hard shifting problems

kpk · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2003, 08:56 AM

I am having hard shifting problems on my 2003 Toyota Tundra V8 4x4 automatic trans access cab with the towing package, 17 inch rims with P265 tires and some other goodies. I just bought the truck and it currently has about 600 miles on it. Does anyone else notice this problem? It seems to shift better when cold but as it warms up the hard shifting starts. 1st gear to 2nd is the worst followed by 2nd to 3rd, 3rd to 4th seems to be tolerable. I notice that the slower I accelerate the harder it shifts. I don't want to (and can't afford to) floor the gas pedal everywhere I go just to get butter smooth shifts. I realize this is a truck and therefore don't expect the thing to drive like a caddy, but when the I have to endore 50 hard shifts during my morning and evening commute it tends to wear on you. Any suggestions and/or input would be much appreciated. Repliers, please respond with what equipment you have so we can try to correlate and get to the bottom of this. Maybe the shifting problem occurs with some features such as with certain size tires and doesn't with others. Thanks.

H2O_MAN · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2003, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpk

I am having hard shifting problems on my 2003 Toyota Tundra... Does anyone else notice this problem? It seems to shift better when cold but as it warms up the hard shifting starts. 1st gear to 2nd is the worst followed by 2nd to 3rd, 3rd to 4th seems to be tolerable. I notice that the slower I accelerate the harder it shifts. I don't want to (and can't afford to) floor the gas pedal everywhere I go just to get butter smooth shifts...

************************
You may have answered you own question... a little more acceleration (not floored) should allow a little smoother shifting, but a clean, solid shft is a good thing. You can go back to the dealer and take the service manager for a ride.
Does your truck have an LSD?
Good luck.

kpk · #3 (**permalink**) 10-10-2003, 09:36 AM

Sorry for the stupid question, but what is an LSD?

JeffD · #4 (**permalink**) 10-10-2003, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpk

Sorry for the stupid question, but what is an LSD?

Limited Slip Differential in the rear end (most likely)

or . . .

d-lysergic acid diethylamide - in German: Lyserg-Säure-Diaethylamid

this is not likely to cause any shifting problems per se - but could perhaps shift perception. . .

kpk · #5 (**permalink**) 10-10-2003, 01:34 PM

Aaahhhh. Yes I do have a limited slip diff. Why do you ask?

H2O_MAN · #6 (**permalink**) 10-10-2003, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpk

Aaahhhh. Yes I do have a limited slip diff. Why do you ask?

Your LSD may make the shift feel sharper, more of a snap or jerk.
Especially if you have never driven a vehicle with a posi/lsd in the rear...

kpk · #7 (**permalink**) 10-10-2003, 04:12 PM

I had a 94 Nissan truck with a limitied slip diff and it didn't seem to effect the feel of the shifts.

Before I bought my truck I also test drove the V6 Tundra. That seemed to shift even harder in all gears. In fact I noticed it right away and it turned me off completely. The V8 I test drove was better but I ended up buying a different truck than the one I test drove (they did a dealer trade). I can't believe nobody else was noticed this or doesn't have a problem with it.

Daxman · #8 (**permalink**) 10-10-2003, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpk

I had a 94 Nissan truck with a limitied slip diff and it didn't seem to effect the feel of the shifts.

Before I bought my truck I also test drove the V6 Tundra. That seemed to shift even harder in all gears. In fact I noticed it right away and it turned me off completely. The V8 I test drove was better but I ended up buying a different truck than the one I test drove (they did a dealer trade). I can't believe nobody else was noticed this or doesn't have a problem with it.

My '01 shifts hard on occasion, depending mainly on throttle position when shifting. Actually, I find the firm shifts nice. Granted, it's not like it 'drops the clutch' so to speak. But it's a nice firm sporty shift...puts you back in your seat

Dax

Stooge · #9 (**permalink**) 10-11-2003, 12:18 PM

I would allow the driveline to "break in" a bit more. Make sure that the transmission fluid is exactly at the "high" dot when hot. Change your engine oil and filter now. Also, grease your driveline, especially the slip yoke near the rear end. At 1000 miles, change your front and rear differential gears oil along with the transfer case to a quality (maybe synthetic) gear oil. I would wait to flush the transmission fluid until later. Your 2003 tranny may require the Toyota Type TV fluid. It's a good synthetic-base from Toyota (better than the Dextron III spec). I believe that only Toyota and now Amsoil have the specified tranny fluid. Good luck and enjoy.

dupont24 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-11-2003, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpk

I am having hard shifting problems on my 2003 Toyota Tundra V8 4x4 automatic trans access cab with the towing package, 17 inch rims with P265 tires and some other goodies. I just bought the truck and it currently has about 600 miles on it. Does anyone else notice this problem? It seems to shift better when cold but as it warms up the hard shifting starts. 1st gear to 2nd is the worst followed by 2nd to 3rd, 3rd to 4th seems to be tolerable. I notice that the slower I accelerate the harder it shifts. I don't want to (and can't afford to) floor the gas pedal everywhere I go just to get butter smooth shifts. I realize this is a truck and therefore don't expect the thing to drive like a caddy, but when the I have to endore 50 hard shifts during my morning and evening commute it tends to wear on you. Any suggestions and/or input would be much appreciated. Repliers, please respond with what equipment you have so we can try to correlate and get to the bottom of this. Maybe the shifting problem occurs with some features such as with certain size tires and doesn't with others. Thanks.

