From 2nd gen to 3rd - Transmission question

Hello all I just picked up a TRD Sort 4X4 and I'm coming from a 2009 Off Road Pre Runner.

So far so good but I have a question. I get the ECT button and I'm a spirited driver so I'll probably use it often, Now the tranny question:
If I shift it to sport mode and move the shifter to 6th gear, the transmission seems to hold the shifts longer but what happens to the ECT mode? Does it make a difference or is it doing the same thing as ECT by holding the RPM's a little longer before it shifts. I can't find an answer in the manual. The truck is new so I'm still breaking it in.
It obviously drives differently from my 2nd gen, less torque and one more gear and I haven't tried it on hills yet.

Much more refined on the interior and I'm getting use to the engine/tranny combo.

Thanks,

 

Do you notice that the 6 Speed auto tends to shift more than the 2nd gen 5 Speed auto, especially on the highway?

That was my experience with the 3rd gen. It never really stuck to a gear consistently when on the highway, granted, here in Maine, the interstate can be pretty hilly.

I agree with the interior refinements.

 

I think it does shift more and it downshifts to get more power if you stomp on it. It takes a little getting use to so I'm still trying to figure it out.
I wish there was some technical data on the Sport mode in 6th gear and the ECT. I would like to know what it is doing other than just trying to figure it out by feel.

 

My understanding is that the ECT just hold the gear longer allowing the Rpms to rise so your more into the power band

 

So what happens when you put it in Sport mode and move the selector to 6th gear?

 

It will operate like it was in D. S mode will lock out the gears above that number. For example in S 3 you will be limited to 3 gears and 4-6 will be locked out. You can force a downshift this way as well.one reason default is S 4 as it removes both over drive gears.

 

It is not Sport mode on this truck. It stands for sequential shifting, it is simply a gear limiter meaning that the gear you select, is the highest gear the transmission will shift to.It also disables the shift logic that learns your driving behavior. In that sense the shifting is more consistent. ECT mode simply changes the throttle mapping (more sensitive) and allows more RPM to develop prior to shifting.

In S mode and ECT on the truck will a more sensitive responsive pedal and the shifting will be more consistent.

 

Well done @baron55. Good to know the details.

 

So am I better off leaving it in D and ECT and having the transmission learn my driving style? Or will I get more power in the Sequential shift mode with ECT?

 

The only way the learning occurs from what I understand, is in D only. ECT and S mode disable the learning logic.

The learning how you drive is supposed to see how you drive and how you accelerate etc. But this doesn't seem to result in an enjoyable shifting experience.

Typically from what others and myself have experienced, if you are driving in town 45 MPH or less S4 works well. That means the truck never shifts higher than 4th and you will find less shifting going on since normally the truck always wants to get to 6th gear. This also means that in S4 doing 40 and you need to give the beast some gas and go it does without having to downshift because it already is in a lower gear. On highway driving where the terrain is uneven hills etc. S5 is good because that will keep you from always going from 6 to 5 to 6 to 5 to 6 to 4 constantly. On flat highway s6 or D should be fine.

ECT is designed to rev the engine out more prior to up-shifting especially when towing so you don't up-shift too soon. It does give the truck a better throttle response but I find it hangs on the high revs to long.