Transmission slipping low speed

I have a 2012 Toyota Tundra 2wd. Once I take off from a stop, if I let out of gas after take off at slow speed & then get back in the gas, the transmission slips. I only notice it at slower speed. I had the transmission serviced & the problem still exist. Any help would be appreciated.

 

You're going to have to be more definitive about what you're experiencing, about what you mean by "slipping." For instance, does it seem to slip, then firm up again? What is "slower speed"..... 30, 40, 50? 10? Transmission serviced how? for what reason? I ask because if you're referring to the engine, after reapplying the gas, going to a 2-300 higher RPM than it was when you let up on the gas, then it almost immediately goes back to the "correct" RPM and feels like it's more solidly coupled to the driveline, then that's just normal unlocking of the torque converter that occurs when you let off the gas, and the relock a second or two after accelerating again. And there's nothing wrong. There are also minimum speeds at which the transmission will shift to the next gear under very light throttle, around which the transmision might "hunt" for the right gear when you're cruising around that speed. If it's something else, then try describing it a little better.

 

Thanks for the response. It happens in first and second gear speeds, with normal acceleration. It does it when I’m on level ground or going down a slight grade. If I’m going up a hill it won’t do it. I had the transmission serviced because I had to have the torque converter replaced due to a rumble in the transmission around 40 mph. That fixed that problem.

 

Are you really sure its not just 'hunting' for the correct gear to use? With 6 speeds, there are 2 rather 'low' ones to choose from - hence the 'slip' you feel as it chooses. If really slipping it would happen from the start in any gear.

 

Okay, well, I'm not trying to nit-pick here, honest. But your description is still vague and your perceptions are subjective. One person's "normal" is usually different from another's. But from what I can tell from what you describe, I see nothing wrong. Level ground and downhill "normal acceleration" is going to be under very light load. Under those conditions, transmission can hunt, torque converter can lock/unlock/lock/unlock. Accelerating uphill, is necessarily a more loaded condition, and the shifts will be more positive.

In your first post, you describe this as happening when you let up on the gas then reapply. Why are you doing that in the first place?

 

For instants, in a bumper-to-bumper situation on the interstate. Where traffic has slowed to a crawl. If I’m on level ground or going downhill at say 5 mph it will do it as I’m keeping Up pace. It definitely feels more like A slip instead of trying to find a gear.

 

Well, I don't know....sounds pretty normal to me. I take it that it's different from what you experienced prior to having the TC replaced, and that's why you are concerned. But diagnosing is difficult without actually seeing/feeling what you describe. "Cruising" at 5mph is going to seem to cause strange behavior anyway. Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

No, thanks for your help. Just thought I would put it out there and see what kind of response I got.

 

I think I understand what may be happening here, as it comes up every once in a while. What it feels like to me in my truck is that the transmission shift logic may be programed to anticipate a more enthusiastic acceleration and has selected a more aggressive (i.e. lower) ratio allowing the engine RPM to be higher and giving the perception of slipping. This seems to happen to me more frequently when I'm in my neighborhood poking along at 20mph and I make a corner then get back on the throttle very lightly. I kind of have to "wait it out" for a moment to allow the vehicle to assess what's occurring and finally select the appropriate ratio. This really only takes a moment, but it's discernible.

 

Thanks for y’all‘s response. It may just be me but it just feels like a slip, maybe not.

 

An alternative would be to connect software up to your truck that could show what the transmission ECU is doing while you're driving in aforementioned conditions. The transmission fluid level check procedure is rather convoluted, you could request that the location which you had service your truck recheck the level to eliminate that.

 

You don't say how long you've owned the truck or how many miles it has. If this behavior is a change from years of driving, then it's probably not normal...have the shop recheck the fluid level. Otherwise, it sounds pretty normal based on how mine behaves. When starting off with very light throttle, the shift from 1 to 2 sometimes seems to have to wait for the clutches to engage, during which time the engine rpm may increase until the shift actually occurs a second or two later. Someone might describe that as "slipping", but I think it's more like shift control indecision.

 

THIS...the corner problem...happens to me too! But it pretty much has since I got the truck 5 years ago. Still freaks me out though...worried I'm going to have to replace the transmission soon. Very glad to hear someone else is experiencing this and it's "normal."