ECT Power button.

So what exactly does it do? I know it makes the tranny shift at higher rpms, but does this make any real difference? Also, what kind of hit do you take in your mpg while in "power" mode?

 

*Note, I have a 2.7

So today was the first time I've used the ect power mode to see the difference in power output at higher rpm... When I first got my truck I test drove it out on a highway and floored it a bunch of different times from various cruising speeds to see how well it accelerates and it accelerated fairly quickly but obviously lacks the power of a v6 or higher. I only took it to 95mph and was at about 4000 rpms-ish. Was curious about the power mode so I turned it on today, was cruising at about 50mph on the highway when I floored it... Huge difference, to me at least... It accelerated considerably quicker (lot less time to hit 95mph) and the rpm were hanging around in the 5000 rpms... I decided to stop there because I don't like redlining my vehicle if I don't have to and it was at the base of the redline. As for gas consumption, I think that if you use the power mode and drive normally and conservatively you won't notice a difference. In either mode when I floored it I lost a considerable amount of gas, perhaps a bit more with the power... Just my experience.

 

ECT (Electronically Controlled Transmission) electronically adjusts the rpm at which the transmission shifts. With ECT activated, the automatic transmission will rev to a higher RPM before shifting, and allows quicker acceleration by keeping the engine closer to its power band. Also decreasing fuel economy. It doesn't actually change anything going on in the engine, mess with fuel mapping, ignition timing or any other crazy claim you may have read. Its not a magic "add 50 HP" button, just holds shifts a little longer. I suggest leaving the ECT turned off unless you have a load and are merging on the freeway or something. In my old 4Runner, even if I had the ECT on I had to damn near floor it to see the RPM "hang" and any difference in shifting. The hit you take on mpg's depends on how heavy your foot it....is almost impossible to give a hard # on how much your MPG's will drop. (Order a ScanGauge II or UltraGauge and play with them if you want to figure out your MPG loss. Unless you floor it everywhere you go, there is no point in leaving the ECT power on. Hope this helps.


Also: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/121204-ect-power.html

and

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/78237-ect-normal-power-mpg-3-4l-only.html

search is your friend.

 

I leave mine on unless for some reason i need to tip-toe, such as really bad weather or something

 

The Rpms could have been higher because the ECM disengaged the torque converter lock up. That would explain why your Rpms where up

 

That button is there for time travel. Once you hit 88mph you go back to the future. Did you notice anyone riding hover boards? I bet you did. Cuz you hit 95. You must a gone way into the future. What was it like?

 

I honestly was wondering the same thing...

 

Thank you Matt, your post was very helpful.

 

Would ECT help me out when going uphill? When ever I drive to NorCal, my truck always struggles in the grapevine and i always find myself in the slow lane with the big-rigs. Will ECT help me out in this scenario? thanks

 

V8 attack mode

 

Put it in 2 and switch it on.

 

Electronically Controlled Turbo, incredible feature really.

 

I put the gear in 2 and turn ECT on? Im going at freeway speeds (65-70) is it safe to downshift to 2 and turn on ECT? thanks

 

Yeah no just the ECT. You should never use speed as a guideline when switching gears, base it on the RPMs. And when it comes to automatics switching gears gets more complex; you can shift anytime while in motion.

 

I used to leave mine on because my transmission would feel like it hesitates to shift or it would sluggishly shift. Having the ECT on, I stopped that but decreased my fuel economy. So now I leave it off and only turn it on if I'm hauling something in the bed or towing a trailer

 

I think that really helps for me. Thanks!

 

Have you tried turning off your overdrive when going uphill? I go up the same "hill" and am able to keep a respectable speed at 65-70 mph.

 

Ive tried turning overdrive off while going up the grapevine but it seems to rev really high and only gives me just little more power. I usually just keep overdrive on but my foot heavier on the gas pedal. For me to increase more speed I literally have to floor the damn thing. I plan to do a tune-up this weekend maybe my engine is just not running the way it should. How do you drive when you're going up the grapevine? Do you have to floor it too? What engine size are you? Im a 2.7

 

Well now try turning O/D off and turning on ect that should make it easier

 

That could make your transmission run really hot, vs running with OD off.