Transmission Shifting Hard - New 4R??

[Woz1976-MT]

I took delivery of my 2016 TE on August 3rd -- 6 miles on the odometer. I've got just under 1,000 miles on it now, and have noticed that while cruise control is set and after I crest a hill here in Montana that the transmission shifts back into fifth gear/locks the torque converter somewhat harshly. I don't know if "harsh" is best description, but it's not the "buttery smooth" or nearly imperceptible shift quality of modern automatic transmissions.

Has anyone else experienced this? Am I being overly critical/paranoid?

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Absolutely nothing about cruise control is smooth in these vehicles. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Victor_inox]

If it makes you feel any better my 2012 was doing it since day one. It`s much softer when it`s hot and terrible in the winter. Up until tranny warmed up.
give it few thousand to break in. After all you do have warranty ahead.

 

[Paragon1]

I have very few complaints about my 4R, but the cruise control bugs me. Even in florida it wants to downshift when i go over even the slightest exit overpass. Its especially frustrating when I'm alongside someone when it happens and they think I'm trying to race or something.

 

[paddy1337]

My 2016 acts similar. Not really limited to cruise, but it bugs me when I've be coasting and get back into the throttle very lightly, it's like it slaps back into gear. I notice the engine breaking on cruise is over the top.

It'd make more sense if there was a bunch of torque being applied from the engine, lol.

 

[amalik]

Yes. New 4R. Go to Toyota and grab the '17 for a free trade.

 

[catrains]

Glad its not just me. 2016 T4R - got about 850 miles now and its done everything mentioned in this thread since day 1.

I have 1400 mi on my 2016 and because it is shifting in and out of 5th gear OD I do not use cruise control at typical 55-75 mph hywy speeds.

the OD5th gear also applies just over 30 MPH so when driving 30-40 MPH even on a level road it continues to keep shifting in and out of 5th with even no foot on the throttle gong down a slight grade maintaining the same speed. so I put the tranny in 4th... constant shifting will kill it.

toyota should have an update on the PCM software to reduce this shifting.

I did notice 93 octane did reduce this effect but not completely . engine IMO is lacking torque for the load or the rear diff is too steep.

 

[SR5Bart]

I hate the cruise control on mine and do not use it. The car hunts for gears way too much

 

[cryption1]

The transmission is a 5 speed of old design, it doesn't have the smoothness of more modern transmissions. Fear not, it won't break.

 

[Swacer]

My 2016 is the same. I have given up using cruise control unless I'm in Ohio where it is flat, otherwise it is so shift happy it makes me :faint:

The one thing that annoys me is driving at 35-45mph, its in 5th, take foot off gas and then I can watch the tach jump up and down as it stupidly tries to go back and forward between 4th and 5th.

Toyota's refusal to retune the transmission stuns me.

 

[swva]

I have a 2015 that has shifted rough at times since the day I bought it. I have 31,000 miles on it now and it still shifts the same. It seems to shift the roughest after I've coasted down a hill and the road levels out when I'm getting back in the gas.
I actually liked the fact the 4runner still had the proven and reliable 5 speed when I bought it.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

 

[Brandonium]

I'll take a semi-antiquated yet reliable 5-speed over that shiftless CVT shit any day of the week.....

 

[Victor_inox]

My wife`s 2011 VENZA 6sp and so smooth..I wish 4R was like that.

 

[559runner]

Amen to that.

 

[Woz1976-MT]

Thanks everyone. I feel a little better now. Today on the interstate I drove it without cruise on and it was completely smooth. Must be the cruise control/electronics fighting with each other. Personally, I think the engine has enough torque -- to me it seems more like a software/programming issue. I've driven the one Ford Police Interceptor SUV at my department, and even with nearly 40,000 miles on it it shifts smooth, but you can tell it doesn't have any low-end torque (which would be helpful in law enforcement). I'll be curious to see how my TE performs after I install my TRD cold air intake (I saw the dyno reports that it give you 20-something extra lb-ft of torque at a slightly lower RPM).

Also good to know (well, I already knew) that the transmission is still tough-as-hell. That, too, was one of the reasons I wanted the 5-speed automatic; with more and more gears, transmissions in my opinion are going to start having more and more issues due to the constant shifting and clutch action (grain of salt: I'm no ASE mechanic or engineer). I cringe hearing about everyone's experience with the new 3.5L V6/6-speed automatic in the new Tacoma. I probably could have lived with the 3.5L, but the front seats in the 4Runner were noticeably more comfortable and was the deciding factor for me.

Thanks again! :thumb3: :thanks:

 

[T4R2014]

I wouldn't blame harsh shifting on the transmission being a design from 2002. Transmissions shifted smooth back then too.

 

[Victor_inox]

I wouldn't blame harsh shifting on the transmission being a design from 2002. Transmissions shifted smooth back then too.

If it ain`t broken why fit it.