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Transmission gear hunting

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Jellybean218, Oct 9, 2022.

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  1. Oct 9, 2022 at 3:59 PM
    #1
    Jellybean218

    #1
    Jellybean218 [OP] New Member

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    Ok people. I'm new to the group and just purchased a 2020 Tacoma Sport and noticed that it upshifts incredibly early and I noticed the "gear hunting" everyone talks about. Is there a tsb somewhere or a tcm flash or update/tune available to eliminate this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
     
    Jellybean218, Oct 9, 2022
    #1
  2. Oct 9, 2022 at 4:10 PM
    #2
    Borracho Loco

    #2
    Borracho Loco My truck identifies as a Prius.

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    Oh look, another mod....
    Hunting season hasn't officially started yet. You better keep this on the DL or else the game wardens will getcha'.
     
    Borracho Loco, Oct 9, 2022
    #2
    Tacos4Runnin, timmy_7x, Delta09 and 1 other person like this.
  3. Oct 9, 2022 at 4:26 PM
    #3
    Taco X

    #3
    Taco X Man of almost frightening genius

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    lift, 255/85r16, 5.29 gears
    Even with 5.29s, the upshift can be startling. I slowly increase the pedal pressure (further than I would on other vehicles) as I speed up. It tricks the computer into thinking I wanna go forward
     
    Taco X, Oct 9, 2022
    #3
    ktbell444 likes this.
  4. Oct 9, 2022 at 4:30 PM
    #4
    erok81

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    erok81 Well-Known Member

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    I don’t know if they still make them but you can get a shift sense that makes it a bit better. Others is welcome to a third gen Tacoma.
     
    erok81, Oct 9, 2022
    #4
  5. Oct 9, 2022 at 4:41 PM
    #5
    Rock Lobster

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    Rock Lobster Thread Derailer

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    There is a tsb for an ECU reflash, supposed to happen if you take it to the dealer and complain about "rough, clunky, harsh shifting." The actual bulletin escapes me at the minute, and admittedly I don't know if the 2020s are included.

    If that fails, most local tuners will have the updated ECU file. (As I understand it, you need to update the ECU before installing a tune) Though if you're paying them to reflash the ECU, might as well have them flash a decent tune while they're in there.
     
    Rock Lobster, Oct 9, 2022
    #5
  6. Oct 9, 2022 at 4:44 PM
    #6
    chstaco

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    chstaco Well-Known Member

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    chstaco, Oct 9, 2022
    #6
    stftaco likes this.
  7. Oct 9, 2022 at 4:59 PM
    #7
    Mas Olas

    #7
    Mas Olas Well-Known Member

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    10 miles north or 400 miles south of the border.
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    KDMax tune will solve 90% of the weird shifting. I couldn’t be happier with the night and day difference. The truck holds gears on the freeway and doesn't shift to 4th when hitting 20mph from a stop sign. No loss of fuel efficiency and it’s a crime it didn’t come from the factory this way.
     
    Mas Olas, Oct 9, 2022
    #7
    TWTaco, PapaRee, JustJon and 2 others like this.
  8. Oct 9, 2022 at 5:14 PM
    #8
    MadKatt

    #8
    MadKatt In need of serious help..

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    :deadhorse:
     
    MadKatt, Oct 9, 2022
    #8
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  9. Oct 9, 2022 at 8:14 PM
    #9
    ConantTaco

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    ConantTaco Well-Known Member

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    Not too familiar with any of the tunes
    What is a KDMax tune and who does them?
    Typical cost?
    Does it void Warranty? (18,000 on a 2021 Trd Off Road).
    My Wife is the main driver, when I drive it, I like the ECT Mode, especially much prefer it on the local Mountain grades and twisty roads.
    Best is just using the manual mode and "feeling" for the powerband, like driving a 2 stroke motorcycle.
     
