New Taco Access cab 5 speed shifting question

OP is reading about v6 guys shifting below 2k and saving gas and applying that to the 2.7L. I have one and if I shift below that it's LUGGING for me. 2k- 2800rmp is nice shift point and I get 22mpg average with 4x4.

For me if under 8-9mph and I try to take off in 2nd I will get LUGGING, so I must come to complete stop and go back to first. Annoying in traffic, but it just doesn't have the power to start in second under 8-9mph with 4x4.

Me: I only downshift when I approach something where I will again need to accelerate in that lower gear ie: entering a highway exit circle and getting back on. Doing it every stop light is a bit much, so I just hang out in gear and coast until I get to 1k rpms. If it changes to green drop a gear if needed and go. If it stays red drop to N when you reach 1k, brake and wait.

 

Holding in the clutch for a long time at a stop light or any other time will potentially lead to prematurely wearing out the throw out bearing.

 

I use to gear-brake all the time, til someone pointed out the price difference in brakes vs clutch. we're married now
I think I'd rather get a Brake job than replace a Clutch.

 

How does it actually work?
I remember my father once telling me not to hold the clutch and gear in while waiting at the light.

 

Hate to bring up an old thread, especailly as a new guy, but I'm new owner for my first Taco, 4cyl, 4x4 5 speed.

I'm also noticing that starting in first gear is more than 2k. But I'm also not getting a completely smooth shift going into 3rd all the time which is strange sometimes. it acts like a delay in the clutch engaging the gear, almost a jerk forward. Anyone else?

 

Yes this has done this for me since new off the lot. You just have to get used to a smoother pedal release. The clutch seems to catch right at the top inch of pedal travel. It's tougher to ease it out to get a smooth transition and with weak leaf springs you get some wrap too I'm sure.

For an exaggerated example get up to 20mph in first gear and let off the gas. Don't hurt your neck though.

 

REALLY funny you mention that.. that's exactly what I did just the other day and almost kissed the windshield.

the only other toyota product I owned was a Scion TC with a 5 speed that had sort of the same thing. so I decided to jump on this forum and see what is up


I love my Taco and this sight is the BALLS for information. You guys got some incredible Tacoma's out there with some serious personality.

 

I will admit its really great and traffic and the snow getting traction but it's a stark difference from other transmissions. A truck for sure.

 

I can shift down to first if going very slow, under 5mph. When brand new it was a bit tighter but now at 15,000 miles feels fine.

You can creep along pretty slow in 2nd so don't go all the way down to 1st too often.

 

5-10mph if im in 2nd it will lug or stall out. I must go down to 1st under 10mph. It's probably the extra weight due to the AC not helping that.

 

Seems like a lot of people just don't understand how manual transmissions/clutches work. (myself included)
I got my 2.7 4x4 5 speed a month ago, and it is my 1st stick and 1st truck.
Small learning curve to be able to drive from A to B, but to do it properly with optimal wear and performance? I'm having a hard time with this!
I feel like I have a pretty good idea on the mechanics behind how everything is working, so is it safe for me to say that under normal driving conditions, and with proper use of the clutch, there should be little to no clutch wear? This would apply to downshifting as well as regular shifting too, right? It's all about rev matching, having everything in sync when you let the clutch back out. How then do people wear clutches out so fast? How can you be too hard on your clutch? I hear a lot of "I avoid downshifting because I'd rather replace break pads", but if you downshift properly can you not benefit from engine breaking in multiple gears with little to no clutch wear?
The main problem I am having with the 5 speed is 2nd gear. It seems to be geared WAY too high, making low speed driving (parking lots, rolling stops, traffic etc) a giant pain in the ass, especially with 1st gear requiring such a low speed to engage. (rev matching helps here) I find myself having to "ride" the clutch quite a bit to get my speed fast enough where I can be in 2nd without lugging like crazy. Now obviously this is bad practice, so whats the deal? Did Toyota just not gear this transmission properly for the 2nd gen?
Aside from 2nd gear, general clunkyness, my squeaky pedal, and the reverse idle speed nearly breaking the sound barrier, everything feels great and shifting has been pretty smooth once I figured the clutch out.
A few other questions i have:
What's the giant "issue" with downshifting into 1st gear? Is it just the RISK of damaging something if you don't do it properly?
Parking on a hill, leave it in gear?
Good method to check how much "life" your clutch has left?
Short shifter? Any good experiences with the URD or other models?
Any other tips for a new manual driver? Thanks for reading!

