ECT button question:

I grew up without computers, and cell phones...had to take a night course at a local community college when i was in my 50's just to learn how to use a computer. Kids today by the age 12 are a master at it.
I had a younger secretary take care of most that stuff in the office where i worked. I was just dangerous enough to handle my emails. We used a multi line phone system most of the time. I only carried a flip phone when needed, and still do.

 

From the owners manual:

 

Not sure what you mean by misinformation? S5 is fine for lighter towing...2k or less, at least for me. The truck will downshift like normal when more torque is needed, but it locks out 6th thats not really needed.

 

That seems correct. You see S5 and lower.

 

What's your point? That section in the manual is about engine braking.

 

Read it carefully. It is talking about engine braking.

 

Often repeated misinformation:

1) you should avoid overdrive gears when towing
2) the owners manual says to use S5 when towing

 

It's listed under "Trailer Towing Tips" in the manual... What do you mean it's in the section for engine braking? Lol

 

I meant that the section you quoted is talking about engine braking. Read it more carefully. Also check out the section specifically on s-mode where it explains that its purpose is for engine braking.

 

The bullets I listed are under the "Trailer Towing Tips" section of the owners manual... Please take a look yourself.

 

Yes I know. Let me try again. The section you quoted is about using s-mode for engine braking while towing. It’s not saying you should use s-mode while towing when NOT engine braking. They are just repeating the same information that is in the section specifically on s-mode. People misinterpret to mean that you should put it in s-5 at all times while towing and then it gets repeated constantly on the forum.

 

I don't understand why some people are tech shaming you. My pops is in his 50s and he wouldn't know how to send a text message even if his life depended on it. Not everyone is tech friendly, even some younger people have trouble using modern tech. Not to mention all the people who immigrated to the USA and don't necessarily speak fluent English or know how to even use a mouse and keyboard. Even though my pops can't turn a PC on or send a text, he can still do a ton of shit most people can't. My point is, there isn't a single standard for anything really. Just because something is easy for someone, doesn't mean its easy for others. We shouldn't make assumptions especially on a forum dedicated to a truck where most people who visit do so to either get help, or to help others. Just my 2 cents.

 

I think all the tech excitement comes from a pretty simple fact of modern life that the tech we speak of has become and is now a necessity in our day to day existence. It's not really an "option" anymore unless you have a handler that can follow you around all day and pick up the slack. Consider it good or bad, it really makes little difference. It's pure necessity now. To be without is no longer the statement of great independence like it was to my peers now at the age of 60. I personally have grown to take it as a WTF? situation! I'm a bit frustrated by this phenomenon currently because I have a 70 y/o B-I-L a couple hundred miles away and we're working together on legal issues with real estate and home renovation issues and he too embraced this tech "independence" and uses only a flip-phone for its phone feature exclusively. This alone forces long, drawn out periods of time accomplishing some of the most simplistic tasks and has required me to drive 2 hours one way on numerous occasion to get shit done by myself.

Sorry, my rant is over...carry on!

 

Unfortunately we see people make some curious statements about how their truck acts, with no supporting evidence. I just end up ignoring them.

 

Yep, so?

 

Imo, use whatever S mode that your truck feels comfortable when towing. S5 just happens to work perfect for my needs.

 

I agree most people need modern tech nowadays to function. But not everyone does. Plenty of people who cannot work any longer due to injuries, age, etc. so they don't really "need" to use anything at all. They can stay home all day and be fine. Some of them don't even do basic shopping runs. Believe it or not, some don't even drive. Not to mention the people who don't speak English/Spanish or some other popular language and they can't really understand what an "iphone" does or is or how to use it. Those people prefer regular flip phones because you just input the digits you desire and press the green phone looking button. You can't always teach an old dog new tricks.

I've met people who literally have nobody to talk to and if they do, they just don't want to. Some of those people probably don't need/want a new iphone. They get by fine with their decade old flip phones.

At the same time, one can also argue that the people who don't need smart phones and don't use them, usually aren't the type to frequent tacomaworld either. But I wouldn't be surprised if a few still trickle in.

 

I'll debate you on the spanish population,and other folks from other countries not knowing how to use an Iphone...the majority of them living in this country do, and well. I'm retired, and your right i don't need a lot of high tech to get by, although its nice to have it. Technology has made life better.

 

Yeah Spanish is widely spoken but there are many minorities from Africa and Asia who don't receive access to the decent translations Spanish speakers receive for example.

 

i've got a friend in ghana that visits me on occasion. Most of them know how to use an iphone better than some of us here. Idk about every country, but don't sell them short when it comes to phones.