Inconsistent and sometimes abrupt transmission shifts

[eskimochaos]

I have been noticing lately that my transmission does not shift smoothly consistently. When driving my moms land cruiser which has the same A750F transmission you cannot feel the shifts even when looking for them. I assume that because my 4runner has the same transmission, shifting would be similar. I notice that sometimes the shifts are abrupt. The shifts from 3-4 and 4-5 are abrupt when accelerating on the highway. Some days its smooth some days its not. Is there anything I can check? If I bring it to the dealer I know I'm going to get the run around. it never shifts seamlessly, I, when looking for the shifts can feel them and they are quite evident sometimes. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[riverwolf]

I have been noticing lately that my transmission does not shift smoothly consistently. When driving my moms land cruiser which has the same A750F transmission you cannot feel the shifts even when looking for them. I assume that because my 4runner has the same transmission, shifting would be similar. I notice that sometimes the shifts are abrupt. The shifts from 3-4 and 4-5 are abrupt when accelerating on the highway. Some days its smooth some days its not. Is there anything I can check? If I bring it to the dealer I know I'm going to get the run around. it never shifts seamlessly, I, when looking for the shifts can feel them and they are quite evident sometimes. Any help would be appreciated.

I don't think I've ever driven an automatic where I couldn't feel the shifts if I was looking for them. For my typical driving style, I'd say the shifts are pretty unobtrusive, but I tend to play the game of seeing how close to or under 2,000 rpms I can keep it while accelerating from a dead stop. This requires a fairly light foot. Like most any transmission, auto or stick, the harder you accelerate, the firmer the shifts will be. Wonder if you're just paying more attention some days than others, or the driving conditions are different, resulting in a different shift feel.

The other possibility I can think of is your transmission fluid. How many miles? Even though the T-IV and WS are both "lifetime", they do break down. I recently did a drain and fill on my 2003 (about 4 quarts of T-IV out of 13, 60K miles). Shifting was noticeably firmer/crisper after the change. From reading over at bobistheoilguy, as viscosity breaks down, shifts will get smoother as the gears are allowed to slip more. The consensus being that firmer shifting is actually healthier for the transmission in the long run.

The LC could also simply be programmed with a different shift pattern from the 4R...allowing more slippage to not disturb the occupants. Pricing produces different expectations in buyers, whether or not it's in the best interest of the mechanicals involved.

-Brent

 

[eskimochaos]

Re: Re: Inconsistent and sometimes abrupt transmission shifts

I don't think I've ever driven an automatic where I couldn't feel the shifts if I was looking for them. For my typical driving style, I'd say the shifts are pretty unobtrusive, but I tend to play the game of seeing how close to or under 2,000 rpms I can keep it while accelerating from a dead stop. This requires a fairly light foot. Like most any transmission, auto or stick, the harder you accelerate, the firmer the shifts will be. Wonder if you're just paying more attention some days than others, or the driving conditions are different, resulting in a different shift feel.

The other possibility I can think of is your transmission fluid. How many miles? Even though the T-IV and WS are both "lifetime", they do break down. I recently did a drain and fill on my 2003 (about 4 quarts of T-IV out of 13, 60K miles). Shifting was noticeably firmer/crisper after the change. From reading over at bobistheoilguy, as viscosity breaks down, shifts will get smoother as the gears are allowed to slip more. The consensus being that firmer shifting is actually healthier for the transmission in the long run.

The LC could also simply be programmed with a different shift pattern from the 4R...allowing more slippage to not disturb the occupants. Pricing produces different expectations in buyers, whether or not it's in the best interest of the mechanicals involved.

-Brent

I honestly think you nailed it Brent. I only notice it when I'm looking for it and when I do look for it - its nothing that feels unreasonable. It is def "smoother" when light on the gas but when I step on it, the best way to describe it is crisp. Its hard to explain but seems normal.

I actually read that as well - the smoother the shifts the worse it is for the transmission. I also concur that for the price of the LC - people expect different things.

Thanks for your valuable input. May I ask how you know so much about the trans/drive train?

