2014 Limited 4runner Downshift/RPM issue

[manonthebluemoon]

Good evening fellow 4runner owners. I've been lurking here since early spring when I was in the market for a 4runner. I finally pulled the trigger in early May but have recently come across a problem so annoying that I really don't enjoy driving my car after 3,800 miles of driving. I hope this board can help me out.

Here's the issue:

Anytime I'm driving and exceed 40 MPH and take the foot off the gas (say i see a light change to yellow and choose to coast until the stop), the RPM gauge at some point drops to near 1 RPM, quickly flutter down and up aggressively, to a near 1.4 RPM. what makes this action annoying is that when it does this flutter action up, it seems to jerk my body like the car is braking. So the RPM is going up but the car is braking/jerking? Last week i took it to the local Toyota dealership and during their drive with me the head tech said it was nothing, stating something crazy that it was the AC compressor kicking on and off. It's obvious that there is something wrong and am hoping you can point me in the right direction. We have two Toyota dealerships in my town so I want to take it in to the other guys but want to have knowledge on my end this time. Below is a link to my issue. you will see at around :29 seconds of my video. Thank you all so much for knowledge, expertise and help. I hate that this is my first post on a great board, but i'm desperate to figure this out.

2014 4runner limited rpm issue - YouTube

 

[Jeremy556]

It's downshifting as you slow down, as it should. Every modern auto trans does this.

 

[philsey]

[MENTION=78273]Jeremy556[/MENTION] is right. Mine does this about 38-40 mph. Annoying, yes. I just drive in S-4 around town, and whenever I get to 45 I bump it into D.

 

[JayceeP]

Higher RPM = more resistance. But... what I think you are referring to is the gear hunting between 4th and 5th that others on this forum find annoying. I experience this like you do and the simple fix is drive in Sport Mode and keep it in 4th if you're stuck around the speed that is causing the constant shifting. I personally just keep it in D and don't worry about it.

 

[adam2562]

normal for a 4runner.. both of mine did it

 

[Kistle]

Mine does this too. Very annoying. Love the truck, but hate, hate this aspect of driving it. Are there other threads on this issue? My dealer also said, "normal". Anyone get their dealer to acknowledge a software shift mapping issue, or a valve body issue in the trans? Is the "supercharger-like whine" noise from the transmission related to this?

Thanks,

JA

 

[philsey]

Mine does this too. Very annoying. Love the truck, but hate, hate this aspect of driving it. Are there other threads on this issue? My dealer also said, "normal". Anyone get their dealer to acknowledge a software shift mapping issue, or a valve body issue in the trans? Is the "supercharger-like whine" noise from the transmission related to this?

Thanks,

JA

Your issue is the same as post #1, which was correctly answered in posts #2, 3, 4, and 5. If you'll drive in S4, as suggested, your annoyance will go away. It's just habit for me now.

The 4R is programmed for early (mpg) upshifts. There is no fix, as it's not broken, as was also stated.

 

[WTD]

Downshifting

Both my 2006 V8 Sports Edition and my current 2014 TEP do this, and I am able to induce this downshift, particularly in a downhill braking situation, without involving the shifter. I am not sure what type of torque converter this truck has, but personally, I welcome the additional braking power provided by the engine. The bump in RPM you are seeing is the truck pushing the revs up, in the same way downshifting a manual transmission means the engine will have to spin faster to maintain that wheel speed. Being in a trailing throttle condition means the engine will provide a measure of braking.

Frankly, the V8 was much more effective at this. The 2014 actually picks up speed rolling downhill in gear; the V8 had to be on a pretty decent negative grade to not lose speed.

There is nothing wrong with your truck or its transmission. One of the tech experts here can probably tell you what kind of TC we have.

 

[Formidable]

I just want to mention that if you have a slight decline or on a hill, it is likely downhill assist. The trans will downshift to help slow down and stop the vehicle. This can be very jerky, similar to a manual trans.

 

[Ducmonsta]

I just want to mention that if you have a slight decline or on a hill, it is likely downhill assist. The trans will downshift to help slow down and stop the vehicle. This can be very jerky, similar to a manual trans.

It is NOT downhill assist. Downhill assist engages the braking system and also requires you to push the DAC button.

I never even thought of the OP's concern. Maybe a lift and 285s slows the truck down on all aspects of driving so I don't notice. Hmmmmm, or maybe I'm too busy enjoying the 12.6 mpg!

 

[cbreze]

Sport mode 4th gear around town FTW!

 

[Formidable]

It is NOT downhill assist. Downhill assist engages the braking system and also requires you to push the DAC button.

I never even thought of the OP's concern. Maybe a lift and 285s slows the truck down on all aspects of driving so I don't notice. Hmmmmm, or maybe I'm too busy enjoying the 12.6 mpg!

If you even touch the brake going downhill on any incline, the truck will downshift with RPMs > 3k. I assume this is part of the downhill assist. Regardless, main point is it is a normal safety feature.

 

[cbreze]

If you even touch the brake going downhill on any incline, the truck will downshift with RPMs > 3k. I assume this is part of the downhill assist. Regardless, main point is it is a normal safety feature.

I've never noticed this. Is it subtle? I'm always in sport mode tho.

 

[1engineer]

I just want to mention that if you have a slight decline or on a hill, it is likely downhill assist. The trans will downshift to help slow down and stop the vehicle. This can be very jerky, similar to a manual trans.

It is NOT downhill assist. Downhill assist engages the braking system and also requires you to push the DAC button.

I never even thought of the OP's concern. Maybe a lift and 285s slows the truck down on all aspects of driving so I don't notice. Hmmmmm, or maybe I'm too busy enjoying the 12.6 mpg!

If you even touch the brake going downhill on any incline, the truck will downshift with RPMs > 3k. I assume this is part of the downhill assist. Regardless, main point is it is a normal safety feature.

It's grade logic programmed into the ECU that takes multiple sensor outputs that in turn signals the TCU to downshift into a higher gear ratio. Everyone's 4Runner does it OP. [MENTION=68685]Ducmonsta[/MENTION] is correct that is is not, repeat NOT, DownHill Assist Control.

 

[Formidable]

It's grade logic programmed into the ECU that takes multiple sensor outputs that in turn signals the TCU to downshift into a higher gear ratio. Everyone's 4Runner does it OP. [MENTION=68685]Ducmonsta[/MENTION] is correct that is is not, repeat NOT, DownHill Assist Control.

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[hec983]

This is the reason I traded my 2012 limited it was so f******* annoying!!. Now super happy with my 2014 sr5 premium. It's not the downhill assist, You feel it more in limiteds because if the full time 4wd. Like I said just fu***** annoying.