Do I NEED more power? Does my family need to go on a diet?

For frame of reference, I live in Florida where the "suggested" 70 MPH speed limit translates to, "there is a special place in hell reserved for those who are not doing at least 80 in the left lane."

On to my problem. I took my new Taco on her maiden voyage to NC this weekend loaded with a family of four, accompanying luggage, and two MTBs hanging off the back on a tow mount rack. With this load I could not keep the thing in OD at highway speeds to save my life. Were the bikes creating that much drag? Is my family that fat? Is my Tacoma just that underpowered?

I don't expect this thing to be a tire scorcher but enough power to cruise at highway speeds (75-80mph) would be nice. Does this sound normal? Should I consider mods to increase HP? If so, please reply with recommendations. Nothing major that would void the warranty, please.

Thanks!

 

The engine was designed for power in the higher rpms, meaning if you want to load it up and cruise at higher speeds, you're gonna be in 5th.

 

Keep it in 4th or 5th and let it eat. Itll make more power the more rpms you turn

 

My last truck was an F150 with a 5.4 so I guess I'm not used to power issues. (Not that it was a rocket sled or anything.) I guess I'm ok with riding in 5th on the highway and just sucking gas but I don't love that it's shifting in and out of 5/6th gears. Is this where the ECT button comes into play?

 

With four passengers and equipment, I wouldn't suspect that you would be able to keep it in overdrive. haha if you have mountain bikes, your family probably is not fat, but even if the average weight of each passenger is 150 lbs, that is 450 lbs of additional weight plus whatever else you are hauling. That is considerable.

 

The ect button might help, but 5th and 6th on the 3rd gen autos are both overdrive gears. I dont think your gas mileage will be affected that much by keeping it in 5th if it will hold that gear without hunting

 

Haha no, they are not actually fat. Just being cheeky to gain thread attention and hopefully elicit useful replies. (thanks BTW.) Not knowledgeable enough to really contribute to this forum yet so I can at least try to be entertaining, right?

 

If your family are fat, they're fat. That is no one's concern here. The point is you are getting them out on the bike trails to work on it and the overdrive will work itself out after that

 

I am not sure if the ovtune will help on this for I do not have the ovtune. .might ask.on thread about ovtune on to see what others say that do have it

 

Coming from the 4.0l perspective, my family is an extra almost 600 lbs. This was very noticable on acceleration, but in a manual not at highway speeds.

 

Technically you're not towing, but you're probably reaching max payload. This highway driving issue is why I'm pursuing a tune. It'd be nice if the truck could just burn a little extra gas in 6th gear instead of downshifting to 4th.

 

The truck, you have to floor it just to pass a civic or Corolla.

 

5th and 6th are overdrive.

 

I’m I haven’t passed anything in 8 years

 

My husband tried to pull the weight trick on me (always trying to blame me for something! ), but I'm 125 and he is pushing 200. I suggested he is the one who needs to unload some tacos!

 

Haha this thread is great. Funny that my wife actually has a '16 Civic and I'm not so sure the Taco is any faster...

 

Unfortunately it's the truck. I was traveling on I-10 where the speed limit is 80mph and my truck was dropping to 4th on every slightest incline. Even after I crested and started going downhill, it would hang onto 4th for way longer than it should. I was traveling alone with about 100-150lbs of equipment.

Funny thing is during the 70-75mph sections of I-10, i was getting 20-21mpg. But once i hit the 80mph i would drop down to 4th so often that I got 16mpg.

I started looking at OVTune but i'm unsure whether it would help my situation.

Forgot to mention I was using cruise control...

 

Ovtune may help you out in regards to your issues. They did a goid writeup for low end power as well az maintaining 5th and 6th gear on highway.

 

https://www.ovtuned.com/blogs/news/...as-abilities-through-the-power-of-electronics Give that read. Maybe it can help you out

 

You all must have slow tacos, I passed 3 cars yesterday coming back from Mt. Rainier trip, flat no hills, posted speed limit 55, I was at 88 passing the last car, no problem, 4 adults and a ton of shit in the back!!!