Looking at a new 2019 Tacoma - Have some questions!

nobody knows the exact number of cycles before it needs replaced. But there definitely IS a number.

But what we DO know for FACT, is that twice the rpm, twice the wear. That's just basic math. Whether or not anyone wants to admit it.

People always say "spin the new engines high" - those people (I have no idea about you, not making any assumptions) - have likely never built and engine, or know exactly how an engine works, and what's happening inside. Higher rpm = more stress on components, period.

Sure, has modern technology made it where they CAN run higher rpms and not scatter immediately, yes... however the FACT of higher rpm putting more strain on components is true. Bottom line is it's a pickup truck, no need to be running it at 5,000 rpm. Yea, you can go do that, but it's not helping it's longevity that's for sure.

You also didn't mention a specific rpm you feel is good for running it at either. So perhaps you aren't suggesting to run it at 5000 rpm. I'm not sure.

I see people drive pickups around here, and you can hear them redlining them from every red light... and I just laugh. There's no need to drive a truck like that. I just want a decent truck that I can have look good and last me for as long as possible since they are quite expensive. My way of doing that is by not driving it hard.

 

This just isn't true.

In normal driving, my truck probably does stay south of 3k RPM's. I might take it to 4 or 5k, if I have to go for some reason, but honestly i'm a pretty pokey driver.

All these guys saying get the manual are right that you can control the RPM without the benefit of a computer doing it for you, but the auto has better gearing if turning lower RPM's to prevent wear is your goal. 5th in the Auto is about equivalent to 6th in the Standard trucks. The big problem people here have with the auto is it absolutely wants to run the highest gear possible at anything less that 3/4 throttle. At 65 on flat ground, the auto is probably around 1300-1400 RPM. My truck is no longer stock, so I forget the exact range, sorry. The manual guys will have to answer that, but i'd guess they are around 800 RPM higher.

The problem you run into is what I bolded. When you tow any amount of serious weight in relation to the trucks rating, or tow anything that adds drag, or tow into a headwind, or tow in elevation, this truck will live in the 5k range for long stretches if the right conditions are met. Level cruising and what not, it is around 2300- 3100 rpm or so depending on if it is in 4th or 5th. If it downshifts, obviously it goes up.

I pulled my trailer through the Appalachians and my truck ran above 4500 RPM for loooooong stretches of time. I was not flooring it, it just lived there. I was just trying to maintain the flow and not get run over by cars going uphill, or 18 wheelers going downhill.

I guess at the end of the day, I'm not worried about the RPM's and wearing the motor out. There is nothing new under the hood in the Tacoma and its been that way for a long time. I have not seen one single post here about a blown up engine due to wear.

Even the 283 in your grandpa's truck was a screamer in it's time.

I'd like my truck to last forever, but with all the expensive electronics in any car made for the 20 years, i'm pretty sure eventually it will face a repair that exceeds its value to me. Advantage manual transmission here for sure. Advantage 66 chevy all day though.

 

regarding to something just isn't true, what isn't true? 4,000 is double 2,000 - and double the amount of revolutions. Its just math.

wow, thats a LOT of rpm for an extended time. Mostly you can tell by listening to the engine as well, above 4500 for a loooong period of time is hammering on it hard and it sounds like it when you listen to it. 4500 for a shift going up a hill is one thing, but to hold it that high for a long time, man... I wish you the best and obviously you do whatever you want with your truck, I wouldn't dream of doing that to mine.

That said, there are lots of people I've seen who feel running them that hard is ok as well... and not one of them has been able to give me a solid reason WHY it would be ok... "it just is" is not a reason. Is there some special new metal the rods and cam are made out of? some kinda special lifters & rockers that are a whole new design etc... nobody has ever talked about any of that.

But regardless, the takeaway here for me, is that supposedly these are good engines that can last well. I still wouldn't run mine that hard. (if someone has some technical information on how these engines are different than every other engine out there, I definitely am all ears) - If there's something I don't know about then I'll be the first to say, "I didn't know that"

Thanks for your time, I'm not trying to be argumentative with you! (tone & attitude is hard to read in text, so I don't mean to come off wrong) I just see things differently having grown up in a shop, and building engines.

But if a tacoma is gonna run in the 5k range for more than a second or two for a shift.... then that will definitely stop me from buying one. That's a dealbreaker for me.

 

Nor am I.

I just don't see the problem with running it within its designed parameters. Well within as a matter of fact. None of the RPM ranges mentioned or even achievable with the Taco are considered high nowadays.

 

A redline on a factory tach doesn't mean you can hold it just under redline all day and it be ok. So just because it CAN run a certain rpm doesn't mean you should hold it there for long periods of time. Factory redlines have never been an indicator of "normal range", it's a "max before it blows up" kinds thing. - example: 1987 ford f350 with a 460 big block had a 5,500 rpm redline on the tach.... go ahead and run it at 5,000 and see what happens.

I've never seen a "recommended sustainable" range from the manufacturer. (if there is one, I most definitely want to see it!)

 

Ok.