    ConantTaco, Oct 9, 2022
    #9
  10. Oct 9, 2022 at 8:24 PM
    #10
    cryptolime

    #10
    cryptolime Here to Help

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    it's normal during the first few thousand miles due to the learning process. also could be low on fluid from the factory.
     
    cryptolime, Oct 9, 2022
    #10
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  11. Oct 9, 2022 at 8:46 PM
    #11
    Wwjvd

    #11
    Wwjvd Well-Known Member

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    Overland Tailer tune (OTT) since 500 miles on my 2022 TRD Off-road. I knew I would need it before purchasing, and Wouldn’t own it any other way. Won’t say anything bad about a KDMax tune either, just personal preference.

    Put an aftermarket tune on it, cleans up those soft points and you’ll never worry about it again.

    I find these trucks undrivable without.
     
    Wwjvd, Oct 9, 2022
    #11
    Tacos4Runnin and timmy_7x like this.
  12. Oct 10, 2022 at 5:43 AM
    #12
    Mtbkrguy

    #12
    Mtbkrguy Well-Known Member

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    I second getting the KDmax tune. I just got it and it's a night and day difference of how the truck drives. It's so much smoother shifting and seems like it has power to accelerate without having to do a hard down shift first.
     
    Mtbkrguy, Oct 10, 2022
    #12
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  13. Oct 10, 2022 at 5:50 AM
    #13
    BortisYeltzen

    #13
    BortisYeltzen Well-Known Member

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    OTT Tuned, Bilstein TRD Pro lift, ECGS bushing, Heated Clazzio's, RCI SKID TRILOGY, BAMF sliders, ARE V-Series shell, RokBlokz flaps, more to come
    Lots of tune options. Go read up on them all over here and find the one that works for you.
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/performance-and-tuning.8/
     
    BortisYeltzen, Oct 10, 2022
    #13
  14. Oct 10, 2022 at 5:52 AM
    #14
    timmy_7x

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    timmy_7x Well-Known Member

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    By any chance do you know if with the KDmax tune the ECT button is able to be programmable to be "sports" mode? I read somewhere here one of the tunes is able to do that.
     
    timmy_7x, Oct 10, 2022
    #14
  15. Oct 10, 2022 at 5:53 AM
    #15
    timmy_7x

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    timmy_7x Well-Known Member

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    Do you have the ECT button programmed as "sports" mode?
     
    timmy_7x, Oct 10, 2022
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  16. Oct 10, 2022 at 5:56 AM
    #16
    ktbell444

    #16
    ktbell444 One who throws exceptions

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    ᚺᛖᛚᚺᛖᛁᛗ
    Any tune can certainly make those accommodations. Just be mindful that if you tow, it could have the potential to be a bit too touchy for that.
     
    ktbell444, Oct 10, 2022
    #16
  17. Oct 10, 2022 at 5:58 AM
    #17
    timmy_7x

    #17
    timmy_7x Well-Known Member

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    Got it. I don't do much towing but i'll keep that in mind. hope i get my tune soon. debating between KDmax and OTT
     
    timmy_7x, Oct 10, 2022
    #17
  18. Oct 10, 2022 at 6:08 AM
    #18
    zoo truck

    #18
    zoo truck Well-Known Member

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    Get the latest tsb if it hasn't already...my 2020 came with it. These transmissions take a couple thousand miles to learn your driving habits. If you truck behaves like my 2020 did and has the latest tsb, theres no need for a tune unless you have other issues. I can't be happier the way my truck runs.
     
    zoo truck, Oct 10, 2022
    #18
    BigEasy likes this.
  19. Oct 10, 2022 at 6:37 AM
    #19
    stftaco

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    stftaco Well-Known Member

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    I wonder if someone buys the truck used, if there's a way to reset ECM/TCM parameters to the unlearned state so the "new to me owner" gets to have the system learn a different style of driving...
     
    stftaco, Oct 10, 2022
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  20. Oct 10, 2022 at 6:46 AM
    #20
    timmy_7x

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    timmy_7x Well-Known Member

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    Wouldn't disconnecting the battery have the same effect? Since disconnecting it resets the ecm and has to relearn everything. Just a thought.
     
    timmy_7x, Oct 10, 2022
    #20
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