2016 OVTune Tacoma 3.5L Manual Transmission / Engine ECU Reflash

Nice, that just so happens to be what I am. order placed!

 

The ovtune homepage

 

https://www.ovtuned.com/products/vforest-tuner-for-tacoma-flash-kit-owners

 

So is there any value in getting vf tuner since 2.0 is out?

 

If you want to customize. Shift points, throttle sensitivity, charging output, anything else your heart desires

 

I imagine it's not so simple to use, not as plug and play as the Flash Manager. I saw Matt posting on FB about a learning course or something for VF Tuner, not sure if it was for basics or for more advanced users.

 

He’s intending to make some of the common things as simple as possible.

most people aren’t gonna go crazy, it’s gonna be the small tweaks people fight over constantly that most will adjust, not all the other stuff. I think shift points and tip in are top of the list

people can also share files so that’ll help too

 

Is there going to be some acclimation period after tuning where I should (or shouldn’t) drive a certain way? Any other thing to note after tuning?

@Shellshock anything you’d recommend here?

 

Say no more.

 

You can drive however you want but I generally expect some weirdness for the first 100-400 miles while things settle in. It’s not always the case but sometimes you’ll get some weird behavior right after flashing and trims are initializing.

 

What can I expect within the category of “weirdness”? Is there anything to keep an eye out for that would be more than normal weirdness?

 

Probably seem some goofball in your rearview mirror looking back at you for a bit.

 

You may experience unsteady idle (goes away quickly) and usually some odd surging when you get on the gas. You're also accustomed to stock "squishy" throttle mapping, so it may seem like your footwork is off when shifting... and it is lol.
After tuning and idling for a few minutes, I like to drive around normally on back roads and then do a few hard pulls to let her work on the knock correction lol.
I'll also do a highway run to help sort her out.
Very unscientific, but fun.

 

Thinking I might try to update my ECU on my own. The surging...or explained "bumpy road" feeling is my only gripe...albeit a very small one and even if it persists I wouldnt ever leave the 2.0 file. Anyone else getting said feeling on the '18 ECU calibrations? Ive been dragging my feet because ive been exhausting myself trying to find a decent alignment shop... 3 times ive had it to places and it still destroys the driver front like ive never seen before on anything ive ever had....turrible

 

You sure it's not your alignment causing the bumpy road feeling?

 

A lot of folks noted improvements going to 04A71. But, I don't think the bumpy road feeling was posted as a problem before or after. That is usually an AT thing with the TC cycling.

 

Id tend to agree but it only seems to do it while accelerating, more pronounced if im pulling a grade...but only in a small rpm window, then it goes away... Almost feels like a tiny parachute behind the truck flapping around lol.

 

Id have to actually see when it does it, but its very subtle...just enough that i notice it, ive been told that I read to much into vehicle behavior, so it might just be me...being me

 

Some folks are sensitive to vibes and rattles. Other folks are not. And, there's a big spectrum between those.

For me, there are some that I don't mind, but shit like unbalanced tires drive me crazy. OTOH, I know folks who say that they don't balance their motorcycle tires.

It sounds like you isolated it and something is there. Give the ECU update a go. It is not much different than an OVT flash. You just want to be a bit more careful. I know the TSB flash was as big a change on my Taco as was OVT.

 

Its there, just a matter of what...i sat on the idea for awhile because im by no means knocking the tune, I just figured id holler and see if anyone else had any input..my to-do list is getting longer, the tundra went into limp mode on Saturday for the cursed secondary air system failure... I just have to quit being scared and just update the ECU myself haha.