KDMax-Pro Tuning--NOW YotaWerx Tuning

Yes that makes sense. I haven't used it with any weight on. Hopefully I can connect with Josh in the next couple of weeks and have him load the XT for me. Sounds like I'm going to love it. Thanks for the explanation.

 

Prior to upgrading to KDMAX-Pro custom shifting my Adaptive Cruise Control was almost not useable. It constantly was hunting for the right gear but could not find it. The upgraded tune has allowed me to finally use Adaptive Cruise Control. In addition, for what ever reason my mileage is the best it has ever been. I have logged every tank since the truck was new. This is not my first Tacoma and I have never been a fan of the poor fuel economy vs power output, however because of this tune my mileage has improved a solid average of 1.5 miles per gallon. Now to be honest, it was not like I was gonna get rid of the truck but it sure is nice to break into the 18 plus mpg range. I am finally very please with how my truck performs and it is because of the KDMAX tune. I guess it is time to try the XT version.

 

I have a 2020 Double Cab 4x4 OffRoad. Before the Pro+ (Sport) tune, the ACC SUCKED! Shifting was all over the place. And this is with a daily commute of 60miles total. Decided to get with @JAL (John) to have the Pro+ installed. He checked my ECU and found that it needed updating before he loaded the tune. Having said all that and not trying to contradict what the programmers have stated. BUT!!!!, the shifting did change when using the ACC. Whether it was the update or the tune. I really don't care. The truck is working and driving like a new truck. MPG's improved all around. This is my story and I am sticking to it.

 

Our neighbor surprised his younger brother with a tune for his 22 OR. Awesome to have the opportunity to tune a good friends truck and have good friends support the business! The test drive got a lot of smiles, even from the tuner

 

@PapaRee @TWTaco Took a little camping trip over the weekend and thought I’d post my unscientific real world data from a 500 mile round trip on KDMAX Pro + XT normal throttle.

Upfront I’m a KDMAX Pro tuner so there’s that. But I’m a tuned truck believer and expect a product to deliver on claims. And with that said KDMAX “does not claim MPG or Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) improvement”. But here’s my test to see if what I initially “felt” wasn’t a placebo effect because I want it to be true

My test trip consisted of a 287 miles one way North from Vancleave, MS to McCalla, AL (just south of Birmingham, AL.) And a one way reverse course heading South back to Vancleave, MS.

Truck, 2022 all stock Toyota Tacoma (3rd Gen) except RCI sliders (95#). Three adult men average weight 195#, loaded with approximately 300# additional camping gear and items for a 3 day archery camping event. Total extra weight not including driver was #690 pounds.

After tuning truck with the XT tune normal throttle I had tried ACC at home on I10 and it “seamed” to perform similar to standard cruise with the tune. Standard cruise to me had always followed tuning map scripts, ACC had its on way of thinking and continued to have the power downshifts that shot up to 3500 to 4000 RPM’s on slight to moderated grades. I live on the Gulf Coast so consider that when thing of our grades….pretty flat until turning North.

On the trip heading north I didn’t use the cruise much (both standard and ACC), but did try them and again both appeared to have same shifting characteristics (improved). Both downshifted to 4th on the more moderate grades and would hit 3000 RPM’s but no higher. Long sloping grades or inclines the RPMs stayed at 2000-2100 In the past this would be 3500.

On the trip North I did monitor my mileage but not hand calculated. I have checked my trucks information gauge readings to hand calculations and it is within .2 tenths of MPG if not closer. Finding a method to get exact amount of gas each time in tank can be tricky. I now stop fueling at first click and pump 1 gallon more to hand calculate.

Leaving from my house to go pick up buddies I started with a half a tank and was reading 21.4 and turning North maintained this the 40 miles to pick them up and there gear. Once on the road loaded headed North the MPG’s bleed off to 19.2 to 19.6 with both cruise set on 72 for maybe 50 miles at most before switching off and just driving. Without cruise my speed modulated between 72 to 80 +. When I’m talking I’m like a yo-yo on the pedal, lol. Arriving to Tannehill Ironworks State Park for the weekend I was reading 19.2

After running around the park and town over the weekend locating reliable internet for a customers tune it was at 18 by the time we left. There was considerable engine idling going on due to heat and seeking AC

Return trip heading South and down. We initially stop 35 miles from the park at Tuscaloosa, AL to eat and fuel up. From there to home I monitor gas mileage and cruise control behavior in equal mileage spans of approximately 120 on Standard and ACC. I seen or felt no difference in the two I had the same improved performance the tuned brought to the standard cruise.

I averaged 20.7 MPG with cruise set at 70-71 MPH over the course of the final 254 miles.

These trucks all seem to vary in shifting with some saying they have no issues ( definitely not the Majority) and mileage. On stock I would get 19.8 MPG at 70 anything above it dropped. I can safety say my mileage has improved. Slight but it is improved and appears that the newest tune has effected the ACC as well. Although Kreg and Dave the developers don’t know exactly what changed but think latest VF Tuner developer has improved it. Anyway it is a welcome change.

