2020 TRD PRO M/T

My dad got a 2020 TRD PRO M/T yesterday and I had a few questions regarding it. I am new to forums and have a manual car myself but I still have some thoughts I wanted to discuss with some people who know more than me about this truck.

First of all, our truck is listed as Apple Carplay compatible but I have yet to learn about it or set it up. I am assuming this will be easy but it is first on my list to install on the truck.

My only other concern was the clutch on the truck. I run Motul Gear 300 in my FRS transmission and it makes it feel amazing and smooth. When I drove this truck, I kept in mind it was a truck and the manual was vastly different but at first, I thought the gears were grinding with how much feel the clutch has. I can feel almost the entire transmission through just the clutch and I can feel the rotations and everything in it and I wanted to ask if it was normal as I couldn't find anyone discussing this issue in 3rd gens. It doesn't shift bad but it's very prominent when the transmission is cold. The clutch is very light and springy but I just had concerns with the clutch because I thought it was grinding. You just feel everything through it and it's weird.

I also have a friend with a 2nd gen X-Runner and he told me the truck won't start if the clutch isn't all the way down or if the clutch cancel is not on. I found this out quickly as I thought the truck was broken but I just wanted to see if anyone could verify that the clutch has to be all the way down to start 3rd gen M/Ts.

I saw that some recommended MT90 Redline fluid in just the transmission and was wondering about that too. Does anyone have any experience with it in 3rd gens and know which I would have to buy if I did get it with the correct additives?

Also, the turn-key thing is very weird considering my 2014 Manual FR-S has keyless entry/start and this 2020 Manual doesn't have keyless entry/start yet our old 2016 Auto Tacoma had keyless entry/start.

Overall those are my only issues besides some cosmetic damage that the truck has. I would love to hear your guys' comments, questions, concerns, and thoughts regarding this truck.

 

Welcome to TW! Clutch Start Cancel works hand in hand with the key, allows you to ride the starter out of a tricky spot.

 

Welcome 2 TW!

 

I think CarPlay is wired on those head units? Nice truck btw!

 

All you need for carplay is a cable from your phone to the front usb port. Then you will see apple carplay pop up on the radio screen.

 

Hey , tell your pops double congrats on the new Tacoma and it being a M/T.

 

Welcome to TW.

The transmission will break in in time and while still a truck transmission will improve with time.

The clutch hydraulic circuit has an accumulator in it that can limit feel. There is a mod that modifies it or removes it to improve the feel.

As for the key. I prefer it. Not being a push button is fine by me.

And the clutch switch to the floor is pretty standard fair with most manuals I have experience with.

 

Can't speak to CarPlay (but the Android Auto in mine is the only reason the stock head unit has been allowed to survive), but the transmission I might. I recently purchased a used 2020 MT with 18k on it. When I initially picked it up I thought the shifting was a little chunky, but not nearly as bad as my wife's 2015 Impreza 5-speed or my in-laws' Outback 5-speed. After a month with it though, I feel like either I'm shifting this transmission better or the transmission is fully broken in now and shifts pretty damn smooth for a truck. It might just need some time and miles. My clutch has been super smooth since I picked it up. I'm coming into this truck from a 2013 Mazda3 with the smoothest transmission I've ever driven, but I'm really kind of impressed with the transmission in this truck.

One major thing to note though is that the clutch is annoying as hell when the temps drop into freezing territory and below. Maybe it's an oil viscosity thing, but the pressure required on cold mornings goes up and the rebound lag is crazy. The behavior seems to go away once the truck is good and warmed up.

Also, there's reportedly a known issue with the rear brakes if you get them wet and then let them sit in freezing temps with the handbrake engaged. A lot of people religiously don't use the handbrake, they just park in gear, so it isn't an issue for them. I'm the other way around.

There's also a few design flaws that you may or may not want to address early on. The AC evaporator core drain line drips directly on the frame and can rust it out (couple bucks to fix though), and the tag lights shine directly into the backup camera at night (another couple bucks to fix), and personally I can't stand red turn signals so I fixed that too.

EDIT: How could I forget the keyless start? That has been the biggest freaking annoyance with not only this truck, but learning about Tacoma's in general. I don't understand why but Toyota decided that absolutely no Manual Tacoma's would get keyless start, and it pisses me off just a little every time I have to do something so peasantly as pull my keys out of my pocket. I've tried looking into adding it, and if there is a way to do it without disabling the OEM ignition it is beyond my capabilities.

 

Sounds normal on the clutch/shifter.

 

MAKE it a triple congrats nice color

 

Welcome to Tacoma World great color!

Clutch safety switches have been common on manuals since the 1980's.

This manual is a bit quirky especially if you are comparing it to a front wheel drive car. It will shift smoother with additional miles but is and will always be a truck transmission. With that in mind it works nicer if you shift it a bit slower.

I replaced my factory fill (no issues) at around 30k with Motorcraft Synthetic (XT-M5-QS). It was an immediate and noticeable improvement, the shifting was slicker for lack of a better word. Still not a sports car naturally but it was an improvement just the same.

The Motorcraft fluid meets the Toyota specifications, it is the recommended viscosity (SAE 75W-90) and carries the correct GL-4 rating (this is important).

Rock Auto had the best price.

https://www.motorcraft.com/us/en_us...ull-synthetic-manual-transmission-fluids.html

 

Awesome!! Congrats to your Dad on picking the best color EVER!!! Although, I may be just a bit biased.

 

You don't state the miles on it but if it has less than 7500 or so, the trans/clutch will need to wear in. A lot of ppl with MT trucks complain (including me) when they are new about engagement issues and clutch feel. Also you have a modulator on the hydraulics of the clutch that takes out a lot of the 'feel'. Enjoy the truck.

 

Welcome to TW, and nice turck.
Like mentioned, Apple Car play and Android Auto is already install, you just need the cable to connect to the USB port to center console. That is the only USB port works with Carplay.

Wow, do any you guys have M/T cars that doesn't require to depress the clutch to start?
All my previous M/T vehicles require clutch to be depressed before it can start.
My 1996 Civic, 1996 Audi A4, 2006 Subi WRX all require the clutch depressed to the floor to start.
That's because you usually put the car in 1st gear when you park, if you just start the car without push the clutch in the car lurch forward.

 

Clutch switches became common in the 1980's.

 

Many people leave their vehicle in gear. I do not.

All manuals require you to hit the clutch to start, unless your vehicle is equipped with a Clutch Cancel button like my Tacoma. My Mazda3 did not. Since I got it, the only time I've used it is when I want to start the truck without climbing into it.

 

That is my understanding as well, all M/T requires driver to hit the clutch, I find it very odd that in 2022 that some people still didn't know....
Sure, you don't have to leave it in gear. I did that just in case hand brake fail and my car roll away on un-level ground.

 

Buddy had a loaner Saab in the early 2000s that didn't require the clutch to be pushed in to start. No override needed. Just turn the key. Only manual I've drive like that.

 

I thought with most people it was one way or the other, the in-gear camp and the handbrake camp. I didn't think a lot of people used both.

 

@huskcummerbund,
Reading your earlier post, so even TRD PRO trim M/T don't get a Push-to-Start button?
There is this guy bitching and whining about how much he hates Push-to start button on a separate thread. Maybe he should get a M/T Tacoma...