TRD OR AC 4x4 hesitation when pulling out in traffic on full accelleration

Benn driving MT all my life and you are correct with the RPMs, still learning this truck and it's personality, I've had for 2 weeks now but loving it. $.02

 

Hey Outlier, just a bit of an observation update to help give some perspective.

I was towing a trailer (small 5x10 utility), but for safety reasons, I put the truck in ECT Power mode (never really used it before).
I've owned and towed with a 2006 SR (base) without Tow package, 2011 TRD Sport w/ Tow, 2011 Silverado 1500 w/ Tow, and this truck.

I pulled out in traffic, it did well, I had plenty of room so no quick accelerations needed, I always take my time with trailers. However, after dropping off the trailer, I forgot to take it out of ECT Power mode and I launched out of the driveway like a maniac on accident. After a moment of WTFing, I realized it was on.

Mine is a 2017, so maybe the TSB was programmed at the factory, but I can say with certainty that the ECT Power mode feels just like the Tow/Haul mode on my Silverado. Here's what I noticed:

Input lag decreased dramatically from the pedal.
1st Stays in gear much longer, so that when it shifts it can "start" 2nd at least higher than 2,000 RPMs or more.
It's more reluctant to shift quickly to the next gear to keep the engine in the power band longer.

Basically, if it helps, I did have to re-learn my driving style with the Silverado cause the "normal" mode is eco mode, and ECT Power mode is for enjoying the truck. There's a noticeable input lag while not in ECT mode, and it took me a year or better to get used to it with the Silverado. That said, I always hated it, but it was a function of the truck. I 100% felt that one day it would put me in a bind because I'd go to turn left out into traffic and it was hang me up for a good second or two, and it was scary.

I got to where before I made those maneuvers, to be certain of my truck's performance, I'd hit the tow mode and then it off after the maneuver. But honestly, over time, I just drove more conservatively and stopped using it after a while. This over the course of years changed my driving style, and probably explains why with a stock TRD OR with no air dam, 4x4, and AT tires I can average 20mpg, and have done as good as 24 on a mostly highway trip. It's not as fun to drive like that, but it's horribly efficient.

However, the ECT mode really wakes the truck up and I'll be using it when off road and when doing just what you asked about in your original post.

 

My 2006 4wd GMC Sierra 1500 with the 325 hp HO engine and automatic did this very thing. I looked in the factory service manual ( I buy one with each new vehicle) that the fuse for the ABS is the fuse that feeds the traction control unit. I removed the ABS fuse and if you floored the pedal from a dead stop the tires would spin until you ran out of tread.

Putting the transmission in tow/haul mode made little if any difference. I bought a Hypertech computer programmer and it solved the problem completely, while upping the gas mileage. 17+ mpg around town, 22-24 mpg highway.

My wife's Mercedes 300TE wagon (AWD) has an interesting way to prevent wheel spin. Mash the throttle and it starts off in second gear for two tire revolutions, then it drops into first gear and takes off like a bat out of hell. All from a 187 hp 186 cubic inch straight 6 moving a 3900 pound station wagon.

 

My 2.7L MT Taco does this. I think it's just a poorly programmed ECU tune.

 

Yes.

 

I’ve had my truck for 4 months now and now reading through many threads this one I can relate too. I’ve felt something like this but thought maybe it was just me . Definitely gonna have to get it checked out!

 

Your dealer will tell you its normal...