 

Thanks for coming out to Fredericksburg, VA for a KDMAX Pro tune with your 2018 Sport Katie! Enjoy the updates!!
(tuned 20220515 - lite throttle)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CedzO6COsYN/

 

So how does it compare with Pro +, in your opinion?

 

Otterstuff,

No, in my opinion much better. I came from KDMAX 6 and loved that tune! Now for me and my truck KDMAX Pro seemed to hang on to gears too long not bad but not to my liking. I even had Kreg tune me back to KDMAX 7 and I liked it better but still seemed to
Miss some of the lightness KDMAX 6 had, again to me YMMV.

After becoming a KDMAX Pro tuner I’ve tried most of the KDMAX Pro files and for me KDMAX Pro XT fits the bill!

The truck has that lightness back, easy on take off, easy to keep rolling, never feels like it struggling or under a load (haven’t towed). And the cruise is definitely usable now. So to me it’s a win, win!

 

I have the Pro + and like it, but just wonder how much different XT will be.

 

I'm on XT, light tip in.
I am NOT a guy who likes the gears to hold on too long.
This version is really nice. I don't feel it holds too long and easy to drive normal and smooth and the shifts are perfect. But get into the throttle and it will hold gears longer, but feels necessary to do so and shifts are on point. If you think XT normal holds too long, maybe try the light tip in version. Take offs feel good for me too.

Nice job on this version! I had previously went away from this tune (old version).

 

Well for me, after being on four variations of KDMAX, this is it until the next best thing comes along, . It was worth it to upgrade, “More “Smiles” per Miles!

 

I would say yes

 

Had a successful tune event while at Tannehill Ironworks State Park McCalla, AL over the weekend.

Chris came by and got KDMAX Pro XT tuned.

Followed up today….


“Chris,

Checking in with you to see how the truck running with the tune?

Any issues? Any improvement?

I tested Standard and Adaptive Cruise Control on way home and both did well. The ACC has actually improved and is useable now. I averaged 20.7 over the last 255 miles after fuel up. That at 70 MPH.

I posted test results to my FB page @jnjcompletetuning

If your happy please give me a review and a photo of your nice truck, thanks!”

Chris response:

“I drive the same route back and forth to work every week, so I knew this morning's commute was going to be the real comparison. In all of the places where it would constantly search for gears and struggle getting up to speed, all of that was gone! No more lead sled, no more herky-jerky shifting or transmission hesitation, and it got up to speed with very little effort on the pedal. Needless to say, this was a MUCH better and smoother ride to work this morning. I am much happier with the way it drives now. Being back is kind of a slog right now (this is our busy season). So it might take a couple of days but I'm definitely going to send a pic and leave you a review.”

Contact me to get scheduled for a KDMAX Pro XT tune. More “Smiles” per Miles!

 

I don't see why people like the adaptive cruise control. I don't care for it braking when I make a pass. And cruise control seems to hurt my gas mileage as it causes more downshifts. It is probably better in flatter terrain.

 

1st tank with KDmax pro + XT and got 20.8 mpg.(hand calculation NOT by the computer) So no better or worse than stock BUT it drives so much better. I think I can get close to 21.5 or better if it was just HYW miles.

 

ACC on Long daily commute = much less work/stress

 

I'm curious if anyone can explain the "learning" that supposedly happens and how it affects the tune.

For example, I had the previous KDMax (6 or 7 not sure) and I don't recall any real issues initially, but lately I noticed it not downshifting on hills when I would give it a bit of gas. Had to be much more aggressive to get it to downshift.

I'm wondering if it somehow "learned" that I like to hold a higher gear longer. That isn't really true but I probably drive more conservatively most of the time to get better MPG. However, when going up a hill I like to give it a little nudge so it will hold the speed and if it needs to downshift or unlock the torque converter or whatever then I want it to do that and not start to lug and lose more speed.

The reason I ask is because I'm really liking how XT is driving. On little hills I give it just a bit of gas and it does whatever it needs to to maintain speed and I'm not having to gun it and end up accelerating hard when I really just want to maintain speed.

So does the "learning" end up modifying the shift map of the tune and/or other parameters? Or if not, what is it doing? Thanks.

 

I duno, long road trips with straight driving with no hills works great. I set up behind a rig and cruse along at 110km/h while listening to tunes and enjoying a coffee.

 

l

There are 17 tables for optimal torque shifting tables. Minus a few for 4x4 modes and you left with a dozen of those tables for D mode.
S Mode only have a single table.
The whole "learning" thing is a bs. If you go back to 1.3-1.4 version of OV, the learning supposed to be "disabled".
All KDMAX versions downshifted from 6 to 5 at 28% of accelerator for me. It was consistent for over a year.XT is doing it early now.

 

I too do not see the tune change or “learn” back to any bad behaviors. If anything, it seems to be better the longer I have the same tune on my truck.
I believe that the VFtuner software has altered the learning in a good way.