Loss of power feeling

I just bought a 2008 Tacoma crew cab 4.0 V6 with 73k on it and as always after buying a vehicle you start to notice small things here and there. Before i bought it I took it to a Toyota dealership and had them do their 160 Pt. inspection on it. They recommended a few minor things such as cabin air filter and spark plugs. Nothing major. I just had the plugs done.

When i am driving it, it feels alright, like it has full power, however right around 40-50 MPH when it shifts gears it kind of feels like it loses some power just at that point unless i give it a little more gas. Also it seems like a little harder than normal shift from 1st to 2nd gear.

Is this normal? I have had 3 4runners and this is my first Tacoma. I am wondering if i am just not used to driving them yet.

When I got it, it had a trailer brake assist hooked up. Someone was obviously using it for towing but it seems they made an effort to take care of the truck and take the braking effort off the truck itself. It was also VERY clean inside and out and it passed the Toyota inspection so i am thinking there couldn't possibly be that much wrong with it given it's a Toyota and it only has 73K.

Any insight to this?

 

Could the lack of power you are experiencing be the torque converter locking up soon after the shift to 5th? I have noticed that if I cruse at a speed just before the truck “wants” to shift. But do not apply more gas, the truck just shifts for me. Almost like it forces itself to shift “early”.
I only have this happen while driving slowly on back road for example. I sometimes leave it in 4th
to keep it from shifting early or too frequent.

As for The “hard” shift. Mine seems to stay in gears for a longer time when cold.
Mine has always shifted a bit hard from 4th to 5th when cold.
Once warm all seems to be fine.


When it comes to the trailer brake, I’d consider that a good thing.
The previous owner obviously knew a little. It’s much easier on the brakes.
Especially if you plan to tow near its maximum towing capacity.
(I believe that most, if not all trailers, have brakes if they are rated for 4,500 LBS)


I say drive it, get used to it.
If it the symptoms get worse, let some one look at it.
I always get a bit nervous anytime I make a big purchase.
More than likely you will be fine.

 

Pull your positive and then clean your MAF and throttle body. Check your engine air filter. Put a fresh tank of premium in the truck and see what happens.

 

I will look into the torque converter. Yeah i experience the “Early shift” into 5th too. I am most likely just being paranoid. I think i need to get used to the switch. But i love the truck. I agree on the brake assist too. It at least tells me if someone was towing with it they cared enough to maintain the integrity and wear on the truck. I’d say if it was that big of deal then Toyota probably would have caught it. Thanks for the response. I appreciate it!

 

I have a brand new k&n in it. Not a cold air, just the filter. I didn’t want to do the whole cold air set up. I have heard mixed things about the k&ns though. But i will also try the other stuff too. I appreciate the insight.

 

Pull it immediately and replace with an OEM filter.

An over oiled K&N will be the source of a lot of problems. It’s also much less efficient than an OEM - like a lot less so.

Tacoma’s already ingest a lot of dust, best to try to avoid exasperating it with a crap filter.