1995 4Runner Shifts hard

[roger84]

Would anyone happen to know why my '95 4Runner (Automatic Trans.) shifts really hard for about the 1st 5 minutes of driving? I brought it into the dealer and they said that there was nothing wrong. I was glad to hear it, but I find it really hard to believe that is normal.

Thanks,
Roger

[runner97]

Although my '97 4Runner is a different "generation" than your '95, mine also shifts hard (first to second) when cold. This disappears after the transmission shifts the first time from first to second. It really winds out during that first shift when cold....reaching almost 2500 rpm. But after the initial shift to second, all subsequent shifts are at a more normal rpm. I have posted about this before and most have replied that this is normal for these autos.

[roger84]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm thinking about changing the fluid just to see if it helps at all.

[Brian R.]

The transmission shifts differently when the engine is cold. Once the engine reaches a certain temperature, the shift points change to normal. The hard shift when cold is just because the transmission shifts late and there is a larger drop in rpms when this delayed shift happens.

If your truck never shifts into overdrive or shifts in and out of OD, then that is a sign your engine is never reaching operating temperature because of a stuck engine thermostat.