Tell Me About the New Automatic Transmission

I am new to automatic transmissions in general, so I'm not sure if my question is about the Gen 3 Tacoma automatic transmission, or simply about automatic transmissions in general.

Reading here, I know about the gear hunting and the delay in shifting into gear when cold. But I have not read about what I am also experiencing, and I'd like to know if it is normal or not, and what precisely the transmission is doing.

If I am driving at city street speeds (25-45 mph), and I brake gently as I approach a stop sign, just before the truck comes to a complete stop (maybe 4-5 mph), it will lurch forward, requiring me to apply the brake pedal a bit harder to arrest this surge.

Can anyone tell me what is happening, and is it normal?

Thanks......................... Frank

 

I dont get a lurch forward feeling on mine, but in 500mi i have noticed about 3 times what feels like a small tap which i can feel but doesnt cause the truck to lurch forward or push in any way, just a subtle and single tap. The strength of that "tap" has gone down it seems with the more miles i put on it.

I do notice on a regular basis, only as im coming to a complete stop, in what feels like 2nd and 1st gears, under 1k, a small vibration in wheel and brake. The vibration seems to be faster if stopping quicker and vibrates at a slower pace if im stopping slower or really creeping to a stop. Feels like something is rotating in the tranny creating that vibration, but what do i know. Things can be misleading.

Aside from that, i havent experienced any issues others have stated.

 

Thank you for your observations Lord3n.

I'm not aware of any of that in my truck, but like I said, I'm new to automatic transmissions.

Frank

 

The Tacoma Automatic downshifts prematurely (in my opinion) on deacceleration on it's own all the time. Mine shifts into low gear just before coming to a stop, causing an unnecessary lurch. Maybe that is what you are feeling. Drives me absolutely nuts. You can't coast down a hill without it down shifting on it's own and revving the hell out of the engine. Have no idea what those tranny engineers were thinking. They say the tranny is supposed to be "smart" and learn how you like to drive. I must have gotten one of their dumber ones, cause all it has learned is how to tick me off.

 

Did you guys read my link on the first page ? Your answers are there .
Read the link below for low fluid and please cast your vote
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/

 

What you are describing, Cougsfan, sounds exactly like what I am talking about. In the scenario we've described as the truck is coming to a stop, it is actually something of a safety hazard, as it could easily push me into the back of the car immediately in front of me if my foot reaction is not quick enough.

With a manual transmission, I will often downshift in order to use engine braking to slow the vehicle. Is this what our automatics are trying to achieve?

Since you and I experience the same thing, are we to believe that it is 'normal'? Or do we both have a problem?

Thank-you very much for your input. I appreciate it.

Mr. Gearcruncher, sir, your expertise in the design and function of the automatic transmission is undisputed by me. And I did follow your link on the first page before composing my question, above. But with all due respect, that link led to more links, which led to other links, etc., etc. I did a lot of reading, and on behalf of me and much of this forum, I thank you for the effort you've put into educating us. But I have neither the skill nor desire to comprehend or implement everything in that ever-expanding thread. I simply want to know if what I am observing is 'normal' or exceptional, and whether I should contact the dealership about it.

Thank-you for your help...................... Frank

 

Thanks as well for all the info you have provided in all the past posts. I read through a bunch of them but couldnt find anything (yet) that is similar to what im experiencing. Mine doesnt vibrate or shimmy at all unless its down shifting. I dont feel anything while accelerating at all. But when im decelerating i feel a slight shimmy in what seems to be 2nd and then 1st gear just before i stop. Feels like something is spooling down and isnt rotating smoothly. Stopping faster increases the frequency of the shimmy, and if i really creep to a stop, the shimmy seems to happen slower and have less impact in the steering wheel and pedal (floor).

ill have the trans fluid checked when i bring it in for its first oil change and bring this up to them. It happens during each and every stop so im sure they will be able to reproduce it. Its subtle, and can definately live with it, just want to be sure its not causing any added wear and tear in the long run.

 

Yes, I think the engineers decided that we are too dumb on our own to know when we should downshift and utilize engine braking, and decided to use their god-like powers and decide it for us.
I think this is normal for a Tacoma, but not normal for most other automatics in the world.

Sometimes when going down a hill or coming to a stop a throw it into neutral to avoid the downshifting. That is sort dumb to have to do on an automatic.

 

It's the A760H 6 Speed transmission that is used in all AWD Lexus GS350's Very reliable and durable
.

 

I have no doubt that the transmission is reliable and durable. It is the programming of the computer that controls shifting is where Toyota missed the boat.

 

Thank-you one and all for your comments.

At this point, I am left to believe that the transmission is operating as intended, but not necessarily as we'd like.

Still, it does seem prudent to have the fluid level checked before putting tens of thousands of mile on it.

Again, thanks........................ Frank

 

It is a sealed transmission. Part of the same strategy. Not only is the owner is not smart enough to know when to downshift, he or she also couldn't possibly be smart enough to check the transmission fluid without screwing something up.

 

do you guys think that the factory is sending out all the tacomas with low transmission fluid? it would be even stranger if it was filling some and not others

 

This is why I created the poll for you guys and have recently added where your truck was built within the options of the poll
If your VIN starts with a 3 your truck was built in Mexico, if it starts with 5 it was built in the US
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/page-6

 

I do not believe this is correct. What makes you say it is the A760H?

 

Almost two years later.... any thoughts now?

I have a two-week old 2017 and I'm noticing the same "lurch" upon downshifting towards a stop. I'm having the fluid level checked this week but I'm still freaked out...

 

The standard power train warranty is 60 months or 60,000 miles. If you feel nervous, you can opt for the extended warranty.

 

I got the extended warranty for free but who cares about that? If I am driving on a transmission with low fluid from the manufacturer, who's to say when that damage is done or when it will manifest? Perhaps my tranny will give out at 200k instead of 300k?

Thanks for the comment... I guess?

 

I see your point. My situation was my transmission was a quart low. Filled it right after I bought it, so I am expecting the same Toyota reliability as my other vehicles.

 

That constant up and downshifting would drive me nuts on a daily basis.