So why does Toyota sell the Tacoma with the ECU tune that it does?

I just installed OVTune 2.0 on my 2020 TRD Pro yesterday. It seriously feels like I disconnected a 3000lb invisible trailer from the hitch of my truck. If you don't like the feel of the drive train, this is the solution, seriously.

My question is: Why does Toyota tune this truck the way it does when there is so clearly a better way to do it? Is it to hit CAFE standards? That sort of makes sense because they sell so many of these they have a big impact on their fleet average. But, the counterargument to that is if that was important to them, why stick with a naturally aspirated engine so long in the first place?

Is it because they can sell as many of them as they want the way they are so why bother to make them even more competitive? Because I guarantee you if people were cross-shopping a Tacoma that drives like an OVTuned rig against any of the competitors it would win.

Is it something political inside Toyota making them stick with it even though it clearly has issues? I'm just really curious what the thought process is.

 

Fuel standards

 

This. It is all about the CAFE numbers. Not to mention more profit for Toyota as they already had the 3.5 liter in use & meeting emissions so no need to design a new engine just for the 3rd gen Tacoma. Thanks Obama (this last statement is a joke FYI).

 

The product that doesn't have room for improvement doesn't exist, but I've had a pickup from every major manufacture, in every year of my life since 1989, and I have no 'issues' with my March '18 build. Zero, zilch, nada.

 

Yeah, the 3.5 was/is already in use but the tune for other cars is different than the Tacoma. It's not like they took everything straight out of the Camry and stuck it in the Tacoma as-is.

The only people that can truly answer this question are those inside Toyota and it's very unlikely they will talk. If I were to guess, I would say reliability and fuel standards (although a highly tuned engine can often be more fuel efficient).

 

MPG

 

I think it’s a sales gimmick to be honest. Many manufacturers re-tune through the life cycle of their engines. How is it that a Ford Ecoboost or Ram Hemi can have X horsepower one year but then get a 5-10 hp bump the next year or two. Little things like that get people excited enough to buy or buy again.

While I have no experience of the difference, take Tacoma for example with the 2020 transmission tune compared to the 2019. It was enough to get people talking about it and some to upgrade.

 

EPA man. I’d be curious to hear what your fuel economy looks like before versus after the tune.

 

On my 24 mile commute home it was within .1 mpg of the average for that trip. A lot of factors go into comparing though. That's 91 octane using the 91 octane tune. Quality of the gas, tire pressure, winter blend gas, ambient air temp, all have more of an effect on MPG than this tune did.

It would be cool if there was a way for OVTune to give a "free taste" like Costco because those of you who think your truck doesn't have an issue would realize quickly that your truck is essentially crippled from the factory.

 

I dont think that's true at all. Have you ever seen a commercial advertising a new transmission software update? Didnt think so. The masses only care about features they can see, things that light up etc. They mostly could care less about the latest transmission tune or change in spark plug Choice from one year to the next, that isnt going to sell anymore cars. Also think of the sales people who barely know how to operate the window switch let alone be able to comprehend the difference in engine tuning.

I would venture to say that most people are fine with the truck it is. I for one have no issues what so ever with mine that would make me want to trade in. I dont doubt that OV tune makes the truck more responsive or feel more powerful, but as an average user (truck is 100% stock) I also value fuel economy and longevity and you have to ask yourself how modifying the tuning will affect those two things and if it's worth it to you

 

Tacoma’s number one priority is reliability. The Tacoma engine is tuned down to reduce wear and tear on the engine. This engine in a Lexus or Camry or whatever is tuned completely different and even offers more torque and HP in certain applications.

The key is to tune the engine to last.

 

Reliability and fuel economy.

Tacoma motto: Slow and steady wins the race

 

I'm glad Toyota leaves it the way it is. If you're looking to keep a vehicle for many years and miles, stay away from technologies that push a small engine to do the work of a big engine. Yes, you'll get more HP and torque for the short term but after a few years your rings and valves will be worn with the extra pressures. Your beloved GDI only engine will be clogged with oil sludge and gunk on the intake valves. (Other engines. the 3.5 does have a port injector). You'll be spending big money to get your power back with a disassemble and valve cleaning. For me I'm willing to get a mile or 2 less fuel economy and power in trade for long trouble-free engine life.

 

With all due respect, I don't get this. Why, after you getting a tune, does my truck not please you? It starts everytime, shifts just fine and I average just over 20 mpgs. Why would I possibly change that?
I'm glad you are happy with yours, I really am, but I'm just as happy with mine.

 

Operating as designed.......

 

Because you are not allowed to have a different opinion that he does. Obviously your truck has issues that you are just not conscious enough to be aware of.

I'm the same as you. I read all about the tunes but, I am happy with the way my truck is running. The one thing I wasn't happy with went away after a TSB update from Toyota (that they wouldn't do and I had to do myself, but that is another issue)

 

Let me rephrase to avoid causing any offense. I didn't realize what issues people were talking about until those issues were removed by the tune. Is that better? If you're happy with your truck, by all means keep on keeping on. I'm happy for you too. If you're even mildly interested and know someone with a tune, drive it to see the difference for yourself. That's all I'm saying.

 

I keep going back and forth on a tune. I really wish you could update tire size via the tune, that would be what pushes me over the edge to buy it.

 

2.0 is officially released?

Why the hell doesn't OVT say anything?

 

No, 2.0 Beta was released for 2020 trucks. Still waiting on 2.0 final.