08 Tacoma 5sp 4cyl Jerky First Gear

I've got a new Tacoma with around 500 miles on it and starting out in first gear is a little touchy. I have to feather the clutch and throttle some but it still isn't super smooth. Anyone else notice this in this model? I'm curious if it is normal or something that will go away with break in. I'm probably going to go drive another one at the dealer and see how it is sometime but wanted to get your input.

Another question I have is about double clutching. Is it safe to do on this transmission to get it into first gear when your rolling. The syncro doesn't allow it into first when it's moving very fast but it's going to slow for second gear.


Thanks all!

 

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I have the same truck, and have noticed some of what you have said. After a long freeway run it sometimes requires more throttle to launch at the first stoplight. When the engine is cold and on fast idle takeoff is very smooth. Have not had the synchro problem going into first gear, that I have noticed. In the week I have had my truck I have killed it twice on slight uphill takeoff. Embarasing, but not fatal. Hopefully we will both get used to our clutch engagement as time passes.

 

Same thing with me. If it's cold it will engage much smoother. After it's warmed up it's a little hurky jerky when starting in first. What speed can you drop back into first at? I'm at a crawl when the syncro allows me to downshift to first.

 

Wawireguy,

I would guess it is around 5 MPH. The only time (once)I have noticed reluctent engagement is when it is cold. If warmed up say 5 miles or so it goes into first smoothly. If above a crawl 2nd gear does just fine if you give it a bit of throttle. I only have about 200 miles on the truck, so I am confident the gearbox will loosen up a bit. Is yours a access cab model. Mine is a Access Cab with the sr5 #2 package. Maybe Roland and others with a 2nd Gen 4x2 manual will chime in on this as he has a similar truck.

Dan

 

Mine is a basic access cab. Might have steeper gears on the back then yours? I've found revving it some before engaging is helping. I'm going to check with the service dept and make sure they think it's ok and have them document that I complained about it. Mine is around 600 miles or so. Starting to rev the motor more.

Man that little 4 is insane! Max I've hit is 4K for a second or two so far. Power band starts right around 3K. Round 2000 I might see if it has a rev limiter! LOL! I'd probably call the dealer and ask them. My 2000 Civic SI had a rev limiter. Basicaly you just ran it to redline then shifted when you were in the mood.

 

Had to get on mine a bit yesterday, as some m-ron came to almost a dead stop on the interstate to turn around in a police turnaround. Bout rear ended him, and then traffic behind me bout rearended me. Had to drop to second, and reved it to 4K in both 2nd and 3rd to get moving again. It does rev nice, and I could feel the cams start to come in at about 3K.

As the days pass, I feel more confident with the clutch. I am learning the correct amount of throttle to apply, and can feel the engagement point better. The last vehicle I had with a clutch, was a 2000 Ford Focus with the nice Zetec motor, and it had a super clutch and the tranny shifted marvelous. So I was a bit spoiled. I am confident that all will be fine in a month or so.

Nice chatting with you
Dan

4x2'ers unite

 

I'm taking mine in Wed to have service check it out. I'm not overly happy with first gear but as long as the clutch doesn't wear prematurely will be all good. Yeh this engine doesn't hit power band till 3K then it takes off. Think they geared this thing for the autobahn!

 

I had the same problem on my 05 Reg. Cab. All you have to do is take it very very easy for about a week while your in 1st gear. After that, everything will go back to normal.

 

Had it more than a week.. Pushing 600 miles or so on it. I'm gonna bug em till they make it good : )

 

Mine does the samething. I'll start taking off and everything will be fine. Then right before I totally let out the clutch, it jerks. It didn't start doing it until recently when the weather has been upper-80s to 90s in the afternoon. In the morning, I haven't noticed it as much.

 

Took it in and they said it's normal. At this point I'm dissapointed but will drive it. Can't recommend a Toyota to anyone else either. Without a warranty on the clutch it has me worried. Sorta pisses me off thought this thing would be perfect.

