How do I improve shifting and acceleration?

OVtune will help but its expensive
Same goes for regearing

Just smash the pedal and let it rip OP

 

Go trade it in for a 2015 2nd gen... or realize it's a mid size truck, not a car.

 

Bought a 2016 V6 sport, auto lived with it 37 months, with all the same disappointments, had all the reflashes available, there was a grate deal of improvement. The best improvement came when I sold it, bought a 2019 V6 Sport with a 6 sp. manual trans . Grate throttle responce, shifts when I want it to. All my complaints went away.

 

Run 93.

 

Updated the post above with accurate numbers

 

X2 on MT. Never felt like i needed more power, drives great.

 

6MT

 

Nitrous Oxide.
Welcome to TW.
Good luck with your truck.

 

Drive in S mode for 0 - 50 mph, seems to give better response and power.

 

I'm not convinced OP even owns a tacoma
"Xtra power" button. Lol

 

Amanelot, Sorry I offended you by my "Xtra Power' phrase, but maybe the service technicians at Toyota don't know what they are talking about then. The "ECT PWR" button, according to them, stands for Extra Power. Not sure what you think it stands for. Having just joined this group, I am amazed at the number of smart ass answers that people post. I was looking for advice and help and it seems some just are here to make people feel stupid.

 

Don't take it personally. You just happened to hit on one of the most asked, debated, argued, complained about or poo-pood topics of all time here in 3rd Gen. Half the time, you can't tell if people are serious or just trolling.

Really, there are a bunch of great folks here and lots of helpful information. We just tend to eat our own.

Welcome. Stick with us and don't take it personally. Wear it like a badge of initiation and honor.

 

Google is the place you want to go for non-smart-ass answers, there be dragons here... buck up buttercup. ECT PWR stands for Electronically Controlled Transmission and readjusts the shift points so that it stays in gear longer (higher RPM's).

 

your subaru has a cvt trans, you really never feel it shift, and if it does, it does not feel like it is hunting for gears, it holds gears and speeds better. especially, when the cruise control is engaged. so, it is really hard to compare the two (yes, i own both as well).

manual trans effectively cancels all the auto trans woes (along with your concerns). OV tune helps but, does not eliminate it. gearing might help but, is costly.

the big issue is our trans having the 6 speed auto, with 5th and 6th as over drive gears, and the trucks programming... it wants to get into 5th and 6th to save fuel asap. unfortunately for the auto trans end user, at that point, if you hit the gas, and it will drop 1-2 gears to find the right gear for the torque curve of the motor, to match the trans output v.s throttle position. then it goes into "how can i get into 5th and or 6th asap mode. constant struggle, up down, up down, rinse and repeat.

from my point of view toyota and or ov tune need to limit the gear hunting, by not allowing the trans to shift into 5th at less than 55-60mph, and 6th gear at 65 or even 70. this would alleviate the truck up-shifting too high, only to downshift to maintain peak torque, all the time, even on flat ground.

a few things you can do are use the ect button, to hold gears longer. and or drive in the Smode (manual auto) in 4th gear for in town driving, and driving less than 55 mph, effectively locking out the over drive gears, until you need/want them.

other than the trans "problems", i do love my 2019 sport double cab 4x4. i wish you good luck in your quest as well. Ski

 

If it’s new with low miles, give it time to learn your driving. My transmission shifts much better after the first thousand or so miles. Also when staring out press steadily increasing on the gas to delay shifting a bit. I use ECT around town when I need the shift rpms to go higher before shifting. In either mode I can control the starting out shift points by pressing the accelerator a little more aggressively then letting off slightly to make it shift where I want. It’s all second nature to me now and I’m happy with it.

 

OP just remember" there is no such thing as stupid question....Only stupid people!!!"
believe me I get it alot.

 

Same, my GF owns a 2019 Outback with the 4 banger and CVT. It's amazing how much peppier it is. I think Tacoma's power curve gives you like 40 horsepower until you slam the pedal (I exaggerate but you get the point).

 

Could just trade it for a 4 cylinder. That way it makes sense that it's slow.

 

Give the truck some time to learn, use the ECT button to delay shifting and slightly improve throttle response or use "s mode". I always drive with ECT on and usually trac all the way off because I've found it hiccups less when you give it the beans...and yes, this truck will accelerate just fine, but only if you tell it to. Don't just ask it nicely.

 

Get OVtune or you will never be satisfied with the truck.