How do you like your Automatic?

While I wish I had gone with the manual, I don't have any complaints about the auto. Maybe I just don't pay attention enough or have had a good transmission but it works for me.

 

Subbed

Lurking and reading all your thoughts on The AC60 series transmission .
The AWR6B45 is an excellent trans but you cant get parts for it yet .

Needs programming upgrades to remove partial converter lock up in lower gears but you wont ever see this from Toyota.
Toyota has to be competitive in fuel consumption , therefore this programming upgrade is only available by aftermarket tuners .

From what I have seen over the years at Tacoma World , your transmission needs frequent fluid replacements . This includes removing the transmission pan to change the filter , clean the magnets on the bottom of the pan . Keep your trans fluid top notch if you plan to keep your truck .
Shall we go with 60K for fluid exchange ? That should work
No flushing unless the pan comes off " period " Ask me why I know this ?

Here is a question .
Are you sure your transmission is full of fluid ? This continues to be a serious issue with 2021 trucks .

Guys , the thread below started in 2015 . One year before the 3rd gen was introduced . Highly suggest you guys keep the link below updated
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/


Sooner or later , someone at Tacoma World will install a ZF 8 speed from the Toyota Supra

 

That's interesting. This weekend's trip, I drove it in S5 and it stayed 5 or lower. Never touched 6. The prior trip where I noticed it walked to 6, I had run ECT prior. Wonder if there's a bug that doesn't restore every value in the ECU when taken out of ECT mode. I also noticed in S5 the torque converter locks which looks like a gear shift RPM wise. The locking did drop the RPMs to almost 2000 where 6 drops it to 1700 to 1800 from eyeballing it.

 

My ecoboot never dropped from 10th even on steep hills unless I got below 65 mph. Were it not for the cam phasor problem, I'd still own it.

 

I like the tall 6th gear for low revs when cruising at 75 MPH on flat land - but wish it had an 8-speed transmission. I would like one more gear before the 1:1/direct-drive 4th gear since it falls flat on its face on the shift from 3rd to 4th and and then another in between the current 4th and 5th.

The manumatic in our Hyundai (and lots of other cars) was idiot proof. You can bounce it off the rev limiter but it will downshift as you slow down/come to a stop so you don't lug the engine/stall. The Hyundai had a 4-speed automatic and in the hills I would just lock it into 3rd and it would power up the hills with torque instead of downshifting and revving to 5000 RPM. So you could just floor it in 3rd at like 3300 RPM and it would pull just about any grade with a smooth hum instead of kicking down to passing gear with a jolt and a lot of noise, annoying everyone.

 

I have an AT in my 2021. It's tuned with KDMax Pro which I got mainly because of the transmission. Stock tune just seemed like the transmission was frequently in the wrong gear.
Tuned the transmission is fine. I forget that it's doing its work. Which is important in an automatic transmission.
The crawl control feature is nice to have, but with the ABS rattling away while it operates makes it sound like the feature is broken. Not sure if this is worth getting an A/T if you are open to get the M/T.

 

Same, but in my world, we have only 1 OD gear and the rest shuffled down a bit to close the gaps. It's really noticeable when towing that 3rd and 4th are spread too far IMO. I really don't want more gears though.

 

I don't know about any bugs.

I also refer back to my wifes Rav4, it had an Eco, Sport and normal mode. When I originally purchased my truck it's like the options were Eco and sport(ECT) in my Taco. Post TSB it seemed to move to Normal and sport(ECT) modes. On the Rav, the difference between Eco and sport were very noticeable, just like how my felt Taco.

It really seems like Toyota leaned a little too hard on efficiency and after a bunch of complaints about drivability readjusted the normal mode. Ultimately it's all just my opinion though.

 

Be sure and snap a pic the next time you are at 1700rpm going 75mph.

