Time heals all wounds. After 10k you will feel the AT love.

If I’ve noticed one thing here, it’s that there is a general trend on TW of less and less complaining about the Automatic Transmission. Why?.......because people are finally getting some miles on these trucks. Time is kind to the 3rd Gen Auto Tacos. This new transmission gets itself sorted out, in my experience, right about 10,000 miles (16,000kM in my case), when your truck is due for its “service #2”. At that point you may notice you are no longer bothered by it due to whatever transmission break-in, ECU learning, and subtle driving habit adjustments being now complete.

Like anyone here, I had a few days when all the negative TW vibes about the AT clouded my mind, and I had some true hatred for it at times. Having said that, for the uses I have for the truck, I knew the AT was still the right and best choice, and I never once wished I had a MT when off-roading. Of course I wished the truck was perfect “right outta the box”, but am enough of a geezer to know in life you can’t have it all.

When I say I have no problems with the AT, I really mean I have no problems with it now. All is now well, and my truck is great. I think a lot of folks here are experiencing the same thing. For sure if you put huge’ n’ heavy tires on it, and 900lbs of mods, you may still wish you had more power, or different gearing etc, but that will be the case with almost any truck.

My advice: hold off on tunes, pedal commanders, shift sensers, obsessive ECT button pressing, and general despair until you roll that Odo past 10k. If you still have a beef with the auto then, go for the mods, or sell the bastard.

Another tid-bit: when you change tire size, I believe it takes a while for the system to re-adjust. I went up one size to 265/70/17, and feel like it was an immediate set-back for the AT, but then the system, and/or my driving habits took that difference into account and again, things are good.

I think a lot of people here buy these trucks, are immediately disappointed with the AT, start tuning, then add larger tires, then start weighing the truck down with overland crap, and the truck isn’t ever given time to adapt.

Anyways......many might disagree with me, but for you new Taco AT owners out there: I guarantee there is light and the end of the tunnel, and you don’t need to do anything other than drive your truck some miles to get there.

 

Mine has been great since I bought it with 3 miles on it.

 

Ha! I knew we’d get a unicorn chiming in! That’s cool. You are a lucky guy.

 

I'm sure alot of it has to do with the Owner adjusting his or her driving style to match the truck too.

 

It's called Stockholm Syndrome...love ya brother!

 

Well, if it is, it working for me. Still, thanks to you I’ve got an appointment with a psychologist next week. I asked if we could do the session inside my Tacoma.

 

Excuse me sir, if you continue to make sense...

 

As long as I use ECT button I have no real issues, but if not it tries to get into 6th gear asap, I've got 16k+ on it and what's adjusted for me is I press the damn ECT button every time I get in the truck....until @mesojdm ECT always on mod gets back in stock

 

Fify to the more likely explaination..... @jsinnard called it a very long time ago, aka my first signature..

 

Yes, for sure that may be the case. I still feel there is a significant break-in period, or learning period, that is not just driver-input based, but I could be imagining it.

 

Took delivery of my truck a few days ago with 4 miles on it. Love at first drive. Didn't have to grow on me. I don't care if the transmission is shifting. That is what is supposed to do. I'm gonna let it do its job and on to some fun!

 

I’ve had my truck a couple weeks and about 350 miles or so I’m good with the way it operates and shifts. No real complaints

 

No real complaints with the AT for me . I really believe 4.10s in the auto would be a game changer factory though. Unfortunately i gotta wait till my rear end wears out. Ill prob have a new vehicle by then . Maybe a 4th gen in 2030

 

I hit 10k on my 17 auto and traded it in for a manual. 10 months and I couldn't take it honestly..

 

It definitely tries to go to the lowest gear by default, which is annoying...initially. Trick is to learn the truck's behavior. Depress foot on gas pedal and punch the F*cker, it will go post haste!

 

That's the truth just have to be liberal with the skinny pedal and don't be afraid to run it to 6 grand

 

6 grand seems excessive, but whatever the application, the truck goes will scoot, without ECT IMO.

 

I've got no complaints with mine and it just reached 1,000 miles. I know if anyone likes their truck they're either a liar, an idiot or a lying idiot.

 

It’s hit or miss on this. Some days I want plow into a tree at 60mph and call it done, and some days it’s acceptable. My wife rarely drives my truck, but a couple weekends ago she ran around all weekend in it and when I got it back it drove better than ever. Now I’m back I it, it’s pulling it’s old 0-60 in 30 seconds trick. Truck has 31k right now, I blame a bunch of the lag on my armor though.

 

I adjusted to the trans for the most part and never had much of an issue in city driving. Its still annoying when it drops to 4th on a tiny incline or a gust of head wind when doing 80mph and doesnt want to shift back up.