after about 5000 miles in two months, this what I noticed about this Truck.

It seems to be running great. No problems so far. I initially had problems with MPGs, but that has all gone away. I changed the CPS, but I really can't conclude on whether it was it was the new CPS, break-in or my own acclimation to the car.

I have noticed the diff howl. However, if I didn't read about it on Tacoma World, I would have never thought anything of it --other than it was a normal drive train noise. I also listen to my music at the maximum volume at all times, and I didn't notice the "howl" until I drove around with no music and feathered my throttle.

Is it supposed to be louder over time? Because you've gotta be an extreme OCD crazy person to be bothered by that or even notice it.

I took my mom, kids and my wife on the freeway, and nobody in the back complained or mentioned the noise to me. I didn't tell them about it either.

Overall, there is no indication that this car will not be a repeat of my reliable and durable 2007 second gen Tacoma.

 

I don't think bad mileage went away on break-in If I had to guess, my bet would be on the usual suspect CPS. It probably was giving intermittent bad info and now is working as it should, but that's just imo.
And the vehicle is adjusting or should be to you and will be ever more pleasant experience to drive as it adjust to your driving or all the sum of its parts. At least that has been my experience with it.

The diff howl is more likely the placebo effect as it has been posted here making ppl doubt the soundness of their vehicle.
Having said that, no doubt some ppl are bound to have issues and some have due to the infamous diff leak. But it's an elementary fix and simple blooper at the plant, not a design flaw.

And you're spot on normal drive-train noise, as all mechanical components maybe subject to some noise, they just haven't noticed it because it quite common until some wise guy wants you to believe it ain't so.

Enjoy your truck!
Cheers!

 

I have come to believe that the "differential howl" may be in large part a factor of there not that many RWD vehicles being produced anymore. Someone who has never owned a RWD vehicle, especially a pickup, could very possibly "zoom in" on normal RWD sounds as a "problem".

I have only owned two FWD (or WWD, "Wrong-Wheel-Drive" as my brother calls it) in my life, an '89 Eagle Premier and a '94 Corolla, so it all sounds normal to me...

 

I like my truck, and plan on keeping it a long time. I do have the diff howl and noticed it before I found Tacomaworld. Unless it gets worse though I really don't think it will be a big problem. I don't think Toyota should call it normal. If it's louder than mine, I can see where some people could have a real problem with it.

 

Just curious, had you been driving an RWD or 4x4 vehicle previously?

 

2005 Chevy z71 4x4. 4x4 ranger before that.

 

I really don't think the Diff Howling has anything to do with people not having driven rear wheel drive or trucks before, in fact 77% of Tacoma buyers are repeat customers. I am on my 4th Tacoma and the other 3 had totally silent rear diffs, but this one makes noise.

 

Then you know what it's supposed to sound like...

 

I was trying to be nice about the 3rd gens...

 

Yea. Mine's not all that bad, but you can tell it's a sound that shouldn't be there. I can make it come and go on demand. If you have to listen really hard to hear it, then you don't have it.

 

Just wondering what mpg were you getting to say you were having problems with it?

 

Glad you like your truck, that's what matters.

I wouldn't discount people's problems though and call a whole bunch of people crazy or ocd to be bothered by, for example, the "howl". If you barely notice it with the radio off and none of your passengers notice it, awesome, yours isn't loud. Hope it stays that way for you, some people say theirs are silent, others say theirs never increases in volume over time, others get multiple differentials and have it increase in volume over time until they sell the truck.

Either way if you enjoy it, I'm sure you'll get many many years out of your truck!

 

I was getting about 14mpg city and 17 mpg highway

 

The sound might get worse over time, and it might start to bother me. Right now, it's barely noticeable.

 

I drove and MR2 before my second gen. Both were rear drive. Obviously the Mr2 didn't have a typical RWD driveshaft. My second gen was much more noisey the my current 2017.

 

Hrm. I get about 17-19 hwy but I'm usually in stop and go traffic and thought that would be normal? Or is this a CPS for me too?

 

I bet that is normal for "stop and go" highway. If you are curious, go for a drive on an open highway and see if it improves. You can monitor "trip" and "tank" average so it'd be a simple test. You need to be in the overdrive gears to get the best mileage.

 

I have and my 'eco' app says my best was 20mpg hah =\ how do you tell if it's a cps problem?

 

Not sure other than unusual performance. Or your dealer or a member here may know what to look for. I only get 18 mpg but I'm aware that my typical short and hilly trips are not optimal for good mpg. When I hit the highway I do much better.