Hesitation to downshift

[Scowling Tuna]

I'm not really sure what the cause of this is. I feel like since the temperatures have dropped, the truck seems less inclined to downshift when it should, creating the sensation of a "rough" idle for the gear it's in.

There's no issues with acceleration and the idle speed seems ok. I doubt it's a byproduct of using 4H last month in some snow, but anything is possible I guess.

It's a 2011 Limited with about 155k miles on her.

 

[JLTD]

At what speed are we talking? I keep mine in S4 around town and under 50mph, don't like it lugging in 5th and 40mph.

 

[Scowling Tuna]

Typically I would say it feels like it should be downshifting into 3rd when it's in 4th. I'll pay a bit more attention and see if it does it at lower speeds/gearing too.

Again, I don't know if it's a "shifting" issue. Could it be a dirty MAF sensor causing the issues downstream?

 

[1jzgte]

at 150k on the odo.. have you changed your atf?

i can't explain it but when i changed my ATF at around 75k shifting behavior changed all for the better.. i just used the cheap maxlife full synthetic and did a full 13qts exchange

 

[LandCruiser]

Have you changed the ATF?

Use the Toyota brand.

 

[Scowling Tuna]

Have you changed the ATF?

Use the Toyota brand.

I have not (only about a year into ownership with the 4R), but I wouldn't be surprised if it's never been done.

Driving yesterday it does seem to be more of a "stuck" in 5th sorta' thing. The lower speeds/gears don't seem to linger so much.

 

[1jzgte]

I have not (only about a year into ownership with the 4R), but I wouldn't be surprised if it's never been done.

Driving yesterday it does seem to be more of a "stuck" in 5th sorta' thing. The lower speeds/gears don't seem to linger so much.

change your atf... too many folks are sold on the "lifetime" fluid nonsense as i was.. i wish i had done mine at 60k after the powertrain warranty.. you'll feel some shifting improvements.. trust us

 

[blakjack23]

change your atf... too many folks are sold on the "lifetime" fluid nonsense as i was.. i wish i had done mine at 60k after the powertrain warranty.. you'll feel some shifting improvements.. trust us

For sure this. Do a full exchange. My dealer charged like $350 for it. Before that I was getting an issue very similar to yours and the dealer told me my torque converter was shot and it would be $3200 to replace. I read about people fixing the issue with an ATF fluid exchange and guess what? It fixed my issue. You still make notice the issue a little the first week, but it eventually goes away altogether. That was on my 2011 with ~150k. I'll be replacing my ATF fluid more often on my 2016. Currently at 50k and will probably do it at 60k since I tow a decent amount.

 

[1jzgte]

full 13qts or you wont feel the improvements

 

[NYRunner]

Have you changed the ATF?

Use the Toyota brand.

I’m at 120,000 miles so I guess it’s time to have mine changed. Does using Toyota brand really make a difference?

 

[LandCruiser]

change your atf... too many folks are sold on the "lifetime" fluid nonsense as i was.. i wish i had done mine at 60k after the powertrain warranty.. you'll feel some shifting improvements.. trust us

Why wouldn’t ATF degrade?

Why do people think that?

 

[LandCruiser]

I’m at 120,000 miles so I guess it’s time to have mine changed. Does using Toyota brand really make a difference?

An automatic transmission functions based on fluid dynamics. You’re essentially assuming that somebody else is approximating the same fluid dynamics of Toyota brand and then offers you a warranty by offering you another gallon jug of it and a $20 gift certificate if something goes wrong.

I don’t think you’re going to kill anything, but if you’re worried about a transmission not working properly, and you want to change the fluid to prove it, I would use factory fluid.

Also, I would do a proper drain and fill, none of that flushing bullshit.

 

[thennen]

Why wouldn’t ATF degrade?

Why do people think that?

I bought a 2001 4Runner in 2005 with maybe 57k miles on it. It was my first automatic since 1982. Honestly, I never heard about flushing/draining the transmission fluid until I got on this forum. We drove that thing until rust killed it at 265k. Never touched the transmission, and from the first day to the last it was the smoothest automatic transmission I had ever owned. Never a hiccup, shifted smooth as glass, downshifts were solid. So I got away with shameful neglect. Forgive me, everyone.

