Any advice regarding hesitation under heavy load?

[jmyer72]

My 2K 4WD Limited has 183,000 on the clock. I've only owned it a couple months so I'm not sure about maintenance history. During daily driving it seems to run fine and averages a little over 18 MPG. When I hook up my 5X10 enclosed trailer (approx 2800 lbs loaded) it still seems to perform fine. But if I have the cruise set and it "kicks down" and down shifts to maintain speed, I can feel an ever so slight surge. It will do this with or without the trailer, but it's more noticeable with it because there's more need for heavy load/hard acceleration.

On a side note, I feel like the accelerator pedal is a little hard to push. Granted, I've never owned a T4R or any other Toyota vehicle so maybe it's normal.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts, input, guidance, or advice.

 

[grannyzpanniez]

That's what she said

 

[gamefreakgc]

A surge as though it sort of "searches" for the gear, or sort of "drifts" off in between shifting gears? Or a slight surge when only engaging the cruise control?

If only when using cruise control, it's a cable driven system so it's a little jerky. Won't ride as nice as newer cars with a 100% electronically driven throttle. Mine does the same thing but I don't mind, I just love cruise control.

Second issue, it's a cable-driven throttle as well. The pedal will be much more firm than an electronically driven throttle. Same deal here. If you think it's excessive, you can remove the cable at the pedal, at the throttle body, and from the fire wall and remove it. Then take the cable out from the housing and blast out the housing with carb cleaner. Lube up the cable with chain lube or white lithium grease and replace. I had to do this on an older Toyota I owned since the pedal would stick in place (not good).

 

[jgue467]

First off, I'm sure you've noticed these vehicles are just a tad underpowered. As such, I Never use my cruise Unless I'm on continuous level ground (not much of that in central texas). Further I would Never, Ever use it while towing, unless again it was really flat, south texas maybe.

Why? I can't stand the gear hunting, then it staying in the lower gear long after it should have shifted up. Also, if you haven't hooked up a scanguage or torque app, you haven't noticed just how much the tranny temps climb when you leave Overdrive on climbing hills with or without a tow load.

I recommend you anticipate the hills and turn OD off going up, it drops the tranny temps 20+ degrees and eases the strain on the drive train tremendously. These engines operate much better in the 3-4k rpm range and ok below 3K but not while trying to climb.

Since you've only had it a couple months, I've guessing you've read and have/will do something about the potential 'strawberry milkshake' issue? Luck! :cowboy:

 

[JayRolla]

Slight hesitation if not trans related can be pinging from bad gas, misfire from plugs, wires, coil packs.

For sticky throttle cable, its kind of known issue on all toyotas. I have had to lube mine not too long back and it feels a lot better now.