8 speed rough shifting

[pattay]

As others have mentioned, I too am noticing the rough shifting between 1st and 2nd on the 2016. Called the Toyota dealership and getting the TSB update tomorrow. It's probably out of warranty (88k miles), but if it fixes the issue, it's worth the $.

I'll update after it's done.

 

[CharlieS]

The TSB update made a massive difference on this issue for my '16. My dealer said I didn't qualify and made me pay for an hour of diagnostics before they'd even consider applying it. They said "if" the tech could verify the behavior met the criteria they'd apply the TSB. Long story short, they noticed it on the test drive and applied the fix, and it has been substantially better since. I can't remember for sure, but was out of warranty and think had to pay for the labor to apply the TSB, but I could be wrong. Bad case of getting old, CRS.

 

[John Guedry]

It fixed my issue on my 2016 as well.

 

[40Man]

Yes, it is worth getting.

 

[pattay]

Well this was disappointing. They plugged it in at the dealership and said my VIN wasn't in range for the update. He mentioned it's possible they already applied the update. Wish I knew if they did. I noticed the shift from 1-2 isn't really that bad. It's braking where I notice how unsmooth it is. Downshifting as I come to a stop causes me to lurch forward in my seat between gears.

 

[El Skywalker]

Well this was disappointing. They plugged it in at the dealership and said my VIN wasn't in range for the update. He mentioned it's possible they already applied the update. Wish I knew if they did. I noticed the shift from 1-2 isn't really that bad. It's braking where I notice how unsmooth it is. Downshifting as I come to a stop causes me to lurch forward in my seat between gears.

Long story short, I went to the dealer for the same issue.
I printed out the instructions etc.

They told me that they would have to drive it around to relearn the transmission and didn't want to do it because the roads were slick.

ECT button helps with the issue or I've just learned to deal with it and changed my braking habits.

 

[LvCruiserNewb]

Well this was disappointing. They plugged it in at the dealership and said my VIN wasn't in range for the update. He mentioned it's possible they already applied the update. Wish I knew if they did. I noticed the shift from 1-2 isn't really that bad. It's braking where I notice how unsmooth it is. Downshifting as I come to a stop causes me to lurch forward in my seat between gears.

I have a 2018 that I mentioned this TSB to dealer because I experience the same thing. They told me I already had the new software version loaded. I don't have techstream yet so no way to verify myself. So either I don't have the new load or the behavior must have been substantially worse on the old load and this is deemed acceptable. When rolling to a stop then reaccelerating before coming to a complete stop the shift from 1-2 feels like the damn Trans is gonna fall out of the truck. That's where it is worst for me. But the downshift from 2-1 can be a good jolt at times as well.

 

[John Guedry]

I have a 2018 that I mentioned this TSB to dealer because I experience the same thing. They told me I already had the new software version loaded. I don't have techstream yet so no way to verify myself. So either I don't have the new load or the behavior must have been substantially worse on the old load and this is deemed acceptable. When rolling to a stop then reaccelerating before coming to a complete stop the shift from 1-2 feels like the damn Trans is gonna fall out of the truck. That's where it is worst for me. But the downshift from 2-1 can be a good jolt at times as well.

That's what my 16 was doing, completely fixed after the tsb like 2-3 yrs ago. Kinda felt as if you were manually shifting hard.

 

[greynolds]

I have a 2018 that I mentioned this TSB to dealer because I experience the same thing. They told me I already had the new software version loaded. I don't have techstream yet so no way to verify myself. So either I don't have the new load or the behavior must have been substantially worse on the old load and this is deemed acceptable. When rolling to a stop then reaccelerating before coming to a complete stop the shift from 1-2 feels like the damn Trans is gonna fall out of the truck. That's where it is worst for me. But the downshift from 2-1 can be a good jolt at times as well.

It’s the same on my 2020. Other than missing some of the latest tech (such as CarPlay) that I knew about before purchase, this is the one thing that really bugs me. IMHO, the solution of switching to ECT power mode doesn’t really help much.

 

[JohnPW]

I have a 2018 that I mentioned this TSB to dealer because I experience the same thing. They told me I already had the new software version loaded. I don't have techstream yet so no way to verify myself. So either I don't have the new load or the behavior must have been substantially worse on the old load and this is deemed acceptable. When rolling to a stop then reaccelerating before coming to a complete stop the shift from 1-2 feels like the damn Trans is gonna fall out of the truck. That's where it is worst for me. But the downshift from 2-1 can be a good jolt at times as well.

It’s my understanding that all of the 2018+ models came with the software update. The update made a difference on my 2016 but it’s still not the smoothest shift between 1 and 2. But at this point I don’t notice it except right after cold startup. The transmission does adjust to your driving, and my driving has adjusted to the transmission.

