No power, sluggish.

2017 SR5 V6 Automatic 6 Speed. Seems sluggish, no get up and go until I stomp on it. Anyone else have the same issue? Did some investigating and there are aftermarket devices to correct the problem but after paying for a new truck should I have to shell $200 for a device? Is there a software fix from Toyota? Perhaps I am just expecting too much.

 

Did you test drive it?

 

Test drives are so rushed and chaotic. I need to take it home for a month and then decide. They won't let you do that. Also I purchased it a few months after the test drive. And since I can barely remember my own name, I surely don't remember that.

 

Well it's no sports car, but it has power when I need it. *shrug*

 

Here we go....

IBTL

 

drive with the ECT PWR button on, save the $200.

 

Horsepucky. You're spending $30-40K, you should drive it enough to know that you'll be happy with it.



For the OP (if this is a serious question), between the tune and the high revving nature of this engine, It doesn't have the low rpm throttle response many expected. Even though it's quicker than the truck it replaces, the design mutes the normal driving experience. Punching it gets better response and so does driving in ECT mode.

 

IBL

 

and

Considering this has probably been the #1 complaint on the 3rd gens, for the last 2 years, with 1,000 + threads on it....

Tells me you did not investigate

 

First order of business is, there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with your truck. It runs the way it was engineered, which is with the power and torque higher in the rev range. Some people just don't understand that concept and come to forums like this to complain and whine. There are several features in the truck, ie: S shift and ECT to make it shift like a more traditional tranny, but there is nothing wrong. If it appears sluggish that is all on you. The pedal on the right, push it down a little farther and go as fast as you want. Those aftermarket products you speak of do NOT fix anything. They are band aids at best. Do they work? For some they do. But I am already seeing a lot of people complaining that the "fix" aint what they thought it would be either. Drive it or sell it, but don't waste a lot of time and money fixing "problems" that just don't exist.

 

I will admit, the info reported by the Orange Virus guys on what they see in the Stock Tune is very interesting. Some of the issue is in the throttle position vs. throttle plate position (truck is drive by wire). I'm really interested in seeing what they do with the tune.

 

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

A flattering comparison but an accurate assessment overall.

 

I wasn't able to ascertain all of the problems... I can point to some of my first posts after taking delivery that in the first few months I loved the truck. My problems really didn't start cropping up until I realized the transmission wasn't improving, quality was lacking (vibrations, hood flutter, howling rear diff, leaking shocks etc) and that stuff happened months and 10k+ miles down the road. We are on the same page and saying the same thing I believe.

 

There is currently a recall on some 2016/17 Tacomas for a rear differential leak. If yours is leaking there may be a correlation between that leak and the decrease in power and gas mileage. I did not know about the recall until I brought mine in for a scheduled maintenance. Once they find a leak they keep your truck, give you a rental car (they conveniently are unable to find a truck for rent) and proceed to tell you that it might take up to 2 MONTHS for the issue to be resolved.

I did notice a significant decrease in my gas mileage and power output prior to this appointment but attributed it to a possible transmission issue. Now I'm pretty certain it is related to the rear differential leak.

 

Highly unlikely. Not really plausible. However, good popcorn factor!

 

I worded it awkwardly. I was trying to say I'm flattered by the superman comparison and I agree with your rebuttal to the "horsepucky".

 

Uh, right... whatever dude. Considering there has been the rare case of the rear diff seizing d/t lack of fluid I would think it is "plausible" for this to cause some drop in power as well as negatively effect gas mileage. Guess I'll just enjoy some popcorn as I wait for my Taco to be returned.

 

OP. Considering all the complaints on the truck being "sluggish" here on TW I am pretty sure Toyota designed it that way.

On the other hand either the truck has learned how I drive or I'm adapting to the truck but it's getting easier to drive in my experience. Which has only been 6k miles.