What is Toyota thinking?

Had the somewhat under powered feel with the engine, the "can't find the right gear" transmission problem and screwed up "eco mode" readings that showed MPG's of 14.2 - 15.5. Also had a couple of "surges" while idling in the driveway, in gear and foot on the brake. Has about 1700 miles on now and the engine (all of a sudden), is running really good. In fact it's running excellent, plenty of power and very responsive. The transmission has almost no "searching" issues. Shifts well and at the right times. MPG's have gone to about 17.4 in town to over twenty on the highway. Drove it about 55-65 mph, no stops, very light take-offs and got 27.5 mpg. Don't know what has happened but I'm pretty happy now. Hope all you guys have your problems go away too!
 
I’ve had the same experience as rrt1949. I dealt with the surging, gear searching, and poor gas mileage for about 4K miles. I never had any engine sputtering though. But now, with 9k Miles, my truck runs like champ. I couldn’t be happier with it. It’s all I need.
 
2017 TRD sport. 4 Months and 34000kms I still hate the transmission, love the engine and the power. Mine is a work truck. I usually have an extra 1000 pounds in my truck and love the brakes. I never worry about stopping. I had an 09 and 13 tacomas SR5, both high mileage vehicles.
 
Just hit 5,000km. Transmission still up shifts too early, but seems to be more willing to downshift with the slightest throttle. I think the adaptive learning takes a few thousand miles to learn your habits. My engine runs smooth, definitely feel it change modes around 3500 rpm though. My only negative is the brakes....way too touchy!!
 
Raeburn said:
Just hit 5,000km. Transmission still up shifts too early, but seems to be more willing to downshift with the slightest throttle. I think the adaptive learning takes a few thousand miles to learn your habits. My engine runs smooth, definitely feel it change modes around 3500 rpm though. My only negative is the brakes....way too touchy!!
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I've been lurking on this thread to see where it's going and whether all understand the AI shift mode involved. Or even any of the Toyota shift modes ... I don't think the Adaptive Learning takes that long in all cases. From what I've researched, AI mode can be switched off for one thing, but when active, it is influenced not just by driver habits, but by road conditions and engine performance, among other things. It follows that the more complicated your habits, your driving environment and your upkeep of the engine, the more difficulty the system will have determining how best to attenuate transmission performance. Certainly, the engine itself is computerized, but in the TRDs, 3rd gen, a lot of the adaptive performance is tranny. AI is turned on when the transmission is in (D)rive and certain 4x4 features are not enabled. Using (S)hift modes turns AI off as well, but then as in a manual transmission, you have to do the work of shifting gears.

I've only got about 1500 miles on my TRD and have noticed only one transmission lurch earlier on, before it adapted to me and I adapted to it. When slowing to stop at a light, I noticed a couple times that the tranny would down shift giving an unexpected lurch as I crossed down from about 25mph to perhaps 10. That was annoying at best as I was still adjusting to the sharp braking. The supplied manuals mention the various shift modes, but don't give much detail. Search on Toyota Shift Modes and you'll find more, depending upon which search engine you use.

As of late, I am enjoying a smooth ride, smooth shifting and good mileage and economy. I've had only one lurch in the past couple weeks and the environment was unusual that day. It was very cold. I had to heat the car to defrost the side windows.

If AI gets to be too big a fit for you, try the S modes. You'll have to adapt to it as it starts in 4th from (D)rive and you'll need to watch that tach.
 
Raeburn said:
Just hit 5,000km. Transmission still up shifts too early, but seems to be more willing to downshift with the slightest throttle. I think the adaptive learning takes a few thousand miles to learn your habits. My engine runs smooth, definitely feel it change modes around 3500 rpm though. My only negative is the brakes....way too touchy!!
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Yeah. The adaptive learning does make a difference and take a little bit. I had drained my battery to make my entune reset. When I did my truck was back to lunging and shifting poorly.
I’ve noticed as time goes on that it does seem to downshift a little easier to keep speed.
 
Its my first Tacoma. ‘16 DC OR. 33K mi. and 2 yrs old this week. No issues but the hood skin unbonding from the ribs. (Easily fixed with silicone glue). No axle wrap or brake issues at all. The initial slip-into-drive from reverse was fixed in early 2016 with an ECU recall/reprogram. The lugging and constant gear hunting is just that by default it’s in Eco mode. (Get into high gear as quick as possible) I’ve been driving in Sport mode and holding shifts for 3rd,4th & 5th til about 3000rpm since the first week and I still get 19/23 mpg. I actually enjoy the auto/manual shift mode giving more control of the drive experience. In bumper to bumper LA traffic it sits in 3rd. The tow button shifts at higher rpm and grabs harder and kills mpg for me. (15-17) Would only use if loaded up or towing. It’s a keeper for me. Are there things I’d change?-yes. But I could say that for every vehicle I’ve ever owned. If the lugging/shifting bothers you, use one of the shift point reprogrammers advertised here in the 3rd Gen forum. Looks like a well thought out design and easy install. I just enjoy shifting without the clutch when I feel like it.
 
Bought my first Tacoma! 2016 Sport and it does cough every now and then but runs great! Glad I bought it but if I could make any changes, I would wish for more torque....not much for a V6. But overall, I'm glad I bought it!
 
B
Rick Sharpe said:
Bought my first Tacoma! 2016 Sport and it does cough every now and then but runs great! Glad I bought it but if I could make any changes, I would wish for more torque....not much for a V6. But overall, I'm glad I bought it!
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Congrats on the new Tacoma. Welcome to the forum.
 
Rick Sharpe said:
Bought my first Tacoma! 2016 Sport and it does cough every now and then but runs great! Glad I bought it but if I could make any changes, I would wish for more torque....not much for a V6. But overall, I'm glad I bought it!
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Welcome to the forum.
 
So what is axle wrap?????
Is this a automatic transmission problem or does a manual have it also.
Mine is a MT and I get a clunk when going thru a drivethru.....
 
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