I'm in Limerick, Pa, and have an 03 with the sport pkg. The reason the trans shifts like it does is to get the best emmisions possible to get the SLUEV standard. the 03 does shift quite differently from the 02. I work at Tri County Toyota and would be happy to take a ride with you, but it sounds like it's normal to me. As for a sensor unplugged, that will only make it worse.

kpk · #11 (**permalink**) 10-12-2003, 08:45 AM

Thanks rsvees. That's a nice offer. I have an appointment with my local dealer on Monday night. I'm going to take the service manager for a ride. Where is Tri County Toyota anyway? Do you work in the service department?

I just read the manual and it said that I need to use Toyota ATF type T-IV. It also says to "change the transmission fluid only when necessary." As well as "Generally, it is necessary to change automatic trans fluid only if your vehicle is driven under one of the Special Operating Conditions listed in your Scheduled Maintenance Guide or Owner Manuals Supplement."

Stooge said that the Toyota fluid is already a synthetic so I guess switching to an aftermarket synthetic like Mobil 1 woundn't help. There is an excellent article on www.howstuffworks.com about automatic transmissions and how they operate. They cover mostly mechanically controlled versions but also mention a few words about electrically controlled transmissions as well. It would seem to me that the shift points and/or control is set (or programed) somewhere. I'm wondering if you could change this much like you can change the "chip" to control the engine performance. Obviously this is a brand new truck and the thought of screwing around with it turns my stomach. Being a mechanical engineer I know first hand what goes into designing a basic product let alone a vehicle. It must be overwhelming. I don't that anything I can think to do hasn't been tried or developed by the engineers at Toyota. The only counter arguement might be that they made some sacrifices in the design in order to meet certain criteria. Who knows!

Mudd - I too have been playing around with the gas pedal pressure trying to get it to shift better. I hate it though. If I wanted to do that I would have bought a manual transmission!!

Is there a technical service phone number for Toyota owners? Do you know of one rsvees? It would be nice to talk to someone from Toyota who is trained and knows the in-and-outs of the their products.

GreyTRD03 · #12 (**permalink**) 10-13-2003, 02:39 PM

As many have said, this hard shifting is apparently a common attribute of the 2003 Tundra. After owning mine for about 2 weeks I brought it in to the Toyota service manager (my son in law) and had him drive it. He told me that all the 03s shift more abruptly than previous editions. He drove my truck over to the transmission bay and we spoke with the factory tranny mechanic. The mechanic said this is perfectly normal and to bring it in as soon as it starts shifting smoothly.

kpk · #13 (**permalink**) 10-13-2003, 03:55 PM

Does anybody have any input regarding the Toyota T-IV ATF versus Amsoil or Mobil 1 full synthetic. I guess the question is whether T-IV is "full" synthetic or not. I just read an ongoing post on ATF's and someone mentioned that T-IV might not be full synthetic. If it is not, than I might consider switching to a full synthetic ATF because others have indicated it has helped them. Of course most of these people have 01 or 02 Tundras, so it might be a moot point.

dupont24 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-14-2003, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpk

Does anybody have any input regarding the Toyota T-IV ATF versus Amsoil or Mobil 1 full synthetic. I guess the question is whether T-IV is "full" synthetic or not. I just read an ongoing post on ATF's and someone mentioned that T-IV might not be full synthetic. If it is not, than I might consider switching to a full synthetic ATF because others have indicated it has helped them. Of course most of these people have 01 or 02 Tundras, so it might be a moot point.

Toyota won't give me a real answer on the fluid question. As to where we are we are in Limerick, Pa. Right near Pottstown. And yes I am a Toyota expert Tech (3 classes away from master)

Stooge · #15 (**permalink**) 10-15-2003, 07:55 AM

Amsoil synthetic ATF is compatable with the Toyota fluid spec. I believe that the Amsoil ATF is one of their best products. I have an Ulta-Junk transmission in my 91 Voyager, and after 3 transmissions, the Chrysler guy said use the Amsoil ATF NOT the ATF-4. 100K miles later, same transmission. Results are there for me!!