Gen 3 tranny problems??

The most overlooked fact is the trans works fine, it's just some people are too stubborn to realize that a very large part of "the problem" is the fly-by-wire software is intuitive. The accelerator is not connected to the throttle body, it's a computer input device and the CPU interprets how much throttle you want based on various conditions. (Yes the power deliver is different than the 4.0 too, but the 3.5 has plenty of power just a few RPMs higher) It is a little different or even odd, but 90% of "the problem" goes away if you avoid listening to the whiners and just push the peddle down further. Be consistent and decisive and it will "learn" what you are asking it to do, be vague and/or inconsistent or demand that it drive the way your previous vehicle did and it will not "learn" as much as it will constantly guess what you are asking it to do.

 

I agree. It’s not a ideal situation, but you have to “learn” how to drive the Tacoma AT. It’s almost like it needs to be told what to do. Once you figure out it’s moods, it’s fine. For sure Toyota may have been able to offer something more obvious, but for whatever reason, they didn’t.

 

Love it! It’s been a long time since I’ve wanted to take a “Drive” for no reason at all, throw on some tunes and just cruise..
Thanks for the input!

 

This is what the tranny problems is about.

 

I have a 2019, it shifts differently each time I drive it. There is no consistency, it is very disappointing. I am trying to not be annoyed by the strange shifting. I’m convinced it is the working the way it was designed but am still disappointed, this type of shifting in the past has been associated with a problem. I would think with as many people complaining about it Toyota would reprogram to what has been associated with a properly shifting transmission. My 2018 4Runner with the 4 liter and 5 speed automatic delivers the same mpg with a much better driving experience. I like everything else about the truck hate the way it shifts, looking for something different.

 

The 3rd Gen 6AT shifting is not a closely guarded secret on this forum. Didn't you do any research before laying down $30,000+?
These posts blow my mind.

 

I’m with you man. Seems like it drives different every time I start it up. I’m 6 months in and thinking about trading mine in for something more enjoyable to drive.

 

They don't fail. Some people just don't like the way they work. My 2017 is perfect IMO.

 

Resurrection
Does it perform differently from the test drive?

 

How many miles are you at?
I started kicking my pedal a little harder almost 2k miles ago & I'm starting to enjoy driving it. The 1st 4k were blah, at 6k now..
Most of us really liked the 4.0 with 5 speed but I think this thing gets better the more you drive it, that or I'm changing, maybe both..

 

Look no further than the MT. Shift it at 3,000rpms or higher, keep it at around 2,000rpm for max fuel economy but poor throttle response or keep it at 3,5000+rpm for poor fuel economy but much improved power and throttle response. With the MT the choice is yours.

 

I've had two third gens, a 2017 and a 2019.

Not issues with either. I drive it in S4 around town, S5 if cruising on the highway (ECT always on). Shifts just fine. No complaints.

 

After over two years driving this truck, and being mostly happy with the AT, I agree with everyone who says it drives differently on different days.

I drive other vehicles for work, and drive countless hours, and have had many different work trucks, so am very consistent with how I drive any one vehicle.

My Tacoma does bewilder me. Some days I feel perfectly in tune with the truck, the tranny, the throttle, and other days it seems like me and the Tacoma disagree.

After too much time thinking about this, I have decided that the issue is Toyota put way too much programming and input variables into the behaviour of the transmission.

All kidding aside, I swear it drives differently on windy days than humid days, and whether I have the stereo on or not. It seems like every external nuance is an input to the transmission logic and creates massive changes in its behaviour.

This is where Toyota truly did fuck up, in my opinion. I can get used to anything, and be happy with anything, but they keep moving the goal posts on me with this transmission.

 

You can find negative info on just about anyone or anthing on the internet. So are u gonna go crawl in a cave somewhere never to emerge into the world again?

 

I did do some research and had determined that there had been more than one transmission update that fixed the problems. The 19 drove better on the test drive than the 2016 I had tested a few years ago, but a limited few mile test drive doesn’t really reveal much. Service and sales said the transmission was intuitive and would get better with time. I’m 6 months in today. 4200 miles and it not any better. I also find the incessant shifting is in slower traffic, on the open road its not as bad, wot it’s awesome. It does return better mpg in town than on the highway. Any speed over 60 and the mileage begins to go down. I contacted my sales guy last night hopefully today he finds me a manual transmission TRD Off Road with leather. Thanks for all the replies.

 

Lol

 

Did he hear his mom is a slut also?

She is....

 

I couldn’t agree more.... well said.

 

My opinion in regards to my 3rd gen is it's a lot different then my 2nd gen '09, and no not in a bad way. I knew from the beginning it was a new tranny and drove differently but was ready to upgrade. In all honestly in the beginning I was annoyed at times until I really learned how this new transmission works. After a TSB and 2 years later I feel like I know this transmission like the back of my hand. Also Sport mode and ECT are great tools, I use them from time to time.

Granted there are some out here that do have legitimate problems, but that number is more people not liking the new transmission rather then something is wrong with it. And yeah there is a lot of hate coming from other gen people that don't own one and think they know what their talking about.