2023 MT and the clutch accumulator

I've got a new 2023 MT. I love driving manuals and most of my vehicles have used them. I am no stranger to a clutch having owned an MGA, Corolla, Mazda 626, 1985 Land Cruiser, a T100, a FJ Cruiser, a gen 2 Tacoma and now this Tacoma . . . all with a manual transmissions. I can find absolutely nothing wrong with the clutch feel of this Tacoma. It is predictable in feel and location, not soft in the least, and very firm (as expected) if you dump it too fast. The gearing is maybe slightly unusual meaning it took a little time to be able to unconsciously rev match on down shifts.

I can't figure out why there is so much complaining about the clutch accumulator on these trucks. Has it been removed or at least modified in the 2023s?

 

@tonered

 

Just got mine last month as well, and I don't have any issues with the feel, etc. Have owned one other M/T tacoma a gen 2 and other then minus the short shifter feels like driving a manual truck to me.

 

Something is different for sure. I had a 19TRDOR, and could not wait to get rid of the accumulator. For my 23Pro, I feel no need to remove it. Not yet anyway. I think its the truck, but I am four years older too.

 

It's all a personal preference. I highly doubt that the accumulator was deleted for the last MY. Poke your head under and see if it is there. You can make out some of it around the heat shield.

That said, adding some sound insulation to that heat shield is another great mod.

 

Not everyone does feel it to be honest, there are quite a few members here who have no issues with the clutch, others have even done the ADM and not noticed a difference.

Consider it lucky that for you there is no issue and go enjoy your truck!

 

Good to know as im considering a new manual.

 

I don't have an issue with mine but I've never tried burning out or speed shifting with this truck.

 

It was definitely different for me. I removed mine and it made somewhat of a difference. After driving it more, it now feels normal. I’m at around 26-29k miles(can’t remember).

 

For the life of me, I could not downshift rev match fast and smooth. If I took my time sure, but then what’s the point.

 

In cold weather, below about 25 degrees, the accumulator slows down the clutch pedal return to a very great extent making the truck difficult to drive.
Also, the clutch feel seemed ok in warm weather, but once I removed the accumulator, the clutch feel was much better. But you won't know until you try it.

 

Without the accumulator, the clutch feels lighter and “springier” of that makes sense. It’s a slight change for me. I also switched to DOT4LV because that’s what I had on hand. That alone might help with feel.

 

The silent majority are ok with the accumulator. I also have driven many cars and trucks with manuals and I don’t have any problem with stock Tacoma. At the very least, the accumulator saves stress on my drive train when I accidentally dump the clutch in gear at a stop light (a rare but existent event).

 

FWIW, new taco will not have an accumulator. Engineers thought it wasn’t necessary even with higher TQ numbers.

IMO clutch fluid accumulator is completely useless and takes away some of the “feel”.

 

I have the clutch bypass disc sitting on my desk and just haven't gotten around to installing it. My tools are temporarily in storage and I'm too lazy at the moment.

I've lived with the clutch for 8K miles and if there's no "solution" I'd live with it. With that said I can drive the Cayman S, my motorcycle, practically any other manual transmission vehicle without having to pay attention to what my left leg is doing to achieve fast and smooth shifts. On the Tacoma a bit more focus is involved to get it perfect; and even so sometimes it's not.

What does bother me more is how crunchy the 1-2 upshift can be, especially when cold. The fluid will be replaced when I get down there to mess with the accumulator.

 

There hasn't been any change to the Tacoma's clutch hydraulics between 2016 and 2023.

Jeff

 

the accumulator on 3rd gen was for people who suck at rev matching and modulating clutch engagement.
new Taco's iMT is an electronic solution for auto rev matching so no need for accumulator.

if I had a 4th gen Taco, I'd still use iMT so I can brake and downshift at the same time without having to do heel toe, which is nearly impossible to do anyway

 

I had zero problems either. Been driving all type manuals for 45 years from tractors to sports cars.

 

I have not removed mine, however at some point I will. The accumulator makes the cluth take-up point non-linear. I really only notice it when i need to get going quickly, ( i.e. like sitting at a light and it changes and I'm not paying attention and the car in front of me moves forward) release the pedal and there is a delay in the take-up.

 

I noted this over the winter here in Minnesota--if I immediately released the clutch, it would hang up and then 'pop' loose a split second later. Did not realize it was the accumulator, but that makes sense now. It was not a major issue, but was annoying. Added to the list of things to get done before next winter!