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Big difference in ECT

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Kidlin, Dec 17, 2021.

  1. Dec 18, 2021 at 7:00 AM
    #21
    tacotoe

    tacotoe Pastry Chef

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    1981 according to Google search
     
    Tacospike[QUOTED] likes this.
  2. Dec 18, 2021 at 7:03 AM
    #22
    zoo truck

    zoo truck Well-Known Member

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    Really didn't benefit me if not towing anything large. When just driving normal, it just made the engine sound louder with longer shift intervals resulting in bad fuel economy. Best result for my truck is just leaving it in the D mode, and let the truck do its thing.
     
    gudujarlson likes this.
  3. Dec 18, 2021 at 7:05 AM
    #23
    ryanvar42

    ryanvar42 Well-Known Member

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    Ive never used the button. If I want to go faster I just push the pedal down more. It has worked so far. I also don't drive fast in the truck and just take it easy.
     
    BumfukKansas likes this.
  4. Dec 18, 2021 at 7:07 AM
    #24
    Tacospike

    Tacospike Semi-Unknown Custodial Member

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    Damn

     
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  5. Dec 18, 2021 at 7:07 AM
    #25
    zoo truck

    zoo truck Well-Known Member

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    Imo, if your truck was setup properly from toyota like mine there would be no need for a tune unless your one of those that think they need a race truck all the time.
     
    BumfukKansas and Blockhead like this.
  6. Dec 18, 2021 at 7:42 AM
    #26
    SpeySquatch

    SpeySquatch Function over Form

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    the problem is Toyota seriously messed up the stock tune. I’ve owned other Tacomas and the stock tuning sucks big time on the 3rd Gen.

    I would have sold the truck had it not been for tuning it. Now I have better power, mpgs, consistency and throttle response with far less misfires than the stock tune produced. There is lots of data captured showing the truck is actually running healthier and more efficient on specific tunes. I’ve ran 30+ tune variants since 2017 and I can assure you, you couldn’t pay me to go back to that garbage factory tune.

    ECT is specifically designed for towing to keep RPMs in the sweet spot. I still use it today when towing a 4K trailer with the tune and avg 12-14 mpg depending on road conditions. Tuning is just engine science and Toyota doesn’t get it right all the time. Ford and Subaru actually make some of the best factory tunes because they incorporate gravity into the tuning equations and much more refinement than Toyota
     
    PhogDog and Kidlin[OP] like this.
  7. Dec 18, 2021 at 7:44 AM
    #27
    tacotoe

    tacotoe Pastry Chef

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    I wasn't certain but thought I recall a friend's mother's Toyota (Camry?) had that button back in the 1980's.

    Edit; pretty sure our 2001 TRD Off Road had it too
     
    Tacospike[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Dec 18, 2021 at 8:57 AM
    #28
    RX1cobra

    RX1cobra Well-Known Member

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    Why do you think the vvt only matters with higher octane?
     
  9. Dec 18, 2021 at 9:04 AM
    #29
    Kidlin

    Kidlin [OP] Well-Known Member

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    What exactly do you mean “setup properly from toyota”?
     
  10. Dec 18, 2021 at 9:19 AM
    #30
    Slick Taco

    Slick Taco Id Rather Be Airborne

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    Current vehicles: 2019 Rav4 Lunar Rock. 2018 TRD OR DCSB KD Max tuned. 2010 Tundra Limited Crew Max . 1991 4Runner Crawler. Ivan Stewart Edition
    KD Max Tune, King 2.5 coil overs T.C. UCA's, Deaver leafs, 17x9 Black Rhyno Warlords, 33" Toyo M/T's, Metal Tech rear bumper, Westin HDX drop steps with Bullet Liner coating, K&N CAI, Baja Designs fog pods, Rigid Midnight addition 3" pod ditch lights. Cali Raised brackets and 32" behind the grill mounted light bar, Southern Style Offroad Lopro Stage II front bumper, Warn winch, FACTOR 55 Ultra Hook, FACTOR 55 Hawes Fairleed, full debadge, Cosmetic goodies such as 15% carbon tint, matte black in channel rain guards, interior LED's, Teton Workshop shift knob, Inferno vinyl detailing on the interior, Cali Raised multi rocker switch cubby insert with Mc Tuning LED switches and a few other mods I've probably left out.
    I love when people say thay don't need the tune or even use the ECT button because if they wanted to go fast they wouldn't have bought a truck or if they want to go faster they'll just push the go fast pedal harder. The KD Max tune is soooooo much more than thatt. So much more.
     
