6 speed trans.

[Metrictundra]

I am not complaining but has anybody else noticed when comeing to a stop the so called firm down shifts the 6 speed auto has. I am hopeing in time the isn't as bad. I was just curious if mine was the only one that does it or it just me. thanks for any imfo.

[EchoHoLiK]

I read in Tundrasolutions.com a while back that it's a feature of the 6-speed, which downshifts to aid in deceleration. Although some find it to be a little abrupt or annoying, or even thought to be a safety hazzard. Sorry I don't have the link but you can definitely find the threads regarding this issue in that forum.

Same goes for owning any new vehicle, I say give it time, and "learn" what the truck does, along with all its idiosyncracies. At least until someone figures out how to mod that feature or turn it off altogether.

Does the operation manual say anything about that?

[Metrictundra]

The manual says nothing about it. I was just wondering if all of them do it or just mine.

[mhadden]

I noticed it during the test drive and the wife complained about it until she got used to it. It definately is a littel abrupt, but we 've gotten used to it. I thought it was going to be driveline clunk, but it turns out its just the tranny downshifting. I take it a little easy on the braking and I can't even feel it unless I drive like an idiotstick

[buckstom]

My 6 Speed has a bad clunk when I take off from a stop. It sounds like the driveshaft yoke is slipping on the rear end shaft. They say they can't fix it. Also mine goes into 6th gear at 37 MPH and then starts chattering. really annoying.

[Vmax2007]

Interesting to hear that the almighty 6 speed that is "light years" ahead of GM's "outdated" 4 speed (according to all the Toyota folk on most forums I belong to) is not all it's cracked up to be? My 4 spd is smooth as silk, at all speeds and while upshifting and downshifting. Also, I have heard no complaints like this about GM's 6 spd in the Yukon and Sierra Denali's. Just an interesting observation, I cannot judge or give a personal testimony since I have not driven either one for any length of time (other than test drives).

[blueheadturner]

Our tranny's are adaptive, and they "learn" the way we drive. I drive "spirited" and my tranny has adapted so. I have heard that when you push the brakes, especially when going down a hill, the tranny will downshift in a more abrupt manner. This is "supposed" to happen. It is supposed to help?!? I just took my truck in for it's second oil change, and had the dealership check out the tranny. They said everything is fine, and unless the service light comes on I should have nothing to worry about. I have heard of others who had their shift points reset. I requested this as a possibility to my dealer but they did not do it. They did inspect it and test drove it. They had it most of the day. But they probably did not have the "knowledge" to reset the computers shift points. They are always telling me the truck is so new and they haven't had many in for service other than oil changes. So I'm not completely competent in them yet!

[Metrictundra]

When starting this thread I did not intend it as complaining about the six speed trans. The Toyota Tundra is new to me, therefor asking questions. The more I drive mine the more I love it. Not to burst your bubble, but there is not a gm truck or suv that I have owned that could hold a candle to this thing. If you are a gm guy, then good luck with them. I have purchased at least 2 new vehicles a year since 1977. All being domestic. What I can tell you as I will not look back after making the switch. What it does tell me about you is you must have some interest in the Tundra or you would not be on here talking about your out dated 4 speed general motors junk. If you have not jumped to the dark side. Do your self a favor and go do it. I promiss you will never go back.

[stryker709]

Hmmm. The GM 4 speed smooth as silk, not in my experience but to each his own.

[Metrictundra]

With my past experiance with the GM 4 speeds is they did get smooth as silk when they were wore out. It is hard to believe that they would even talk about the 4 speed in the same line as a 6 speed.

[mhadden]

The 4 speed my be tried and proven, but this is the modern age. More gears usually means better torque and gas mileage. It's about time manufacturers start making higher gear transmissions.

[Vmax2007]

Originally Posted by mhadden

The 4 speed my be tried and proven, but this is the modern age. More gears usually means better torque and gas mileage. It's about time manufacturers start making higher gear transmissions.

While I will admit the 6 spd is better. Why doesn't the Tundra get better mileage or tow/haul better than the 6.0 NHT/4 spd in the GMT900's?

ie: the GMT900 6.0 NHT/4 spd crewcab has higher towing and significantly higher payload than the Crewmax 5.7 Tundra and gets better mileage (based on estimates, real-world numbers are TBD, too soon to tell, unless you go by people on internet forums). I get 14+ all city with my 6.0, no hwy numbers from me yet.

And GM does have a 6 spd, but at the volume they produce, it takes time to ramp up production to accomodate all of the trucks. If GM only sold 150-200K trucks/year (like Tundra), I can guarantee you that the 6 spd would be in there. Next year it will be available across the board. So, enjoy this so-called advantage while you can.

[mhadden]

Can't explain that, other than either a. DoD which I don't think they have on those engines yet (or maybe they do) or they have perfected the final ratio that gets the best mileage while towing.cruising. That may be the Tundras weak spot since it has a lower overal ratio (but only allowing the transmission to be in 4th or 5th while towing could yield better results. I know I'm averaging around 16 in town and 20 on the highway; last time I checked my buddies GMC 2500 wasn't getting nearly that good of mileage...

[engineer]

Despite what some will claim, the 4l60E (and 4L65E and 4L80E) are quite possibly some of the best automatic transmissions on the market. They have had their issues (94-97 particularly), but with 1.5+ million per year made over the past 15 years (roughly 22 million!!!), these transmissions are tried and true and to the point where all of the issues have been resolved.

That being said, I use to think that 6-speed trannys were just a gimmick. BUT, after driving the Escalade EXT and Tundra, the difference in power, RPM, and smoothness is not only noticeable, it is glaring!!! Four speed transmissions are just not adequate anymore. I do find it funny how people consider the 4-speeds old technology, yet these "old technology" pieces are more efficient (mpg) and are rated to tow more. What does that say about Toyota's "high tech" offerings?

**edited for Freudian slip**

[Vmax2007]

Originally Posted by engineer

Despite what some will claim, the 4l60E (and 4L65E and 4L80E) are quite possibly some of the best automatic transmissions on the market. They have had their issues (94-97 particularly), but with 1.5+ million per year made over the past 15 years (roughly 22 million!!!), these transmissions are tried and true and to the point where all of the issues have been resolved.

That being said, I use to not think that 6-speed trannys were just a gimmick. BUT, after driving the Escalade EXT and Tundra, the difference in power, RPM, and smoothness is not only noticeable, it is glaring!!! Four speed transmissions are just not adequate anymore. I do find it funny how people consider the 4-speeds old technology, yet these "old technology" pieces are more efficient (mpg) and are rated to tow more. What does that say about Toyota's "high tech" offerings?

Well said, Thank You, I agree 100%

(don't forget the 4L70E in the 6.0 Vmax)