Transmission - Gear hunting

Hey Tacomaworld,

I know this topic is discussed in a sticky, however I just wanted to hear some comparisons.

I know I need to go have that TSB thing flashed at the dealer as my truck constantly gear hunts and seemingly NEVER utilizes 5th gear while on the fwy. It always kicks down to 4th, hangs at like 3.5-4k, then shifts down to 6th. Annoying to say the least.

I found, however, that when I put on ECT power, the truck uses 5th and somehow sustains torque even in 6th that it normally would have to downshift for in standard mode. How does the TSB update thingy compare to driving on the fwy with ECT power on?

Also, side note, driving in standard mode commuting about 60mi per day, with the bulk of the mileage on the hwy, I was averaging about 16.3mpg. Ever since I started driving in ECT power mode, my mileage has gone up to almost 18mpg... Not sure how, but it has - and its still climbing!!

Lets discuss.

 

Yeah yeah.

I guess my main point is, should I go out of my way to get the TSB thing done (pain in the ass) or should I just keep driving with ECT power as not only is my MPG better, but the truck drives SO much better.

 

Have you read the TSB Thread that is stickied?

 

I'll bite. The biggest gain of the TSB, for me, was to make cruise control functional in drive mode (not ECT).

 

Get the TSB you will see a overall improvement with the 6th thru 4th gear shifting issue . But you will still be using the ECT for around town or a quick boost for passing on the highway. Or simply leave it in S-mode around town.

 

Similar experience here. My going in assumption was that ECT isn't the default because it compromises fuel economy. This hasn't been my experience - I see about the same fuel performance either way, but D is sluggish to take off and feels like it's "slipping" intermittently which I can only surmise is the Atkinson Cycle. With ECT, this doesn't happen, it has more punch, and doesn't really degrade mileage. So, there must be some other reason for AC than fuel economy? Any thoughts? Is there any harm or long term wear-tear issues with running in ECT the majority of the time?

 

get the TSB done the next time you take it in for service, you will need to give them a heads up that you want that done. welcome to the ECT on all the time club, there are a few here that did a wiring trick and ECT default is ON when the truck is started.

 

ECT feels like how my old 2nd gen used to drive. Punchy, torque on demand. Standard mode feels like its got massive turbo lag, then finally the powerband comes in almost violently. Personally I really could care less about the mileage lol so that ECT all the time club calls my name

 

Can anyone tell me how many TSB updates they have had for 2016? I had the first one about 3 months ago but I head somewhere there was another one recently.

 

A new one, Rev 1, came out November 15th or so.

 

It doesn't surprise me that some people are getting better mpg with ECT enabled.

I'm pretty sure it's been stated that when the rpms are too low it's lugging (not sure if that is the right word) the engine. Sometimes I feel like this whole thing was over thought. Then again it is a new gen so I'm sure there will be things that get updated along the way.

 

Yes go out of ur way to get the TSB. It amazes me with all the TSB posts on here people still ask about should I do it

 

I know that with my Subaru STI if I kept the RPM low and lugged the motor, my MPG was absolute shit. However if I was cruising with little or no load on the motor, but the RPM higher so the momentum sustains the RPM rather than actual throttle input, my MPG was insanely better. I think the taco is the same way, especially considering the powerband.

Thanks all for your input. Def will be getting the TSB update when I go in for my 5k service in the coming weeks.

Cheers!

 

like i said give them a heads up. the tec that does the 5k service is not the tec that will do the TSB, that has to be scheduled in tandem with the 5 K service.