hard shifting automatic transmission on a 2003 v8

[heyspencer]

I recently bought a new 2003 access cab tundra and while I am driving I notice that the transmission is hard shifting from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd.....sometimes! I took the truck to the dealer and they said that it was normal. I find this hard to belive as all of the reviews say that the transmission is smooth.

Anyone out there with the same problem ????

[Dude Boy]

I've heard the same concerns from owners of all model year Tundras. There have been very few actual transmission problems reported over the years, but there have been a few related to metal cuttings in the valving and such. Mine is buttery smooth during the warmup period, and then pretty abrupt when at operating temperature. Some claim that synthetic lube will help a bit. I've found that you can get it to shift differently by experimenting with the amount of pressure you maintain on the gas pedal. Mine often shifts much smoother with a little more pressure on the gas. Very light throttle upshifts are especially firm. Everybody says it's designed that way to reduce wear on the clutch packs. Remember it's built to tow, and to not fail until after the warranty has expired!

[beemerphile]

Synthetic lube (Mobil 1) does not smooth it up a little bit, it smoothes it up A LOT! Do a 15 quart full change on it now. I waited two years and put up with the snappy shifts and now I wish I had changed it out earlier. - Lee

[puppychop3]

Originally posted by heyspencer
I recently bought a new 2003 access cab tundra and while I am driving I notice that the transmission is hard shifting from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd.....sometimes! I took the truck to the dealer and they said that it was normal. I find this hard to belive as all of the reviews say that the transmission is smooth.

Anyone out there with the same problem ????

This has been discussed at great length in prior threads. Its a truck not a camry, firm shifts are normal. On a side note, if you do change your trani fluid DO NOT USE MOBIL 1 in a 2003 Tundra, you have to use Toyotas proprietary trani fluid for the 2003 (Mobil 1 is only for 2002 and older because they require Dextron II/III)

[GreyTRD03]

Noticed same thing with my 03 Limited 4x4. Took it to local Toyota service mgr who is good friend and we drove it back to the tranny bay. While enroute, he told me that hard shifting is normal for Tundra. We talked to their transmission guy who said when it starts shifting smoothly, bring it in because the tranny is going bad.

[unixadm]

That's odd. My 2001 Limited 4x4 has never shifted hard in any gear. The shifts are quick and positive (the 1-2 could use a little work), but it feels refined - not harsh. It could be the PCM programming that causes it. Additional line pressure would make it shift firmer.

[muvico]

I have 2 tundras v8 acc.cab. one 03 and one 04. The 03 trans, shifts smooth like a camry,the 04 shift like a truck ,(pulls a little hard between shifts)I recently had it recalled due to leaking driveshaft seal) they think it was a bad u joint. They put a new driveshaft and seal ,It shifts a little smoother but not as my 03.my 04 is a trd and the 03 is not, maybe that's the difference.