Hard shift 2nd to 3rd and ammonia smell

[Archer]

Everyone says it’s coming from the tailpipe and isn’t dirty sock smell, so this is a different thing

I'll take notice to this also but I always associated the Toyota tailpipe smell as sulphur and was told it was from the material they put in their catalytic converters. I've notice the sulphur smell just following Toyota's up steep inclines for a long time. My smell is more cat uriney.

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[127.0.0.1]

Interesting and plausable. I'll definiteoy give this a try.

I did notice that the recirculater seems to turn on randomly or maybe automatically when you fire it up, I'll definitely be more mindful of it in the future. I try and have it turned off as I don't like the stale air smell.

on startup, it will choose certain recirc modes for you, based on ECO settings, or your setting vs outside air temp, and also what the ambient light sensor sees.

 

[jcash25]

Everyone says it’s coming from the tailpipe and isn’t dirty sock smell, so this is a different thing

NO everyone isnt saying that its the tailpipe. Some are mainly Briosauce who huffs his tailpipe it seems. And thats not a ammonia smell that's a Sulphur smell from exhaust... seems some cant tell difference.
The other 5-6 members smell cat urine or ammonia when they get in and fire it up with AC on after sitting...It typically goes away then comes back...THATS NOT EXHUAST coming through AC vents.....

 

[Briosauce]

Haha, dude.... It's 100% ammonia. Like grab a bottle from the kitchen and take a sniff. That's the smell, and why it's so surprising. I've never experienced that before with a vehicle before. But these two Toyota products with the same engine spit it out sometimes.

 

[josiahg52]

Newer vehicles have catalysts and engine programming that gets them to operating temperature very quickly. If this smell is happening one or two minutes after a cold start, or immediately after a hot start, or after idling for a period of time, it could be a high level of NOx resulting in NH3 in the exhaust.

 

[o2bntn]

My 2006 Limited even had the ammonia smell from the exhaust. I started experimenting with gas brands and solved my issue. I love Costco gas, but it contains an additive that caused the reaction in the catalytic converter. If I used other brands (Exxon at that time), the smell would disappear. I only smelled it inside if I had the back windows open.
I figured my 25 TH would do the same thing. It definitely does with Costco gas. I haven't tried others yet.

 

[spyder40]

My 2006 Limited even had the ammonia smell from the exhaust. I started experimenting with gas brands and solved my issue. I love Costco gas, but it contains an additive that caused the reaction in the catalytic converter. If I used other brands (Exxon at that time), the smell would disappear. I only smelled it inside if I had the back windows open.
I figured my 25 TH would do the same thing. It definitely does with Costco gas. I haven't tried others yet.

Interesting, probably 99% of my filluos are Costco going back probably 20 years over four 4Runners and never smelled it till recently

 

[sstarrx2]

Since I bought my 2025, TRD Sport Pro in December it has hard shifted every day whether it is hot, cold or mild weather from 2nd to 3rd gear. It only happens on the first drive of the day and then it’s fine. Is anyone else experiencing this problem? I took it to Toyota and they said they didn’t notice it. I am scheduling a ride along with a technician.

also, I’ve noticed an ammonia smell at random times when I drive after the car has been sitting. I thought it was just something in the air in my neighborhood the first few times but now I’ve smelled it in different locations and my car seems to be the common denominator.

Yes...my wife and I both noticed this recently for the first time. Had surgery so my car had sit for weeks without being run. I also leave my AC on recirculate...which probably does not help matters. The harsh shifting is normal for this vehicle before the tranny fluid is up to temps. Having said that...the tranny still needs a good tune I think. It is searchy in slow traffic and parking lot speeds. Almost positive nothing is wrong with your vehicle. Every car has its quirks...even expensive ones.

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