Manual Drivers, Can you convince me?

Gotcha, and you are absolutely right. All the new trucks we purchase have Eaton Fuller Autoshifters in them for that reason. Though there is something to be said for hiring drivers that can't even get shifting down. Back on topic...

 

Manual.

/thread

 

I had a manual 4runner before i got my auto taco and i enjoyed the manual more except for rush hour. rush hour + manual = no fun

 

Voting huh? no reasons or anything?

 

I had a 2008 regular cab 4cyl 5spd 4x4. I upgraded to a 2009 v6 auto, and I am very glad I did not get the manual again. The 5-speed in the 2008 was horrible. It was very notchy, and horrible in traffic. Mine was almost impossible to drive smoothly, and getting it into 1st gear while rolling was a nearly futile attempt. Driving in heavy traffic was miserable. I love manual transmissions, and have had several vehicles with them (including an old 60's GMC). The Toyota unfortunately is not very impressive. Some people say it wears in with time, but I had 8000 miles on mine and it never improved.

 

it gets better...i kinda know what you mean

im at 13K and its pretty broken in already....you just gotta clutch a little more in traffic to get into first smoothy...

the 6 speed its a totally different beast tho...that thing is really sweet to drive even in traffic

 

Get the auto - if you are like drivers here, you'd drop your cell phone, and don't need another distraction.

 

Well, good to know it does finally smooth out! I got pretty good at rev-matching which helped a lot, but it was the most pain in the rear manual I've ever driven. Some people said to switch to a different gear oil for the transmission and it would smooth out as well, but I never got that far. The auto trans is not what I'd consider perfect, but after 10,000 miles I am pretty happy with it. I will get an offroad toy or classic and put a manual trans in it for the fun driving.

 

I noticed that TRD made a kit that gave you a shorter and hopefully, more precise shift, have not seen many reports if its worth the $$$.

Jeff , 06 V6 SR5 6spd

 

Most of those are not true atuos though. The older gens still had a clutch for starts and stops with a shift modulator on top of the trans, basically shifting for you, it would also match engine rpms for your shifts. Newer ones have the clutch actuated for the driver as well. They are fun to drive, just put the pedal down and it sounds like you shift perfect every time, and fast!

Allison (among others) do make true hydro autos for some applications. Concrete trucks come to mind.

 

http://uk.askmen.com/top_10/cars/top10-reasons-real-men-drive-stick_1p.html

 

I have a 2010 5 spd with 350 miles on it. When I test drove with 3 miles on the odo it was very smooth. 300 miles later and the shift is very notchy. First gear is great for traffic, but accelerate to around 10-12 mph and then clutch in, 2nd gear can be interesting. Sometimes it almost grinds a little, clunks into gear as well especially when taking foot off clutch(even slowly). I take my time and give a second before shift to 2nd, but it doesnt matter - still tough. Never had a new manual vehicle so I don't know what to expect. I have been driving manual trucks all my life, but this has proven to be a challenge in 1st and 2nd. All other gears are smooth and rev matching helps. I hope it smooths out just a little. Love the manual because keeps me alert and in control......hopefully not frustrated in 36k miles with a big $$ repair.

 

Get the fluid for it flushed. It will smoothen out getting rid of all the break-in materials floating around in there

 

Well, that convinced me!

 

Was thinking a swap to redline mt-90 at 5k but not sure i want to wait that long. trying to make sure it doesn't get worse and i have to go back to the dealer. makes sense.

 

Do it now and stick to oem fluid. If something happens to your trans down the line they can use the non-oem fluid to deny warranty....it could even be that they didnt put the right amount of fluid in from the factory...cheap insurance to do it now and with oem

 

I just did my 15K service and switched everything over to Redline Synthetic. It has made a huge improvement in shifting. I'm sorry I didn't do it sooner. The owners manual only specifies what weight oil to use. Redline meets or exceeds their requirements.

 

If the manual only states what weight than you'll be ok. I know in some vehicles its stated to only use "gm" "ford" etc approved oil. If thats not the case than there shouldnt be a prob. Either way do it now because the problem will only get worse