Transmission Hard Shift Problem

I have a 2024 TRD Pro and its parked in the driveway that has a slope to it. When I leave in the morning , the transmission shifts really hard for about a mile or so. I seems like the tranny fluid is draining to the rear of the truck and that is why it is shifting hard. Anyone else have this problem by chance? Any solution?

 

I'm not a mechanic but a few more details like how many miles do you have on it. Did it just start, What's the outside temp in the morning, Are you letting it run for a little or are you just jumping in and taking off. These might help others to have suggestions.

 

This has been happening since new. I now have 15k miles on it. Temp doesn't matter either. I get in, start my truck, back out of my driveway and take off. I have to be easy on the accelerator or it will shift hard.

 

Sorry to hear your having problems. Hopefully someone here with more knowledge than me can put a finger on it. In the meantime if it were me I would take it in as you still have warranty and let them look at it and have them check transmission fluid level even it cost me to have them check it. If by some chance the fluid level is low then in my opinion that's a warranty item. I'm not a big fan of the sealed lifetime transmission fluid thing. car care nut does have a video on transmission care and states the trans does have some type of heating element specifically for the transmission fluid to warm.

 

Transmissions like warm fluid. Like over 100° fluid. They shift much better once warmed up. If yours shifts normally once warmed up, probably normal. Worth checking the fluid level. My 2000 and my 2019 would not shift into OD or lock the torque converter until the transmission warmed up.

 

Have you tried parking in the opposite direction? That would either confirm or disprove your draining theory.

FYI, these truck's fuel tanks/gauges don't seem to like being parked at angles, either. There are numerous reports of the fuel gauge resetting to full after being parked on an incline.

 

^^^ try this. If the problem continues take it to the dealer - low fluid or bad actuators will cause this.

 

If parking on an incline is the cause of this trucks problems, I’m 100% out on a 3rd gen.

 

Amen, and I have a 3rd Gen. BTW I have not experienced this, however a handful of times I have had to reset my fuel gauge.

 

I live in Phoenix and in the summer I doubt that the fluid ever drops below 100. Lol. Thanks for the response. I will check the fluid level though. Good call.

 

I did park in the opposite direction yesterday and drove it today. No issues at all.

 

It’s winter though. Temps in Pheonix in the morning are more like 50s. Are you saying it’s done this for months now?

 

Cold fluid in any AT will cause some clunkiness. I've noticed the 3rd gen Tundra is a bit firm or awkward with shifts and the cold only amplifies that. It takes some time to warm up a bit and really pump through the whole trans.

I've found that I get better cold shifts if I let it idle for a couple mins or if I need to leave quickly, shift to S and manually go down through 4-3-2-1 with a could seconds in each gear before taking off in D. These manual shifts sitting still pump fluid through those low speed gears your about to use and significantly help. I've tested this with my 2023 Tundra, 2016 RAV4, and 2013 BMW X5 and it improved cold shifts in all.

 

The OP stated that parking nose down in his driveway caused the problem to go away.

I think that eliminates the cold fluid theory.

 

I would love to hear how on earth which direction you park on an incline has anything to do with how the truck shifts. If it’s just his and no one else’s doing it, then it’s fluid pickup related. Not enough fluid, or the pickup system in his particular truck is not operating properly. Should get that checked out. If other 3G owners have the same experience it’s not very encouraging. What if you have to tow up a steep grade? Or drive up a long steep driveway towing?

 

Mine does not shift hard when cold. I live in the Minneapolis area so it has seen some cold this winter.

 

Not enough ATF will starve the oil pump and cause foaming and line pressure drop. Truck simply won't be able to move. What you describe is a delayed engagement, perhaps?

Your problem is likely a defective valve body. May try to run it through transmission adaptation procedure, it may help.

 

Wanted to chime in on this. I had a ‘23 and now a ‘25 that behaves similarly. If I back out of my driveway, my first shift from 1st to 2nd after putting the truck in D is a bit rough, I’d describe it as a mild surge. After that, no issues.

However, if I back into my driveway and eliminate the need to shift from R to D, there is no surge.

I assume this is just a natural characteristic of the transmission when cold, but could be wrong.

 

It does feel like delayed engagement.

 

Maybe a sticking solenoid. I have one misbehaving when cold in my Tundra since new, but very mildly. Not enough motivating me to drop the pan and replace it. 4 oz of Lubegard HFM made it better. Switched to Ravenol ATF on last drain&fill, too. Toyota ATF is a bit dull on additives. Wife's Sequoia with the same engine/transmission is butter smooth.

 

Drive it until it explodes.