2017 auto transmission quirks

Just bought a new 2017 Tacoma V6 Auto 4x4 TRD Off Road after my '08 was totaled by an inattentive driver.
I assumed that Toyota would have improved the automatic transmission , that was annoying at best, in 9 yrs. I upgraded to the V6 4x4 and the 6 speed auto thinking it would surely quell my dissatisfaction with the underpowered 4 cylinder 2x4. Well it is close but not a winner. Running at highway speeds on cruise control on anything hillier than the Salt Flats still produces an irrational shifting sequence that is uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing. While not quite as bad as my former '08 I'm still baffled that Toyota hasn't fixed this weird shifting quirk. Any fixes available?

 

OP - OV Tune, shift sense Pro, or pedal commander. I do not have any experience with them, but use the search function and there are a few threads. Or, trade it in and get a MT

EDIT: OV Tune thread - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...g-alpha-release.495735/page-414#post-16327046

 

there is an ecm update that the dealer can perform on the transmission that helps a little more but it will still have a little weirdness to the shift points but mine did improve.its the nature of the beast with this 3rd gen truck.

 

Your new truck has two driving modes: It boots up in “efficiency at any cost” Mode. You must push the ECT button to enter “normal” driving mode.

 

thanks Stocklocker. that helps. I haven't even had time to read the owners manual on this thing yet

 

Agree ECT should help immediately, then verify on your first service that they have the latest TSB - ECU Flash.. Not sure if ever proven, but a lot of us noticed a big difference on how it drove after the first 3k miles. Some claim it might be a programming for initial breakin period. Could just be a myth.. LOL.. but I swear after 3k miles my truck transmission begin to drive much better or just long learning period for the computer.

 

Get the MT and be happy.

 

If you have to "learn" how to drive an automatic transmission Toyota did something wrong.

 

Then why ask us for information about the truck instead of reading the manual first?

FYI you can also run it in S5 while in cruise to remove unnecessary shifting to the 2nd OD gear if it bothers you so much, the manual tells you that too.

 

You just need to learn the different modes of the automatic transmission and when to use them. As for automatically shifting gears, the truck does that so not sure of your point.

If you assume everything drives the same you're doing something wrong.

 

I'm pretty sure the auto is just not quite right for fuel efficiency.

 

It does what it can having two OD gears, if you want to use all the gears then deal with the shifting back and forth in cruise control. CC is designed to maintain speed not gear so it will do that depending on load sensed.

My 1st gens came with an "OD OFF" button, same thing as selection S4 or S5.

 

Hmm...haven’t heard anyone else complaining about the 3rd gen transmission. Maybe your blinker fluid is low? /s

Also search before posting.

 

I found the ECT doesn't help a great deal, and makes the truck more "jumpy" accelerating or decelerating at slower speeds. But what does work for me is throwing it over into sport mode. I get in, put it in sport (automatically selects 4th), and just drive. If I get on the highway, I bump it up once to 5 and generally leave it there unless I'm on a long flat stretch without a load, and then bump to 6th. If I really get into the hills, I'll bump it back down to 4 until I'm through them.

Easy, and drives just fine like this. I'm not sure why this is such a tremendous problem for people that going MT is the recommended solution. What, you can go full manual, constant shifting and clutching, but bumping the lever up or down every now and then between 4, 5, and 6 is a problem?

No, the AT is not perfect by any stretch. And it's slightly annoying to not be able to just throw it in Drive and go, and have it work in all conditions. But a little driver input with the gearshift lever, and the truck drives like a dream for me. And I don't have to wear out my left leg constantly clutching in stop and go traffic.

 

Exactly what I do too.

85% of the time I drive it in D but if I'm at a speed between gears, undulating terrain, merging from an onramp I bump to S mode.

It's so easy to live with and hardly an inconvenience to do. S mode is not a "special circumstance" mode, it's a "use whenever you want to" mode. For me D is like an ECO mode to run the rpms as low as possible using the OD gears depending on the load.

 

You're right man. No one has complained. My bad.

 

Thank all of you for your help.
I did do some research online to see if anyone else was having issues similar to mine before I posted on this forum. I read an article by Car & Driver reviewing the 2017 Tacoma which recommended staying away from the "persnickity" 6 spd automatic. That prompted further research which eventually lead me to this forum. I am now reading the "owners manual" which wouldn't have answered any of my questions about what others were experiencing.
Again, thank you for your suggestions and advice. You have given me more areas to look into and a good sense of what I can expect out of my automatic tranny.

 

I must be lucky, my 2017 Taco shifts just fine.

 

I am no expert on transmissions, drivetrains, ECU's etc., and so the following might sound like gibberish.

I read these threads/ posts regularly on TW and always wondered why my vehicle is so different, since it operates very well.


I have never owned a vehicle with AT prior to this 3rd gen Tacoma, and suspected one reason for my different experience was because I learned to drive using the clutch.

Feathering the gas while letting out the clutch and using the gears to slow down and downshifting to "punch it" are second nature. .

I realize I still drive feathering the gas pedal of this truck. When I see brake lights in the distance, I let up on the gas and let "engine braking" do some work. I don't believe I ever have "floored" the gas, but let up on the gas pedal (like I used to shifting the MT) when I want to "punch it", and the truck usually takes off like a rocket.

I didn't use the shift limiter or ect until recently, because most of the time I drive very conservatively. Also never expected "sports car" performance from this vehicle.

For what it's worth....

 

Car and Driver also selected the Honda Ridgeline as it's highest rated mid sized truck for whatever stock their opinion holds in your decision making.

https://www.caranddriver.com/flipbook/medium-done-well-mid-size-pickups-ranked