For those people most frustrated by this, are you on stock tires? I have heard speculation that the reason for the clunky shifting is the vehicle is designed for taller and/or heavier tires used in other markets. I would think a taller tire would impact it somewhat?

 

[greynolds]

It’s my understanding that all of the 2018+ models came with the software update. The update made a difference on my 2016 but it’s still not the smoothest shift between 1 and 2. But at this point I don’t notice it except right after cold startup. The transmission does adjust to your driving, and my driving has adjusted to the transmission.

For those people most frustrated by this, are you on stock tires? I have heard speculation that the reason for the clunky shifting is the vehicle is designed for taller and/or heavier tires used in other markets. I would think a taller tire would impact it somewhat?

I am on the stock tires. If tire size is actually (part of) the problem, that's a really bad excuse on Toyota's part. A completely stock vehicle shouldn't have a transmission that shifts rough. If one starts monkeying around with different tire sizes, suspension lifts, and so on, THAT is when Toyota could very reasonably argue that the customer deviated from how the vehicle was designed.

In my case, I have very little room to work with in going to larger tires or lifting the suspension. My garage door is one limiting factor and the ability for my short elderly mom to get in and out is the other. The second factor has been partially mitigated by adding sliders that she can step up on and I do have a step stool that helps as well. But I'm not likely to do any sort of driving where I really need extra ground clearance, so I'm probably going to stick to stock size (or very close) tires.

 

[JohnPW]

I’m guessing driving style may be part of why this transmission bothers some people and not others. I drive like an old lady, slow acceleration and slow braking, and I rarely notice shifts at all.

Driving in Sport (S) mode is something you could try, although that will probably make the bad mpg’s worse.

I have noticed when I’m towing or heavily loaded the 1-2 shift seems smoother.

 

[LvCruiserNewb]

It’s my understanding that all of the 2018+ models came with the software update. The update made a difference on my 2016 but it’s still not the smoothest shift between 1 and 2. But at this point I don’t notice it except right after cold startup. The transmission does adjust to your driving, and my driving has adjusted to the transmission.

For those people most frustrated by this, are you on stock tires? I have heard speculation that the reason for the clunky shifting is the vehicle is designed for taller and/or heavier tires used in other markets. I would think a taller tire would impact it somewhat?

Hmm. That speculation is all I need to tell the boss (wife) that it's time for a lift and tires...

I am curious about the learning of the transmission though. Specifically the time interval it learns and adjusts over. My wife and I split the cruiser about 50/50 and we have very different driving styles. But at any rate I better get used to it because this truck isn't going anywhere for a very long time hopefully.

 

[greynolds]

I’m guessing driving style may be part of why this transmission bothers some people and not others. I drive like an old lady, slow acceleration and slow braking, and I rarely notice shifts at all.

Driving in Sport (S) mode is something you could try, although that will probably make the bad mpg’s worse.

I have noticed when I’m towing or heavily loaded the 1-2 shift seems smoother.

In my experience so far, sport mode doesn't really help. The situation where I notice the issue the most is when slowing down approaching a red light, coming almost to a stop, the light turning green, and then starting to accelerate to get back up to speed again. Same thing when slowing down to take a right turn and then accelerating back up to speed after taking the turn. In both cases, I find it really hard to avoid that really rough shift that several of us are complaining about. Knowing the issue exists, I try to accelerate gently, but find it really hard to avoid that rough shift. I have owned and driven quite a few vehicles over the years and this is the first time I've encountered this issue. I simply don't accept that my driving style is to blame here. I'm not going to get rid of the vehicle over this, but I really wish Toyota had done a better job on this aspect of the vehicle.

 

[CharlieS]

I don't get how a dealer can refuse the reflash. I got lucky that the tech experienced the harsh shifting on the test drive, so they agreed to the tsb, even though my vin is outside the range it applied to. It fixed the issue. If they said no, I still would have had to pay for an hour of diagnostics, but not receive the TSB reflash. It isn't like we can go someplace else other than the dealer to get the TSB done, so they have complete control over it. That's unreal.

 

[Docwyte]

Where's the TSB posted? Occasionally I have the same issue when slowing down to a red light, light turns green so I hit the gas before the truck is completely stopped.

 

[El Skywalker]

2016+ LC TSB for Rough Shifting Transmission is out

My 16 stalled yesterday when in reverse and after that had trouble engaging gear when in D or R. It was a weird temporary thing that went away shortly after. Just in case I went to dealer to inspect codes etc.. While checking things up I have been told that that there is TSB for rough...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[pattay]

Does anyone know if there's a way to determine if I have the update? Would buying the cable + using the Techstream at home figure that out?

 

[bentonrover]

Shame they never offered this for the 6-speed.

 

[DRoppolo]

Where's the TSB posted?

Yes I'd like to see this as well. I've noticed a shuttering in my 2016 and I only have 67k miles.