Tocoma Downshifting Question

I have an '07 Taco, V-6, 5 sp. auto.............when I go down a steep hill
and tap the brakes, the tranny downshifts, it is a very light downshift so I
am assuming that it is just dropping our of OD into 4th?

Before I go to the dealer.....is this what it is programmed to do or maybe
"smart" feature.

Once I give it even a small amount of throttle it goes back to into OD.

Thanks in advance,

dwk

"dwk" <dwkdwk.TakeThisOut@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:sbqdnT8T4t8hGQLVnZ2dnUVZ_ozinZ2d@comcast.com...
>I have an '07 Taco, V-6, 5 sp. auto.............when I go down a steep hill
>and tap the brakes, the tranny downshifts, it is a very light downshift so
>I am assuming that it is just dropping our of OD into 4th?
>
> Before I go to the dealer.....is this what it is programmed to do or maybe
> "smart" feature.
>
> Once I give it even a small amount of throttle it goes back to into OD.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> dwk
>

More likely you are feeling the torque converter unlock. This tranny has a
TC lock in both 4th and 5th, which usually results in about a 200 RPM
difference. From 5th to 4th would be more like 800 RPM at freeway speed. The
lock-unlock functions much like an extra gear in either 4th or 5th, although
when shifting from 4th to 5th it will normally be locked right away.

This tranny is a lot smarter than anyone at the dealer, so let it alone.