2016 shift from 1st to 2nd

[Rodwilsonsr]

Hi All,
I just traded my 2011 LC for a 2016 with 4k miles. I couldn't pass it up.

I'm getting use to the 8 speed tranny, but at first I thought it shifted weird. Nothing real specific, but just didn't seem smooth all the time.
I had found a TSB about a software update for the tranny and I had the dealer perform the TSB.

Shifting 2-8 is smooth now, But it seems that shifting 1 to 2 feels like there is chatter, or slight skipping or just a weird quick skipping that occurs from a slow acceleration.
From a quick acceleration, it's not as noticeable .
And if I use the ETC button, it doesn't happen at all .

I felt this weirdness with 1 to 2 before the software update, it just seems a bit more prominent. Maybe because the rest of the shifting is so smooth, I just notice 1-2 more .

Anyhow, before I chase the dealer down, just wondering if anyone has experience with this? Or can give some suggestions on how to address this with the dealer?
Thanks
Rod

 

[Markuson]

Pay attention to when you feel it next time. I’ve always noticed on mine (2008...quite different) that if I’m gently accelerating from a stop on a very gentle decline, it happens as it pops into 2nd...but ONLY sin that scenario.

For example...in stop-and-go freeway traffic on a down-hill section...you end up gently accelerating over and over. But on a downward slope, you may speed up a bit...but without much resistance and without continued (or aggressive) acceleration...it tends to lurch into second a bit.

It’s always done this for years...but again...only in this single, specific situation and has neither worsened nor changed....so I’ve basically accepted it as a system quirk.

Not suggesting yours is the same...but curious if it might be similar—the key for mine being light acceleration without continued or aggressive acceleration (doesn’t happen during hard-skinny-peddle-use at all).

 

[Sac Cerevisiae]

I’ve noticed this or something similar in my ‘16. I purchased used with <7k mi and I’ve put about 5k additional. I’ve been thinking about an early trans flush.

 

[swatski]

Hi All,
I just traded my 2011 LC for a 2016 with 4k miles. I couldn't pass it up.

I'm getting use to the 8 speed tranny, but at first I thought it shifted weird. Nothing real specific, but just didn't seem smooth all the time.
I had found a TSB about a software update for the tranny and I had the dealer perform the TSB.

Shifting 2-8 is smooth now, But it seems that shifting 1 to 2 feels like there is chatter, or slight skipping or just a weird quick skipping that occurs from a slow acceleration.
From a quick acceleration, it's not as noticeable .
And if I use the ETC button, it doesn't happen at all .

I felt this weirdness with 1 to 2 before the software update, it just seems a bit more prominent. Maybe because the rest of the shifting is so smooth, I just notice 1-2 more .

Anyhow, before I chase the dealer down, just wondering if anyone has experience with this? Or can give some suggestions on how to address this with the dealer?
Thanks
Rod

Does it happen all the time or when the truck is cold?
I can not endorse any chatter or noises but the torque management (ATM?) (I think) seems a little overreaching at times in the lowest gear - when cold.
The ECT Power button seems to help. So, mine just stays on!

--

 

[Dan Higgins]

This is a "well documented" characteristic with the 8-speed transmission. I'm not suggesting that you should have read prior posts on this as they are hard to find. Just letting you know that you are not alone. The degree to which people notice the difference varies, I believe, based on driving style and sensitivity to things being "different". Note that with the 8-speed, the gearing was extended down more than up. In other words, 1st on the 8-speed is "lower" than 1st on the 6-speed. One other thing to note is that this transmission "adapts" like a lot of modern, "intelligent" electronic transmissions do. For example, I find that the transmission "feels" different, especially in the lower gears, after I have been towing our 6K# trailer for a few days. But after a couple of days of driving without the trailer that feeling goes away. And one more thing and this is more personal. I often find that when I have a new vehicle I notice everything - noises, handling, braking, shifting, seat comfort, whatever. I seem to be hyper-sensitive to all this when the vehicle is new to me. But after a couple of months I stop noticing those things. I think with the transmission, my driving style adapted somewhat.

Also, I only use the ECT PWR when I am in the mountains or towing. Or when I know I'm going to need to accelerate quickly. But I am a patient, relaxed driver so that doesn't happen very often for me.

In any case, there is at least one other lengthy thread on this topic. A search for threads with "8-speed" in the subject should probably get you there.

 

[Rodwilsonsr]

This is a "well documented" characteristic with the 8-speed transmission. I'm not suggesting that you should have read prior posts on this as they are hard to find. Just letting you know that you are not alone. The degree to which people notice the difference varies, I believe, based on driving style and sensitivity to things being "different". Note that with the 8-speed, the gearing was extended down more than up. In other words, 1st on the 8-speed is "lower" than 1st on the 6-speed. One other thing to note is that this transmission "adapts" like a lot of modern, "intelligent" electronic transmissions do. For example, I find that the transmission "feels" different, especially in the lower gears, after I have been towing our 6K# trailer for a few days. But after a couple of days of driving without the trailer that feeling goes away. And one more thing and this is more personal. I often find that when I have a new vehicle I notice everything - noises, handling, braking, shifting, seat comfort, whatever. I seem to be hyper-sensitive to all this when the vehicle is new to me. But after a couple of months I stop noticing those things. I think with the transmission, my driving style adapted somewhat.

Also, I only use the ECT PWR when I am in the mountains or towing. Or when I know I'm going to need to accelerate quickly. But I am a patient, relaxed driver so that doesn't happen very often for me.

In any case, there is at least one other lengthy thread on this topic. A search for threads with "8-speed" in the subject should probably get you there.

Yea, your right on as far as this being a hard to find topic when talking specifically about this. My biggest concern is that the wonky shifting from 1 to 2 will cause damage in the long term.
As far as the ECT button, I should clarify that when I use the ECT 2nd button I dont feel the weird shift. I have not tried the ECT Power button yet.
I will do some further searching and reading.
Thanks

 

[M1911]

I believe these transmissions “learn” over time based on driving style. You might try to see if there is a way to reset the transmission to its factory default set up. I don’t know how that is done on the 200; on my old 4Runner, disconnecting the battery for a while cleared the transmission learning and shift quality was better afterwards.

 

[jefo13]

I have 2016 as well. Bought it at 36k.
2 characteristics I noticed
First on cold start if you went straight to drive it, like pulling out of the garage, it would feel like slipping like if it was on a higher gear
Second, under heave accelerations, flooring it, shifting can be felt very harshly, regardless of ECT being on or off

I did the software update and the First issue, was eliminated, the second issue prevails but it is not as harsh...

 

[Dan Higgins]

I believe these transmissions “learn” over time based on driving style. You might try to see if there is a way to reset the transmission to its factory default set up. I don’t know how that is done on the 200; on my old 4Runner, disconnecting the battery for a while cleared the transmission learning and shift quality was better afterwards.

Yes, the transmission "learns" or what I referred to as "adapts" in my earlier post. But according to a very knowledgeable person at my dealership, it does pick up on significant changes in driving style and "relearns". You should not need to do a "reset".

Also, @Rodwilsonsr, ECT 2nd forces the transmission to not use 1st gear. This is intended to avoid the torque associated with first gear when attempting to start while on a slick surface such as snow (its primary use) and possibly mud. It is not intended for general driving.

ECT PWR changes the shift points to occur lower and allow more RPM before a shift. It is intended for use when lower shifting would be appropriate such as climbing in the mountains, towing a trailer or possibly if you need fast acceleration.