 

Had my truck for going on 1.5 years and I can say that the AUTO trans SUCKS! Its always shifting when it shouldn't be, and god forbid I approach a stop sign, and do a slight roll on it! It gets all confused and will mishift. Also if going downhill the trans will prematurely downshift too aggressively. And btw the average FUEL economy also blows, getting 16mpg average around town, which for such a "mid sized truck" and smallish engine (v6) is unacceptable. Now I do ONLY have 11k miles on it and it has been issue free and has been reliable.

 

Yeah, those turbo v6's have tons of torque. Maybe it didn't need to. My old 5.4 Triton powered F150 would downshift going up long hills even if I put it in a gear.

 

MY 2021 TRD Sport has been great.
AT shifts with no problems, none that most are complaining about.
Love this truck and will get many years out of it.
I read 2021 is best year of the 3 Gen Tacoma has built with all the flaws from previous years fixed. I believe it, so far not disappointed with it. Forgot to mention I get 28 mpg and that is no shit.

 

I love my '16 SR5 AT -- but I wouldn't drive it without being tuned with KDMAX Pro now....worlds different and all in a good way. I have been tuned in one way or another since 2018 and 60k miles later (and a few tune revisions along the way) I could not be happier with my truck and how it drives. I am a customer and have been so impressed that I joined the KDMAX Tuning group to provide full services for those interested in getting tuned across Virginia. I take local appointments here in Suffolk but have these events coming up:

2016+ V6 Auto and Manual transmissions supported
Want to get a better shifting Tacoma with a responsive accel pedal? Let me help you with that! In cooperation with K&D Pro Tuners I am able to provide you with the KDMAX Pro Tune to fit your needs today:
- Smoother throttle-especially from a stop and low speeds
- Smoother shifting
- Peppy in 1-4, but holds 5-6 on highway for good mileage
- Octane learning from 85-95 octane--no more Regular and Premium versions.
- Improved/smoother shifting.
- Works with CAI's, Custom Exhausts, and Dumptubes
- 4Lo tested- smooth and strong at low speeds.

NOTE: Please msg me if you need any info or would like a timeslot to attend, Facebook signup is not required!
----------------------------------------------------------------
Glen Allen, VA - SAT, March 5th, 2021 STARTING AT 8:00 AM
Crump Park - 3400 Mountain Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060
FB Event: --
Fredericksburg, VA - SAT, March 5th, 2021 STARTING AT 2:00 PM
Dixon Park, 1300 Dixon St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
FB Event: --
Virginia Beach, VA - Sunday March 6th starting at 1PM
Bayville Farms Park 4132 First Ct Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Facebook Event: Map: https://goo.gl/maps/u9qcNLNCZjUBXsSb7
--
Staunton, VA - Saturday March 26th starting at 10AM
Montgomery Hall Park - 1000 Montgomery Ave, Staunton, VA 24401
Facebook Event: Map: https://goo.gl/maps/dbvgDuDzLXxwo9mt8
--
Charlottesville, VA - Saturday March 26th starting at 2:15PM
Rives Park - 926 Rives St, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Event: Map: https://goo.gl/maps/vJvBccoFSaYWBUFs9
--
Lynchburg, VA - Saturday April 23rd starting at 10AM
Timbrook Park - 19040 Leesville Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24502
map: https://goo.gl/maps/muphFpbmEwWXnRtq8
event: --
Montvale, VA - Saturday April 23rd starting at 10AM
Montvale Park - Montvale Park, Montvale, VA 24122
map: https://goo.gl/maps/PHKuipeeQC9jEScZA
event: =====================================
** Upcoming events will be posted here as they are planned as well as Facebook:

 

Yes sir. 425 bucky gees for the Wind chill pearl

 

Since adding a cbi roof rack height bedrack, traction boards, a shower tent awning and a regular awning, my truck feels like it shits maybe later or sluggish with uphill driving and just wont reach that next gear uphill. Otherwise its fine.

 

Take off all that shit and you might have a good performing Taco

 

Nah I love my truck how it is.

 

I like my truck how it is, stock. Does exactly what I need it to

 

Same here love my stock Taco.