 

i shift between 3-4k and get great gas mileage. if you go from light to light hammering it in gear and launching it than your going to get shitty gas mileage. as a mechanic once said to me JUST DRIVE IT

 

Its all kind of personal preference. I used to downshift occasionally in my old 88 Toyota 4x4 pickup. Worked fine, no problems. And your right, to make your clutch last it is all about rev matching. But eventually when you think about it, downshifting is really just a slight waste of gas and slightly more wear on your drive train. I'm also on the side of brakes are easier to replace than clutches. This all pertains to around town driving. There is definitely a time and place to downshift, but that isn't what were talking about here. If you are doing it correctly, there should be next to no additional wear on your clutch. There are plenty of people driving around with well over 150k+ on original clutches. Maybe plenty is an overstatement, but if you drive like you care about your truck and intentionally make it a habit to not slip it, there should be no reason for it to wear out under 150k.

As for downshifting into first, well I don't have a manual 2nd gen. But on my old pickup, good luck. You gotta be under 2mph before it wants to slide in easy.. TWSS. You can try to force it, but that wont do anything more than wear stuff out.

I do leave it in gear while parked most anywhere. Why not? Its like a safety net. On that note, one other thing, never done this but I have always imagined parking in a spot where I might get towed, but putting it in 4wd and locking the rear diff while leaving it in gear with the E brake on. Gotta drag all 4 tires if they want to pull you out not that a properly equipped tow truck cant, but I imagine it would be funny to see.

My only tip is just learn to feel the rpm and listen to the engine instead of watching the tach. Really pay attention to how much your slipping the clutch while taking off from first. After a while you can really reduce it.

 

I have a URD short shifter which helps with throw length and nothing else with shifting. I like it.

Reminder: each of us have different trucks v6 or 4cyl with standard and access cabs(more weight) and with and without 4x4. One person saying their truck shifts smooth at 2k with std cab 2wd won't be the same due to weight and drive-line loss of another tacoma with access cab and 4x4.

If I have to go under 10mph I must clutch in and brake to almost stop and start off in first again(annoying) or I will lug in 2nd. I would have to ride clutch to get moving again in 2nd. It takes getting used to as it is NOT like "every other manual" where you can start off in second as long as you are rolling. I find getting up to 3k RPM for a 4x4 access cab and rolling above 10mph helps for a smooth transition to 2nd (try it you'll see). Every other gear you can do 2-2500 no problem once your rolling good.

First gear is VERY low and has a lockout, so it isn't good to downshift to first(if you don't know how to properly do it 100% = yes can damage) If you need to downshift to first and are not 100% accurate you can do way less wear just downshifting to 2nd or just stay in gear and let it slow you down to use the brake.

 

Take it from an X-motorhead whose been driving manuals for 44 years. I have NEVER, EVER worn out a clutch or throw-out bearing or tranny parts on any of my vehicles. Some of them had over 200K miles. Do as you wish. But here is what I do:
1. Never sit at a traffic light while in gear with the clutch in.
2. I shift into first only while stopped. I do so when the opposing traffic light turns yellow when I'm first in line or when the light turns green if I'm not first.
3. Keep the clutch depressed as short as possible. If it's depressed, you're wearing some parts.
4. Always shift at the point of a "Sweet Spot". It minimizes plate wear. The sweet spot is when the shift is in an RPM point where the shift is smoothest and truck doesn't jerk or slow or any unusual motion. Every vehicle has at least two rpm sweet spots. Most have more.
Basically when the clutch is depressed you are either wearing out a throw-out bearing or the clutch plate.
5. Don't down shift. Brakes are cheaper than trannies.

I just got a 2010 V6 Taco 6 speed, Access Cab. I'm having trouble finding the rpm "Sweet Spots". Any suggestions?

 

i float my clutch so.

But i also do it for a living too so .