weird shifting!! need some help

okay guy, i have a question. i have a 2011 Toyota Tacoma with the 4.0 with 150K and i notice that when i accelerate, the shifting is kind of funny. like the gears are sticky or something, because the rpms stay up a little longer when shifting to the next gear it feels like. also, when i slow down and take my foot off the brake, i can kinda feel like when it downshifts, it seems sticky as well. anyone know what it could be?? i do need a new 02 sensor but i wasnt sure if that could be related.

 

First thing I'd check is the fluid level.

 

Do you have a Check Engine light ON?
If so, what are the codes?
You need to know the current codes, not what they were the last time you checked it?

What you are describing, sound like just like what the Transmission does when the fluid is Cold.
I’m not implying the Fluid is actually Cold, I saying there may be something (sensor etc.) that could be causing the issue.

 

how do you check it on these tacomas? is there a dipstick

 

yes its basically acting as if it were cold! its nothing too rough but you can definetely kinda tell that its not acting right. and i did have a code pop up. but the oreilly's guy cleared it for me, saying it wasnt anything to worry about. but the code was for a bad 02 sensor. P0157 was the code

 

Nope, no dipstick for the Transmission.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/

In the link above, there are directions on how to check it.
It can kind of be a PITA.

 

but i have heard that a 02 sensor could make the gears stick a little so i wasnt sure if maybe that could fix it?

 

It is possible, but it would help to know the current codes.

 

Negative. In Toyota's eternal wisdom, they eliminated the dipstick. I actually had mine serviced at the 60K recommended interval by my trusted independent shop. I do a good percentage of my own maintenance, but I don't like wearing transmission fluid anymore.

 

Original fluid?

 

If it is the RPM sticking a little long, consider your MAF sensor and throttle body; cleaning both. I had rpms hanging high momentarily which seemed to throw off the smooth shifting, cleaning both solved the issue.

 

I did the old drop and fill with maxlife atf and mine went away. Also changed the filter.