The ECT button makes a difference in 'transmission hesitation' on my 2023 Tacoma. I use it for hilly drives and when there's a lot of stop 'n' go. Thanks for posting your explanation! Excellent!
Until you drive with ECT on regularly. Then the transmission “learns” when in ECT mode, and reverts back to the old stock lame mode.. even with ECT on. to fix the problem, you have to get an aftermarket program in the ECM. This will fix the problem without having to turn on ECT by changing shift points, adjusting the throttle response of the accelerator pedal.
Just hauled 1500 lbs of tile plus my 190 lbs in my 2023 Trd Off Road. No ECT on and hauled like a champ. The Taco hauls it better than my previous truck - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500.
Today I had to slam the brakes, my phone was sitting on the arm rest and flew all the way up and hit the ECT... The moment I hit the gas I was like woah what's going on
@@EndangeredMooseknuckle I have a 21 SR5. I wish it were 4x4, but I'm also a child and I would destroy the thing if it had those capabilities. I haven't gotten it stuck since I'm too scared to, I'm not the name on the truck, so I would never want to damage it just in case. It is a very QUICK truck, not fast necessarily, but it goes when you tell it to. I've noticed that it is a little less responsive than most vehicles I've driven in the past, but that just requires you to play around the lag, sort of thinking ahead. The ECT PWR will absolutely change the responsiveness or the feeling of said lag, at least in my opinion. I also do not tow, so keep in mind that I haven't used it under a payload. Hope that you don't mind me answering for someone else, lol.
I drive long distances to my job every day. When I tell you the ETC has gotten me out of sticky merging ramps, and dodgy passes on busy roads, it truly does. But in situations where the throttle has to be instant, I can feel the transmission shift through slowly to what I need, and in emergency situations such as dodging an idiot, it definitely does take a moment to respond. It's not responsive enough for sudden emergency maneuvers -obviously not the design- but is great for matching speed on ramps and pulling away from the idiots of modern traffic
ECT buttons have been out on Toyota's since the mid 80's. It simply changes the behavior of the transmission. It raises the rpm between shift points which allows you to take advantage of the extra torque you get at the higher rpm.
The manual for my 2017 Taco said to use it when towing, which I did. It was also useful in situations where a little extra oomph was nice such as accelerating to enter a highway. My only complaint with it was the rather stupid location of the button.
I'd like to add a complaint to your complaint. When you turn it on, it doesn't light up green like everything else in that area. It shows up on the dash instead. Literally bugs the shit out of me 🤦♂️😂
I use ECT every time I tow my enclosed 6x12 trailer. AT V6 RWD and runs smooth on the road. Just learn how to work with the gears while you accelerate and let go of the gas pedal to keep the RPMs at 1800-2000 Get to know your Tacoma and you won’t have any issues with “hunting” for gears.
"Get to know your Tacoma" is great advice. If you jockey the cruise control at the right time in the hills, you won't have the hunting problem. :) Much easier than getting worked up about it. 😁
@@Yurimaster He's probably responding in that way because of the narcissistic tone of your comment. Some of us don't want a manual in our DD, it's a pain in the ass and becomes annoying on long hot commute days.
What about 0-60 timed? Tacoma’s have a horrible payload capacity. if i put a few hundred pounds in my bed it affects the quality of the ride. This video could have made in a minute. Why do youtubers always feel it necessary to drag a video out for much longer than needed. HOWEVER I think it’s a great video with quality information. Good job actually show us literally what it does. I have a 2014 trd sport i bought new and 2023 trd off-road i bought new. Up until now i have confused that button with the button that powers 120 watt plug in the vex of the truck. I can’t believe i didn’t know this since i am all about the taco. 10 years it took me to figure this out thanks to this guy. Thanks for making this video my guy.
Yes you are correct, I only use the ECT when I tow my car total weight around 5700# trailer & car combined and I stay only in 4th gear unless it’s just a straight road than I will up shift to 5th gear and I’m getting 15 mpg when loaded & 24 mpg on the highway when empty can’t say enough good things about this truck I love it , definitely my favorite truck that I have owned in 27 years
I had an '03 Tacoma 4wd regular cab with automatic transmission and it had the ECT button. The truck had the 2.7 engine and the truck felt pretty sluggish in normal mode. Turn on the ECT, and the truck felt like a V6! It definitely made the trans shift at a more optimal time. I just kept it on after I saw the difference it made. Loved that little truck.
