Manual Transmission questions

Does the MT have "memory" like the ATs do?

Shifting into 1-3 feeling a little ruff after picking up from dealer. Noticed shifts are a lot smother when double clutching, synchro issue?

Any tips for faster starts without reving 1st gear to the moon?

 

Double clutching is likely to be smoother than not - it briefly spins up the synchros. Without double clutching, the better you rev match on both up and down shifts, the smoother it will feel. I love the MT in my Tacoma; but it did take a little time to get used to the gear spread and rev match consistently. I also drained the transmission at 1000 miles and filled with Amsoil trans gear oil. That seemed to quiet the transmission down a little.

 

Take it a bit slower off the line. You are driving a truck, not a race car.

Each clutch takes a little time to get used to.

 

For the record it's the shift knob itself that feels ruff, like I can feel the gears 'grab' while shifting, down shifts are smooth as butter and I don't feel anything.

 

You certain that the clutch pedal is fully depressed when shifting?

 

Absolutely

 

Then it’s probably just a characteristic of the transmission. I would give it some time to break in.

Can always take it to the dealership if you feel if there is an issue. But before that, I would find another MT Taco to compare shifting on.

 

Err, is the truck new? Your sig lists a 2017

 

A tune helps ease the pain of low rpms in second gear. adm helps the clutch feel. New trans fluid makes it shift much more nicely, helps to eliminate the harsh downshifts.

 

Def put some new trans fluid in it then.

 

Yeah I was thinking the same thing if it’s a 2017

 

If you come from having manual transmission cars these truck transmissions like to be shifted somewhat slower.

Consider changing the transmission fluid for Motorcraft XT-M5-QS, it meets the Toyota specifications and has a reputation as a "problem fixer" fluid for balky manual transmissions.

I changed to the Motorcraft at 30K. On the first trip around the block I was stunned at the improvement in smoothness, the transmission felt instantly "slicker".
I had experienced occasional first gear blocking and also the "crunchy" second gear shift, I don't shift (or drive) very fast.

Previously I was frequently conscious of the syncromesh working when shifting, I could feel it in the stick, it wouldn't grind but you knew it was there, after the fluid change the sensation was gone.

These transmissions seem to take some time to break in, at about 55K now and shifts very nicely.

Motorcraft data sheet:

https://www.motorcraft.com/us/en_us...ull-synthetic-manual-transmission-fluids.html

Rock Auto had the best price.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/motorcraft,XTM5QS,transmission+fluid,13630

 

Regarding starting out:
It is a truck transmission so first gear is very short and revs out quickly. This short gear is a good thing as the V6 has the off idle torque of a riding lawnmower.

Once you adapt your driving style to what the truck will do life gets better, it was never intended to do a Mustang GT style launch.

 

I have 3 quarts of Motorcraft

$33 XT-M5-QS Full Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid - 1 Quart, Black

XT-M5-QS waiting to go into my Tacoma's MT. Miata enthusiasts call it Unicorn Tears and swear by it for smoothing out the tranny. Rock Auto definitely has an unbeatable deal.

 

I was stunned by the improvement.

I found this on a Miata forum while researching:

"If you're talking about the Motorcraft, it was designed for use in the Getrag designed for the Focus, not the 'Stang. The Focus(especially the SVT) had a HORRIBLY notchy and hard to shift transmission from the factory and Ford called upon Fuchs to design a transmission fluid that would alleviate these issues. This is where the 'miracle fluid' legacy started as it quite literally made these cars feel like a new transmission was dropped in them. Then people started using it in all sorts of different transmissions with overwhelmingly positive results. I know the Speed3 guys love this stuff almost as much as we do(but we're better because RWD!)."

 

Fudge. Now I want some unicorn magical tears.

 

I concur. When I first got the truck, I would frequently be blocked from a 4th gear downshift along with rougher shifting than my 93 Toyota had. I did initially change the oil at 5000kms. I found around 40'000kms I could say the transmission fully broke in. If you're curious I run the amsoil transmission gear oil. It's not bad but it's no honey oil unless I have the transmission fully warmed from the highway or towing. Maybe next time i'll try the motorcraft stuff.

For off the line, only thing that improves that is a tune

 

Check out this thread here, these trucks have an "accumulator" this is supposed to make it easier to drive for people that are new to manuals. Many people delete it. I'm planning on giving it a shot next weekend

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mt-accumulator-delete-mod-adm-and-bs-thread.568303/

 

The clutch is definitely different on these trucks compared to other manual transmissions I have driven . U have to be slower in your shifting to get smooth shifts .1st gear is just to get the truck moving .compared to the auto the manual is slower when accelerating.

 

Mine took a while for it to be smoothed out. Whether that's mechanical or just me getting used to the new clutch, I can't say.