Random Downshift??

[OUTRNNR]

So I was cruising along last night on a two-lane road with some pretty dramatic rolling hills going about 50 mph, when I began to go down a pretty steep but short hill. Naturally, I gently applied the brakes and all of a sudden, the truck downshifts from 5 to 4?? This is the first time I've noticed it, but I'm pretty sure its never done this before.

I'm not sure if since it was a steep hill the computer thought downshifting was the best way to go, but it definitely downshifted to provide engine braking. Anyways, I thought it was pretty cool.

Has anyone else had this happen before?? Is this part of some adaptive transmission program?

 

[bcnland]

Yes, you bet. My 4R does that all the time. I figured it is some sort of automatic slowing down mechanism without putting unnecessary pressure on the brakes. I think it

 

[OUTRNNR]

This hasn't happened to anyone else?

Just a point of clarification; I'm not talking about hard braking like from 50 to zero and feeling downshifts. I'm talking about just maintaining 50mph on a steep downhill using the brakes and then feeling a downshift providing engine braking.

 

[RickyCRX]

This hasn't happened to anyone else?

Just a point of clarification; I'm not talking about hard braking like from 50 to zero and feeling downshifts. I'm talking about just maintaining 50mph on a steep downhill using the brakes and then feeling a downshift providing engine braking.

Yep, mine does that all the time if I just gently touch the brakes while going down a hill... It will also do it if I gently press the brakes while towing a trailer.

Ricky

 

[mole177]

yes, i've experienced that as well.

the prob is trying to replicate it on demand.

 

[Northof49]

Yep they'll all do that.....great feature!

 

[M3_962]

Yep they'll all do that.....great feature!

yep, i agree. i was impressed when i felt it downshifting while driving around.

when slowing to a light i usually feel it downshift as the RPMs get near idle.

the other day i was driving down a steep, long-ish hill and i just manually downshifted to 3rd rather than wait for the transmission to do it.

 

[cdoyle]

Ya mine does it all the time too, usually when I'm going down a steep hill, I'll just tap the brakes, and then you'll feel it downshift.
Increases the brakes lifespan I bet.

 

[4rundan]

Yeah I have noticed that mine will downshift when i have the cruise control on going down a hill. Is that a feature on the "04? I should know this, i was a Toyota salesman, but 4Runners weren't the biggest seller in SoCal.

 

[dingo]

I get this a lot while driving through San Francisco downtown (especially on California St. in the financial district). Comes in handy when going around those damn cable cars or get stuck behind one going down hill. Also felt it while rolling down next to the Cliffhouse towards the beach, that long winding left turn down hill, or cruising up and down through the Daly City suburbs. Kinda neat to feel the tranny do its thing. Nice thing about living in the bay area is that there are plenty of hills to play with in our backyard.

 

[mainer]

I've never felt it in the 4runner. But In the full size diesels I've riden in You hit the brakes once to drop a gear, than a 3rd time to turn on your jake brake on. Its a nice thing. I'll have to try it in the runner next time i'm driving.

Coop

 

[OUTRNNR]

I've never felt it in the 4runner. But In the full size diesels I've riden in You hit the brakes once to drop a gear, than a 3rd time to turn on your jake brake on. Its a nice thing. I'll have to try it in the runner next time i'm driving.

Coop

My buddy has an '06 Super Duty with the tow command system which works wonders in tow/haul. If you let off the gas going down a grade it cuts the fuel and engages the engine brake. If you tap the brakes it downshifts, if you press them it downshifts two gears, pretty impressive.

 

[M1911]

That's called "grade logic". If you brake hard enough while going down a steep enough hill, the transmission will downshift to add some engine breaking. Many automatics have grade logic these days. Honda started selling transmissions with grade logic more than 10 years ago.