Shifting the Automatic

Hey all I am new here officially, although I have read through the forums for a little while prior to signing up. I have a 2016 TRD PRO and it has been great. One thing I do while driving, and wonder about if it’s dumb or even potentially harmful is, I downshift the gear to 4 and or 3 to help me slow down into stop signs and lights. I figure it saves the brakes but I wonder if it’s harmful to the transmission? Anyone have opinions or expertise I this area?

 

I think you'll get some mixed feedback on this. Our transmissions are solid, but the way that I look at it after doing some of my own research is that I'd rather put more stress on the brakes than the trans. Brakes are much less expensive and easier to replace.

 

I've wondered this too. I don't use S to downshift, but I have been in the habit lately of tapping my brakes when going down a hill to catch a downshift that will slow me down. I'm curious if that's a bad habit though and I should just lightly ride my brakes instead.

 

Stay away from extremes and all will be well. The ECU protects the trans anyway. I do the same sometimes, but it is true that Brake pads are cheaper than a transmission.

 

Using the trans to control speeds on downhills is normal. If you leave it in auto, and have cruise control, and especially in tow/haul mode, the transmission will downshift while CC is on to keep you at the set speed. I am one of those that likes to flex and use all the systems regularly, so I will put in S and manually shift up and down on a regular basis. KEY I think is to avoid the extremes. Dont bounce it off the rev limiter on accel, hold at high RPM in a gear abusively or force a downshift to too low a gear on decel and you will be fine. The 5.7/6Speed is a solid and robust powertrain.

 

I do this occasionally also.

 

For better or for worse, when it comes to big downhills I control speed with S mode the same way I do with our M/T vehicles. Granted, I get to rev match and feather the clutch in the manuals versus the ECU doing all the work, but that's what the ECU is designed to do. I paid for that ECU, it better do the job the engineers designed it to do.

 

I agree its fine to use it on occasion if you feel the need, but with the steep 4:30's in the back, I find no need if you can anticipate your stops.

 

This is the correct behavior of the transmission/engine/programming it's designed to save your brakes from overheating on long downhills similar to selecting your own gear with a manual. However, the transmission is not designed to slow you down form travel speed to almost nothing like with a manual. A clutch friction disk is a wear item designed to be easily replaceable (relatively easy), the clutches in an automatic are not designed for easy replacement.
I would pay significantly more money to get Tundra with a manual, and I would love to have the option to have manual locking hubs which essentially give you a granny gear when in 4L with hubs unlocked.

 

Okay, nice, thanks all. That makes me feel better about it.

I'm definitely not using it to go from 60-0, more like when I approach the crest of a hill going the speed limit already (think 40s typically), I'll tap the brake to try to get the gear to drop and hold me at approximately that speed while I descend vs waiting to get halfway down then having to ride my brakes to shed speed.

 

I do this daily too. I have always done it in my cars and never had an issue.