Why Is Your 2020 Toyota Tacoma Slippy? Diagnosing Wheel Issues

How to Address Wheels Issues

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma is a popular truck, and many owners enjoy customizing it with aftermarket wheels and tires. Upgrading your tires and wheels can greatly enhance the appearance and performance of your truck, but it's essential to be aware of potential issues that may arise. As one owner shared: "Long time member first time poster, Wanted to wait til I got the new wheels and tires before I posted pics in here haha. After 2 long years of ownership and trips I finally pulled the trigger on some new wheels, Always thought the steelies didn’t match the MGM and I’m in love with the new look." (source). This guide will help you troubleshoot common wheel-related issues on your 2020 Toyota Tacoma.

Symptoms

One of the symptoms that some 2020 Toyota Tacoma owners have mentioned is a feeling of being "slippy," which can manifest as reduced traction or control, especially in wet or loose conditions. This could be caused by a variety of factors related to the wheels and tires.

Another sign of wheels issue might be related to the speedometer. This happens when a speedometer isn't calibrated correctly. This is especially crucial after changing tire sizes. If the speedometer is inaccurate, you may receive incorrect speed readings, which can lead to unintended consequences.

Some owners who have upgraded their wheels and tires on their 2020 Toyota Tacoma have also noted that using 4-wheel drive on pavement can cause problems. When wheels cannot slip independently of each other, using 4WH can be problematic.

Most Likely Cause

The most likely cause of wheels issue with your 2020 Toyota Tacoma, according to owner reports, is related to the fuel system in the context of larger tire size. This might seem unrelated, but the underlying issue comes from the increased strain of larger tires. When you change the overall diameter of your tires, it affects the gearing of your vehicle. Larger tires require more effort to turn, which can lead to the engine working harder and potentially affecting fuel economy. One owner mentioned that the regear will bring the fuel economy back up but not to OEM specs. This is also why a regear can save your transmission and drivetrain.

How to Diagnose

Before diving into repairs, it's essential to properly diagnose the wheels issue on your 2020 Toyota Tacoma. Here's a step-by-step process:

1. Inspect Tires: Begin by visually inspecting all tires for uneven wear, damage, or improper inflation. Use a tire pressure gauge to ensure each tire is inflated to the recommended pressure specified on the tire placard, typically found on the driver's side doorjamb.

2. Check Wheel Balance: Imbalanced wheels can cause vibrations and uneven tire wear. If you suspect a balance issue, take your truck to a tire shop to have the wheels professionally balanced.

3. Assess Wheel Alignment: Misalignment can lead to rapid and uneven tire wear, as well as handling problems. If you notice your truck pulling to one side or experience unusual tire wear patterns, have a qualified mechanic perform a wheel alignment.

4. Examine Suspension Components: Inspect suspension components such as shocks, struts, ball joints, and bushings for wear or damage. Worn suspension parts can affect wheel alignment and tire contact with the road.

5. Scan for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): While there might not be a direct DTC for the fuel system issues that correlate with the issues caused by larger tires, using an OBD-II scanner can reveal other underlying problems that might affect the performance.

Tools Needed:

• Tire pressure gauge
• OBD-II scanner

Step-by-Step Fix

Addressing wheels issue on your 2020 Toyota Tacoma can involve a few different approaches, depending on the underlying cause. Here are some potential fixes based on owner experiences and technical knowledge:

1. Tire Inflation: Ensure that all tires are inflated to the recommended pressure. Underinflated tires can cause excessive wear and reduce fuel efficiency.

2. Wheel Balancing: If you're experiencing vibrations or uneven tire wear, have your wheels professionally balanced at a tire shop.

3. Wheel Alignment: A wheel alignment corrects the angles of your vehicle's suspension to ensure that the tires make proper contact with the road. "If you haven't gotten one, you may want to get a speedometer calibration unit while you're at it. When my speedo registered 80, I was actually going 84 with 33's." (source).

4. Regearing: If you've installed larger tires, consider regearing the differentials. This involves changing the gear ratios to compensate for the larger tires, restoring performance and fuel economy. One owner pointed out the impact of larger tires on fuel economy.

