Transmission Class Action??

[HammerTheWall]

The problem is the low speed, like 25-30 MPH or even less.
Offroad, forest roads, and not highways.
At 75MPH should be plenty of airflow and RPM to keep temperatures controlled.

I've been under 25-30mph for hours on trails going up and down the mountains, all off-road or forest roads. These trips usually last 3-4 hours, average probably twice a week or so. I'd venture a guess that the average speed during those times is 15-25 mph.

 

[DenisLM]

I've been under 25-30mph for hours on trails going up and down the mountains, all off-road or forest roads. These trips usually last 3-4 hours, average probably twice a week or so. I'd venture a guess that the average speed during those times is 15-25 mph.

Great!
Temperature on the dash always in the middle?

 

[jenos96]

The problem is the low speed, like 25-30 MPH or even less.
Offroad, forest roads, and not highways.
At 75MPH should be plenty of airflow and RPM to keep temperatures controlled.

For what it’s worth, I only got the overheat notification (not a dash light just a message) at around prolonged 3-5mph.

 

[Desertrider1]

My 1958 transmission started heating up yesterday when I got stuck behind a snowplow while going up the mountain to Brian Head, UT. It was a sustained climb at about 10-15mph for about 10-15 min. It was in D, and the temp started climbing to about 3/4, but luckily we got to the top before it got any worse. This is definitely not normal.

A post above said switching to 4L should fix the issue. Is it because in D the torque converter slips more than usual, causing excessive heat?

 

[cvx5832LC]

^ That's my guess, torque converter slip. Most 4x4s need to do this for pseudo-gearing, aka the slip essentially makes available an in-between gear. At the expense of heat, unfortunately. Getting it into 4LO gives you that lower gearing without the need for slip.

 

[p0rcupin3_tr33]

I do not have a lot of experience in this but my LC transmissions occasionally shifted gears rough during very low speed, usually happens when I slowly coasting to the traffic stop. I now try to put my break slightly harder instead of coasting and it seems to stop the rough shift. Not quite sure what happened there in the transmission.

I am experiencing something similar on mine as well.

Just like you, as I coast to a stop sign or red light, when downshifting there is a noticeable jerk. Applying the brakes early eliminates it like you alluded to, but I still don't want any jerk while downshifting.

Anyone else experiencing this.?

 

[KyLandcruiser]

Just put the vehicle in a lower gear. This should solve the problem. The vehicle is anticipating a gear change which slips the clutches and torque converter.

 

[Marinna]

Just put the vehicle in a lower gear. This should solve the problem. The vehicle is anticipating a gear change which slips the clutches and torque converter.

Do you mean switch to manual and shift to lowest gear?

 

[KyLandcruiser]

Do you mean switch to manual and shift to lowest gear?

Yes this is what I mean. This should solve the problem.

 

[p0rcupin3_tr33]

I mean changing to manual each time you come to a stop sign or red light seems a bit much imo.

Can this be fixed via a OTA updated from Toyota?

 

[KyLandcruiser]

I mean changing to manual each time you come to a stop sign or red light seems a bit much imo.

Can this be fixed via a OTA updated from Toyota?

Why would you do that? The transmission isn’t shifting at a stop light.

 

[HammerTheWall]

Great!
Temperature on the dash always in the middle?

Pretty much, might go up and down slightly but not much.

 

[DenisLM]

Pretty much, might go up and down slightly but not much.

Assuming that is in PA
So your climbs must be short and less than a 1000ft
Compared to WA where you can get 2000ft elevation gain in one shot non stop
That's when i noticed temperatures climb up to 3/4.

 

[REMC]

I am experiencing something similar on mine as well.

Just like you, as I coast to a stop sign or red light, when downshifting there is a noticeable jerk. Applying the brakes early eliminates it like you alluded to, but I still don't want any jerk while downshifting.

Anyone else experiencing this.?

All the time. Mine is a 2.8 diesel, and its very frustrating changing your driving style just to avoid it.

 

[HammerTheWall]

Assuming that is in PA
So your climbs must be short and less than a 1000ft
Compared to WA where you can get 2000ft elevation gain in one shot non stop
That's when i noticed temperatures climb up to 3/4.

PA, NY, MD, VA. More than 1000 ft.

 

[JBLC]

My 1958 transmission started heating up yesterday when I got stuck behind a snowplow while going up the mountain to Brian Head, UT. It was a sustained climb at about 10-15mph for about 10-15 min. It was in D, and the temp started climbing to about 3/4, but luckily we got to the top before it got any worse. This is definitely not normal.

A post above said switching to 4L should fix the issue. Is it because in D the torque converter slips more than usual, causing excessive heat?

Shouldn't have to switch to 4 lo in this case and there have been others report this issue of overheating when travelling at a lower speed. It appears the mapping of the transmission is a problem and overheating should never be occurring as this is not an abnormal condition of driving. Clearly there is an issue with this transmission.
In US a class action lawsuit has been filed on new Tacoma transmission which is essentially the same in the LC. I foresee a major recall (and replacement) of these transmissions in the near future.

 

[cvx5832LC]

I was driving through San Francisco so I got to simulate a lot of this. Bottom line, it doesn’t take much to get the transmission 3/4 of the way on the gauge. Did that crawling up three blocks on a steep grade and takes a while to go back to normal if you don’t have moving air.

4L will probably keep it cool. I’ll try that next time.

 

[Nuke]

I fault Toyota for inadequate transmission cooling. Hopefully in the future there will be an aftermarket external oil cooler for the tranny.

 

[gsolo]

Have you guys tried activating MTS... it does keep the RPM higher.. At least it seems that way to me...

 

[Rasquatch]

I do not have a lot of experience in this but my LC transmissions occasionally shifted gears rough during very low speed, usually happens when I slowly coasting to the traffic stop. I now try to put my break slightly harder instead of coasting and it seems to stop the rough shift. Not quite sure what happened there in the transmission.

I just recently got my 2025 LC im still under 1k miles and have experienced this a few times. Are you still experiencing this?