Transmission shifting, what is it supposed to feel like?

[Shawn5800]

I would really like someone to put my mind at ease with this question. Preferably someone who knows alot about these specific auto trannys in the 1998 4Runner. When i bought my old Corolla i drove that thing 30k+ a year and everyday i did i had this nervousness that the trans was not shifting right...But haha, it just kept going.

When i drive my 4R, it has that quick snap to it when shifting into gears, not so hard that you feel like it just snapped in half, but hard enough to feel that transition into another gear. When first started, the shift from 1-2nd seems long and drawn out. But once warmed up its snappy like all the other Toyotas i drove. I only have 105k on mine, which i noticed it has much cleaner shifts than my corolla at 243k lol.

Im just a younger guy just getting established with my home and vehicles and i just have that mindset that something has to be wrong with my truck that i just paid $5k for. I find myself paying more attention to how my truck shifts rather than enjoying the ride..and it sucks.

Also, compared to my 98 corolla, i find that the idle on my 4R has a bit more "tick"? to it than my rolla. Normal? Comparing a 4 banger to a 6 cyl is probably stupid but i need to get some clarification and stress off my chest!

Sorry for the long stupid post guys, thanks in advance!

 

[Pikeman]

The long drawn out 1-2 shift when cold is built into the programming. In fact I think it wont shift into 3rd while still cold, designed to let the RPMs get higher so the engine/coolant/trans fluids warm up to operating temperature faster. The shifts can be a bit on the firm side Mid throttle and up, under light pedal though it is much smoother. Hopefully this answers your questions/ concerns. FYI I have 230k on my truck and still the same.

 

[OBXRunner]

When i drive my 4R, it has that quick snap to it when shifting into gears, not so hard that you feel like it just snapped in half, but hard enough to feel that transition into another gear. When first started, the shift from 1-2nd seems long and drawn out. But once warmed up its snappy like all the other Toyotas i drove.

I have the same sort of snapping into gears concerns with mine, and it doesnt help that my last vehicles transmission crapped out on me :redbrick: So it tends to make me pay tooo much attention on the shifting also haha, but hopefully after i give it a tune-up it should shift smoother.

 

[Qyota]

The valve bodies on these trucks are pretty darn good. "Firm" shifts are normal. These aren't Cadillacs! If your trans isn't hunting for a gear, and isn't slipping while engaged, you're just fine.

To the OP: Gear change from 1 to 2 should happen quickly, even when ice cold. This should happen around 10mph when accelerating slowly. The long shift is between 2 and 3. The computer won't shift until one of two conditions have been met. 1) RPMs above ~2600. or 2) Coolant temp 130F at the sensor.

That's why when your truck is cold, the shift from 2 to 3 takes longer, and you have to "wind" the engine out to mor than 2600 RPM. This is by design, as Pikeman said.

Sounds to me like your truck is just fine. Check the fluid condition and level, and have fun!

 

[z28forlife]

Old thread revive ..lol. So under mid throttle or hard acceleration the shift will be firmer? I've noticed that, if I ease the throttle it's buttery smooth but if I punch it the shifts feel really hard.