2016 Transmission T-SB-0077-16 Shift Feeling Enhancments (PDF)

Did everything go smoothly? Would you recommend heading to Pasadena? Anyone have experience with South Bay Toyota? For this tsb update?

 

Pasadena is too busy. Go somewhere else

 

So what I print out the papers and bring it to any dealership? Have never dealt with any TSB related updates

 

Any dealership should be able to do the update. However . . . . if you present them with the TSB in hand, they will know where to look if they "haven't heard" about it.

G.

 

Doing this only resets the short term memory. In order to reset the long term you need Toyota to flash the ECU. I would think after the ECU update that it would be flashed during the process, but who knows...

 

So what I don't get is how both the gen 2 and the gen 3 had similar transmission issues early on and similar TSB's to address the issue. I have wondered if perhaps Toyota was trying to skirt the EPA a little bit by allowing them to test the early engine/transmission combos that were boggy and particularly unresponsive at the throttle to perhaps achieve a better EPA score. Then after enough complaints they released a software update to improve the feel of the engine a little bit.
I also do not understand how the EPA lets automakers release updates which can significantly impact MPG after EPA fuel economy tests have already been completed (This is not an endorsement or condemnation of the EPA just a thought I had). You can argue that the change in MPG will be insignificant but the EPA does these tests under the impression that this will be engine/transmission configuration used for mass production.
So my conspiracy theory is maybe Toyota deliberately made the gen 3 engine/transmission combo garbage in the early phases to get their EPA score then after a buzz is created from all the unhappy customers, Toyota releases an update. Thoughts?

 

Wait for people like me who keep close track of their mpg to compare mpg before/after TSB before hypothesizing.

 

The 2WD OR has a locking rear diff, which will get me out of nearly everything most people think they need 4WD for.

 

Umm, no. MPG was just part of my thoughts here.

 

They need to go through the proper channels with the EPA before they release an ECM update. Also, the newer 3rd gens are not applicable to the re-flash, one would *assume* that they are already equipped with the program. The EPA will also test the 2017's, so we will see the verdict on that in a few months.

 

how do you like it now?

 

Depends who did/does the testing; EPA or was it done 'in-house' by Toyota.
EPA does not have an army of testers, nor does every vehicle get tested right away.

 

Hey guys I got my truck around April 2016 and when I brought the truck in, they told me that this 'recall' didn't apply to my truck. Is that possible considering that its a newer version of the truck or are they trying to scam me? 2016 tacoma OR

 

Your VIN will determine whether or not your vehicle is identified under the TSB. My TRD OR was built 06/08 and it falls under the TSB.

 

I've driven around 700 miles since the update, and noticed no difference in MPG.

Truck still feels more 'peppy' and I have not noticed any shift flares (only issue I felt with the truck) since the update.

Truck drives beautifully and I am very happy.

 

Hey everybody, had mine done on the 22nd. Drove just shy of 300 miles on Saturday to test it out.

I went to Kendall Toyota in Anchorage, AK the morning after OP posted the TSB pdf. I had called them, they had no idea about it, toyota customer care referred me back to the dealership, so I brought the TSB in with me to set up the appt. I was told this was not being found by some dealers because it is listed as a "Repair Addendum" rather than a full TSB.

Going into the appt, I had every issue. For me, the biggest issue was the P>R>D change every morning when leaving my house, I made them check my fluid levels twice several months ago and was told this was "Normal Behaviour" . In addition to that and the gear seeking, I had extremely squeaky leaf springs in the back...as in I could lean on my tailgate or just get out of the driver seat and -squueeaakkkSQUEAK-.

At the appt, I was told that I was the first one that had come in about it, and I was actually the one that made them aware of the TSB. The TSB was performed, as well as my 5k mile checkup, and they completely cleaned/greased the leaf springs.

First impressions: Wow. I'm cruising and holding 70-75mph at about 500 less RPM, and there's no seeking or jumping around with the gears when I get to hills. I get off the line like I'm in ECT Power. When shifting from R>D even with a completely cold engine, there's instant gear shift. On my 300 mile drive, I averaged 21.7mpg on roads ranging from 45 to 65mph.

Purely anecdotal, I'm not an expert, so believe me or not - this is just what I observed. I have manually reset the truck before and yes, it feels mildly better until it relearns. Even after a reset, I would still get the delay from reverse to drive; however, after the TSB, there is no delay from pushing the pedal down to truck acceleration - with a simple reset that response was always the same. This TSB solved all of the issues it set out to, and I noticed I had a much easier time maintaining higher mpg since the cruise control actually does it for you, and I no longer have to manually accelerate uphill to be more efficient.

Bonus off-topic: The cleaning/greasing of my leaf springs worked! It no longer sounds like the beat up '99 F-150 I replaced!

 

Did you know, back in the day, leaf springs were greased and wrapped in burlap?
Apparently, they did a lot of off-roading in them old jalopies.

 

My buddy works at a dealer and he let me test a manual AC Sport and a DCSB OR auto right after one another this weekend. I checked on the door and the auto was built this month (on what day, I am not sure, just saw "7/16"). Honestly, acceleration from a dead stop on both transmissions felt very similar. I've tested both transmissions before and this was definitely not the case before. Not sure if the auto had new software but it's possible it did. I was pretty surprised and for the first time I thought the auto might not totally suck. Totally anecdotal but I've been a pretty staunch critic of how the auto drives so that is saying something.

 

I stopped by the local Toyota dealer and spoke with the service manager. I talked with him on the phone a few weeks ago about my transmission shifting concerns and I agreed to put at least 1,000 miles on the truck. Now that there's 1,052 miles on it I still notice some shifting issues. I aksed him about the TSB today (7/25) and he said they became aware of it last Thursday and did one upgrade last Saturday. He agreed to have it done with no "test drive to verify" by a technician, since I'd already reported my concern. My appointment is this Friday (7/29). I'll post my impression in the other "results" thread here on TacomaWorld.

 

Was gonna wait for 5k service (@ 3600 miles now), but decided to get 'er done. Lots of positive feedback. Got an appt tomorrow... wouldn't give me a loaner so I'll be working in their lobby until they get it done.

I called the dealership and just said I'm having some transmission issues and I'm aware of a TSB that's resolving the issue for other Tacoma owners. Didn't seem to be a problem at all. We'll find out tomorrow I guess, but since I'll have to miss work, I'm going to raise holy hell if they say they can't do it for some reason.