New MT Owner, 1st to 2nd shifting question

I just bought a 2022 Tacoma TRD Off road (30k miles) with the MT, and when I shift from first to second it feels like I have to slip the clutch a bit to make the shift smooth and not jolt the truck. Any tips on making it smoother? I know its a truck trans so I don't expect it to be smooth as butter, but I don't like jolting the entire truck. Only does this with 1st to 2nd, nowhere else.

I have not done the AD mod nor have I got a Tune. I plan on doing both of these, but don't have the time right now.

 

1st to 2nd is just overall rough. Speaking as an MT owner that has the ADM and OTT tuned. Those things make it better, but doesn't resolve the problem completely. My next venture will likely be a short throw kit, but just for overall shifting feel. I have a feeling it would also "help" the 1-2 shift, but also again, still have the problem be present; if that makes sense...

A true regear would probably be the only solution to this.

As someone who has only ever personally owned manual vehicles, 98 Rav4 (5 speed) > 00 Jetta Vr6 (5 speed) > 15 Scion tC (6 speed) > 22 Tacoma (6 speed) - these trucks seem to prefer really quick movement of the shifter and really disdains "relaxed" shifts. I couldn't be bothered to shift as fast as it wants me to, however lol

 

Try shifting 1-2 around 3,000 rpm.
When I had the MT I found it shifted smoothest if rpms were high.
Below that it notchy and rough.

 

I have my smoothest 1st to 2nd shifts either in lower revs, slow speed, and slow shifting (a little bit of slipping too), or revving it up in 1st gear, getting to a faster mph, and jamming that shift lever down quickly.

It is generally the roughest shift of the bunch though, Learn to live with it. ADM and OTT help a little, as mentioned above.

 

My 22 is almost at 30k miles and I've had it since new. It's always been that way and the only MT I've had to really concentrate to knock out smooth shifts in any gear. 2nd is definitely the worst. At times even 5 or 6 can get clunky; which I bet getting around to the ADM would help with the consistency.

I switched to Redline MTL around 15k with no improvement. I'm going to try the Ford stuff next.

 

I used the Ford transmission fluid when I changed it around 32k miles. Didn't help much if at all..

 

Instead of outright dumping the clutch during the 1-2 shift, let the ride the clutch out just a tad bit slower.

 

Granny shift. All damn day.

 

If you want it to be smooth, you have to make the effort to let the clutch out at the right time. 2nd gear is half of 1st gear. Therefore if you press in the clutch at 3000 rpm in 1st, you need to let it out at 1500ish in 2nd gear. Smoothly/slowly releasing the clutch will help smooth it out if you happen to let it out at the wrong time for the engine. If you just dump the clutch at the complete wrong time and also do so too quickly, it will be very jerky because the engine speed all of a sudden has to be slowed down to match the wheel speed.

A tune, deleting the accumulator, and or a short throw shift kit are not doing to do anything to solve any of that.

 

I think the “shift improvements” claimed by many from changing fluid brand is pretty overstated and placebo effect for many, simply wanting to like the product and see results. Especially redline. I don’t like redline at all. I’ve tried it a few times on different vehicles, wanting to like it because everybody else says they do. It’s always more notchy than anything else and I can hear the transmission internals more and feel grinding more often. It’s like it protects less. I cannot fathom anyone noticing an actual improvement with it.

I tried the Motorcraft stuff as well and while I initially thought it made a small low speed improvement, not long after that it felt just redline to me. The only fluids I’m okay with are Ravenol semi-synth

$29 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75W-90 and Driven 80W-90. Nothing special to them, they just don’t feel bad like I thought all the others felt.

 

Don't overthink it - with little time behind the wheel, you'll be shifting like a pro in no time. Like others said, 3000 RPM seems to be a sweet spot. I'm at the point now where there's no need to do the ADM, because my shifts are smooth without it.

What did Bruce Lee say? "Feel - don't think". Crank up the tunes and have fun with your new ride! Oh - and welcome to TW, a great community with lots of helpful info.

 

Oh, I also forgot to mention that the truck also drives best (as far as shifting and overall feel) when it's loaded down/towing. Unloaded the truck has a harsh vibe to it lol I suppose one could load the bed with ~300lbs of sand bags to have the shifting feel better, but then your daily mpg would take a hit

 

The problem the OP is describing has nothing to do with lubrication. The problem is, as was already pointed out, is that the OP is engaging the clutch incorrectly.

The only effect of oil brand/spec, if any, is on the synchros that require enough friction in order to synchronize the rotational speed of the gears during a shift. When they don’t work right you hear a gear grinding sound. Use the recommended spec oil (is it gl5?) and you should be fine.

Also keep in my that the same exact product is often sold under more than one brand. I once worked in a packaging plant that was packing both weight watchers and a no-name brand of popcorn. Both came out the the same bag. The only difference was the that weight watchers box received less popcorn.

 

Welcome to the forum

I have had plenty of manuals over the years, the Tacoma is by far the most difficult to get a smooth shift consistently.


This is the Motorcraft (Ford) fluid that other posters have mentioned.

Motorcraft XT-M5-QS meets the Toyota specifications and has a reputation as a "problem solver" fluid for balky manual transmissions in sports car groups.

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 don't shift (or drive) very fast and had experienced occasional first gear blocking and also the "crunchy" second gear shift. I was also 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 all of the above were gone & haven't returned, note however all relate to the smoothness of the gear change and not the actual clutch engagement smoothness that the OP seems to be concerned with.


Motorcraft data sheet:

https://fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.com/products/transmission-fluid/productdetails?id=1

Rock Auto had the best price.

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

 

I find giving it a bit more gas than you'd expect, just for that 1-2 shift, makes it way smoother

 

Thanks everyone for the advice! I have noticed if I rev 1st out to 3k then let it drop to around 1.5k the shift is smoother. Just feels like a long time for the revs to drop before engaging the clutch.

 

Of all the manuals I've owned (many), this Tacoma is the easiest to drive in the sense that it's hard to stall, doesn't roll backwards, etc. but it's by far the hardest to drive smoothly. It'll smooth out over time as you get more familiar with it.

 

The truck has rev hang and the gear spacing is wide between 1-2. First, wait about 2 seconds after releasing clutch to allow for rev hang to turn off. Second, the RPMs are halved in 2nd gear. So if 1st is at 3000rpms, 2nd will be 1500 and you will engage clutch at the proper RPM.

 

There’s so much rev hang…except for that one 1-2 shift every now and again where there isn’t any and man that shift is always bad. Hahaha

 

You have to get on the gas slightly faster than releasing the clutch to engage the flywheel. I always thought this was caused by the lag in the electronic throttle body.