Automatic Transmission Advice for Mountain Driving

Hey Guys,

I just took my first trip with my new Tacoma, and can see why everyone complains about the 6AT shifting too much at higher speeds while at any kind of incline. I cannot maintain speed in 5th or 6th while going up any kind of incline let alone a mountain pass. My questions are these:

1. If I put it in "S" mode and leave it in 4th gear - I can maintain speed most of the trip but rev around 2-3k RPM the entire trip.

2. If I need to pass someone on the pass, but 4th gear is not revving high enough, is it okay to drop to 3rd revving around 3-4k RPM for extended periods of time?

This trip is basically all up hill for 100 miles or so. (Salem, OR -> Bend, OR).

Assumptions:

1. If I can limit how many times the Transmission is shifting from 6th -> 4th and back and forth throughout the drive, this should keep the transmission cooler, right?

2. Less shifts over time should be better for the overall health of the truck, right?

Is there any reason not to keep in 4th and let the engine rev higher and no lug in these situations? I was always under the impression that 4cyl engines like to rev higher, but not 6cyl engines. Thanks.

 

let the engine rev. 3.5 loves the rpm. only would worry if youre hitting redline. It can run 3k all day, your mileage will just suck but that's part of driving in mountains.
also miles total on the truck? i see you have a 2018 so the computer may not have learned fully yet. and that may be why its shift happy.

 

The manual actually recommends using the ECT button in mountain terrain. You should try that and see how you like it, its less likely to go into 6th with it on.

 

500 - 700 miles on the odometer on the truck during the trip.

 

Try running ECT. I havet had any issues in mountain passes or mountain highways. Most of our roads are 45-55 though so no real reason to be in 6th anyway

 

Add a Shiftsense Pro. 190 bucks. No more gear hunting. And on mine my mileage improved.

 

Drive it the same way you would drive a MT. Make it stay in the gear that does what you want it to do. Yes, it's going to rev!!

ECT and S mode.

G.

 

Use ect pwr. It'll make the trans hold the lower gear for longer, and downshift faster when passing. I just use it all the time, mountains or not. Also, if you have the factory tow package, the trans has a cooling system, so don't worry about that.

 

Everyone has hit it so might as well. S Mode at 5 ect if youd like to see and fine tune until you get an idea. The trans in mine was weird until about 5k miles. ECT lets you stay in lower gears for longer so it doesnt shift up then back down almost immediately. The s mode limits how far your trans will shift. Just play with it and see what happens. I dont mind my AT going on hwy 2 and I 90 for trips. Not the steepest climbs by any means but it was actually what i was expecting and wasnt hunting like i thought it would ( and did early on until the trans picked up my driving )

 

I have over 46,000 miles on my 2016 DCSB Sport 4x4 Automatic. A considerable amount of time driving in the mountains in Montana, Wyoming, Oregon and Idaho. I use ECT and S Mode. Put it in S Mode and shift it yourself. Don't put it in 4th an let it automatically shift on its own. Drive your truck. My Tacoma performs great in the mountains. Plenty of power going up and great engine breaking down. You can shift into 5th with the S Mode if you need to. Again, its a mistake to rely on automatic shifting in the mountains. And for God's sake don't ever use cruise control. You will really enjoy mountain driving your Tacoma by using the S Mode and shifting. I shift constantly 4th to 3rd to 4th and so on to whatever gear I need. Shifting it yourself is the key to mountain driving. The truck with ECT and the S Mode was built for that task. Bend, Sisters are great places to play. Have a blast and don't baby your truck.

 

I make that drive about a dozen times a year. Haven’t taken my 3rd gen yet, but should be fun!!

 

Yes

Yes. But no need, just put your foot down, it’ll shift down the 3rd. S4 only limits top gear, it’ll auto shift 1 to 4.

Kinda, but not really. Depends on many factors.

No.

Rev has nothing to do with cylinders.

 

hey guys. i just made it to Santa Fe, NM last night from Houston. me and my buddy are headed up to UT and then CO after for some mtb riding. this is my first time driving in the mountains. i noticed my tacoma is struggleing a bit on the steeper climbs driving into NM. i think this was the first time i saw the truck hit 3k rpms while shifting. DUMB QUESTION. what gear should i be in when i get up into those really steep climbs in CO? i am sure it doesnt help that i am loaded up with a bunch of gear too. we do plan on driving through Medano pass so ill need to figure out how to use 4X4 as well. i feel really dumb asking this question but ill feel even dumber after, if i burn my Auto Transmission in these mountains. i figured me being from Houston peeps would understand, thanks! i have an older 2004 TRD 1st gen with ECT, 4x4 and tow pkg. my shifter just has D, 2, L.

 

Put it in drive and select ECT mode. It will be in the 3-4K rpm range a lot in the mountains. If it’s getting higher than that, you probably should slow down. When it comes to selecting 4wd, I’m mostly familiar with the manual first gens. I think the auto just requires you to push the 4wd button on the side of the 2/4 transfer case gear-shifter handle. The truck’s manual may say you need to do this below 65mph on a straight section of road.

 

Yesterdays mountain drive. No problems with sixth.
Hopefully it's learning.

 

Just drive the truck and let it do its thing. Stop the complaining.

 

I live at 7000' and drive between 4000' and 11000' in Colorado. This is a V6 with variable cam timing that loves to rev! No worries holding S3 at 5000rpms!

 

I drive up and down mountain passes on daily basis, All u have to do is tap ur gas pedal BEFORE you go up the hill. I have never been over 3500 rpm going up 8000+ ft Canadian rockies. Most people dont build momentum and dont realise they are going up a hill till they have lost all momentum.

 

Even in my 6spd manual I have to drop it into 4th or even 3rd up mountain passes and keep the revs around 3k. Let it rev and use the gear it wants. It’s not a V8.

 

My driving is mostly in the mountains. I just got back from a 1000 mile road trip through Montana, including 400 miles on I-90 averaging 80-85 mph. The Taco did very well. As most people have said, you just can't be afraid to let it rev. Personally the constant shifting doesn't bother me either. I wouldn't keep it in S4 or S5, because there's plenty of times when it will shift into 6th, which definitely saves some gas. By far these trucks get the best fuel economy when driving 50-60 mph. My average on 50-60 mph roads is 21-22 MPG. My average going through Montana at 80+mph was 18-19 MPG.

Anyway, enjoy your new Taco.