Tacoma - OVTUNE - VFTUNER - Update Info and Original Development

I'm currently on 04B02 1.04 AT, so it looks like I'll have to wait unless I go get the latest TSB.

 

Learning has been elimnated. There is ZERO learning except for Fuel trims.

 

That is fantastic news! But what was the original point of learning, other than apparently pissing us all off, lol

 

Not entirely true.
Fuel trims, ignition trims, KCS trims, all still exist, as they should.

 

Idk what Toyota was thinking

 

Im glad this was adressed because alot of folks keep saying the “learning is back” and disconnect the the negative battery or Keep reflashing

 

I don’t think you have to. ReD releases on pg1412. 04B02 Just releases a little later than the first wave.At least thT’s How I understand it. I’m 04A60.

 

Part of the intent for learning was fuel economy. Given the latest Toyota ECU/ECM TSB drastic improvement and vast changes, I'd say Toyota was in way over their head during initial development.

Coupled this with a car engine, double overdrive meant for Bonneville salt flat high speed runs, its a miracle what OVT has accomplished with software.

 

What are KCS trims ? I am guessing Knock sensors ? Anyone ?

 

I think they knew exactly what they were doing. They did not dedicate the necessary resources intentionally to save money, because, for the most part, your typical Tacoma buyer is really not cross-shopping anything else. Seriously, look at the 3rd Gen. It is only marginally an upgrade from the 2nd gen in some areas (mostly aesthetics and modern electronic conveniences), but hardly a functional upgrade (it's easily arguable that it's functional downgrade in both eng/trans performance) AFTER 11 YEARS. How many other vehicle models go that long without a major upgrade...hell...Jeep Wranglers, which are the closest to Tacoma owners in customer loyalty are the only vehicle I can think of with a similar generational upgrade schedule. Toyota basically took "Toyota Truck People" (of which I've been one) for granted and (mostly rightfully) assumed we would only by a Toyota Truck. They threw the bare minimum resources at developing the 3rd gen and it shows. Their primary motive with the electronic drivetrain management seems to be to have been able to meet certain cafe standards under the very controlled testing scenarios (even though real world driving MPG for many of us is barely an upgrade over the 2nd gens). The ONLY reason they have done these TSBs is because of the LOUD minority of 3rd Gen Tacoma buyers (all the Toyota fanbois who said we were crazy can thank us for their somewhat improved, if still shitty, IMHO, drivetrain performance) who complained (and some even dumped their trucks) AND the seeming resurgence of competitor interest in this segment.

 

I disagree that the only reason was because the loud minority of people. We are only seeing a VERY small fraction of 3rd gen owners on this forums ( unless you stock multiple sites) who had issues with the factory tune. I for one absolutely, positively, 100% hated the factory tune. Pure utter garbage. I did not comelain because I know Matt was on it. I'm sure Toyota had a flood of complaints from across the country with this issue, it was major.

 

Sounds like they completely missed the mark if I'm interpreting that bit from Mat about getting 25mpg+ in 4th correctly. I imagine we all feel kind of the same, but this experience has been kinda heartbreaking; I loved my 2nd gen so much I figured I was a Tacoma owner for life, I recommended them to EVERYONE, and then Toyota came out with this garbage... I've said it before, but if .05 doesn't fix my issues I'm dumping this thing and moving on.

 

Speculation on my part, but I completely agree the development of 3rd gen seemed under funded, and rushed. Besides the ECM ECU tuning, who picked that 6 speed transmission, what were they thinking?

 

If it does not work for you, then you are the pickiest sob in the world . 1.05 if very nice, but I don't have to worry about the bipolar part behind the motor lol.

 

Yep. I thought I read somewhere in this mess that our tune was almost identical to the Corolla tune.... In any case, Toyota effed up big. I hope they know that.

 

I do absolutely agree with this truck feeling like a step backwards in functionality. I'm still finding little quirky things that make me go "wait, they got rid of THAT? Why?? That was a nice, useful feature! No rear seat pocket on the driver side, I hate the location of the 4 wheel drive knob, the rear seats in the access cab are shit, at least my old one they folded forward and gave me a nice flat usable storage space (I didn't buy an access cab to haul PEOPLE ), the door storage spaces are smaller, the little sunglass holder is gone, the closing change holder on the left of the steering column is now just a small open cubby, the cubbys over the wheel wells are gone, etc. etc. Plus this crap shifting/driving experience all for DOUBLE what I paid for my 2nd gen. *sigh* OVTune is my one ray of hope at the moment.

 

So are ‘older’ ecus getting the tune today as well?

 

I really don't think I'm all that picky, and I'm way less knowledgeable than y'all about the little behaviors of these trucks. Honestly all I want is for the stupid, stupid shifting to be fixed, this clunky, jerky, up1 down1 up1 DOWN2SCREAMINGACCELERATION up1 down1 shift dance is driving me insane. I don't care about torque or any of that other crap (yet anyways, I'm still learning)

 

I agree. I can understand to some degree. The factory tune with the manual had a wicked hesitation between 1st and 2nd. Down right deadly if timed wrong.

 

I feel you, in a none sexual way off course

As much as I fantasize about dumping the Tacoma, there isn't another truck I'd consider owning. Full size trucks is out of the question, I had a GMC Sierra few years ago, didn't need a truck that big. Although the new F150 Raptor is pure sex, can't justify spending $65k on a truck, and again, too big. Honda Ridgeline is one of the ugliest vehicle to grace the face of this earth, wouldn't drive it if Honda paid me. Colorado is almost as ugly as the Ridgeline, they have their fair share of issues, so I've heard. The Ranger Raptor seem cool, but Merca won't see that anytime soon. If I want a truck, Tacoma is the only candidate right now. I'd wish Honda and Nissan would step up to the plate, or Ford release the Ranger Raptor in the states.