Ever feel like your 2.7L is underpowered? Do you use the 'ECT Power' button?

I have a 2002 Tacoma PreRunner DoubleCab that I bought last July from a long-time friend. It currently has just over 270k miles on it and the engine runs great, doesn't use/burn any oil and gets tolerable, if not great, gas mileage.

The transmission also seems to be in great working condition (not a single hitch in the 17k miles that I've owned it). As rare as this may be, I have never owned a vehicle with an automatic transmission prior to the '02 Tacoma. I was 40 when I bought it last year, so I only drove manual transmissions for 25 years.

There is a button on the dash to the left of the steering wheel labeled 'ECT Power'. I understand the basics of what this button does- hold gears for longer and/or shift at higher engine speeds (rpm). I live in the North Georgia mountains and I find it VERY useful in most non-highway driving situations. If it is turned off, the transmission will shift quickly to higher gears and, as soon as I encounter a fairly steep grade, I lose speed and it doesn't downshift until the revs are low enough that the engine is starting to 'lug'. It's typical automatic transmission behavior, based on the ones I've driven before. I like how the 'ECT Power' mode downshifts sooner and holds the lower gear as long as I need it to maintain speed.

I wasn't shopping for a truck, but this was too good of a deal to pass up. I bought it last July for $3500 and it had a KBB Private Party Value of over $6k at the time (and still around $5600 now). But to be completely honest, I have always had quick vehicles (various Hondas, Acuras and Mazdas). The 2.7L/4-speed A/T feels a little weak under certain driving conditions, especially when climbing speed hills/mountains, passing on 2-lane highways (requires careful planning a long, clear stretch of highway). With more than 270k miles on it, I try to avoid pushing it very hard and don't like to rev it past 4000-4500rpm unless I have no other choice.

I wish I had the V6, but I've adapted to the 2.7L/4AT pretty well. With the ECT Power mode activated, it makes the truck feel that much more powerful and responsive.

Are there any negative side-effects in using the ECT Power mode? Does it stress the transmission any more than usual? From my limited mechanical knowledge of transmissions, I would assume that it generates more heat than the default/regular A/T mode. I'm also sure that it hurts fuel economy a bit, but it isn't exactly great anyway. I average anywhere from 14-17mpg per tank, largely depending on how much time I'm on the highway.

I'd be very interested to hear from other Tacoma owners with the 2.7L and automatic transmission. I'd also be interested to learn if any others with the 2.7L and 4AT use the 'ECT Power' feature (on model years that include it)...

 

I have the '02 Tacoma Ext.cab 4x4 w/ 2.7 ,A/T & have always used the ECT."Power" setting for average driving, traffic in town, hills, etc. I only use the regular mode for highway cruising as an " overdrive"

 

I also have a 2002 2.7L double cab. I always have my ECT button engaged. I would really agree with your opinion of how the truck drives.

I've taken the truck out to the smoky mountains several times. When I'm out there driving on the interstate, I just turn overdrive off. That way it doesn't hunt for gears and it keeps the automatic transmission running cooler.

 

I like the 2.7 with 4-speed auto. It drives fine for my needs. Decent power when the revs build, good enough torque for around town driving. It feels like driving a car in most aspects... the long wheelbase is the only thing that reminds me I'm driving a truck. One thing I really don't like is, when I floor it from a complete stop, the engine kind of bogs for a couple seconds before it gets going. But if I use lighter throttle (30-40%) from a stop, it moves better...? Weird.

About the ECT power button, my 2006 Tacoma does not have it but my buddy has a 97 4-Runner 2.7 with the ECT power button. He keeps the button on all the time, in my opinion it doesn't make much of a difference and I don't know why he bothers. Placebo I suspect, since he doesn't need to hold gears longer... we are pretty flat everywhere here in Sacramento CA. Also that 4Runner is a turd no matter what he does, but of course it is supremely reliable and a perfect vehicle for his family.

 

no ect button on a manual

 

I use the ECT on my 02 double cab pre runner every once in awhile or when I'm in the San Bernardino mtns

 

I have a 2016 2.7 , and was using the ECT around town, but where I really find it useful is on the hiway. I had been using the S shifter to get over hills, fight headwinds, pass, etc (constant battle). But the ECT does a better job, it spends very little time in 6th gear. Only above 65-70 on flat stretches will it drop to 6th. Also, the throttle response is much more sensitive with it on. Feels like a normal truck. I thought it was just me, but it says something about that in the manual. It does keep the revs up higher, and drops down a gear pretty quick on the hiway, but thats what it has to do to get anywhere.
Anyway, If you havent tried it on the hiway, I recommend it.

 

OP,
Try adjusting the kick down cable. If it hasn't been adjusted, the cable is probably stretched. It is the lower cable on the front of the throttle body.

I too drive with the ECT activated. The later, harder shifts are great and with a shift kit, feels cool hitting the gears, zero slush when shifting.

Good luck.

 

This may be a dumb question but I also have a 4cyl/2.7L/4speed AT, its a 2013 though, is the "ect. power" an optional feature or did they discontinue this?

 

its still there on 2016's...and thank goodness for it. The A/T is now a 6 speed, which helps and hurts

 

i think the person who bought my truck new specced it out this way, dont see many 2.7L trucks with 4 speed A/T

 

yeah, I thought it was 5 speed on those latter gen 2's..... or 4 with an O/D you could turn off?

 

not that i know of.

 

here's an interesting link to Tacoma history. Looks like the 4 speed ended about 2004, unless I just missed something

http://www.edmunds.com/toyota/tacoma/history/

 

nah...misread it.I did find an old ad for the 2013. Lists these trannys as options for 2013

• Transmissions:

• 5-speed manual w/OD

• 6-speed manual w/OD

• 4-speed automatic w/OD

• 5-speed automatic w/OD

 

as far as ive seen there isn't an o/d shutoff but i'll browse the owners manual tomorrow and report back. i've only had the truck for about a month so i may be missing something.

 

Hmm...

Surely that is an error.... 60-0 in 17 feet will turn the driver into a blob of goop on the windshield.

 

I'm guessing he hit a tree, and made it another 14 feet.


That would explain the rear end bouncing around.

 

I don't have an OD option or ECT! Am I missing something?

 

thought all gen 2 had ECT ?...unless you have a manual transmission