Tell Me About the New Automatic Transmission

My understanding on Gen 2's is that both the 6 speed manual and 5 speed auto are good durable transmissions with the auto *maybe* having a slight advantage as far as durability.

I also understand on Gen 3's the 6 speed manual is carried over with a couple little improvements. What about the auto? Who makes the 6-speed auto and what, if any, other vehicles use it, or a version of it? I seem to recall seeing somewhere "the 6-speed auto is all new and lighter than the previous transmission".

 

Transmission works as it should.....I don't notice any anomalies.

 

Tom I understand it works fine. For some it upshifts a bit too soon but clicking it on Sport Mode, or whatever they call it, satisfies even those complaints. I was just wondering if those that know about Toyota automatic transmissions feel it should have the stellar reputation for long term durability at the previous auto did?

 

It will be tough to beat the A750 which has been behind the 4.7L V8 4runners back since 02 and the higher HP and torque of the updated 4.7L V8 and dual vvti 1GR. I don't know if this new 6-speed is just an added gear to the A750 or if it's some Highlander special. Maybe Jeff Lange will chime in and drop some knowledge.

 

You will get two schools of thought here. Those who do not like the 2016 or are not in a place to buy one will likely find fault with it, or claim "it's a new design and to be untrusted". A handful of them will troll the thread as always never having owned a 2016 or even driven one.

Those of us who are "fanboys" for want of a better term, and have a long time positive experience with Tacoma will claim we are not "worried" about the redesign as Tacoma has more than proven itself with reliable trucks and continued QDR efforts of Toyota Corp.

I also am convinced This redesign will be watched closely for any issues and I have full confidence serious issues will be tended to quickly.

Many have indicated they do not like the low end acceleration which may be also a function of the transmission. ECT seems to clear that issue up with a cost in fuel economy. Driving habits will determine whether or not there is a perceived issue.

Ironically driving off road one rarey accelerates in soft terrain less they find themselves digging some wheel holes. Acceleration should be tuned for lesser traction from a stop.

I roll out of stops (think a glass of wine on the dash) rather than accelerate out of them so I don't notice anything different from the 2015 to the 2016 in that regard. The only time I accelerate is t 50 MPH or more to pass and that is where I personally feel the additional horses.

I don't notice any "hunting" in the transmission but it's flat here in the low country. I drive with a VERY light foot. In that regard this engine/transmission combination suits my driving habits,

 

I like it but it does take some getting used to and that's not going to happen on a test drive. Just got done driving from Colorado in the mountains to Dallas last night. The transmission is fine, it just takes some getting used to with the Atkinson engine and the fact that it runs below 2000 rpm at 75 mph. People feel (or hear) the need for it to downshift when it really doesn't need to. 940 miles of cruising at hwy speed and rarely had it go from 6th to 5th. That gear change is not much either so it's not a hard kick-down, more like a subtle change in rpm.

 

I think it might be a version of the Aisin TB-61SN.

Can someone look on their door placard and tell us what it says?
Should be something like A/TM A960E

 

A07A/AC60E. I noticed running at 55mph doing about 1200 rpm.

 

Thanks. I'll see if that helps me find more info. (Not quite what I expected.)

 

As far as I know its a brand new trans. I remember reading a thread back in August and someone on the forum worked in the transmission plant here in the US.

 

And AC60F for 4WD

 

Yes. AC60E or F depending on 4WD or not. Thanks

 

I dont know if I would call it gear hunting. We all know that when you are doing 1500 rpm on an engine and start going up a hill you either need to downshift or give it gas and lug the engine. So the transmission automatically downshifts. RPM goes up to 2200-2500 rpm to maintain speed (if in cruise control). Manually you feel the decrease in speed and give it gas and the trans downshifts to accommodate.

 

It drives me nuts by how often it down shifts. It kicks a gear down on the very slightest of an incline, and two gears down if it is modestly steep. If it were a manual transmission, I wouldn't even be thinking of shifting down in similar situations. With the cruise control on, it even downshifts on slight declines to provide engine braking to maintain exact speed control. You can't lug the engine even a little bit no matter what you do. I think the transmission downshifting excessively is why may gas milage is so disappointing. I don't even get "city" rated milage on the open road when driving moderately. I am very sorry I bought the automatic.

 

Welcome to Atkinson cycle and 6 speed transmissions! This is the first car I have owned where doing 75mph and only 1800rpm. Usually it's at 2600 to 2800. Takes a little getting used to and the trans searching settles down with some miles on the truck but you can use the ECT and manual select to 5 and it feels like the older 4.0.

 

I've realized the same - good suggestions.

 

I got an automatic transmission on my 2016 Tacoma, only my 3rd automatic ever in all my years of driving. My 3 previous Tacoma's were manual transmission so I don't know a thing about the earlier Tacoma automatics. Got to say that I'm satisfied with the automatic and thought that the downshifting thing was what all automatics did. The reason that I got the automatic this time is because I'm planning on getting a travel trailer next year. I've been convinced that the auto is better for trailering. I hope that I didn't make a mistake here.

 

I was doing research for these 'problems', thinking they might be related.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/440hz-tone-between-35-45mph-link-to-sound-file.395138/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...tic-shifting-and-drivability-problems.401475/

I'm assuming AC60E/F is a planetary; I want to know what clutches and brakes kick in/out for 4,5,6.

If it's anything like the video below, 'Clutch 2' is engaged for 4,5,6.
So my thought is, transmission error, brought on by the gear set controlled by 'Clutch 2'...thoughts?

4,5,6 explanation @ 5:10

 

It feels a but sluggish to me at first but I now use the ect most of my local driving. That seams to be just fine to me.

But I'm not the best for advice on this. It's my first auto in 21 years.

 

Going to link this post with my post so we all get the same information
AC60 E/F
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/transmission-the-new-6-speed-automatic-in-the-2016.361114/