How do I know what transmission I have in my Toyota Tundra?

The transmission in a Toyota Tundra depends on the engine: the 2.7-liter I4 uses a 6-speed automatic, while the 3.5-liter V6 family (including the i-Force MAX hybrid) uses a 10-speed automatic. To confirm which one your truck has, check the VIN/build sheet, the window sticker, or inspect the gear selector and dash indicators.

Overview of the current Tundra transmissions

Different engines paired with different drivetrains determine the transmission. The 2.7-liter four-cylinder option is paired with a 6-speed automatic. The larger 3.5-liter V6 family uses a 10-speed automatic, and the i-Force MAX hybrid version also relies on a 10-speed automatic with an integrated electric motor. The following steps help you verify which one is in your specific vehicle.

VIN decoding basics

Using the vehicle identification number (VIN) and a build sheet is the most precise way to confirm the exact transmission in your Tundra. Here’s how to proceed:

1. Locate the VIN on the dashboard near the windshield or on the driver’s door jamb plate.


2. Provide the VIN to a Toyota dealer or use a trusted service to retrieve the factory build sheet or option codes that include the transmission specification.


3. Interpret the transmission information: a listing for a 6-speed automatic indicates the 2.7L I4; a listing for a 10-speed automatic (or i-Force MAX) indicates the 3.5L V6 variant.

If you don’t have easy access to a build sheet, use the other methods below to verify the transmission type.

Check the window sticker or owner's manual

The most straightforward verification for most owners is the window sticker (Monroney label) or the official owner’s manual, which typically state the transmission specification. This is especially reliable for new or recently sold Tundras.

1. Review the window sticker for a line labeled “Transmission” or “Drivetrain.” It should read something like “Transmission: 6-speed automatic” or “Transmission: 10-speed automatic.”


2. Consult the owner's manual under the Specifications section for the transmission type and related codes.


3. If you’re examining a used vehicle and the sticker isn’t available, request a copy of the original build sheet or sticker from the dealer.

Having access to the official documents confirms the exact transmission and informs you about maintenance intervals, fluid specs, and service needs tailored to your model.

Physical indicators and dealer confirmation

If you still aren’t sure after checking the VIN and documents, there are practical checks you can perform and professional verification options available.

1. Examine the gear selector and the shift pattern: older 6-speed automatics and newer 10-speed automatics may present differently in the center console, and the presence of a modern 10-speed shifter can be a clue toward the 3.5L V6 configuration.


2. Look for a hybrid badge or energy/eco indicators associated with the i-Force MAX if you suspect the hybrid setup.


3. Visit a Toyota dealership or authorized service center and provide your VIN; they can pull the exact transmission code from the factory data and confirm which transmission is installed.

In-person confirmation from a dealer or a verified build record is the most definitive way to know your exact transmission.

Summary

Today’s Toyota Tundra lineup pairs the 2.7-liter I4 with a 6-speed automatic and the 3.5-liter V6 family (including the i-Force MAX hybrid) with a 10-speed automatic. To determine your specific transmission, use the VIN/build sheet from a dealer, check the window sticker or owner’s manual, and if needed, have a dealer confirm the exact transmission code. These steps ensure you have the correct maintenance plan, fluids, and part compatibility for your truck.

Does VIN tell you transmission type?

Yes, you can often tell your transmission type by checking the VIN, but it's not guaranteed because transmission data isn't always encoded in the VIN according to a single standard. To find out for sure, you can use the VIN with an online decoder like the NHTSA VIN decoder, check with a dealership's parts department, or look for physical identifiers on the vehicle itself. 
How to find your transmission using the VIN

• Use an online VIN decoder: Input your 17-character VIN into a decoder, such as the one provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Look for a "Transmission" or "Engine" category in the results. This is the most direct way, but it may only provide basic information like "manual" or "automatic". 
• Contact a dealership: Provide the VIN to the parts department of your vehicle's dealership. They can look up your specific vehicle's original factory options and tell you the exact transmission it was built with. 
• Check the vehicle's build sheet or window sticker: If you have them, these documents will list the original factory options for your vehicle, including the transmission type. 
• Use a specialized decoder (if available): For certain vehicle brands, like BMW, there are specialized online resources (e.g., RealOEM) that can provide detailed information by inputting the last seven digits of the VIN. 

If the VIN doesn't provide the answer

• Inspect the physical transmission: Crawl under the vehicle and look for a tag on the transmission itself, which will have a specific model number. You can also get a general idea of the type by looking at the shape of the oil pan or checking online for images of your vehicle's transmission.
• Provide other vehicle information: If the VIN decoder doesn't work, provide your vehicle's make, model, year, and engine size to a knowledgeable person or online forum, and they may be able to determine the correct transmission based on that information. 

How do I identify my Toyota transmission?

You can identify a Toyota transmission by checking the vehicle's driver's side door jamb for the "A/TM" code on the certification label, as shown in this YouTube video. Alternatively, look for a metal tag or a stamped code directly on the transmission case, check your owner's manual, or use the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to look up the specific part. 
Methods for identification
Driver's side door jamb 

• Open the driver's side door and locate the vehicle certification label (a white or black sticker).
• In the bottom left corner, find the "A/TM" code, which stands for Axle/Transmission.
• The characters following "A/TM" are the transmission model number (e.g., P112, P310). 

This video shows how to find the transmission code on the vehicle certification label: 53sWeberAutoYouTube · Jun 2, 2017
On the transmission

• Locate the transmission in the engine bay. The location varies by model. 
• Look for a metal tag or a sticker with a model number on the transmission case or bell housing. 
• Some transmissions have the model number stamped directly into the metal case itself. 
• On some models, a black cover on the front of the transmission has a sticker with the code you need. 

This video shows how to find the transmission serial number on the transmission case: 56sAl Young CudaYouTube · Aug 12, 2022
Vehicle information

• VIN: Use your Vehicle Identification Number to look up the transmission model online or through a parts supplier. 
• Owner's manual: Check the specifications section of your owner's manual for the transmission model. 

Tips for identification

• Use multiple sources: It often takes more than one piece of information to identify the correct transmission model. 
• Exterior features: For manual transaxles, features like the shifter style and the shape of the end cover can also help with identification. 
• Transmissions can vary: Be aware that different variations exist even within the same series, and some models are specialized for particular vehicles or drivelines. 

What transmission does a 5.7 tundra have?

The truck featured towing capacity of over 10,000 lb (4,500 kg), and a payload capacity of over 2,000 lb (910 kg), a new 5.7L 3UR-FE V8 engine mated to a new 6-speed automatic transmission.

How do I know what transmission my tundra has?

The Toyota Tundra transmission type depends on the model year, but most recent models are equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Older models, such as the 2020 version, typically came with a six-speed automatic transmission. Tundra is only available with automatic transmissions; there are no manual options. 
Newer models

• 10-speed automatic: The most recent Tundra models feature a 10-speed automatic transmission, paired with either a 348- or 389-horsepower twin-turbo V6 engine, says Fitzgerald Toyota Chambersburg. 

This video explains how to find the transmission model number of your Toyota vehicle: 56sWeberAutoYouTube · Jun 2, 2017
Older models

• Six-speed automatic: Earlier models, like the 2020 Tundra, came standard with a six-speed automatic transmission with a sequential shift mode, Beaver Toyota of Cumming reports.
• Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i): The 5.7L V8 engines also came with TOW/HAUL mode and the ECT-i system, says Beaver Toyota of Cumming.