5. Fuel System Service: If you suspect a fuel system issue contributing to wheels issue, consider having the fuel injectors cleaned or replacing the fuel filter. As one owner shared: "The regear will also save your transmission and other drivetrain components that would wear out faster from the added strain. It'll bring your fuel economy back up but not back to OEM specs." (source).

6. Proper 4WD Usage: Understand when and how to properly use 4-wheel drive. Avoid using 4WH on dry pavement. "There's a technical side to this answer that most people aren't interested in. Suffice it to say, 4WH should only be used in a situation when each wheel can slip independently of the others if need be." (source. Mud, gravel, snow, ice, etc." (source).

Parts and Tools Needed

• Tire pressure gauge
• Wheel weights (for balancing)
• Alignment tools (for DIY alignment)
• New gears (for regearing)
• Fuel injector cleaner
• Fuel filter (if replacing)

Real Owner Costs

The cost of addressing wheels issue on your 2020 Toyota Tacoma can vary widely depending on the specific issue and whether you choose to DIY or hire a professional. Here are some examples:

• Tire Inflation: Free (DIY)
• Wheel Balancing: $10-$20 per wheel (tire shop)
• Wheel Alignment: $75-$150 (alignment shop)
• Regearing: $1,500-$3,000 (professional installation)
• Fuel Injector Cleaning: $50-$100 (DIY with cleaner), $100-$300 (professional service)
• Fuel Filter Replacement: $20-$50 (part), $50-$150 (labor)

Prevention

Preventing wheels issue on your 2020 Toyota Tacoma involves regular maintenance and proactive care. Here are some tips:

• Regular Tire Pressure Checks: Check and adjust tire pressure at least once a month.
• Routine Wheel Balancing and Alignment: Have your wheels balanced and aligned every 6,000 to 12,000 miles, or as needed.
• Proper 4WD Usage: Use 4-wheel drive only when necessary and avoid using it on dry pavement.
• Fuel System Maintenance: Keep your fuel system clean by using quality fuel and performing regular maintenance.
• Careful Tire Selection: When upgrading tires, choose sizes that are appropriate for your truck and driving conditions.

What Owners Say

Real experiences from TOYOTA owners:

Owner Experiences

"Long time member first time poster, Wanted to wait til I got the new wheels and tires before I posted pics in here haha. After 2 long years of ownership and trips I finally pulled the trigger on some new wheels, Always thought the steelies didn’t match the MGM and I’m in love with the new look." — Guapben (source)

"Method 703 beadgrip 17x9 -12 offset wearing Toyo Open Country AT3 285 70 r17s Loving this truck so much, can’t wait to take more trips in it she’s seen 10 states so far couldn’t be happier with it, it’s my Second vehicle ever (23m) and I’ll be keeping it til one of us dies lol." — Guapben (source)

"Looking to upgrade on a budget Right now I’m on a 3 inch puck lift, leave the crap talk for another day, 15x10 wheels with 31-10.5-15 tires." — FloppyMantisFB (source)

Pro Tips from Owners

💡 "Make sure you take anything salvageable like the wheels/tires and any aftermarket add-ons that aren’t damaged. You won’t get that back from insurance co." — Pupmossman (source)

FAQ

Q: How long does it take to fix wheels issue?

A: The time it takes to fix wheels issue can vary depending on the specific issue and the repair method. Simple tasks like tire inflation or wheel balancing can be done in under an hour, while more complex repairs like regearing or fuel system service may take several hours or even a full day.

Q: Can I drive with wheels issue?

A: It depends on the severity of the issue. If you're experiencing minor vibrations or uneven tire wear, it may be safe to drive short distances to a repair shop. However, if you notice significant handling problems or suspect a serious mechanical issue, it's best to avoid driving the truck until the problem is resolved.

Q: Is this a common issue on the 2020 Toyota Tacoma?

A: The "slippy" symptom directly linked to wheels, is not extremely common, it can occur, especially after making modifications to the wheels and tires. Regular maintenance and proper tire selection can help prevent these issues.

Q: DIY vs mechanic - what's recommended?

A: Whether to DIY or hire a mechanic depends on your mechanical skills and the complexity of the repair. Simple tasks like tire inflation, fuel injector cleaner can be tackled by most DIYers. However, more complex repairs like wheel alignment, regearing are best left to experienced professionals.