 

I'm still fried about this.. Anyone here want to consider suing Toyota?

 

I was worried about my 1st gear when the truck was new. I visited my father who'd 05 had about 4K miles on it at the time and it shifted about the same.

Now I have 17K miles on it and can't remember the last time I noticed roughness or other problems with the transmission. It still doesn't like to shift into 1st if I'm going over 5 mph but at that point I can just use 2nd.

 

I don’t think there is anything wrong. After all it’s a new machine that will take time to break in. It took months for the shifting and clutch to smooth out on my wife’s Subaru Forrester. My new Tacoma now has about 600 miles on it and I'm just starting to get smooth on the clutch and shifting.

 

Dude, chill a bit.

I am as OCD as anyone. In some circles I am known a HermannTheGermann. Personally I dont accept mediocre anything. It is just a process of you learning the engagement point and how much throttle to apply. I let the engine bog just a bit, then apply some throttle. It has almost become second nature in less than 2 weeks. Give it a chance. Your blood pressure will appreciate it.

 

My '07 PreRunner access cab doesn't have any shudder or other odd feeling jolt unless I'm just not paying attention and accidentally let out on the clutch too soon.

 

First gear is a bit steeper than most trucks,much less previous toys,plus there is a break in factor.Mine was a pain at first just have to get used to it and not over think it.Plus when you shift the engine bumps the throttle 200 rpms between shifts which I was not used to.Also if you shift out of gear at speed you will notice you rpms do not decrease till you come to a stop.But when you put the truck it 4lo and climb a steep hill you will love that 1st gear.

 

I know what you dude, last car was a 92 civic w/ an integra GSR engine so I was super spoiled w/ throttle response. My taco now has 60k miles on it and I've learned how to drive it. Throttle response on the truck is a little sluggish. You do have to rev it a little. I have an intake system that I have put together and it definitely helps.

 

I had a black 2007 Tacoma access cab 4 cylinder 4WD 5-speed.
Put 7,000 miles on it in a year.

I have a company van to drive to work so I only used the truck on personal time.

Last car I had with a manual trans was a 71' Camaro and loved it. I've driven many cars and trucks with manual trans and my opinion is that they all had a better set-up. HATED the clutch/tranny set-up on the Tacoma.

1st gear is way too tall for a truck and the damn clutch was always jerky or I can't tell ya how many times I stalled the damn thing. VERY embarrassing at times. lol

Maybe it was me but I don't believe so. Toyota also doesn't give you very good foot pedal position for smooth clutch operation.

Besides the clutch/tranny issue, I loved the truck.
Got 400 miles on a tank of gas. Had plenty of power on the highway,,, just a little underpowered on really steep hills but even that was ok for what I use the truck for,,, sounded GREAT with a Magnaflow cat back system (turned heads when going through the gears),,, Roll-n-lock cover,,, tined window shades,,, and planned on other mods.

Contemplated what to do and what my options were. I didn't wanna get stuck with a truck that I really started to hate to drive and my mood always went from good to annoyed when I drove the truck. Doesn't help that I live in a hilly area.

If they offered 4 cylinder 4WD in automatic, I would have traded it for that (probably woulda got that in the first place so my wife could drive it too) but instead I got a great deal on a black 2008 Tacoma access cab TRD Off-road 4.0liter automatic and love it!

... was able to keep my roll-n-lock cover and tinted window shades.

Toyota needs to offer the 4 cylinder in Automatic 4WD!!!

They also need to make first gear lower and give you a little more room in the foot pedal area or a lot of people are going to really hate the truck in that set-up and probably go through a lot of clutche$ and aggavation. JMHO

Good luck and keep us posted on how you make out.

 

I don't think first gear HAS a synchro at all. I can always get into first quick if I rev match but if you don't rev match you can't get in without slamming it. Which leads me to believe it doesn't have a synchro at all in first gear. Just my .02