Manual transmission shifting questions

Hey everybody, fairly new to Tacoma world, actually, I just created my account about 20 minutes ago. Anyway, I picked up my 2017 6 speed manual Tacoma Off Road last week and I've been loving it no doubt. Only thing is (I'm embarrassed to admit) the shifting has been getting to me. It's the first manual vehicle I've ever owned so I'm still grasping the concept of it.

My question to you more experienced drivers is: should I be giving a little acceleration as I am upshifting passed 1st gear? Or should I be just disengaging the clutch after I make my shift and not be giving the vehicle any gas? Whats the recommended RPMS to shift at for 3rd gen Tacomas? I've read numerous posts saying either or, but I figured I'd ask on this website regardless since most of the forums were dealing with sports cars (not that it makes a huge difference, a manual is a manual and I know every vehicle is different) so far I've been accelerating a TINY when I upshift, but when I reach higher gears on the freeway like 5th and 6th, I notice a tiny jump or drop when I shift. I've been shifting around 2500-3000 RPMS depending. Am I shifting too early? Any advice will help, thanks.

 

You will figure it out. Just try and be consistently smooth regardless of RPMs. I like to shift at 2500-3000 rpm... I can do it extremely smooth like butter. Take your time when engaging the clutch, don't try and muscle the stick as soon as you clutch it.. give it a second then move the shifter... so like this clutch... hesitate shift... left off clutch easy but not real easy and get on the gas.

Most people want to move the gear shift knob too soon or too quickly. It takes a little finesse, once you get it .. it will become natural .. this truck is the smoothest shifting car or truck I've ever had.. never owned an automatic in 40 years of driving.

 

Did you test drive? If you did I would love to know how the salesman reacted. I've never really thought about how it's done, but apply gas as you release the clutch. Don't know the RPMS yet, haven't got mine yet and none around to test drive. And every vehicle is different, and not always as you might think.

 

It took me a month or so to get used to the engage/disengage point of the clutch on mine after coming from a Ranger.

I've discovered that accelerating a little more in each gear --- as compared to my Ranger --- allows me to shift smoother.

I think I've also started releasing the clutch a little quicker than I did with the Ranger.

You'll get the hang of it with more time.

 

The higher the gear, or more speed you carry, the less gas is required to maintain momentum.

Like the others have said, good habits:
Push the clutch in *all* the way
Think about smooth
Feel the stick *falling* into the gear/slot/position
You can go slower before downshifting, than the rpm for an upshift
Each gear has its physics/physical limit for speed -
1st 0-15'ish
2nd 10-25'ish
3rd 20-50'ish
4th 35-70'ish...
Smooth on the downshift is an art
Smooth on the upshift is an art
Passengers should not feel any lurches, or deceleration from a shift
Imagine smooth shifts, like picture yourself making smooth shifts

 

I appreciate the info from all of you guys, it makes sense. I took it out for a drive through some back roads for a bit and shifted at a little higher speeds, definetly helped. And yes, I did take it for a test drive, salesman said I was shifting a tiny bit early.

 

Last quick question, around what RPMs do you shift at usually?

 

Depends on how you intend to drive. Need to move quickly? You can shift at close to redline. Id say average driving I shift around 3k rpm. But it is all personal preference. Some people like to shift lower but this engine makes no torque in the lower range so I prefer to wind it out a bit more and shift around 3k.

That's the beauty of a manual, YOU choose how to drive it!

 

i actually mastered driving stick driving my 1996 chevy cavalier it has a light on the dash to tell you when to shift it and after awhile i didnt pay no attention to the light anymore and did it by feel. once you get used to shifting the truck you will do it by feel too lol

 

It's pretty simple, if you are accelerating then when up shifting you give it gas, if your just kicking it into a higher gear to lower the RPMs but stay at the same speed then no need for the extra gas. Once you have that down then you can learn to rev match your down shifts, for example for a smooth downshift say you are in 3rd at 3000rpms and you know dropping into second will bring those rpms to 4000. You want to give some gas right before shifting to bring the rpms up to 4000 then engage clutch. Since this is your first stick just take it easy learn the basics and get comfortable. Once you are confident start researching, rev matching, double clucthing, and heel toe shifting. All things that will help you learn technique to make smoother shifts, accelerate faster, and use engine braking to get the most out of your brakes. My last car a VW TDI had 100k on the brakes and could have went further but the rotors were starting to corrode. Traded it in with 130k with the stock clutch (for those who think engine braking wears your clutch out). Have fun with your truck and thanks for keeping stick shifts alive during a time when people would rather cars drive for them.

 

I think I generally shift around 2.5 or 3k, probably closer to 3. However, if I need to get going, I'll shift around 5-7.
Don't worry. Right now, practice making everything as smooth as possible. Once things are smooth and you get more comfortable, you'll get a feel for everything.

 

I dont have to worry about shifting anymore I now drive an auto trans.

 

I too was having a hard time trying to shift from 1st to 2nd smoothly and the wife was giving me some jabs on it but with some practice I now shift up and down with ease. I'm in the 50+ age and been driving stick all my life but this setup takes some getting use to and I think everybody had some kind of learning curve to make it shift like BUTTER as they say. Manual Mo Betta $.02

 

Don't be one of those that pushes the clutch in every time you touch the brakes. I don't like when someones moving along at lets say 15mph on up and has to push in clutch everytime they touch the brake pedal its just not necessary and wears on stuff.

 

I have noticed many people shove the stick in and out of gear. It drives me crazy.

Put pressure on the stick to move it into gear and wait. Let the transmisson do the work. The synchros will do their job and the shifter will fall into place. My truck falls into gear quickly.

My Ranger was SLOW shifting using this method. Cars I have driven have been pretty fast and I am sure a modern Tacoma is quick too.

No gas pedal between gears. (Unless matching speeds on a down shift with a double clutch)

Only put your foot on the clutch when you are acutally engaging it. The other 99% of the time, your foot should go to the fixed foot rest left of the clutch on the floor. That is what it is there for. (Dont "ride the clutch")

Dont hold the clutch in at red lights. Use neutral. When the light turns green, use the above method to let the shifter fall into gear. Holding the clutch in puts undo stress on your TO bearing, preasure plate, and side-loads your crankshaft bearings.

If you read the owners manual, it will give you suggested shift points for best economy based in your ratios.

 

I congratulate the OP on a fine choice.

 

Thats so sad. Feeling sorry for you.

 

Good advice overall but why in God's name would you ever need to double clutch a Tacoma?

Also I know the previous manuals had the recommended shift points but I swear I can't find it in the 3rd gen manual, only max speeds for each gear.

 

Dont fell sorry for me I am happy

 

My 4.7l 5 speed won't go into first gear if it's moving without double clutching.