 

[riverwolf]

Re: Re: Re: Inconsistent and sometimes abrupt transmission shifts

I honestly think you nailed it Brent. I only notice it when I'm looking for it and when I do look for it - its nothing that feels unreasonable. It is def "smoother" when light on the gas but when I step on it, the best way to describe it is crisp. Its hard to explain but seems normal.

I actually read that as well - the smoother the shifts the worse it is for the transmission. I also concur that for the price of the LC - people expect different things.

Thanks for your valuable input. May I ask how you know so much about the trans/drive train?

Not sure I'd agree that I know a whole lot, but what I do know is probably a combination of OCD (wife thinks I'm an undiagnosed Aspergers) + nearly photographic memory + wondering how I'd design something myself + reading the FSM trying to figure out why the #@%$ torque converter won't relock after unlocking on cruise control. ;-) Since you mentioned being in school, I probably have over 20 years in the saddle on you; gives me more time to have collected bits of random trivia. The trick is keeping it all sorted and turning it into something useful.

-Brent

 

[eskimochaos]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Inconsistent and sometimes abrupt transmission shifts

Not sure I'd agree that I know a whole lot, but what I do know is probably a combination of OCD (wife thinks I'm an undiagnosed Aspergers) + nearly photographic memory + wondering how I'd design something myself + reading the FSM trying to figure out why the #@%$ torque converter won't relock after unlocking on cruise control. ;-) Since you mentioned being in school, I probably have over 20 years in the saddle on you; gives me more time to have collected bits of random trivia. The trick is keeping it all sorted and turning it into something useful.

-Brent

Hah, I commented in your TC thread IDK if you noticed. Ill have that video by the end of the week.

 

[riverwolf]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Inconsistent and sometimes abrupt transmission shifts

Hah, I commented in your TC thread IDK if you noticed. Ill have that video by the end of the week.

Yes, I noticed...you have an avatar that's hard to forget. That's why I threw in the part about the TC.

Looking forward to the video.

-Brent

 

[wis99ski]

I have been noticing lately that my transmission does not shift smoothly consistently. When driving my moms land cruiser which has the same A750F transmission you cannot feel the shifts even when looking for them. I assume that because my 4runner has the same transmission, shifting would be similar. I notice that sometimes the shifts are abrupt. The shifts from 3-4 and 4-5 are abrupt when accelerating on the highway. Some days its smooth some days its not. Is there anything I can check? If I bring it to the dealer I know I'm going to get the run around. it never shifts seamlessly, I, when looking for the shifts can feel them and they are quite evident sometimes. Any help would be appreciated.

I've noticed the same thing with my new 08 4runner with on 3,700k miles on it. The shifts are inconsistent at times and are abrupt as in it makes you notice it. Especially from 1st to 2nd and from 4th to 5th (not as noticeable) its almost like a clunking slipping feeling from 1st to 2nd gear, but with out the RPM rise as if you trans was actually slipping. It is actually really annoying and makes you think it can not be good for the trans. YOUR THOUGHTS??

 

[eskimochaos]

Re: Re: Inconsistent and sometimes abrupt transmission shifts

I've noticed the same thing with my new 08 4runner with on 3,700k miles on it. The shifts are inconsistent at times and are abrupt as in it makes you notice it. Especially from 1st to 2nd and from 4th to 5th (not as noticeable) its almost like a clunking slipping feeling from 1st to 2nd gear, but with out the RPM rise as if you trans was actually slipping. It is actually really annoying and makes you think it can not be good for the trans. YOUR THOUGHTS??

Its too relative.

 

[wis99ski]

....

 

[eskimochaos]

....

Just because I think something is abnormal doesnt mean you do as well and Visa Versa....its too relative.

 

[wis99ski]

Just because I think something is abnormal doesnt mean you do as well and Visa Versa....its too relative.

I have the same issues while comparing them to a new 4runner. I feel the trans shouldnt shift that way

 

[eskimochaos]

I have the same issues while comparing them to a new 4runner. I feel the trans shouldnt shift that way

I have an update wis99ski. I had my airfilter replaced at 30k along with an oil change as all the other stuff is unnecessary.

The car has never driven better. I looked at it before bringing it to the dealership and it was grey in the worst spots; however, I figured I might as well do it.

