Tacoma 2016 -17 transmission & power review

Yes power rests in the higher RPM range, SOP for a gas engine. The problem is the transmission will upshift keeping you from accessing the higher RPM's. When you discover your not moving, too late, it has already upshifted, now pressing on the gas causes you to down shift resulting in a lurch and more power.

The only way to solve this is to always set the ECT on and be more aggressive of with the pedal. The computer will delay each shift and when it does you will be well higher in the RPM game to get good power in the next gear.

In this situation the engine will be called to perform and you will be a happier camper.

 

From what I've read these arent true Atkinson motors.. it's a smaller v6 so it will have to rev more than the 4.0 to produce the power. The issue is toyota makes this motor operate way below the power band

 

Extremely below the powerband. It's really damn ignorant to be honest with you.

 

ECT sucks to the truck takes off with out even giving it gas on the shifts. Truck is not smooth to drive with or with out ECT ON.

 

I just crossed 1000 miles on my 2017. I am coming from a Rav4 with a V6. No going to try to make a comparison, but that fact is just for background. I think the gap between 4th and 5 is too big. Tightening up that gap could have really helped on the bigger/longer hills. I find that I have to DRIVE this truck much more than my Rav4. That SUV was like a transport device.. you started driving and then you were at your destination. No fuss.. no muss. I will admit its tall 5th gear didn't pull hills either. The Tacoma, you have to drive it. I find that at highway speeds ie 70-75, it will hold speed better if at the bottom of the hill, i press the gas hard enough to drop to 5th at the bottom of the hill. If you wait too long, you lose all your momentum and then might have to drop to 4 and high rpms to get 75mph back. I have found that being a bit more aggressive with the gas pedal doesn't hurt the around town mileage that much. Mine is probably still breaking in, but averaging 18 to 20 around town. 19 to 21 on highway. I do get some wierd surging when it is cold and backing out of my garage. Toyota couldn't reproduce it. Current on my TSBs.

I admit I am disappointed with the low end torque. But I am getting used to it. It does look damn good. I get a ton of compliments on it. It is different to put the dirt bike in the back instead of towing a trailer with a gate that acts like a parachute. Which btw.. I only got 16mpg with my Rav 4 towing a utility trailer with the gate on it. Boo.... Better mileage to the riding areas for sure but riskier loading in the bed than a lower trailer.

Overall I like the truck. Don't love it. This is my first truck in 30 years. Don't normally love 4 wheeled vehicles anyway.. my passion is two wheels.

Oh.. and here is something I found on the Atkinson cycle. Toyota is basically simulating it with variable valve timing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_jZbYL6xi4

 

The surging happens when the engine is cold, it is at high idle until it warms up some and if you have the AC on the compressor will cycle too.

 

It shifts probably the power steering pump he is feeling. Never in my days have I seen a power steering pump make a vehicle rev up 300 rpms like this one does when you turn the steering wheel. You can literally make the truck act real stupid if you just bump the steering wheel back and forth.

 

These trucks must really be sensitive to load changes.

 

It's really a fucked up truck all together in the power train I'm just being honest a Honda Civic has more guts than this thing

 

This truck struggles up hills pulling a load. They look nice and run great down hills. Idk why they put a mini van motor in a truck.

 

I've driven mini vans with more guts. And that's not a joke.

 

This is what I said as soon as I knew they were using the "car 3.5" in the Tacoma. Not enough torque....
Dynos show the 3.5 has 20-30 less torque but 20-30 more HP over 4500 RPM...
But we don't drive at 4500 RPM in trucks...
And all the sacrifice it only picks up only 1 mpg overall...
It maybe a good engine for a overland build for longer range but not enough grunt for me....

Hopefully Toyota will release another engine option with more torque... Till then I'm keep the 4.0.....

 

I can understand Toyota wanting to use the 3.5 engine across the board in as many vehicles as they can in order to save money, but at the very least they should have designed a different Intake Manifold or changed the tuning to move the powerband lower in the RPM Range.

 

Very underpowered. I'm currently in touch with Magnuson about producing a supercharger for the 3.5L. If not, then I'll be doing a custom turbo kit. I have a 1300whp Supra, that measly engine does not satisfy me...LOL

 

Maybe.. but a few times the rpms jumped and the truck bucked like an old style transmission slipping. I guess it can be just the computer ..... My garage is narrow. I don't have much room for error when backing out in the morning. lol.

 

Holy cow!!! You are right. I tested this morning by giving the steering wheel a good twitch while backing up. Sure enough, I felt the same surge. I feel better it isn't the transmission now though. Thanks.

 

As a Prius owner, this is 100% true.

On another note, 236 posts and not one complaint about the dreaded misfire condition? I am experimenting with different fuels and having SOME success at the moment but of all of my complaints, that is my biggest.
Either way, I think an LS swap with a T56 is needed.

 

I really feel for you guys having issues. If it wasn't for TW, I'd have no idea that some of these issues were out there. My only gripe is with the fuel economy as I get 14-15 MPG in central ohio (I.E. mostly flat terrain) for some reason driving sensibly. I think I have only redlined it once or twice playing with it and hardly ever hit the Variable valve timing at 3500 RPM.

Hopefully you guys with issues find a happy place.

 

Wow, that is piss poor MPGs, hope that improves.

 

You and me both. I came from a 6 liter V8 and told myself " At least the mileage will about double". Instead I get 3 MPG's better or so ???

I have a cap, but it didn't change anything, hopefully as it ages it will get better. Or that's what I tell myself anyways.

Reading threads like these though, I realize it could be worse and the truck could have real problems.