lighter then a Tacoma, and will hold speed better. I've never noticed the pedal being stiff, personally. Maybe it just needs to be broke in? Cruise control would probably help in pretty much all of your worries, though.

 

I think I will do that, I just cant imagine this being normal for a Toyota, maybe justa glich!

 

X2

 

I owned a 07 Camry v6 se and the taco has Definetly more power than the Camry.

 

This...

After not driving anything but a Chevy "Bread Van" at work in Korea for a year, finally getting back to the States and driving my new Taco felt weird, and I thought the gas / brake pedals were touchy. Probably just going to take some adjustment to the vehicle size / handling tendencies, but if you really think there is a problem, trying out some other Tacos or going to the dealer couldn't hurt.

Welcome to TW!!

 

Keep in mind that you purchased the heaviest Tacoma that you could buy. It's going to guzzle gas if you're not easy with the pedal. Be easy on the gas and keep it under 2k rpm and those MPG will go way up.

If you "punch it" all the time to make it run like a 5.7, your gas mileage is going to eat you alive.

 

IDK, I came from a 5.7 Hemi Ram and have been pretty pleased. No it doesn't have the torque of the Hemi but it does pretty good. I do tend to drop speed when cruising hwy speeds though. Maybe I'm used to the heavier Ram coasting more or just the torque keeping me from having to use more pedal.

I do agree about the Camry being lighter therefore being more responsive, it is a truck we're talking about.

Never noticed any stiffness in my pedal either.

Welcome from GA btw.

 

Thanks for the feedback!! I'm sure I will get used to these things...I'll see how thing go in the next while.

 

Give it time. First, at your mileage, the ECU is still figuring out your driving habits, among other things. I can say this (with minimal authority) because I have the same truck (now with 1600 on the clock).

I live in a hilly area and going uphill, if you want to *move*, you gotta mash the go-fast pedal (I don't - call it age). It is a heavy truck to start with. Now, if you slam the throttle and can't get it to move, that's another issue/problem.

When I drove home from the dealer (interstate, 30 miles, but hilly), I found that I had to be more aware of how much throttle I was giving the motor - it almost seemed as if the accelerator was designed to push BACK on my foot. But I come from a family that ran boats for a living and the adage "Run her slow and she'll always go, run her fast and she'll never last" sticks in my brain. So I went easy on the truck.

1600 miles later, I think that certain springs, bushings, etc. in the throttle system have broken in. When I *need* to go (merging with traffic), she has it. When I prefer to take it 'easy', the feel is the same but the truck does fine.

Give it a while to learn (the ECU). If it still sucks balls after 1000-1500 miles, take it back and bitch like a mofo.

 

Yeah that makes sense, I'll put some miles on it and see how its performing then before I head back to the dealer. I'm sure things will be fine, just needs to loosen up bit eh? Besides, its too damn good lookin' to even think about getting rid of it!!

 

I have never had a problem like this with my 07. However my dad just recently got a 12 and his pedals are alot more stiff then mine. I think you might want to wait to see if everything breaks in his is starting to lighten up. He took it to a shop for the brakes because they were very hard to push in and they adjusted the brake pedal and some other things not to sure but now its more spongy and comforting.