Transmission shifting sluggish and powertrain slack

2019 Tundra 5.7 SR5 with ~ 45K. Seems that my powertrain has lots of slack/sloppy. Also, after a cold start, I notice it more. Transmission seems sluggish to respond and when it does, it feels like I have more than usual powertrain slack... like a motor mount is broken/bad, u joint issue. Talked to dealer and they do not recommend changing oil or filter on transmission. Powertrain is under warranty. Any advice would be appreciated. ps..

 

Welcome to the forum! Not sure why the dealer wouldn't recommend changing the transmission fluid, that seems like the logical first step. Do you hear any whines or odd noises that accompany the times when the transmission feels sloppy?

 

Thanks for the reply; my thoughts exactly. changing fluid seems logical enough however they were adament about not doing that. no noise or odd noises of any kind. Seems like fluid is taking a while to get to needed valve body locations for operation. or torque converter? it is under warranty, so maybe deal with the dealer BS might be next option...?

 

Is your truck lifted? What size tires are you running?

 

Could it be one of the several solenoids need replacement? Unusually low miles for a transmission issue to arise.

 

If it's under warranty and you can survive without your truck for a while it might be worth giving Toyota a chance at fixing it, especially if it won't cost you anything. I'll bet my bottom dollar that they'll to a full transmission flush if they do take it though.

 

Did you check the oil level?

 

All; truck is not lifted; everything is stock including tires. Got underneath it this afternoon and can't see anything out of ordinary except for possibly a questionable center carrier bearing. seems to have a lot of slop there... more than I'm used to when I worked as a mechanic full time and replaced these on other vehicles. As for oil level, these do not have a dipstick and need to be checked with transmission at a certain temp with a scan tool hooked up. If anybody knows the term "driveline windup", that is what it feels like; maybe that is normal for these Tundra trucks, but it does not feel right to me. If it is normal, I sure as heck don't like it

 

Ok, a few ideas off the top of my head...

• You're not in 4wd on pavement? Sorry, do not mean to offend. Wouldn't be the first time on the forum...

• Was the battery recently replaced? Just wondering if it is maybe learning your driving style again...slim chance probably...

• Did you buy the truck new? If not, PO may have had a lift kit on it that was removed to sell separately when it was traded in. They might should have installed a diff drop and carrier bearing drop on the truck and did not.

• One other thing we've seen on the forum: People have drained transmissions fluid and overfilled engine oil during an engine oil change. People are...not smart. You may be under-filled with transmission fluid for that reason or some other reason.

I just did a drain and fill on my 2021; it's pretty easy if you have an OBD scan tool. You might follow the steps in this video and see what your level is afterward.

 

• Not in 4WD; and yes, I know what that feels like; the "almost bob your chin on steering wheel" phenomena
• Battery replaced 2 years ago
• Bought truck new and everything on it is stock
• I have an OBD 2 scan tool and will check transmission fluid at least

As of note; guy doing the video does a nice job. Does not waste time in filming turning in 10 bolts and emptying 6 quarts of oil.

Thanks

 

Drive the truck in tow haul mode. Does it do the same things?

 

Tow haul mode; interesting; I did not think about that; let me try this and reply to this thread after I try that; thanks for suggesting

Updata; just tried tow haul mode and no change. Question; has anybody done any experimenting with changing shift points? is this something Toyota suggests or has to offer?

 

Truck was owned since new I assume something you noticed recently. Sluggish to shift especially on cold start seems like a low fluid issue. Would try a different Toyota dealership at 45k drain and fill or even a dealer performed flush.

 

Carrier bearing, motor mount, trans mount, or u joint wouldn't feel any different wether cold start or not.
Any chance that someone else has driven or abused your truck? Maybe even drove it without you knowing? I know I took vehicles out and about on adventures quite a few times at 12 years old and up, I actually did rip a transmission cooling line apart once with a tow chain and caused major damage but I still didn't get caught.

 

Honestly these transmissions are just like that compared to all the new 8 9 and 10 speed transmissions. Isn't our 6 speed transmissions pretty much a 17 year old design? Mine has always felt sluggish shifting and has drivetrain slack when letting of the gas and getting back on the gas. There are threads on here with people talking about it. I just thinks it's how transmissions felt that we're designed decades ago. I will say I will take the reliability and happily deal with drivetrain slack and sluggish shifting.

 

I noticed the same thing on shorter drives and had my transmission looked at. I was told that these transmission do not shift into 6th gear until its warm. Apparently it adds life to the transmissions. I have short drives in the mornings and it would bug me to no end.

 

Hi Joe, sorry to hear that you are having issues. I am in the same boat. My truck has had shifting issues pretty much from day one. Its especially bad when coming to a rolling stop and applying gas. It feels like the transmission is stuck in neutral for a second too long and the adaptive shifting is trying to figure out what gear it wants to be in. I have had a lot of trips to two different dealerships and all i am getting is “they all do it” or “we cant replicate the problem.” TOYOTA Corporate doesn't care either. Its extremely frustrating buying a brand new truck (2020 in my case) that is bone stock with 26000 miles having issues. Do you sometimes have a bang or clunk coming from the transmission when you are coasting and slowing down and giving gas again?

 

Yes the Gen 2.5/2020/2021 transmissions seem to not like to shift when coasting then applying alot of throttle. I think part of this is the truck may be in overdrive 5/6 gear and torque converter locked then sees the big throttle input and struggles to drop to 2nd or 3rd gear. This issue is really pronounced when I supercharged to the point I will manually shift to a lower gear. It’s expensive but you may consider a tune (for the transmission in particular) or a valve body upgrade (IPT etc.) that increases shift pressure/speed. Or drive around with tow/haul all the time.

 

My 2021 is the same. Did it with 20miles and it's still the same at 65,000 miles.

 

Where is the best place to get a transmission tune? Is that something I would order or somewhere I would go? Can a dealer do it?

 

Bizarre stuff. I’ve never felt anything like what y’all are describing in my ‘21.

My neighbor said his ‘20 downshifts hard sometimes when he comes to a stop.

Curious if @Locomotive Joe has any updates…

 

OTT network can do basic tuning for transmissions which will be around 400-500$ depending on the local person. Alternatively pay a transmission shop to put in a IPT valve body that will physically improve shifts, youd need to talk to IPT to specify the shifting youd want. This is probably 1100$.

 

I dunno if you want to open up a trans with 45k on it for a shift kit or not. Lots of guys here like the tow haul mode as it holds gears longer and shifts harder and faster.

Personally I had the dealer change the fluid in mine at 50k because fluid doesn’t last forever. As others have said they do seem to shift a bit lazy when you’re off the throttle and then get on the throttle.

 

So something like Pedal Monster just changes the throttle response, but not the actual shift times?