Automatics: How often do you use your 'Gears'

Haha!! Do you get a puff of black smoke flooring it from 1st?

 

I shift mine out of overdrive a lot when driving on secondary roads. Around 40 it often can't decide if it want's to be in 4th or 5th and it's annoying. I also use shift manually in the snow a lot going down hills for engine braking. I actually far prefer the control of a manual transmission. But I'm not a fan of the six speed in these nor the big cut in mileage it costs. Loved the 5 speed in the first 05 4cyl I had though.

 

How the fuck do you go the wrong direction in an auto?! haha

 

Ah, yeah that would suck... haha

I'm running 4.88 gears and when I am in 4Lo I have to slow down to almost a stop before dropping from 2nd to 1st or you hit the windshield. haha

 

I just got my Taco 2 days ago so it's been all street driving for me.

First time owning a Tacoma or a 4x4 pickup.

 

This. I don't often use it to downshift but I immediately put it into 3rd when I start driving and leave it there until freeway speeds. 3rd is an ideal gear in traffic and around town.

 

After years of not RTFM, I recently learned you should tow in 4 instead of D. So now I tow in 4! And sometime use it on downhills in the winter or off road.

 

only been using it downshift to assist in braking cause my front pads are screaching grinding and not real responsive so usually coming up to a red light from higher speed i take it out of overdrive around 30-35mph which helps downshift, then into 2nd gear 20-25mph or lower if i have to brake faster. It is kind of natural tho as growing up driving in hills it was common to put it in 2nd at the start of a big hill, shift around 25-30 when the revs get higher, and just follow suit through the gears to help with your application

 

I shift it all the time

 

Ever get your brakes checked^^^..?

Screeching and grinding is bad.

 

oh yeah... it is at Goodyear right now for probly front pads and rotors, maybe seized calipers too they were wearing uneven last i checked, unfortunately don't have time to do the job myself atm or i would save a couple hundred in labor

 

down shift and up shift all the time. I think i said this in another thread like this. but on hills when you have to stop in the rain i all ways down shift to L or 1 and start out that way, the tires seam to not try and spin as much(loosing traction) also i’ll down shift on hills or for turns or exits as well.

 

Too bad you're not around here. I'd get that job done for you. Ahh being a poor school kid sucks.

 

Kids will bankrupt you too lol, the shop called this morning so i said yeah just replace front rotors and pads with OE hardware, I knew the back was bad but they said the drums are out of round, and that my rear shocks were bad which could cause some pulsing, which I have never heard, you know they like to phish for extra jobs. I said yeah I know the shocks are bad lol... 10 year old shocks are obviously bad but waiting to see about a new frame which would save me from putting an OME kit on a rusty frame still under warranty, Also declined any servicing to the rear brakes that is something i want to resolve myself and make sure ALL the right parts are replaced. Picked up a 4 ton floorjack and 2 sets of 6 ton jackstands last week so good to go on getting it up and seeing what to do in there, planned on just getting pads and shoes from Wheelers i guess? Anyone know of any very detailed writeups or videos for a complete drum brake rebuild? Obviously going to search in the coming days for threads but any additional guidance is very appreciated, like if I need new bolts and shit that doesnt come with shoes and pads?

 

Get a drum brake hardware kit from napa or wherever. I'd go with Toyota shoes. Though expensive they last longer than cheap ones. Any new drums will do. Rear shocks won't cause any sort of pulsing. Maybe hopping over bumps, and bouncy rear end etc. drum brakes don't cause a pulsation anyway. Our rear brakes are fairly easy. Leave one side together and if you have trouble putting one side back together, use the other side as a guide.

 

cool thanks, and yeah when they said that I was thinking yeah no shit the shocks are shot, I'm just not sure if the parts I'm trying to replace are the same ones I'm having issues with, it's on the backside of the wheel there is like a rubber boot over a flat lever which appears to be what pulls the pads into a braking position.

 

When driving 'in town' I place the automatic transmission in 4th gear, but if I get on the Higway I place it in drive. Otherwise, I seldom place the shifter in any other place..

Leaving the shifter in 4th provides better response in traffic.