Any cons to having ECT power on all the time?

I never found ECT power to make a difference. The latest TSB did though. I wish the ECT power gave you V8 power but I think it just turns on the dash light for the placebo effect of extra power.

 

Nobody reads posts anymore they just post
It was only a few posts back...
Any cons to having ECT power on all the time?

 

The only con I can think of as far as having ECT on all the time maybe elevated carbon build up on the intake valves from the DI to generate the quicker response.

Moreover, If you engage ECT and don’t feel anything, it is possible that there maybe something wrong with your vehicle, like poor quality fuel, lift. oversize tires and such.

That said, with ECT engaged there is a notable difference you should be able to feel.

 

I have my scheduled flash for this Monday. The service guy located the TSB 00092-20. He said that he's had this flash done on several of his customers trucks so far. He said it doesn't 100% resolve it but it helps a lot.

 

I had my reflash done. It took 1.47 hours. The power delivery is 50% smoother. The way it used to behave was that it would upshift in my estimation 2 gears to high...I would then get in a situation were I needed even a little get up and go and I would need to move through my pedal range of motion like half way...it would then downshift I am guessing 2 gear and start screaming and then after a delay start going but it was like a power on or power off switch not even remotely smooth. Basically it had the shift points originally of my prior truck which was a V8...which to me always made not sense at all for a V6 truck...I have now driven it to work twice on familiar roads so I pretty much know where it used to shift and not shift...now it is smoother because it downshift one time to get to the correct gears....It also drives better with the reflash than running the ECT button because it is smoother than that...I haven't ran it with the reflash and ECT button because honestly I think the ECT feature is kinda gay....the truck FINALLY drives a lot closer to where it should have from jump....I still cant believe how stupid this truck drove prior to this reflash and that I made it 30,000 miles like that...I haven't driven it on the highway yet but the highway driving never bothered me nearly as much as the surface streets...but i would think the highway driving would be improved also....not sure how this compares to say a Orange Virus Tune but I think I can finally live with the truck now and since the dealer put this on there should be no major issues...I just hope it holds....I have heard some say they felt like the truck reverted back to where it was before but I really don't see the logic behind that I mean a new map on the computer is a new map so I don't see it defaulting back or anything like that. The Toyota Tech who put it on told we they have put many on these trucks and on the RAV4 and he hasn't had a single complaint.

 

Do 2021 trucks already come with the improved shift logic provided by the TSB?

 

Well it definitely makes a difference when not towing anything. Way worse fuel economy, and much longer shifting points. I've found when towing a lighter load, say under 1500 lbs., using ECT still isn't great either, don't need it. On the other hand my boat, and trailer are a bit over 2k lbs., I found it does tow better with the ECT engaged.

 

I look at it as being in ECO mode all the time and you hit the ECT button to take it out. I could see some possible gas savings, since you are not pushing harder on the pedal to get up to speed. I have to push further down on the pedal while driving when I tune the ECT off. Feels like wasting more gas.

Daddy-Firebird- You are correct, the truck does feel sluggish.

 

People have made reference to the learning mode of the transmission. Does this perpetually happen or does it stop after so many miles? I recently bought a 17 with 19,000 miles so will the truck learn my driving style and not the previous owner? Should I disconnect the negative terminal for a half hour and reattach to reset it?

 

Imo, something isn't right if you have to drive in the ECT mode all the time to feels its normal. I can definitely say on my truck driving in the ECT mode when not towing something substantial is not good. Engine feels like its in the wrong gears all the time needing lower rpm. Its like having the wrong axle ratio all the time. When i tried it i got nearly 5 mpg worse than i normally get.

 

Yeah I’m curious about it too

 

sadly it doesn’t look like it. Having issues with the timing chain cover leak.
Waiting for Toyota to see what they say this week.

 

check this out. Seems like it will answer our questions if you have your VIN handy.

https://www.consumerreports.org/car...et-a-technical-service-bulletin-tsb-for-free/

 

ECT seemed to make it hold gears longer in the lower range. Without it (and before the TSB) it would lug in 5-6 gear.

The TSB is the "fix". I have not used ECT since getting it done. If I am towing I just use S1-4.

 

Depending what your towing even S5 has been fine for me.

 

I have a 2022 SR5 Auto/V6, and it seems to me the default driving mode is like "eco" mode. ECT makes the Tacoma shift more properly and predictably; at apprx 2200 rpm versus the painfully low 1200-1400 rpm with ECT off. ECT to me, is like normal mode, and I'll be driving mine with it engaged 100% of the time. Just my 2 cents.

 

whoever came up with the OEM tune needs a swift kick in the ass. how does it make sense to lug around in 6th gear at 35 mph? especially in a 4 cyl. truck ffs

 

You’re a quick learner, I think you’re spot on as far as shifting goes. A friend of mine with a V6 keeps his ECT on as well. I have the 4 cylinder and always use ECT around town and rural roads. On the Interstate at 65-75 sometimes I will turn ECT off.

 

one of my first mods on my 2016, "ECT On at Start-up" from Messo. best mod i have done.

 

I have driven manual trans most of my life, and most mechanics will tell you, the worst thing you can do to an engine is "lug" it; being in too high of a gear for the rpm. The Tacoma is up-shifting at crazy low rpms in "default" driving mode. 3rd gear is really strange....it's there for about 2 seconds, and then you're in 4th.

I don't mind pressing the ECT button at start-up every time; I did the "sport mode" button on my 5.7L Hemi Charger R/T at every start, to override the hideous "MDS" system.