So why does Toyota sell the Tacoma with the ECU tune that it does?

Were you able to convince the dealership to do the ECU reflash for your MT or did you end up doing it yourself?

 

I'm the only person I know with a MT locally. I compared the auto OVtune to a test drive at the dealership. Since I didn't see the differences between those 2 being something I got too excited about, I figured the MT would not be much different to a MT with OVtune.

Not a perfect testing scenario, but it was the best I could come up with and not spend a few hundred.

I had to do my ECU update myself on the MT. I have techstream and the cable. I forget what the exact TSB was that I did, but I still have all the files from when I did it. I also did it for a couple of other people in Phoenix.

 

Yeah I have been having a bear of a time convincing the dealership to do it. They say they wont touch it without something actually happening but when they take it on a drive they say thats just how manuals are nice and clunky. No sure if many of them have ever driven manuals extensively. Its the way the TSB is written because it references the torque converter that obviously the MT doesn't have, but the TSB itself is about how the computer interprets and process throttle which is applicable.

 

Both TSBs that used to note the MT ECU IDs (TSB-0058-18 and TSB-0125-18) had the same CUW software that will update to 04B13 for 2016s and 2017s and 04A71 for 2018s. Just different symptoms noted in the TSB header.

 

The TSBs that I noted above have been revised to remove any mention of the MTs. The old versions are still linked in the MT Update thread. The new versions are on ntsha.gov.

At this point, your only hope is TSB-0013-19, but proving that symptom is gonna be a miracle. Also, I have not seen the CUWs that come with that TSB yet. Since it says 04A70 / 04A71, I would assume that it is no different than the earlier ones.

 

My M3 transmission is weird and clunky when you reset it.

Once it learns you... oh baby.

My first experience was my 07 750Li back in the day. That was a weird drive for a while.

 

The dealership did it for me. I presented the TSB and they did it.

 

I've never once had the erratic shifting or pedal lag or whatever else I've read that people have been complaining about. Maybe I'm lucky. I'm not sure. Now, I do feel like the truck is just a tad bit sluggish for my personal preference, but when I press the ECT power button, I no longer feel like the truck is sluggish anymore. So, I always make sure to press the ECT power button after starting the truck, and it drives, handles & shifts perfectly, minus the sluggishness.

 

fuck....someone was selling a used dongle OVTune kit.....I bought it....stupid TW making me spend money

 

same here, never had issues with any of it power/trans wise. always use ect as well.

 

Which sucks because if they do it based on volume of complaints the manual owners most likely don't make up enough of the population to gain consideration. Its too logical that if there wasn't and issue with the manuals then why take the time to rework the software?

 

Yep. I do believe complaints are based on population. If it weren't, issues on stuff like Supras or Taco Limiteds wouldn't get covered. There are a few MT specific TSBs out there, like the clutch pedal one.

I used the arguement that the software exists many times to maybe help folks, but it mostly fell on deaf ears at the dealers. If Toyota wanted to make everyone happy for their screw up, they'd drop these TSBs in during any service. It takes 10min on the outside to do it.

 

Yeah I just got my clutch redone on mine and its like butter now. They revised it in August with a whole new TSB number. The part I'm not sure on is if they didn't change anything then they are just putting the exact same parts in and it's going to happen again. I assume it would hold of long enough to happen after warranty is up then its the owners problem to pay for.

 

They said its because of liability. You could argue that there is even more liability in not doing it. I tried to tack it on to other service so it's more worth their while, but not dice. At this point I'm sure I have a sticky note in my service file telling them that I'm going to ask and to say no.

 

I don't necessarily think that most manufacturers think that way other than FCA. But yeah, the old TSB part was the same as the factory part. I think we have it on good authority that the new TSB parts are actually improved. My stuff is still golden, but I will have a hard decision to make in about 8,000mi.

It is good to hear that your shop did it right. That is not a common thing from what is posted around here.

 

That is most likely the case. When we had a cat, there was a highlighted, circled C on the vet chart that stood for caution. The thing was just mean and stupid.

More of a liability that the dealer could brick a $1,000+ part on their own dime. It is a very conservative view. Honestly though, the flash is easy.

 

As long as the engine lasts forever and I don’t have to keep fixing stupid junk I could care less. I drove Mercedes most of my life and and perfectly fine with how my tacoma drives. The older Mercedes had heavy throttles too, I kinda liked it. My 19 Camry shifts as soon as you even tap the peddle, the Tacoma is a little more conservative.

 

you should probably move...

 

If I'm ever in your parts, or you are ever out in the Phoenix area, I'd be happy to install it for you.

 

Yeah, probably right, but we've mostly learned not to talk to ppl in the sewers and avoid the red balloons

** Fun fact - My 3rd gen Tacoma is in that movie