[EdgeR6]

Ok first let me say that I love the six speed. It’s a little odd have the shifter pointed back when cruising down the highway. And my shift patterns are a little mess up for quick down shifting and passing somebody. I get all used to that.

My real question is. Normal everyday driving around town on flat surfaces do you guys start out in first or 2nd gear? Now I have been driving sticks for years. All my bikes have had 6 speed trannys but that’s a different ball game. First gear seams really low, sometimes 2nd seem too high to start in. I know some of the bigger trucks like the dodge Diesel has a 6 speed in it and first is a granny gear that are used for when towing. I know that’s a different truck all together but was wondering if this was some what similar.
I'm still getting a feel for this truck but I really love it.

 

[Jaime]

From a stop use 1st, anything from a slow roll and above use 2nd :thumbup:

 

[blackhawke88]

^ same, from stop, I use first. Anything more, i.e. > 5 mph I'll use second. I'm pretty damn conservative cuz I never go past 1500 rpm, even when passing, hehe

 

[08_tacoma_man]

^ same, from stop, I use first. Anything more, i.e. > 5 mph I'll use second. I'm pretty damn conservative cuz I never go past 1500 rpm, even when passing, hehe

haha i dont shift till around 4,000 haha but i just like the sound :lol: but same thing about the slow roll. Although i have been having a big problem with not being able to get it into first at some points...i have sat at a green light for a while not being able to get it into 1st. Anyone else have this prob.?

 

[sechsgang]

From a stop use 1st, anything from a slow roll and above use 2nd :thumbup:

Same here.
After that, I shift 1-2-4-6 in everyday driving (when not towing or uphill or hauling).

 

[blackhawke88]

i have sat at a green light for a while not being able to get it into 1st. Anyone else have this prob.?

Yea, I have that problem sometimes, maybe once a week or something. However, I also have it in my wrx so it's not just a taco problem. All I do if it doesn't go in the first time is re-engage the clutch and it always goes in the second time.

 

[08_tacoma_man]

Yea, I have that problem sometimes, maybe once a week or something. However, I also have it in my wrx so it's not just a taco problem. All I do if it doesn't go in the first time is re-engage the clutch and it always goes in the second time.

yeah there has never been a point where i could not get it in there somehow but it still sucks somtimes

 

[blackhawke88]

^ yea, my TRD quick shifter is on its way so maybe that will fix the whole 'cant get into first' thing cuz it claims to have a more precise shift.

 

[08_tacoma_man]

^ yea, my TRD quick shifter is on its way so maybe that will fix the whole 'cant get into first' thing cuz it claims to have a more precise shift.

nice, well let me know

 

[zippo44]

I've never had trouble getting it into first.

When stopping from a speed of say 30 or whatever I push in the clutch and brake to a stop. On the way though I shift down through the gears... 4th to 3rd...2nd then 1st. Just with the shifter even though the clutch is in. I've noticed the few times I haven't done this, especially the 2nd to 1st right around 5-0 MPH as I'm slowing down that it doesn't like going into 1st from a standstill. Basically I'm already in 1st by the time I stop. Not sure if that makes sense, but it has always worked for me.

 

[PiercedTiger]

Like everyone else said. First only at complete stops. If I can roll through a stop with a slight pause to check for traffic I'll keep it in 2nd. Just because it takes a COMPLETE stop for 1st to work, and I hate stopping anyway. :lol: Just learn rolling stops and use 2nd. I do the 4-6 shift a lot. Sometimes I'll got 3-6. Like leaving my inlaws since it's a down hill, 55mph zone, and I'm passing 30 by the time I hit 3rd anyway. Once I hit 30 I can shift to 6th and keep it there unless I need to stop or accelerate quickly. Even with 285/75 16 tires.

 

[bryan8]

Yup I start her out in first unless I am rollin. Second is just to high to start out in not to mention the clutch seems kinda weak.... seems to stink without much effort. On another note, as long as this is a 6 speed thread, I know it has been covered in other posts but tell me that you guys/gals have a horrible rattle when you go over bumps with the clutch in or while in neutral. Went to the dealership the other day and we took an 08 out and it did the same thing. Can't figure out why the sticks rattle and clank around so much over bumps when there isn't a load on the driveline.

 

[SMEbay]

Same here.
After that, I shift 1-2-4-6 in everyday driving (when not towing or uphill or hauling).

Looks more like "Viergang" to me :lol:

 

[sechsgang]

Looks more like "Viergang" to me :lol:

It does, doesn't it?!?

 

[aaronk]

I know it has been covered in other posts but tell me that you guys/gals have a horrible rattle when you go over bumps with the clutch in or while in neutral. Went to the dealership the other day and we took an 08 out and it did the same thing. Can't figure out why the sticks rattle and clank around so much over bumps when there isn't a load on the driveline.

My 2 week old 2008 does the same thing. Annoying to hear, but from the other posts on the subject I guess it's normal Also, when the truck is in gear and I go over bumps the stick will jiggle all over the place in the cab, has never popped out though.

I can put mine in to 1st while I'm still rolling, but I try to avoid 1st if I can. Doesn't always work though as 2nd doesn't like the lower RPM's (around 1500).

 

[blackhawke88]

I've never gone over 1500 rpms in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th. I've only gone past 1500 in 6th when speeding on the freeway. Yea people behind me get annoyed cuz I don't accelerate like a speed-freak, but I hate wasting gas. My typical cruising rpm when not on freeways is 1200-1500 rpm.

 

[Grumpy_X]

I only down shift to first when I'm less then 5 mph. Blip a little gas to avoid chugging. Second gear would work fine from rolling, I just don't like bogging down the engine thats all.

 

[sntckr]

Although i have been having a big problem with not being able to get it into first at some points...i have sat at a green light for a while not being able to get it into 1st. Anyone else have this prob.?

The last time I had a problem with down shifting to first was on my '69 Roadrunner. No problem on the Tacoma. I stay in second if moving. If I stop, I go into first. No problems with rattling here. Short shift is great, but I doubt it'll help you get to first if you're currently having problems.

 

[Mike38]

I've never gone over 1500 rpms in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th. I've only gone past 1500 in 6th when speeding on the freeway. Yea people behind me get annoyed cuz I don't accelerate like a speed-freak, but I hate wasting gas. My typical cruising rpm when not on freeways is 1200-1500 rpm.

I'm curious how your gas mileage is with this technique, I thought it lugs the truck too much to keep it so low in the rev range. Don't get me wrong the truck has great torque, but the manual suggests shifting when the revs are around 2k (I know it gives speeds in the manual, but if you try it out its all around the 2k RPM range).

I too get the stubborn, "No 1st gear for you!" complaint from my tranny. Just pop the tranny into neutral, let off and re-engage the clutch and it slides into 1st like the tranny was just teasing me. It happens in every manual I've driven. So no fears man.
Mike

 

[blackhawke88]

^ I wouldnt think operating at 1500 rpms would be too much for the engine...after all, it does idle at 700 rpm. Also, I dont give much gas at all when I drive so that is why I stay below 2000 rpm.

My mileage isnt that great because of all my performance mods. To put it simple, I took a 850 mile round trip road trip a few months ago, the whole time on I-10, and I got ~17 mpg. However, around school, driving like I do in the city, I get just above 16 mpg, so my highway mpg are pretty much identical to my city mpg.