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  11. Dec 18, 2021 at 9:28 AM
    #31
    nictarine

    nictarine Well-Known Member

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    I've noticed a big difference when I'm driving on the highway in cruise control, with ECT off and any slight incline the truck will downshift and crank the RPMs to the sky, with ECT on it will stay in the same gear and just rev a little higher but not to the sky.
     
  12. Dec 18, 2021 at 9:43 AM
    #32
    PhogDog

    PhogDog Well-Known Member

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    Nope, definitely the meat and potatoes!!
     
  13. Dec 18, 2021 at 10:01 AM
    #33
    Captqc

    Captqc Well-Known Member

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    I had a gizmo that kept the ECT always on but it crapped out and to be honest I really am not sure when it died. With that said I would tune my taco if the price was under $200 but being retired I just don’t have mad money laying around anymore to drop $400-500 on a tune.
     
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  14. Dec 18, 2021 at 11:32 AM
    #34
    Mikeybuck

    Mikeybuck Well-Known Member

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    Most tuners in the Portland area are $250 to tune your truck.
     
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  15. Dec 18, 2021 at 11:50 AM
    #35
    Captqc

    Captqc Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the information, that’s in the manageable zone.
     
    tacotoe likes this.
  16. Dec 18, 2021 at 12:37 PM
    #36
    zoo truck

    zoo truck Well-Known Member

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    Maybe toyota had a bad tune in 2017 idk, but the tune from toyota in my 2020 truck is fine, no one should complain...its as good as my 4.7 tundra ever was. At the very first miles driving my truck the transmission was shifting wonky, but now its great, performs like my tundra but with more overdrive when on the highway. I tried ECT when towing my 2k boat, but found it wasn't needed. S5 was perfect. I don't own anything heavier to tow or don't plan to, so i doubt i'll ever have to use ECT
     
    Kidlin[OP] likes this.
  17. Dec 18, 2021 at 12:47 PM
    #37
    zoo truck

    zoo truck Well-Known Member

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    Well if you drove my truck you'd be hard pressed to complain about anything. I was in a buddies 2019 TRD and i could agree something wasn't right the way that truck performed. It was a dog, plus it had some weird vibrations at different speeds, even when back to bone stock no lift. We even did some drag races, and roll ons at different speeds with my truck always jumping 2-3 lengths ahead, and pulling away. If other tacoma's performed similar i could see owners pissed as my buddy was.
     
    Kidlin[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  18. Dec 18, 2021 at 1:01 PM
    #38
    Kidlin

    Kidlin [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Looks we have have similar trucks, just a year newer for mine. I like the way the truck drives and am glad I bought later into the generation as more kinks and the tune issue was largely resolved. To be honest as the truck breaks in and gets more miles on it I feel like it drives and shifts better. It has its occasional vibration or shift quirk but my 08 4cyl Tacoma had all kinds of quirks and I adored that truck. My experience with ECT was positive when I was going up/down through the mountains. Around town and on open flat roads I have no complaints.
     
  19. Dec 18, 2021 at 1:05 PM
    #39
    SpeySquatch

    SpeySquatch Function over Form

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    the owners manual highly recommends towing with ECT on for a reason. I monitor my temps and it does make a difference. I have a 2016 so I cannot speak for 2020
     
  20. Dec 18, 2021 at 1:13 PM
    #40
    gudujarlson

    gudujarlson Well-Known Member

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    Out of curiosity, do you have numbers on the difference?
     

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