Slow slow acceleration!

[Cox]

So I recently bought a 2010 SR5. I was very disappointed in the acceleration. Very slow getting going. I thought the new engines were supposed to b better than the previous V8's. In mine it almost feels like it changes 2 gears b4 it hits 20mph. So I called Toyota and a sales guy said with the new engine it kinda conforms to its driver and mimics their driving style. He said the previous owner may have been a slow driver. He said I should see it pick up in a week or two when it realizes I have a heavier foot. Is this true???? If not I am highly disappointed I purchased it. I am on the highway a lot and when going up even a small hill I feel like its stagnate and I have to really give it gas to go. It feels like I'm driving an 18 wheeler sometimes just being slow.

Is this guy right? Will it get better??

 

[ROBSCOOL]

What did you drive before this? Did you test drive the truck?
These trucks have plenty of pep, and yes it will learn your driving style. You also need to learn how to drive it. It's like a new girlfriend. They're all a little different broski.

 

[Hillbilly Mac]

Took some time for me to get used to not having my 5.7 Hemi, but the engine is supposedly learning my driving style...poor engine :madgrin:

 

[LandCruiser]

Heavy truck with an adequate engine and an outdated transmission.

 

[Cox]

I drove an 03 4runner sport before this 2010 SR5. I did test drive as well but didn't feel it like I do now. My 03 got up and went. This new one almost feels like I'm gonna screw something up if I punch it off the start. Like I said it literally feels like it goes through 2 gears before 20mph. How am I supposed to "learn how to drive it". What do you mean?

 

[Jeremy556]

Should have test drove one first. They might make more peak HP than the 4.7, but much less torque at low RPMs, which is what makes it feel powerful.

The throttle mapping and shift points are MPG optimized. You can reset it by disconnecting the negative battery terminal.

 

[tamerunner]

I think to do this quicker you should rest the ecu by UN hooking the battery terminal for several minutes. Then keep in mind that Toyota tried to get the best mileage possible out of these vehicles so they are very conservatively programmed. Learn how to drive it. It takes more skinny pedal than other vehicles but there is plenty of power there. And lastly I'm very concerned that you have a problem AFTER you bought the vehicle. Oh and this has been covered a thousand times.

 

[Cox]

What do you mean it takes more "skinny pedal"? Also how can you "learn to drive it" if it is the way it is.

 

[LandCruiser]

Should have test drove one first. They might make more peak HP than the 4.7, but much less torque at low RPMs, which is what makes it feel powerful.

The throttle mapping and shift points are MPG optimized. You can reset it by disconnecting the negative battery terminal.

Does S override this, or does it just let you specify what's the highest gear for engine braking, towing, and whatnot?

 

[tamerunner]

The skinny one is the one on the right. You have to give it more gas than other vehicles. If I tried to drive the four runner with the same pedal input as my diesel work truck I would be doing 20 down the highway. And yes the sport mode helps some, by keeping it in the gear you choose for longer to get it in its power band.

 

[Jeremy556]

Does S override this, or does it just let you specify what's the highest gear for engine braking, towing, and whatnot?

Nope, it just specifies the highest gear the trans will shift into. I always use S mode, and unless I'm going downhill, I don't use 5th. With my tires, weight, and elevation, even on a perfectly flat road, with a slight tail wind, my torque converter won't stay locked in 5th gear, ever.

 

[1engineer]

What do you mean it takes more "skinny pedal"? Also how can you "learn to drive it" if it is the way it is.

Wow. Do me a favor: Take it out to a deserted stretch of road, come to a complete stop then floor it. Hlod it to the floor and it will shift at redline. It will do just fine. Then after you do that a few times pretend like a deer jumped in front of you and hit the brakes real fast. You might as well feel that too because it stops scary fast from 60 mph. You do this a few time and you will "learn" how to drive it. You will then know how fast it is and where the torque comes in at higher RPMs. Good luck.

 

[diverscale]

Wow. Do me a favor: Take it out to a deserted stretch of road, come to a complete stop then floor it. Hlod it to the floor and it will shift at redline. It will do just fine. Then after you do that a few times pretend like a deer jumped in front of you and hit the brakes real fast. You might as well feel that too because it stops scary fast from 60 mph. You do this a few time and you will "learn" how to drive it. You will then know how fast it is and where the torque comes in at higher RPMs. Good luck.

THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS!!!!!!!! if I could like the post 10 more times I would.

coming from a V6 tacoma that was not even dual VVTI, yes the truck ''FEELS'' slower when accelerating normaly, this is ONLY due to the transmission logics that won't commit to downshift with the same pedal input that previous automatic vehicle did. 1Engineer got it, when you want the truck to go fast, just get your foot down to the floor, you won't come back here saying it's slow believe me! It's faster than my previous tacoma V6, and just a tad slower than a dodge Ram 1500 with the 5.7 hemi (personnal opinion/feeling).

Using a scangauge, you can see that the transmission won't downshift before the engine giving in 100% (99% shown on scangauge) output torque. When it reaches 100%, it downshifts, never before.

People complaining about the truck to be slow, just fear going WOT. Those engines are though ones, when you want to pass, get on the highway faster, just push the pedal harder.

 

[Jeremy556]

Then after you do that a few times pretend like a deer jumped in front of you and hit the brakes real fast. You might as well feel that too because it stops scary fast from 60 mph

No way, you need a big brake kit for that.

In all honesty, this past weekend I replaced my front pads, and for the first time looked at the front calipers. I was f$%^ing shocked. One piece, forged (looking at least) caliper, with 4 opposed pistons on some pretty beefy cast iron rotors.

DAMN. I was expecting a single (maybe dual) cylinder, sliding 2 piece caliper like on other vehicles.

6 does and 1 buck stopped me tonight as they were crossing the road. It's been in the 60s here during the day, I guess you got our winter out east. Damn near summer here, now.

 

[kowski49]

What do you mean it takes more "skinny pedal"? Also how can you "learn to drive it" if it is the way it is.

Along with others, I've posted similar replies to similar posts…
You've just got to mash the gas dude. Literally floor it, keep it pinned, and I promise that tubby ***** will move fast (for an SUV). Like 1E said, RPMs will go to redline before shifting and it will be very loud. You just need to have faith that the high revs you're creating aren't damaging your vehicle. I think this is what people mean when they say "learn to drive it".
Maybe "learn how it drives" or "learn what it can/can't do" would be a better way to put it. It can move quickly, but 2 inches of gas pedal depression won't get the job done. You've got to go all the way down. Maybe that's good or bad, but I think that's just the way it is.

Here's what Road & Track said about the 2014 T4R:

"The difference lies in the gearbox. While the Toyota trundles along with a five-speed automatic, the Grand Cherokee gets eight gears to play with, giving both Jeeps the sensation of more power. The 4Runner is left stuck in each gear longer, and the engine feels like it needs to hustle to move the 4525-pound SUV."

R&T's reviewer didn't have much love for the T4R, but I think this quote illustrates some points made on threads like this by those of us who've driven these things for a while, and applies to all 5th gens. I don't know much about cars, but to me the engine does feel like it needs to hustle. It sounds and feels like its working its ass off if you make it go somewhere in a hurry, but that's not a problem for me. I've been flooring mine (when appropriate) since 2010 and its all good.

 

[JayceeP]

Plenty of torque and acceleration in this vehicle!

 

[Antman]

I've got mine trained pretty well. :whipping2

When I come to a hill I press the gas just a little bit, but very quickly, and the transmission immediately downshifts a gear and holds it until I back off on the throttle a bit.

Whenever I'm not on the highway I'm in Sport Mode 4. Keeps the tranny from bogging the engine in 5th gear everywhere.

 

[philsey]

I've got mine trained pretty well. :whipping2

When I come to a hill I press the gas just a little bit, but very quickly, and the transmission immediately downshifts a gear and holds it until I back off on the throttle a bit.

Whenever I'm not on the highway I'm in Sport Mode 4. Keeps the tranny from bogging the engine in 5th gear everywhere.

This, exactly. I've learned how to drive mine, and this is it. Anyone complaining about performance just hasn't learned how to get it.

BTW, this is not a performance vehicle folks.

 

[dekeman]

My 993 911 could hit 60 in 5.3 seconds, one second slower than the current 991 C2. This truck requires 7.7, and the Lexus GX with a V8 needs 6.8. Slow is a relative term. Slow is my half-brother. Or James May. Slow is not 7.7 seconds.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

This kind of sums it up from Four Wheeler magazine 4x4 of the year competition.

The 4.0L V-6 engine seemed lackadaisical in general driving, but came alive nicely when the engine was spooled up into its powerband

2014 Four Wheeler of the Year - Four Wheeler Magazine

Unfortunately the power is in the high rpm range and not at lower rpm better suited for a heavy bof vehicle.