Would ECT button help getting up to speed on highway?

I recently purchased a 2016 Tacoma SR 2.7L automatic and have noticed that the truck itself seems to be sluggish getting up to speed when getting on the highway. Does anyone else have this issue and would activating the ECT button help with this? I am new Toyotas and am not sure of the function of the button. Thank you!

 

Welcome.
Yes that will help.

 

His first post, 3rd Gen forum.

Here we go again.......

At least the question got answered in the first replay.

 

What does the ECT button in my Toyota do?
Here at New Rochelle Toyota, we get a lot of questions on the workings and functions of Toyota vehicles. We thought that it would be helpful for our customers if we addressed one of our commonly asked questions here on our blog

If you’re the owner of a Toyota Tacoma, 4Runner or one of Toyota’s other performance-oriented vehicles, you might notice a button on your console that reads “ECT” on it. Here we’ll be addressing what the Toyota ECT button means as well as its function.



Electronic Controlled Transmission
The ECT button in your Toyota toggles the electronic controlled transmission on and off. This transmission system uses hydraulics to actuate the clutches and bands, which are controlled by electronic solenoid, which simplifies the vehicle’s transmission while providing more advanced control.

With ECT, vehicles offer more elaborate control schemes. Not only does it monitor the vehicle speed and throttle position, the transmission controller can also monitor the engine speed when the brake pedal is pressed but the anti-lock braking system as well.

[Read more: Bird’s Eye View Camera]

When to use your ECT
Using your vehicle’s electronically controlled transmission, your Toyota’s engine is able to shift at higher revs. That being said, a good time to use this function of your engine is when you need to accelerate quickly, such as when merging onto the freeway. Acceleration is noticeably quicker with the Electronic Controlled Transmission on, however it should be noted that it significantly decreases your vehicle’s efficiency. So while you could leave it on and experience the influx of power all of the time, if you’re looking to save at the gas pump, we wouldn’t recommend it.

Hopefully that answers any questions about the Toyota ECT button. For more answers about your vehicle, as well as Toyota-related news and information, be sure to check out the rest of our blog. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask below or contact us here at New Rochelle and we’ll be sure to get back to you.

 

I appreciate the quick responses. Thank you!

 

I wonder how is using ECT full time will affect the motor/transmission in a long run. I want to keep this truck for ever... So far

 

they could have put the button on the steering wheel.

 

Lol I agree it's in such an odd spot, especially since it never stays on once the ignition has been turned off. It's like the trunk button in a Ford interceptor it's on the left hand side of the passenger...

 

It didn't shorten the life of my 1st gen so I don't see a problem with it being on all the time now.

 

Extended use of the ECT button will increase wear on the gas cap threads.

 

Motor revs more; transmission slips less.
Give and take...

 

I like where it is. Reminds me of when I used turbo boost on KITT

 

I don't mind that kind of wear)))))

 

Hilarious....best quote of the day!

While it may seem that its a gas guzzler, thats not totally true. If you are apt to jump off the line with quick starts and arent like the masses that seem to drive criminally sloooow, then you will probably stomp on the peddle MORE to make the "feel" of speed over somewhat less in ECT mode. Its a wash in my book.

The biggest difference is in 5th-6th gear where RPMs are 500 higher. The second you turn it off RPMs drop from around 1600 to 1100 at cruising speeds above 45.

My suggestion (and this is coming from a former stingray owner) is to turn on ECT in city and off on highway for a better driving experience. If you have a 4cyl - 2 more cylinders is your best hope for any kind of power. I realize 4cyl are cheaper but no truck should ever have been manufactured without a V6 or V8 badge attached...its a truck dammit! Some of the new 2017 trucks are coming out with 4cyl and twin turbos - yeesh - whats next 2 cylinders and quad turbos?

 

Ok so I wasent going to start a thread about this but since the topic was brought up in figured I'd ask my question.

Everything I read says "officially" the button only controlls the transmission shift points? To me it seems like it remaps the fuel/power out put also ( if you have had a tuner with different programs you know what I mean).

My basis on this theory is this. At least on my truck. I put it in S mode. So s-4. Drive about 45/50 mph. The truck isn't going to downshift. At a constant speed if you toggle the ect switch you have a noticeable change in engine power. If it's just a transmission function, why. An I feel and hear a noticeable change in the power output?

 

would like to know how to disable the ECT.

 

I feel you take a flat tip screw driver, put it on the center of the switch, then give it a good Wack with a ball peen hammer (must be a ball peen) it should disable the switch

 

Resist pushing the ECT button at startup should keep it disabled.

 

Mine get better mileage with ECT on.

 

Just talking from general industry experience. The ECT in my opinion is just putting the truck in Sport mode without having to manual shift, thus shortening the shift points while raising the engine speed for each shift point(Specific shift logic change while activated). I'm thinking it is like when I want to play in the wifes Corolla S. Sport mode button pushed on a country road and paddle shift but in this case you don't have to slip it into manual like I said before.