Won't do it any more though. My 2019 has about 62k on it, and I'll probably have the trans fluid replaced this summer. I don't tow or drive in extreme conditions, so I think it'll be good until 80k+.

 

[MaddoxPics]

Definitely get the fluid exchange done on the transmission, it's guaranteed dirty. I had mine done at around 35K and it made a HUGE difference. Sounds like you could be stock, but if you aren't, keep in mind more weight, larger tires, etc, will all cause this fluid to go quicker.

Believe transmission typically should be done around 30-60K depending on your driving, modifications, etc. Sure it's not "cheap," but it's cheaper than a new transmission.

Still don't know why people are being told the "lifetime fluid" garbage. No such thing.

 

[LandCruiser]

I bought a 2001 4Runner in 2005 with maybe 57k miles on it. It was my first automatic since 1982. Honestly, I never heard about flushing/draining the transmission fluid until I got on this forum. We drove that thing until rust killed it at 265k. Never touched the transmission, and from the first day to the last it was the smoothest automatic transmission I had ever owned. Never a hiccup, shifted smooth as glass, downshifts were solid. So I got away with shameful neglect. Forgive me, everyone.

Won't do it any more though. My 2019 has about 62k on it, and I'll probably have the trans fluid replaced this summer. I don't tow or drive in extreme conditions, so I think it'll be good until 80k+.

I mean the guy is having shift issues.

ATF replacement is the cheapest quick fix.

 

[4runninDrew]

Also, I would do a proper drain and fill, none of that flushing bullshit.

Simply just drain and fill will hardly get any of the old fluid out. Probably just a quarter of everything in the system overall. Whether or not you go for the cleaners and additives that go along with most flushes is one thing. But doing an actual flush is the way to go for sure. Transmission fluid breaks down with temperature and time. I agree with using OE fluid, most manufacturer's specify their owm fluids, usually with good reason.

It's not often that I've seen Toyota's with trans issues, especially outside of warranty period. The handful I have seen, that we try flushing first, quite often will resolve the issue. That being said, maybe it's additives that make the difference, or maybe not. *

 

[NYRunner]

Simply just drain and fill will hardly get any of the old fluid out. Probably just a quarter of everything in the system overall. Whether or not you go for the cleaners and additives that go along with most flushes is one thing. But doing an actual flush is the way to go for sure. Transmission fluid breaks down with temperature and time. I agree with using OE fluid, most manufacturer's specify their owm fluids, usually with good reason.

It's not often that I've seen Toyota's with trans issues, especially outside of warranty period. The handful I have seen, that we try flushing first, quite often will resolve the issue. That being said, maybe it's additives that make the difference, or maybe not. *

Thanks everyone for the info! My appointment is scheduled for tomorrow at Toyota for the full flush rather than the drain and fill since I’ve always driven pretty aggressively.
[MENTION=634419]4runninDrew[/MENTION] or anyone else- what are your thoughts on the cleaners and additives, or should I just have them fully flush it and refill it?

Thanks again!

 

[1jzgte]

Michael Jordan says "Just Do it"

 

[4runninDrew]

Thanks everyone for the info! My appointment is scheduled for tomorrow at Toyota for the full flush rather than the drain and fill since I’ve always driven pretty aggressively.

[MENTION=634419]4runninDrew[/MENTION] or anyone else- what are your thoughts on the cleaners and additives, or should I just have them fully flush it and refill it?

Thanks again!

My take, is that if you're getting the flush anyway, it's probably not a huge dollar difference to get the additives while you're doing it. At my work, we use a company and their flush equipment called "BG". I'm in Canada, so not sure what their reach is, but I've never seen any harm done with their products. I use them myself.

Transmission | BG Products, Inc.

 

[NYRunner]

My take, is that if you're getting the flush anyway, it's probably not a huge dollar difference to get the additives while you're doing it. At my work, we use a company and their flush equipment called "BG". I'm in Canada, so not sure what their reach is, but I've never seen any harm done with their products. I use them myself.

Transmission | BG Products, Inc.

Cool- thanks! I don’t care about the cost- my concern was whether they really do anything or if, unless also properly flushed, they could do any damage down the road so to speak