Having low RPMs and as a result vibrations

Hi all,

First time poster, so I apologize for any rookie mistakes here. But I recently got my 2018 Tacoma Off Road tuned with the OTT tune and didn't have any issues initially, but noticed after 500kms that there was a slight vibration when in idle and lower rpms (below 1500), I got the tune adjusted (lower throttle response) and it's worse now. The truck will idle at 500 RPMs and cruises at or under 1500 RPMs... It's not such an issue at 1500 or higher, but anything under and the vibration is very noticable. My mechanic couldn't find anything that would be causing this. I'm just looking for any leads on a solution or if anyone else has had this issue. Thanks everyone.

 

What’s your setup? Got a lift?

 

No lift, 265/70/R17 tires. As far as I know everything else is stock (I got it in September '23 with 65,000kms on it)

 

Mine has this driveline vibration, which I believe to be torque converter shudder. The only thing that fixed it for me was running premium fuel.

 

There isn't a single parameter within the ECU that is changed on our tune for the 3G Tacoma at idle. Just FYI.

 

There is no tune parameter that will cause your truck to vibrate. I suspect something truck related. Not really fair to make a post labeled "OTT causing low RPMs and vibration" when you're trying to figure it out. Misleading.

 

So it happens whether moving or not but whenever under 1500 rpms? I’d start by looking for something come loose or cracked.

 

I don't think it has anything to do with the tune.

Have you tried the following:

1. Idle in Park / Neutral vs Drive.
2. Revving the engine in Park / Neutral to see if the vibration goes away.
3. Holding your foot FIRMLY on the brake, then giving it a little gas to see if the vibration changes or goes away.
You obviously can not give it too much gas or the rear wheels will start to spin.

 

I suspected fuel at first and ran a tank of premium and I'm on my second tank of it now with no improvement. I'm not saying it's the tune completely, but the tune is causing the truck to run low RPMs which I think is linked to finding the issue. This issue wasn't present before the tune and then once I got it, it's here. I don't think that's a coincidence.

 

Yes, I do still feel it between 1500-2000 but it is very noticable anything under 1500

 

Are you talking about lugging?

When your car engine is at very low RPM while driving down the road, the vibration you're experiencing is likely due to "lugging" or "engine lugging." This happens when the engine is operating below its optimal power band or RPM range. In this state, the engine struggles to produce sufficient power to maintain the desired speed, leading to increased vibrations.

By downshifting, you bring the engine RPM back into its optimal range, where it can produce power more efficiently. This action reduces the load on the engine, eliminates lugging, and consequently, the vibrations typically go away.

tune or not, is this what you're experiencing?

 

Also, for the record I'm not trying to talk negative about the OTT tune. Other than this vibration I love the tune. I'm simply trying to find a solution.

 

Its present in neutral. When I did the park and revs its not very noticeable when the rpms hit 2000

 

Might also check the heat shields around the exhaust. I had a similar issue on my last Ranger. One of them was rattling against the pipe.

 

Keep in touch with your tuner. Maybe you need a re-flash. Try going back to stock to see if if goes away. The last thing you changed is usually the problem.

 

I am considering this as a last resort. I was hoping to find a solution prior to this because I really love everything about the tune.

 

Go back to stock to see if that's the source of your problem. It doesn't mean permanent. If the problem goes away, re-flash and see if it comes back. There have been quite a few people who have had to do this.

 

Yea your tuner should be able to flash it back to stock. You drive around for 20 minutes and circle back to him. If the vibration still happens it’s not the tune. Could be something as simple as turning your radio down lol.

 

OP, they are not "tuners". Take their "thoughs" with a grain of salt.
Have them to flash back to stoke.
FyI, On other tune provider's thread, it was mentioned that VFTUNER software was changing value in tables.

 

Flash back to stock. If it goes away, ask for your money back!