New Owner/New Theory on ECT button

First intros. . . Hello all, happy 2017 Tacoma sport owner here for the past 2 weeks, after 8 years in a 5.7 Tundra. Like most of y'all, I really like the truck, but I'm not thrilled with the way the transmission shifts in normal mode. Which leads me to my theory. . .

I used to own a Yamaha Super Tenere. On it was a button that allowed the driver to switch between touring and sport mode. (Sport mode really woke up the engine). The difference was the computer fuel mapping.

I know the ECT button holds each gear longer, but to me, the engine feels a little more responsive even on the lower end of the rpms. Could Toyota have done the same thing as Yamaha concerning the fuel mapping when the ECT button is pushed?

Folks with manual transmissions say they're engines feel more responsive. Other than the transmission and lower gearing, could part of that be that Toyota just made the manual transmission fuel mapping the same as our ECT buttons? Just a random thought while driving to work. . .

Glad to be a part of the Tacoma family.

 

welcome and congrats on the truck...

first off, did you get the transmission TSB done? I don't believe it's done by default for 2017s. My view, and I believe most of TW, is that the TSB addresses many issues, including giving more power of the line and erratic shifting.

second, I personally would chill on over using the ECT button... you're truck has drive-by-wire technology, it's "learning" your driving habits. Personally, I think if you over use your ECT button as a "crutch", you are forcing your truck to learn your habits unnaturally. Get the TSB done, be patient, and let the truck do it's thing. give it 1000 miles. I too was underwhelmed with off the line power until I did these steps.

 

but yeah, your theory has some logic to it...

 

Personally I have used ECT and S mode as I felt they are needed. Want the truck to learn how I drive. I get poor gas mileage (16) and was expecting to. I drive 75-80 on the freeway and I accelerate hard when I get on. I have none of the TSB symptoms as of yet (1200 miles). I don't know if they put the TSB in my truck or not. It was built 08/16 and could have the first release. I hope when I get my Carista I will be able to tell. I will not be doing the Rev one update until I have more information. Also I don't have the symptoms. I don't have enough miles yet to prove it positively yet, but with the way I drive I think I can get 1-2 MPG better in S mode than in D. This is shifting not just selecting 4 or 5 and let the truck shift its self. I shift between 2500 and 3500 RPM.

 

try this...drive down the road at like 40MPH in Drive then push the ECT button and you are pushed back in your seat a bit and the truck speeds up. now while still driving with the ECT on push the buttom again and you immediately are pushed forward almost like you braked slightly. explain that???

 

Because of my commute, Im putting around 500 miles a week on it so I'm already at 1000 miles. My first 3 tanks were 21.4, 21.3, 20.7 (bad weather/traffic). Im going to leave the ECT button on for the 4th tank and see where my mpg goes. I will report back later this week. My door jam does have a payload reduction sticker on it, so the 1st update may already be installed.

I did ask about the software update when I purchased the truck. The sales manager asked me to put some break in miles on the truck so it would have a chance to learn my driving habits before we start doing software updates.
I was ok with this.

 

I've done the same on the highway at 65ish and had the same results. ECT is definitely not a magical "turbo" but I do think that not only the transmission mapping is changed when engaged, but some sort of fuel mixture/Atkinson cycle change is made as well.

 

That sounds like throttle mapping to me. Say half throttle is really 50% in ECT; but, maybe it's only 30% in normal mode. That would explain it.

Fuel mapping, atkinson, etc sounds unlikely; especially considering some claim similar or better mileage with ECT on.

I'll be getting my truck any day now. I'll check with SG to see if it's throttle unless someone beats me to it.

 

I have 800 miles on a 2017 TRD OR 4x4 I purchased last week. I notice that, when on the highway, the truck skips 5th gear and hops straight up to 4th gear. I notice it when I'm cruising up a an incline on the highway. I can tell that the truck is trying to get back into 5th and 6th, but it immediately pops back to 4th until I get to the top, or other side of the hill. It seems like the smallest incline in the road causes it to insta-pop into 4th gear.

 

The use of ECT doesn't change fuel maps or anything crazy like that... it simply alters the sensitivity of the drive by wire system.

 

Correct, cruise control on the entire time.

 

What payload reduction sticker?

 

ECT is a must no matter what you're doing. Mine comes on automatically with a relay timer right after the truck starts. I even put in a dealer disable switch

 

Source?

 

Details of this awesome mod?
**EDIT** Nevermind, just found the thread.

 

Use the goog... it's plastered all over a bunch of Toyota dealer websites. A quick excerpt:

"Performing more like the TOW/HAUL Mode of the 2016 Toyota Tundra, the ECT button will sharpen throttle response in short bursts."

Or this:

"ECT PWR button will refine the transmission shift points and allow you to reach higher RPM levels before changing gears."

Or this:

"Be aware that extensive use of the Toyota ECT button will have a negative impact on fuel-economy ratings"

They try to make it sound complicated, but it's just drive-by-wire and transmission logic.

One of the better write ups:

http://www.jpauleytoyota.com/blog/how-does-the-toyota-ect-button-work/

 

I noticed that payload reduction on my drivers door jam week or so ago... what is that all about???? its only 10 lbs. if I remember right.

 

I use the ECT button everyday and everytime I drive. Mileage has increased "3-4" mpg. I have 2016 OR Auto with 20,000 miles and live in Texas with posted speed of 75 mph.

Normally 15/16 mpg: last 2 months drove with ECT on always and am getting 3-4 mpg more; same drive to work .... 100 miles daily to work and home.