OCD about transmission wear and shifting?

Anyone else conscious about limiting gear shifts while driving to prevent wear?

Examples I do: In stop and go traffic, I put it in 1st gear to prevent upshifting. When climbing hills, I ease off the gas and lose speed so it doesn’t downshift. I try to park in a way so I don’t have to reverse out of it when I leave. Overall, I just try to avoid changing gears once I’m at speed. I used to do the same thing in my old 5 speed 1st gen. Maybe I’m just weird and maybe it doesn’t help longevity of the transmission at all idk

 

MTs are fairly bullet proof. They take plenty of abuse. Don't worry about it. If you are talking about doing that to an AT, seek help.

 

auto... i do the same thing

 

Yea my truck is an AT

 

Stop n go ill drop to first just so i can use engine braking so i dont have to move my foot cus im lazy

I will limit on power downshifts to 4th from 5th at cruising speed (60+mph) if i can... that is if a hill is coming up that i know will cause at a minimum of an unlocking of the torque converter in 5th if not a full downshift to 4th, I will pop it into 4th on the flat before the hill so the trans isnt shifting under as much load and can get into lockup before the hill keeping trans temps down. But realistically.... throw it in D and run her and dont worry so long as you deal with fluid changes on the proper regular.

 

If I find it shifting too often, I will drop down a gear. (This includes converter Lock/Unlocking)
Towing I usually run 4th gear.
Other than that I pretty much just run 5th.
I don’t usually engine/trans brake.
I don’t tow that much weight to need to.
I figure brakes are cheaper to fix and repair?

 

Nope. Just drive it.

 

Just change the transmission oil at regular intervals and you should be good to go. Lots of good threads on that here at TW. No need to fuss with the gears otherwise.

 

Yup same sentiment here. I will say I do use engine braking in 4th and 3rd (and sometimes 2nd if needed) on longer grades if im loaded down and need to hold speed for a good chunk of time. Brakes are meant to stop you, gears are meant to maintain speed.

 

Just drive it. The transmissions in modern cars are designed for good longevity when you just get in, put it in D, and go. They expect people not to know any different these days. If you're towing that's different, I wouldn't want it to go into OD unless I'm on flat ground without a head wind.

 

1st is actually harder on the trans, it uses engine braking rather than the overun.

D for drive. Thats it. Park using the parking brake is the best advise.

Toyota has really robust truck transmissions, I have changed 5 in my career of 16 years.

 

Some of the misconception is the transmission fluid isn't used for lubrication solely, its used more for hydraulics in the transmission. The transmission fluid will be more susceptible to heat if towing a trailer ect. Equally important will be to monitor the temperature to the transmission oil to get the longevity as stated "lifetime Fluid". My first Tacoma was a first gen with 375000 Km when sold and is still running thanks to regular maintenance on all fluids and oils ect.
I think the fact its not uncommon to see Tacomas in great condition with high mileage speaks to the adage ....An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A little precaution before a crisis occurs is preferable to a lot of fixing up afterwards
Great to hear all the comments...go team TW!

 

I only downshift going down big hills.

 

I downshift on hills as well. Never worry about my trans much at all (293K on my 2000), but i do take extra time in the mornings to let it shift up into second on my way out of the driveway.

 

Just drive it.

I'd be curious if there's any case study's out there to show if the difference in driving behavior actually affects the longevity of the transmission. There would be a ton of inconsistencies to even have a legit study though.

 

On cold mornings i put it in drive set the ebrake and give it gas to warm up the fluid till its to about 120 on my scanguage than it shifts normally

 

just drive, especially for normal driving. I only become conscious of it when under extreme conditions like towing, plowing, mountain climbs etc. Stop and go, youre not putting much pressure on the system unless you floor it until your next stop over and over again.

 

defiantly consider seeking professional help

 

I've never heard of this in my life... and i'd never try it. but if it makes you happy!

 

Sometimes I may drop it down in 4th if I'm driving in town. But 95% of the time I just leave it in D