Sierra 5.3 vs Tundra 5.7

You could always shift into the “manual” option and throw it in 6 if it bugs you

 

Using S-Mode can help reduce the amount of transmission shifting, but it won't eliminate it completely. When S-Mode is selected at highway speed, the top gear the transmission will shift to will be "4th", unless you manually select the top gear as "5th" or "6th". If the transmission is already in "5th" or "6th", it will automatically downshift to "4th" when you move the shift lever to "S-Mode". If you select "6th" in S-Mode as you suggest, the transmission will simply shift at the same speeds, and just as often, as it would in "D" position.

Avoiding the overdrive gear ranges by using S-Mode ("4th") forces the transmission to provide a final drive ratio of 1:1. This will increase power to the rear wheels, but downshifting will still occur if the hill is steep enough to load the engine to the pre-determined shift point. You will likely to see a MPG penalty for cruising in "4th" as well.

 

Funny how you ding Toyota for doing it, while I ding Ford for allowing it to drop by 3-4 mph. Especially when following someone I hate that it drops that speed. If I set it at 100 km/h, I want to go 100 km/h, not 93 km/h. In a Ford I can hold speed much better, while the Toyota system is better than I am.

 

I also traded a 5.3 sierra CC SLT for my tundra. The sierra was trouble free but in the end I hated the lack of punch, you can tell that GM programmed that engine for maximum mpg. No throttle response and felt like I was putting it to the floor when I needed some zip. I had the Z71 (those ranchos are junk IMO) and just like the mag reviews complained the back end came unsettled very easily. Interior/controls were better on the sierra IMO but I really like the seats in the 1794 and the back window roll down I missed from my last tundra so its nice to have it back. My biggest complaint is the stereo, Toyota really tested this JBL system and thought yup were good to go?

 

The Tundra comes with an actual truck rear end ratio.
I drove a 2002 Tahoe with the 5.3.
I got 13 to 16 mpg. So I'm fine with my 2016 Tundra CrewMax 4X4.

 

it’s the stupid cruise control. I drive on the Dallas north toll a lot which goes up and down every half mile or so, not a large incline just tiny hills... with CC on it drops down like I’m climbing Mount Everest. Turn cruise control off and it’ll stay in 6th.

it will also let off too much, Dipping well below the set speed and then accelerate above the set speed, causing it to then let off again and dip. all on a hill you’re going up or down for maybe 20-30’

I think the cruise control is just not very smart on these.

 

I agree that Toyota cruise control is a little...obnoxious. I can always get better MPG with it off in my 4Runner.

I can anticipate hills, meaning I can accelerate when it costs less fuel to do so. I don’t floor it to maintain speed like the CC does. And I will let it coast for longer.