[chump16]

Well i broke the 14mpg mark this past week. I think this may be due to the fact that it is starting to get warmer in NJ and i only let it warm up for 30 sec or a minute before i take off in the morning. I took it to the dealer a few weeks ago for a free oil change, so i had them check it out to see whats the deal is with the mileage. The said that it is normal due to the ethanol they put in the gas in the winter. Thats definitely BS. I don't know what im gonna do with this thing...its a nice truck but this really pisses me off. Glad i kept my old taco!

 

[chump16]

To you guys with manuals

When I try to take it easy shift before 2K do all your gears feel as smooth as when you shift at say 2500? Going into third don't feel as smooth as the other gears esp. when it's lower rpm's thanks

I dont know if its the drive by wire crap that makes the rpms hang up or what, but whenever i try to shift into a higher gear at less than 2500 rpm, the trans either clunks or takes a lot of effort to get to the next gear

 

[ScreamingTaco]

I dont know if its the drive by wire crap that makes the rpms hang up or what, but whenever i try to shift into a higher gear at less than 2500 rpm, the trans either clunks or takes a lot of effort to get to the next gear

The drive by wire holds the RPM for awhile. It's an emissions thing to keep you from dumping raw fuel into the cats.

I find it shifts smoother if I don't push the clutch pedal all the way to the floor... just far enough to disengage and shift.

If you follow the shift points in the manual most of your shifts will be well under 2500rpm (most are near 2000rpm I think). They seem to work well and they definatly help with the fuel ecconomy.

 

[bigbadyoda]

It main;y when I go into third gear though... Any suggestions or should I let the stealership look at it?

 

[ScreamingTaco]

Most of the problems I've read about have been regarding jerky shifting... ie, it seems that the computer holds the RPM up to clear the fuel out, then drops the RPM as people are letting the clutch out so that you get that momentary "I'm a retard you can't drive stick" effect going on.

So far I've seen nothing about laboured shifting and/or people having a hard time getting it into gear, but it kinda sounds like your syncro-mesh is binding going into third.

I'd try shifting using the manual's recommend shift points for a few days and see what happens. A few days ought to give the computer time to start learning how you drive at the lower RPMs. Then if you still have problems take it in and have them ride along.

 

[digitalsynthesis]

Yeah, I get that "jerky shifting" feeling sometimes. I've generally adapted to it and it to me, so that now low RPM shifts are not usually a problem. Occasionally second will grind slightly if it didn't pop in immediately, even if I have not let the clutch out yet. Its a notchy tranny, but I don't mind. Its quite nice for a truck trans IMO. The drive-by-wire behavior is a bit disconcerting sometimes, but once you get used to it, its no big deal. I just shift pretty quick, and smoothly, and generally I don't even have to blip the throttle for a smooth downshift. Heel-toe is a bit of a bitch tho with stock pedals.

I've had no issues with third gear, the only gear that seems even slightly different is second, and that's most likely because I'm *always* going into or out of it with d*mn stop signs every 50 feet around here.

 

[bigbadyoda]

Aren't the shift points around 2500rpm's or something around there?

 

[Slergio]

2007 double cab prerunner, 4.0 automatic w/ 265/75/16 tires on 16 x 8.5 wheels. This is my first complete tank, went 320.4 miles and filled it again with 17.77 gallons for 18.03 mpg. My truck now has 650 miles on the odometer. Combination of city, highway, etc, nothing over 70 mph. And this was on 89 octane, I figured I'd go w/ the in-between grade and stick with it, like I've done with all my other Yota's.

 

[ScreamingTaco]

Aren't the shift points around 2500rpm's or something around there?

Basically, when normally accelerating you want to shift around 2200 or so, and when cruising you want your RPM between 800rpm and 1700rpm.

--------Accel---Cruise

1 gear - 2200 - 1500
2 gear - 2200 - 1300*
3 gear - 2100 - 1500
4 gear - 2000 - 1700
5 gear - 1900 - 1700
6 gear - N/A

It took me awhile to get used to this because I was used to a 2.2L 4 speed that I'd rev to 3000 while accerating and cruise above 2000rpm, but it really does drive like this.


* Don't ask... I checked it three times and that's what it worked out to.

 

[digitalsynthesis]

Where did you "work that out" from? I didn't see a chart like that in the manual.

 

[ScreamingTaco]

Where did you "work that out" from? I didn't see a chart like that in the manual.

