RPMs Shooting Up on Random Downhills

Yes, they are sealed. Requires a bit of work to check the level properly.

 

I think it's just a matter of getting used to it. There's no doubt the 3rd gen transmission programming is kind of clunky, but I was able to do it pretty consistently in Colorado. I don't have long enough hills here for it to matter. Weather may play a factor too.

 

This makes me feel better and disappointed all at once. Because ever since I’ve owned this I’ve noticed there are definitely days where it feels like the gas pedal doesn’t want to respond and it’s sluggish and struggling and other days it rides fine. It’s been disappointing bc honestly most days it doesn’t perform much better than my old 1997 4 cylinder Tacoma did. I expected much better response/power with this V6

 

Sucks there’s no warning light if it’s low. Like brake fluid light. I’m sure it’s prob fine. But I can ask on my next service appointment.

 

Any respectable dealer is suppose to perform all the fluid level checks before toyota care is finish. My dealer did, and gave me a full inspection sheet after they were finished. I watch them service my truck on their big screen monitor while relaxing in their waiting room.

 

You saw them check the level of the trans fluid? Or the print out says it is full? I highly doubt they checked the rear brake shoe thickness during your toyotacare visit as well but the print out they gave you says they did.

 

They don’t check jack shit(most dealers). They glance over everything real quick and fill out a detailed check sheet as if they went over every item thoroughly .

 

this
I think the variance is due to the variance in many things, engine speed, vehicle speed, throttle/brake inputs, percent of grade, the list goes on and on.
I suspect a good portion of it is relying on inclinometer readings. I used to travel the same back road to an old gun club, and depending on conditions, my truck would downshift in one certain section. I figured out, most of it was dependent on how hard I was on the brakes before a sharp turn,,, thus causing brake dive. This is where I suspect a large input is the inclinometer, as this scenario was the most repeatable.

In the end, I think there so many variables and conditions that is the inconsistent part.

 

All I could see, was them under the truck, and inside the cab for about an hours worth, with while another guy rotated the tires. I just assumed they had done all that stuff as it was checked on the inspection sheets.

 

Sadly you assumed wrong. It takes about an hour to check the fluid level alone on top of changing the engine oil.

 

Well whatever, I don't have any issues with the way my truck runs. I'd be the first to complain if something didn't work right.

 

Doesn't always matter - sometimes just a tap of the brakes while coasting downhill will trigger a downshift.

 

Just came back from an errand. I touched my brakes on this same downhill I often travel just about mid way as usual, and the truck downshifted to 4th. I swear it can't get more consistent then that.

 

Normal, and would actually be useful if it was predictable.