New to 4runner; Weird downshift

[nix92]

Hello all,

I recently bought a 2016 SR5 4WD and it is great! I really love it so far. It is my first Toyota, I am coming a Chevy truck.The only thing is that when I am driving anywhere from 30 to 40 mph on a flat or downhill road, when I let off the throttle it automatically downshifts. It is an odd feeling and slightly annoying because when it does this it pulls me toward the steering wheel because of the change in momentum. I am wondering if this is normal transmission behavior and just a quirk with the 4runner transmission? The truck has 30,000 miles.

Also, before I bought my truck I did hours of research and I just want to thank all of you for all of the information you give to help others with their trucks. It seems like a great community!

 

[TEujunga]

Sounds to me like rather than an actual "downshift," it might just be the locking torque converter going from locked to unlocked and allowing the engine to rev a bit higher.

Perfectly normal behavior for vehicles with lock-up converters to unlock when the throttle is lifted. For various reasons, it just may be more noticeable on T4Rs than other vehicles.

 

[Kamalani Mahie]

I've noticed as well on my 2015 trail. You're not alone. Truck checks out fine from myself, dealer, and shop so I assume it's normal behavior.

 

[Zurizaday12]

I have the exact same year and model truck and mine does the exact same thing! Noticed it when I drove it home for the first time and now I've just gotten used to it. Pretty sure it's normal. I owned an FJ before the 4R and it did a similar thing just not as dramatic as the 4runner

 

[JSparky]

I'm not sure if what you're experiencing is necessarily normal, but I will say after plugging in a Sprint Booster that my truck coasts much faster (RPM's drop) than before, practically zero engine brake when off throttle now. May be worth checking into.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/97588-sprint-booster.html

 

[Spanky052]

Same feeling on my 2017. If I want it to roll freely, I drop it in neutral.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[philsey]

Mine does what I call "hunting" between 4-5-4 right around 38-39 mph. You can feel it downshift, and prove it by watching the tach bump up ~400 rpm.

I also found this annoying and solved it by driving in S-4 around town, and shifting back up to D when I'm up to 45-50.

The trans is programmed to upshift early and downshift late in the name of economy. Takes some getting used to.... especially how to get it to downshift just one or two gears -- if you tromp on it watch out.

Just a heads up: If you think this is annoying, wait 'til you try out cruise control on a less-than-flat highway. That's really annoying, and normal.

 

[4RnR Grl]

Hello all,

I recently bought a 2016 SR5 4WD and it is great! I really love it so far. It is my first Toyota, I am coming a Chevy truck.The only thing is that when I am driving anywhere from 30 to 40 mph on a flat or downhill road, when I let off the throttle it automatically downshifts. It is an odd feeling and slightly annoying because when it does this it pulls me toward the steering wheel because of the change in momentum. I am wondering if this is normal transmission behavior and just a quirk with the 4runner transmission? The truck has 30,000 miles.

Also, before I bought my truck I did hours of research and I just want to thank all of you for all of the information you give to help others with their trucks. It seems like a great community!

Here's a few other threads.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/115766-downshifting-when-braking.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/220098-tranny-shifting-strange.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/173436-2014-limited-4runner-downshift-rpm-issue.html

Also, Need help searching?

 

[nix92]

Mine does what I call "hunting" between 4-5-4 right around 38-39 mph. You can feel it downshift, and prove it by watching the tach bump up ~400 rpm.

I also found this annoying and solved it by driving in S-4 around town, and shifting back up to D when I'm up to 45-50.

The trans is programmed to upshift early and downshift late in the name of economy. Takes some getting used to.... especially how to get it to downshift just one or two gears -- if you tromp on it watch out.

Just a heads up: If you think this is annoying, wait 'til you try out cruise control on a less-than-flat highway. That's really annoying, and normal.

Hahaha yes, I have definitely encountered the dreaded cruise control quirks. Go up a hill and then you are stuck in the higher RPMs for the next flat half a mile.
I am just glad everything is normal because these trucks are really great and I have enjoyed mine very much so far.