Page 176 has the "Recommended Shifting Speeds". The 6speed is listed on pg 177. They only give recommended speeds, but I converted them to RPM courtasy of a back road and a few minutes of my time (I'm on vacation and getting a little bored).

Acceleration

  gear             km/h (mph)            rpm

1 to 2               20 (13)             2200

2 to 3               38 (24)             2200

3 to 4               53 (33)             2100

4 to 5               65 (41)             2000

5 to 6               75 (47)             1900
 
Cruise

  gear             km/h (mph)            rpm

1 to 2               12 (8)              1500

2 to 3               22 (14)             1300

3 to 4               40 (25)             1500

4 to 5               54 (34)             1700

5 to 6               65 (41)             1700

They also have high altitude shifting speeds (4000ft+)...

Acceleration

  gear             km/h (mph)            rpm

1 to 2               24 (15)             2700

2 to 3               40 (25)             2300

3 to 4               64 (40)             2500

4 to 5               72 (45)             2300

5 to 6               80 (50)             2100
 
Cruise

Same as acceleration.

 

[digitalsynthesis]

Ah. Gotcha. I looked all over the manual for that and somehow missed it entirely.

Thanks for the spot! Great post, and very useful info.

 

[Chadman]

Well i broke the 14mpg mark this past week. I think this may be due to the fact that it is starting to get warmer in NJ and i only let it warm up for 30 sec or a minute before i take off in the morning. I took it to the dealer a few weeks ago for a free oil change, so i had them check it out to see whats the deal is with the mileage. The said that it is normal due to the ethanol they put in the gas in the winter. Thats definitely BS. I don't know what im gonna do with this thing...its a nice truck but this really pisses me off. Glad i kept my old taco!

No Ethanal is B.S. It does give you less MPG, because it takes more energy to burn as compared to reg. But that's another topic for another time. I get 14.5 MPG (12 w/ ethanol) with my 01' dcab in town, 2.5" lift and 33" mt's. Hopefully you are calculating your MPG's wrong cause what your getting is crappy.

 

[chump16]

No Ethanal is B.S. It does give you less MPG, because it takes more energy to burn as compared to reg. But that's another topic for another time. I get 14.5 MPG (12 w/ ethanol) with my 01' dcab in town, 2.5" lift and 33" mt's. Hopefully you are calculating your MPG's wrong cause what your getting is crappy.

Unfortunately i am calculating it correctly. Ill see how it goes as it gets warmer here, and if it doesn't get any better ill have to find a way to make the truck disappear.

As for the shift point chart that was posted, who can actually stand shifting under 2g's? Its gotta be annoying shifting 6 times and only be going 40 mph.

 

[ah64id]

As for the shift point chart that was posted, who can actually stand shifting under 2g's? Its gotta be annoying shifting 6 times and only be going 40 mph.

That alone would lead to lower mpg's. My auto usually shifts around 2K. I have gotten between 17.8 and 19.8 in the trucks first 1500 miles. The 17.8 was 75mph with a couple large hills and a pass. 70 seems to be much more economical at 19.2.

 

[ScreamingTaco]

As for the shift point chart that was posted, who can actually stand shifting under 2g's? Its gotta be annoying shifting 6 times and only be going 40 mph.

I usually shift around 2200-2300rpm.... when I'm jamming all six gears I feel like I'm driving a big-rig.

 

[bigbadyoda]

I skip gears like a motha most of the time i'll his 1,2,3 and 6th cause i'll just be in town going under 45.. I just think of it saving gas and my clutch... I ain't even got on my truck really.. One time in first gear but just a tad.. I know she'd smoke my little 01' outta the water. I'll have to try the shift points. Although 3rd stil does feel a little funky when going into still i think i may take it to the stealership sometime.. Not sure what it could be though?

 

[Ozark-Taco]

I just got my 07 a few weeks ago. I traded my old rig strictly because of gas mileage and I am happy to say that the new Taco is doing it's desired job......good gas mileage!!

Here is my breakdown on my 07's gas mileage:

City miles (lots of redlights and turns, 14 miles roundtrip)
16-17mpg (depending on how aggressive I drive, usually non aggressive)

Interstate Speeds (70-75mph, non-aggressive)
19-20mpg

US Highway Speeds (55-60mph, non aggressive)
24mpg!!!!!!!


That is a broad range but I am very happy with the larger truck with a larger motor getting better mileage than my previous truck. Can't beat that right?


24mpg out of a 4.0 V6 engine.......WOW!!!

 

[itsmeagain5789]

ahhh, u did better than me. i got 22.5. dangg