Weird downshift

I know drive-train/transmission issues flood this, forum but I am having a bit of a different problem. When coming to a stop the truck seems to have a harsh downshift. Is this normal? I am so close to trading in my 4 month old Tacoma because of how miserable it can be to drive.

 

I definitely get this. I think its partially due to the way I apply the break. The downshift algorithm is anticipating a different rate of deceleration. I could be wrong on this, but thats my hunch.

 

I had this issue frequently until I hit 10k. Now it rarely happens. I'd give it some more time and see if it goes away. Dealer says "normal characteristic" haha.

 

I was thinking the same thing. Maybe these new systems are too advanced for their own good.

 

Many of them do this. Mine does, especially when it's cold. After warming up the transmission, it doesn't do it again.

Honestly, just drive it. I'm now at 21k miles on mine and many of the weird driveability issues are gone or drastically minimized. I have a small flare from 3-4 when cold and the weird downshift occasionally, but that's about it. It has definitely mellowed out.

 

I am at 8400 miles (yeah, I drive a lot). Hopefully that is the case!

 

Ding ding ding ding. Bunch of Japanese programmers who don't drive in US traffic. (Who probably can't afford to own a truck, let alone have a use for one in their home country.)

 

I'm at 30,000+ on my 2016 and it still does it.

 

Just wondering if you are sure it's the tranny and not axle wrap. Axle wrap can feel like it's a hard downshift, but it's actually something else.

 

Axle wrap isn't really likely to happen on a stock suspension with stock wheels/tires right?

 

I haven't the slightest idea what an Axle wrap is : /

 

Happens on mine, and it's stock. Mostly when cold.

 

Its when a leaf spring rear wheel drive vehicle's rear axle bends the springs under acceleration and deceleration. Usually only happens when the leafs are too soft or worn out.

 

You can do a search in the forum and find lots of examples. It will feel like a hard shift down to first gear.

 

My truck downshifts very strangely at times too. From my understanding and research, the engine is designed to do this and it is known as engine braking. It took me a long time to get used to it. I have never driven another auto that drives the way this one does. I will say I absolutely hated it at first, but now I don't mind it so much. Some people on here say that it helps with gas mileage, and if thats true then I am all for it.

 

It has nothing to do with leaf springs specifically, but rear suspension in general. The 4Runners do it too and they have coils. OP, I doubt very seriously your deceleration is axle wrap. Axle wrap is when your solid rear axle will rotate a small amount, usually when vehicle is coming to a complete stop or on initial forward movement. Usually felt in the yolk. Pretty much every solid rear axle vehicle will do it to varying degrees.

 

It could also be the rear driveshaft grabbing on extension and contraction. I don't think there are zerks anymore but greasing the driveshaft fixed a similar problem on my FJ Cruiser.

 

Mine, did this for a bit. It has gotten better at just over 5,000 mi. I also had the tranny topped off (was low half a quart). Seemed to help some but still did it occasionally but it has dissipated over time. I do think it has a lot to do with the computer system trying to learn your tendencies.

 

If it is a rear axle thing, then checking the u-bolts wouldn't be a bad idea either. That fixed a clunk for me.

 

Dont give up yet, Ive been dealing with this problem for quite sone time. I would experience a simular problem after coming to a stop from higher RPM's. After the years inicial stop i would feel a hard bump feeling like someone rear ended me and at time also a sudden hard downshift grab that would hit so hard from coming off high RPM's to acceleration that hat chirp my tires. Looong story short, the transmission fluid was low. (These trannys are fickle when it come to properly filling the amount of fluid). Unfortunately for me the fluid (unknowingly to me) was low when I bought it, ran it for 5 years dealing with the hard shift and bump feeling from the rear. I serviced the tranny recently and replaced the amount of fluid that I emptied...proplem got worse. I added .5 quarts more, problem soved. Drives kike a dream , no more nightmare.