2018 Tacoma Sport TRD

I went to the dealership and got it checked nothing is wrong, I’ll get used to the ticking but the vibration when I’m in drive and ideling I don’t know about that :(
 
I have an '18 TRD Sport 2WD, glass work cap, carries an 800 lb service load and sagged, so I installed OME springs (great decision). If you haven't had a Taco recently they take some getting used to, just like any other vehicle. I had an '06 Tundra, and the Taco is both a welcome change and missing a couple things I got used to. The slight ticking in the 3.5L engine is in fact normal, even though it sounds like something's not adjusted in the valve train. Note I say "slight" ticking. Tacomas are not quiet vehicles. Toyota could do much better; there is way too much noise coming through the back wall and rear seat area. My old Tundra wasn't silent, but it was quieter. It takes awhile to get used to the transmission. Especially if you drive with a load, the truck will go hunting for gears. I use Sport mode on the tranny and things are just fine. It's true the 3.5 doesn't have a lot of low end power, but in the right gear it's a whole different story. The 6 speed automatic is a product of the search for more mpg for average drivers, not smooth and sporty feel, thus some of the shift points (like from 3rd to 4th in full auto) seem to come way too early, or when and how it kicks down for max power at odd moments Another option the factory might offer is a 2WD package for work oriented trucks that's more heavy duty. For instance, stock springs were completely inadequate for my service package weight. Then there's the issue with truck height. Since Toyota decided to make all the new ones (2WD and 4WD) the same height, the 2WD could use a bigger, solid steel(not hollow) anti-roll bar, and one or more degrees of rear anti-sway bar. Other little things could be improved: steering wheel needs "a lot" more movement to allow easier entry and exit; the AC outlet in the bed is nice, but at 400W it's a camping utility outlet at most (not useful for power tools); the insides of the glove box and center console are thankfully big, but there is no organization to them--I used aftermarket gadgets to make some sense out of all the space; lack of sound isolation makes the radio unlistenable at higher speeds unless it's cranked way up; headlights (projectors) are ok but not bright enough on low beams and could be a lot less "yellow". 3 areas where things could be many times better for relatively little actual cost, on almost every vehicle, and certainly all of the trucks I have owned (10 so far) : brakes, lights, suspension. We'll see how the brakes do for me. So far they feel great even with rear drums. Why not rear disc's? For that matter, why not much bigger discs on all cars and trucks? My Tundra was hard on brakes, and after 2 years no one could get the rears and fronts balanced, so it always felt like I only had either fronts or rears working right. The lights on the Taco are good, but not great-at least for me--too yellow, not bright enough on low beam, but great cutoff pattern. Suspensions on pickups are seldom adequate or sporty (a few exceptions), so I always end up modifying things. The Taco rolls too much for me, so I may add a rear sway bar or maybe replace the factory front roll bar with a Hellwig solid steel unit. It's always a balance between ride comfort and handling and load capacity.

I considered every other possible truck and combination, walked a lot of lots, talked to a lot of sales and repair guys. The most convincing factors behind getting my Tacoma:
1. Toyota's reputation, & my experience with repairs (Tundra, Prius).
2. Sales guy knew his Tacomas. I really dislike sleaze on the sales lot, so I need a sales guy who is relational, very knowledgeable, and who "gets it" with whatever vehicle I'm looking at, and who is not in a hurry. I got all of them in one guy.
3. Good sources of information on the vehicle: articles, blogs, owners' clubs, what's the word on the street and in the trades, etc.
4. "Feel". 6 dealer visits, 4 salesmen, and 3 months after I started looking, my best answers came from unbelievably talented Toyota mechanics, bloggers, forums like this one. Feel is fit and finish but also the feel of a dealership and those who work there, what kind of
relationship do they have to the product, and how good is the product reputation outside of the "official" community.
5. I had my Tundra for 11 years and 178,000 miles, with no major mechanical problems. I did brakes, synthetic oil changes every 8-10K Mi., changed out a couple of batteries, and customized the suspension. One tuneup at 100,000 mi. Ran great the day I sold it. The Tacoma should do at least as well.
 