Surprisingly, the car shifts soooo much smoother. I have no idea how the aifrilter is tied to shifting but there was a noticeable difference after pulling out of the parking lot. Driven 2.5k miles in 2 weeks and its still flawless.

My .02

 

[wis99ski]

I have an update wis99ski. I had my airfilter replaced at 30k along with an oil change as all the other stuff is unnecessary.

The car has never driven better. I looked at it before bringing it to the dealership and it was grey in the worst spots; however, I figured I might as well do it.

Surprisingly, the car shifts soooo much smoother. I have no idea how the aifrilter is tied to shifting but there was a noticeable difference after pulling out of the parking lot. Driven 2.5k miles in 2 weeks and its still flawless.

My .02

My 4runner has 4500 miles on it, yes thats right four thousand five hundred. Over the weekend I got under it and lubed up all the lubrication points that connect the driveshafts to the diffs, with a grease gun etc. It seemed to shift as smooth as butter but as soon as I got it into some traffic the past couple days anything around 10mph with a slight acceleration on the gas will give a JOLT and push you back into the seat!!! Like something is not linking up correctly. Now this is NOT a SLIP, but I feel the 4 runner shifts like crap. Also sometimes I get the infamous "clunk" but all my lube points are lubed up so it rarely happens and if it does its hardly noticeable. I have never been in a new vehicle that shifts like this......

08 sport v8

 

[eskimochaos]

My 4runner has 4500 miles on it, yes thats right four thousand five hundred. Over the weekend I got under it and lubed up all the lubrication points that connect the driveshafts to the diffs, with a grease gun etc. It seemed to shift as smooth as butter but as soon as I got it into some traffic the past couple days anything around 10mph with a slight acceleration on the gas will give a JOLT and push you back into the seat!!! Like something is not linking up correctly. Now this is NOT a SLIP, but I feel the 4 runner shifts like crap. Also sometimes I get the infamous "clunk" but all my lube points are lubed up so it rarely happens and if it does its hardly noticeable. I have never been in a new vehicle that shifts like this......

08 sport v8

I get the jolt in traffic as well. Shifting into second from a dead stop in traffic with barely any gas will result in a jolt. Its actually a complaint of it.

Lubing stuff really wont help with the shifts IMO. Perhaps your too "picky" I dont mean that in a rude way but what did you drive before?

 

[wis99ski]

I get the jolt in traffic as well. Shifting into second from a dead stop in traffic with barely any gas will result in a jolt. Its actually a complaint of it.

Lubing stuff really wont help with the shifts IMO. Perhaps your too "picky" I dont mean that in a rude way but what did you drive before?

Can this be corrected with a software tranny remapping?? I HATE how it shifts into second exactly how you just described it!

I drove a 99 Honda Prelude 5spd manual. But trust me I have driven many automatics before.

Can we get a petition going to Toyota??

 

[morphius909]

Hmm Intereseting.. I haVE A WIERD shift from 2 to 1...not when I accelerate.

 

[TNTramair]

wat you Gentleman are complaining about is normal for these vehicles. i work for a toyota dealer and we hear it day in and day out. there is no revision for the ecu for shifting firmness. there are no TSB's either. unfortunetly its just a characteristic of the vehicle.

most of the time is the hard down shift people complain about and the speratic "clunk" noise when you get down to a complete stop. my 05 does this and it drives me nuts as well but unfortunetly there is no fix for it currently and Toyota deems it normal.

lubing joints and lube points and axles usually helps for a short period of time but it'll come back for the most part. just keep up on your fluid maintenance and it shouldnt create any long term effects. hope this helps.

 

[Larry77]

Same problem with my '07 V8...never had this issue with my '03...exactly as you guys describe it. Has anyone talked to a "stealer" about this issue?

 

[TNTramair]

Same problem with my '07 V8...never had this issue with my '03...exactly as you guys describe it. Has anyone talked to a "stealer" about this issue?

see post above yours about the "Stealer"

 

[wis99ski]

Guys cant the ECU or which ever computer controls when the tranny shifts be corrected? Or are we going to have to live with this JOLT??

Can somebody else weigh on on this? I know this has to bother a ton more people with later models