Normal stutter?

I have 25000 miles on my truck and it’s always done this and just now wondering if it’s normal lol. Seems like when I’m going between 40 to 45 mph and then again around 65 to 70 mph it almost feels like the engine rapidly cuts in and out. Almost like a light “fluttering” if that makes sense. RPM never changes and no weird noise or anything. Hard to explain really. Is this the gear hunting thing people talk about getting fixed with tunes? I do all my own maintenance and truck is flawless so I hate taking it to the dealership but it’s starting to bother me now for some reason ‍♂️

 

Lots of theories on this: https://www.tacomaworld.com/search/15939881/?q=stutter&t=post&o=date&c[node]=186

You will find plenty of comments for causes, partial solutions, even full solutions. These ranging from Toyota dealers saying it's normal, lift/drivetrain vibrations, torque converter issues (or low fluid), different tuning solutions having a positive impact partially/totally, and even occurring on MTs and ATs across just about any 3rd gen year. I'd love to offer more insight but I do not seem to exhibit the issue as a troubleshooting data point to help. Perhaps the link above will yield some leads you can consider and I do not think it would be fair to tell you its 'X'.

 

I get a lot of jerkiness in general 0-40mph especially when light on the pedal. Other times I end up in the "bog zone" where truck doesnt want to accelerate at all unless I give it a decent amount of gas. Doesnt bog with ECT on but jerks a bit more.
I used to get a lot of gear hunting above 60mph especially with hills but that has actually stopped at around 600 miles and it coasts smooth on highways even with hills.
Brand new 2022 AT with 900 miles on it. I dont like how it drives 0-40mph in general. Maybe whatever it is will settle down or "learn" or maybe I need to tune but am apprehensive flashing the ECU on a 40K truck that isnt even a month old yet.

 

Same

 

Interesting. I read a lot of the threads and it does seem like it’s all over the place. I don’t want to take it in cause I can’t even really explain what I’m experiencing. Just kind of a feeling. Probably nothing and normal but seeing that video of several with only 30k or less miles with burnt valves from a cylinder missing is concerning.

 

Seems some gen3 tacoma's have a lugging feel at low rpm like a buddies 2019 did. I have yet to experience it with my 2020.

 

I have it on mine, the same chugging/fluttering/shuddering the OP describes, and I am tuned. 2019 Sport 3.5L, happens with sema wheels and 265/70/17 toyo at3, and with the stock wheels and tires. tried a few tunes, all "shudder" a bit below 60 mph when light on the throttle. checked the fluid, adjusted the level, and added Lubeguard as well... still the same fluttering. just annoying. Ski

 

I'll have to check again, but when I had my dongle and the OBD fusion app with a member's downloaded dashboard which had a "light" for when the torque converter locked up and when I felt that shudder the light was going on and off.

 

Did you notice any change in drivability after adding Lubeguard? I, too tried many tunes and none had any effect on the low speed random bogging/shudder.

 

Maybe a little but, I also felt, it couldnt hurt to have it in there, to help prevent a possible failure. it still does it in certain circumstance but, not as bad as before. but, it could just be the placebo effect, and me just getting accustomed to the shudder being present. @gearcruncher is a big fan of the Lubeguard, and he seems to know his stuff, that is why I tried it. like I said, couldnt hurt.

I mostly responded here to let people know, we are not crazy, some of these trucks have this. must be us sensitive kinda guys. LOL! Ski

 

I’ve read a lot of gearcrunchers posts on the subject and he is certainly knowledgeable. I’ll probably add some next drain and fill I do on the trans.

I am certainly hypersensitive to how vehicles drive, vibrate, and respond to throttle/braking. I kinda thought I was just weird when I first noticed these quirks of the truck, since the last vehicle I owned was a 3rd gen 4Runner with cable throttle, along with other much less modern vehicles lol.

 

My 2021 6 mt does this too.

 

So I broke down and took it to the dealer. Of course I got the "could not duplicate" and everything checked out fine. The advisor told me "everyone complains about it and it's just how it is."

If it's the torque converter thing that someone mentioned above is there anyway to lessen it? Different fluid or something maybe?

 

I too have been told that it is normal. My truck does the same as yours and in my case it has nothing to do with the torque converter. Torque converter is a popular suspect, but in my case it comes from running 87 octane fuel. Low RPM, low throttle miss is also well documented here. I always recommend trying a tank of 93 and seeing if it changes.

If 93 fixes it, eh, not much you can do. I generally need to be around 89 octane or higher. If 93 doesn't address your issue, you can eliminate that and move on to other options.

 

Always ran 91. I don't know of anywhere near me that has 93 but I'll try it if I can find it.

 

I've gotten kinda used it. My only concern is long term reliability. If it's just how it is then that's fine I guess. I don't want to get stuck with a burnt valve at 61,000 miles when my warranty is gone.

 

Depending on your elevation, you probably are good. I get gas at costco and they only have 87 and 93 so I usually alternate fill-ups.

You can buy a Carista for like $20 and download OBD Fusion and by the Toyota pack for $10 and then monitor your torque converter.

 

Understandable. Keep in mind like a million + 3rd gens have been sold and a few have burnt up, but the vast majority chug along, weird vibes and shakes and all.

 

Never heard of this but a quick google doesn't seem to find them that cheap but lots of alternatives. Does it have to be the carista brand? Looks like on their website you have to buy a monthly subscription? I'm definitely interested in monitoring it although that might be bad for my ocd!

 

So mine looks like this, but says Carista on it.

$40 FIXD Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner for Car - Car Code Readers & Scan Tools for iPhone & Android - Wireless OBD2 Auto Diagnostic Tool to Check Engine & Fix All Cars & Vehicles ‘96 or Newer (1 Pack)

https://www.amazon.com/FIXD-Profess...62652873&sprefix=carista+obd2,aps,110&sr=8-22


I imagine any of the cheap OBD dongles would work. I signed up for the free week or month trial and then cancelled, so you do not need a sub to monitor, but only to make certain changes, like turn signal flash amount and seat belt chimes.

I bought mine years ago so prices have gone up I guess. There are many threads here on this subject with more and better info than I can provide.