Steve Claydon said:
I have an '18 TRD Sport 2WD, glass work cap, carries an 800 lb service load and sagged, so I installed OME springs (great decision). If you haven't had a Taco recently they take some getting used to, just like any other vehicle. I had an '06 Tundra, and the Taco is both a welcome change and missing a couple things I got used to. The slight ticking in the 3.5L engine is in fact normal, even though it sounds like something's not adjusted in the valve train. Note I say "slight" ticking. Tacomas are not quiet vehicles. Toyota could do much better; there is way too much noise coming through the back wall and rear seat area. My old Tundra wasn't silent, but it was quieter. It takes awhile to get used to the transmission. Especially if you drive with a load, the truck will go hunting for gears. I use Sport mode on the tranny and things are just fine. It's true the 3.5 doesn't have a lot of low end power, but in the right gear it's a whole different story. The 6 speed automatic is a product of the search for more mpg for average drivers, not smooth and sporty feel, thus some of the shift points (like from 3rd to 4th in full auto) seem to come way too early, or when and how it kicks down for max power at odd moments Another option the factory might offer is a 2WD package for work oriented trucks that's more heavy duty. For instance, stock springs were completely inadequate for my service package weight. Then there's the issue with truck height. Since Toyota decided to make all the new ones (2WD and 4WD) the same height, the 2WD could use a bigger, solid steel(not hollow) anti-roll bar, and one or more degrees of rear anti-sway bar. Other little things could be improved: steering wheel needs "a lot" more movement to allow easier entry and exit; the AC outlet in the bed is nice, but at 400W it's a camping utility outlet at most (not useful for power tools); the insides of the glove box and center console are thankfully big, but there is no organization to them--I used aftermarket gadgets to make some sense out of all the space; lack of sound isolation makes the radio unlistenable at higher speeds unless it's cranked way up; headlights (projectors) are ok but not bright enough on low beams and could be a lot less "yellow". 3 areas where things could be many times better for relatively little actual cost, on almost every vehicle, and certainly all of the trucks I have owned (10 so far) : brakes, lights, suspension. We'll see how the brakes do for me. So far they feel great even with rear drums. Why not rear disc's? For that matter, why not much bigger discs on all cars and trucks? My Tundra was hard on brakes, and after 2 years no one could get the rears and fronts balanced, so it always felt like I only had either fronts or rears working right. The lights on the Taco are good, but not great-at least for me--too yellow, not bright enough on low beam, but great cutoff pattern. Suspensions on pickups are seldom adequate or sporty (a few exceptions), so I always end up modifying things. The Taco rolls too much for me, so I may add a rear sway bar or maybe replace the factory front roll bar with a Hellwig solid steel unit. It's always a balance between ride comfort and handling and load capacity.

I considered every other possible truck and combination, walked a lot of lots, talked to a lot of sales and repair guys. The most convincing factors behind getting my Tacoma:
1. Toyota's reputation, & my experience with repairs (Tundra, Prius).
2. Sales guy knew his Tacomas. I really dislike sleaze on the sales lot, so I need a sales guy who is relational, very knowledgeable, and who "gets it" with whatever vehicle I'm looking at, and who is not in a hurry. I got all of them in one guy.
3. Good sources of information on the vehicle: articles, blogs, owners' clubs, what's the word on the street and in the trades, etc.
4. "Feel". 6 dealer visits, 4 salesmen, and 3 months after I started looking, my best answers came from unbelievably talented Toyota mechanics, bloggers, forums like this one. Feel is fit and finish but also the feel of a dealership and those who work there, what kind of
relationship do they have to the product, and how good is the product reputation outside of the "official" community.
5. I had my Tundra for 11 years and 178,000 miles, with no major mechanical problems. I did brakes, synthetic oil changes every 8-10K Mi., changed out a couple of batteries, and customized the suspension. One tuneup at 100,000 mi. Ran great the day I sold it. The Tacoma should do at least as well.
Click to expand...
Congrats on the new Tacoma. Welcome to the forum.
That’s some overview and write up.
 
I have a new concern when I’m at a red light on Drive my truck starts to shake, feel some vibration on the break peddle and on the steering wheel is this normal ? My tachometer stays at a normal RPM thank you.
 
Luis Chacón said:
I have a new concern when I’m at a red light on Drive my truck starts to shake, feel some vibration on the break peddle and on the steering wheel is this normal ? My tachometer stays at a normal RPM thank you.
Click to expand...
The Atkinson engine cycle can cause that feeling. If you are concerned take it to the dealer and get it documented. Call corporate and start a case if you’re really concerned. Otherwise drive it and try not to pay to much attention to some of the quirky traits of the turd gen.
 
OR17TRD said:
The Atkinson engine cycle can cause that feeling. If you are concerned take it to the dealer and get it documented. Call corporate and start a case if you’re really concerned. Otherwise drive it and try not to pay to much attention to some of the quirky traits of the turd gen.
Click to expand...
So all 3gen Tacoma’s do this ??? It shakes like it’s an old car and when I put it on netrual the shaking and vibration goes away I just want to know if this is normal ? I just have to get used to it ?
 
OR17TRD said:
The Atkinson engine cycle can cause that feeling. If you are concerned take it to the dealer and get it documented. Call corporate and start a case if you’re really concerned. Otherwise drive it and try not to pay to much attention to some of the quirky traits of the turd gen.
Click to expand...
Does your Tacoma do this ?
 
Luis Chacón said:
Does your Tacoma do this ?
Click to expand...
It did some but it never really bothered me. I’d notice it more if I just left it running in gear sitting in it which I hardly ever did. Stop lights are 1-2 min I’d notice it some there but then it would change and I’d be driving again.
 
Luis Chacón said:
So it’s not normal right ?
Click to expand...
Luis Chacón said:
It shakes like it’s an old car and when I put it on netrual the shaking and vibration goes away I just want to know if this is normal ?
Click to expand...

All I can say is I don't experience anything like that. I get a tap, tap, tap, but that's normal in a Tacoma, according to another discussion on this site.

What gas do you use? I had a Porsche that had a tap, tap, tap. I knew that wasn't normal! The dealer (bless his heart) couldn't figure it out. Changed from BP to Ingles (food store gas), and believe it or not, and it went away. Haven't used BP since.
 
jdr3366 said:
All I can say is I don't experience anything like that. I get a tap, tap, tap, but that's normal in a Tacoma, according to another discussion on this site.

What gas do you use? I had a Porsche that had a tap, tap, tap. I knew that wasn't normal! The dealer (bless his heart) couldn't figure it out. Changed from BP to Ingles (food store gas), and believe it or not, and it went away. Haven't used BP since.
Click to expand...
I’m using shell gas
 
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