3rd Gen ECT Power Button Question???

Does anyone know technically what this button does. I've read the manual, etc. but am curious about what it does technically. Some things I've noticed:
1. Zero impact on mileage, if anything a bit better
2. Transmission shifts later which is what is says but more normal versus the ECT's of old
3. A noticeable difference in the exhaust; almost a rumble (need to analyze this more)

 

I've tried it a few times, but IMO the engine is more than fine without it.

It basically makes the engine rev more, so if anything, it should have a negative impact on mileage.

The exhaust will make more noise because it rev's more.

 

Thanks KB for the response and your experience with it. I am trying to get to the "programming" behind the button though.

BTW, the rumble is noticeable at the same RPM with the button on which is primarily why i am asking, wondering if it plays with engine valves, etc., not just the tranny.

 

While not '16 specific; here's a couple things I posted in another thread.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ect-button.434996/page-3#post-12628152
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ect-button.434996/page-3#post-12600998

 

I find the ect also has a set speed where it always shift into overdrive.. With ect on the transmission will only shift into 5th gear at 52 to 53 mph.

 

it just changes shift points that is all it does

it modifies the tranny ecu program

everything is tied together... engine ecu, combo meter, tranny ecu, everything on
the truck feeds input to everything else

but ect just changes shift points. everything else then reacts to it the
way it would based on load, speed, rpm, gear...so yes the engine will react in some way to the new shift points

 

It does negatively impact gas mileage as it allows the engine to spin faster and keep the truck higher in the power band. If you don't see an impact, it has to do with the way the vehicle is being driven when ECT is not engaged.

If you drive both conservatively and try to get the best mileage, you will get the best with it off.

 

I find ect is best on the highway when there is medium to heavy traffic and you want
to safely keep up and thread your way, it takes less throttle pressure to goose it
along into the sweet spots of traffic

without ect there is more foot mashing to get those little bursts of speed

kinda the same at 40mph but mostly notice on highway

otherwise I leave ect off

also ect is on, in hilly terrain, get up hills better as its shifting in more reasonable spots in the rpm range

 

You guys have missed the most important point of ECT, and that it increases the sensitivity of the throttle significantly. I hate waiting for the throttle plate to play catch-up in normal mode.

 

Actually this is not necessarily true. Smaller displacement engines are designed to be revved higher, because that's where the power is. If you're trying to pull power out of a lower rpm (where the engine is not making enough power) then your engine is having to work harder. That would reduce gas mileage. I'm not gonna drive my gsxr around shifting at 1500rpms when it redlines at 16.3K rpms.

So especially if you're putting larger and heavier tires on and still letting your 3.5 engine try and run below 1500 rpms you're in for a bad time and bad mpgs.

 

Maybe I'll play around with it and see what happens. But I do think the transmission shift points are optimized for higher mileage with ECT off.

 

watch those videos gearcruncher put up about the new 6 speed auto tranny and in the description of AISIN trannies the ECT mode should be explained.
summary: it is not a magic mystery button, it just changes shift points, and the rest of the electronics controlling the vehicle respond to the new shift points


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...omatic-in-the-2016-write-up-with-pics.361114/

http://www.newrochelletoyota.com/blog/toyota-ect-button/


this is all it does:

Toyota’s engine is able to shift at higher revs

 

Maybe when it's stock, sure. I can't speak for that because I only had my stock tires on for 20 miles. It also depends how you drive. After 25K miles on the truck I almost consistently get 19mpg. Doesn't matter if I baby it, thrash it, drive a lot of city, lot of highway.

The only time I ever see slightly better is on longer (150+ miles) road trips where I don't go above 70mph. And even then it can be hit or miss. I just think with the new engine and gearing combo on the truck is very sensitive to road conditions and that throws everything out of whack.

 

Food for thought...the manual transmission models do not have an "ECT" button or mode. Logically, that would mean the engines will always perform the way the auto does with ECT on. Kind of supports everyone's views on the manual transmissions that they do not experience the "low power" problem. Of course, they also have the 4.3 gearing instead of the 3.9.

 

This. Biggest factor.

 

If you try to make the truck do something it wasn't designed to do that may be true.... 99% of the time, the computer is going to try to match fuel to engine requirements.... in general, more RPMs will mean more fuel... this is why the transmission attempts to keep it in as high a gear as possible so that you get better fuel economy. There are some cases where you kill efficiency with too much weight, but that's a much less likely scenario.

 

Hnnggggg, sweet jesus yes.

I have the manual. I find the best spot for me is to be in a gear that keeps me around 2500-3000 RPM, then shift at 3000 or so unless I need the extra torque and get it up to 3500-4000 rpm.

1500-1800 RPM or so and below is not where my truck wants to be cruising (exact RPM will be slightly different because of the gearing difference). Definite lack of power response in the lower RPM ranges.

Driving the way I do, I get 18 combined and 20-21 highway on my commute.

 

It makes the throttle response much sharper. Don't believe me, go drive a '16 and try it yourself.

 

i hear ya on that . i really dont like how it shifts under 1500 to get to overdrive ... it likes to run to overdrive then if u try give it a little gas it is basically bogging at 1000 rpm.. untill it come up slowly or downshifts..if u hear a bogging sound... how can that sound be good for gas milage ?? i use S-4 and s-5 mode to get away from some of that nonsense. ECT MODE - cant say im a fan yet i kinda feel like ECT is flawed for everyday driving. very high revving in 1st and second gear IMO. especially 1st gear. too high making the shifting feel rough and not a smooth ride really at all IMO. . but as u where saying.... i have NOT noticed ANY change in gas milage as i was expecting it go down in mpg . ive been testing it out a bunch too.... so what your saying makes clear sense to me

 

You kinda have to play around with ect. I use it always now. If I'm easy on it, it'll shift around 2500.