OTT tune vs. OEM

I’m considering the OTT tune for my ‘23 OR AT, and have done a fair amount of research regarding the pros while finding virtually no cons, which really begs the question…

If this tune (or any aftermarket tune for that matter), is so much better than OEM, then why is the OEM tune what it is? It can’t be a cost issue for Toyota, we’re just talking about computer code, right? There has to be some benefit to the way it’s tuned from the factory, I just don’t understand what it is.

 

Probably a “why fix something that’s not broken?” OEM tune has proved itself through sales numbers, previously performed R&D.

If they put a new tune in then more $$$ dedicated to R&D and then they are on the hook if something with the tune is messed up.

Not sure if the real answer… just thinking out loud.

 

Fuel consumption. Toyota does the factory tune to eck out every last 0.1 mpg on the EPA drive cycle to meet CAFE requirements.

The EPA drive cycle often doesn't match your actual drive cycle (for example, it never goes above 60 mph), so you may see no fuel economy hit.

 

IF something is messed up. That’s a big IF. That’s what I’m wondering, is this more of a gamble than it’s worth?

 

Most reports I’ve read say this tune improves fuel economy.

 

^On my 4Runner, the 5 tanks immediately before the OTT9 tune averaged 16.4 mpg, while the 5 tanks after the tune averaged 16.0 mpg, so it's 2% worse on my drive cycle (50 miles rush hour highway grind at mostly walking pace). This is with 87 octane.

 

Simply put, engineers programmed the Tacoma’s ECU to seek out the lowest functional rpm at all times. This is what causes the gear skipping/hunting that we experience. This was done to maximize fuel economy in order to appease the EPA gods. It doesn’t seem to hurt sales because people either learn to live with it or seek out tuning since it’s a relatively simple and affordable fix. Toyota hasn’t made any efforts to improve it because their numbers aren’t hurting.

In other words, it be what it be.

 

It's not that simple. Everybody drives their truck a little differently: I drive mountain roads at 8500ft where the naturally aspirated engines can struggle and has to work a little harder and I spend most of my time between 45-65 mph. Others spend 90% of their time driving a highway at 70. Others spend 90% of their time in the inner city driving at 35mph in stop and go. Some of us will gain fuel efficiency with a tune and some of us will lose it.

Toyota's engine tuning optimizes for the EPA drive test which is a very specific test designed to mirror typical driver behavior. But none of us are typical drivers, by definition, because that's just an average not a reality. OTT and others tune for you and for your drive style. That's why each tune has a variety of options and why different tunes can co-exist in the same ecosystem without there being an obviously dominant tune.

 

It has to do with epa emissions and the consumption of fossil fuels. Not to get political, and trust me I don't want to go there. The people we have elected, make the decisions for the masses. You ever hear, you can't make all the people happy at the same time?
Now for a bit of comedy.

 

Few days with KDmax 10.0 tune couldn’t be happier. It’s a new driving experience

 

Bro.BRO! Bro!. We don't live by mpg. It's smiles per gallon. Your truck looks the way you want it, bite the bullet on mpgs.
Unless you are completely stock off the factory floor. No reason to complain, if the truck makes you happy.

 

If you’re even considering this tune or any tune, then you’re not satisfied with the OEM tune. There’s only one way to find out .

 

I've had the OTT tune for about 2 months now. I'm still very happy with it.

 

I bought my truck in Nov and I only have 5000 miles on it, I don’t drive much. But, my biggest complaint is what feels like no power when hitting the throttle from a full stop. The gear hunting and whatever else people tend to complain about with the transmission doesn’t bother me much, but, I can’t stand how weak it feels off the line.

However, at the same time, I’m not willing to risk reliability or longevity of my truck for this issue, I plan to keep it a while and can learn to live with it if it’s the safest bet.

 

I agree. My only point in mentioning fuel economy is that most say the tune tends to improve it. My interest is in understanding the negatives.

 

thanks for the explanation.

 

This has been discussed a ton.

My bet is it’s just a financial decision by Toyota. Toyota spent a lot of time and $ getting each calibration ID through SEMA and CAFE (California). Once they’ve spent the $ there for each calibration ID to get certified, they are somewhat boxed in for the changes they can make without having to do costly recertifications. Toyota sells ~250,000 Tacomas every year and is leading mid-size truck sales. Why would they spend any of their $ to fix it when there is no return on that investment? It would only cost Toyota additional $ to pay their dealers to reflash trucks under warranty on top of spending the $ to recertify each calibration if needed. And there is an aftermarket satisfying customers, and they’ve moved onto the 4th Gen. It’s simply a business/financial decision by Toyota. If 3rd Gen sales were terrible and they were losing market share, it would have been fixed by Toyota.

 

I think you're spot on. I think it would be obvious to Toyota that these tunes exist by now. I haven't heard of one person that's been "turned down" for warranty work, based on a tune though. I think all of these tunes are working "within" Toyotas acceptable parameters without them having to recertify.

 

More people have been turned down for warranty work based on dirty engine bays than based on the truck being tuned.

 

I’ve got 87K and my extended warranty just ended. I’ve set an appointment to get an OTT tune job in a few weeks when the tune-guy is passing through town. My nephew got this on his 2021 a few months ago and brags about how much better the truck drives. He drives 20 miles each way to work with some hills and claims better shifts and a 1 mpg improvement so far around town.