My salesman explained this , luckily. I've always kinda wondered if there was more to it, but turns out, not really. I've used it for towing a trailer and for getting up to speed quickly like when getting onto the highway or passing someone on a back road
One big difference with the tow haul in the ram 1500 is that with the v8 when you turn tow mode on it prevents the truck from going into eco mode dropping 2 of the cylinders when at cruising speed
that is true with the truck that don't have the 8 speed zf trans. if you have the 8 speed your truck will still go into eco mode with tow haul mode on.
Everyone I've seen testing this does it on flat roads. I drive on large rolling hills everyday and I get smoother driving and better gas mileage with ECT power on. With it off, the car goes into overdrive too much and burns more gas and makes the ride more jumpy. Plus the extra torque makes the truck coast longer
It definitely feels like the truck is more responsive in general when I press that ECT button. It definitely feels like they might've made that button alter the throttle in some way. Whenever I let somebody drive my truck I press that button. IMO it makes the truck feel more like a normal car.
That's correct. If for example you press the pedal down 25% you get 25% power. But when you hit that button at 25% pedal down, now the butterfly opens to 35% giving you more power from the same pedal press. It is not transmission related. We know this because you can be moderately accelerating and hit the ect button and feel more power long before you get near red line.
It causes the transmission to shift 500 rpm higher which is closer to or in the engine's power band. That's why it feels "more powerful" - the engine is operating in or much closer to the engines power band.
ECT doesn’t give you more HP. It just changes your throttle response. Instead of having to press 3/4 throttle to get the vehicle up and going, you only need 1/4 throttle. I ran ECT for an entire tank of gas and lost 40 miles.
It affects Trans shift points. But it also acts as a locker for the rear axle by negating the limited slip drive of power going to right rear only and goes to both rear wheels. A simple test in sand or mud will show you with ect off right rear will spin. Ect on Right and left will spin.
I wonder if this is....or is like.....having a different shift plate put in your tranny. What I had in San Francisco for the hills. Chevy always wanted to shift at exactly the wrong point for the hills there.
I call it the extra power button and use it on the mountain roads/hills, feels like the transmission doesn't hesitate as much and stays in lower gear instead of swapping constantly. lets see what the pro says!
I tow often near or even over the tow max capacity lol. I live in Texas with hills and without the button on I noticed it'll switch gears often probably because it's trying to save gas but with the button on it makes towing alot more livable by not jumping up a gear then slowing down then shifting again.
Yeah I live in the hill country and we go get 1500# of feed every two weeks. But mine is bagged as well so that helps but the rear end does have a squat.
With the 3rd Gen 4 cylinder Tacoma, pressing ECT button seemed to climb better up Highway 58, from Mojave to Tehachapi. Also seemed to get up to freeway speeds better in winter, with a cold transmission, from a stop.
On my 98' 4Runner, I call that my ECsTra (rhymes with Extra) power button... makes it climb the mountians like a champ... not really, actually, it really just helps it make it up the hills without falling so far below the speed limit that I get run over, but hey, we're still rolling.
Gee my 1990 had it 33 years ago, good for heavy tow take offs and long hill climbs to keep it from lugging? No wait it’s a power boost mode, no I got it eco mode. 3 4Runners and 1.27 million miles later still does the same thing, still a great feature. My 2020 Rav4 is normal/Eco mode. Great explanation…
In my 3rd Gen Tacoma 4cyl the ECT will make the throttle more sensitive and it will shift more frequently and with less hesitation to keep the truck closer to the power band. It is better when I am offroad for sure.
The ECT function can dampen that annoying transmission/torque converter vibration that the Tacoma has…mine had it from new, ECT helps and so does a tube of lubegard in the transmission fluid.
I know almost nothing about cars but I still can't help myself snickering when someone swears by something feeling faster that absolutely really isn't 😂
I have a 2020 sr5 with towing package and you won't notice a difference until you have a load pulling a trailer with a sizeable load on it.i have a16 ft.trailer hauling 5 round rolls of hay with totaling trailer 4200 lbs.defenitly makes a difference
My 2022 Tacoma SR5 (2WD) has 10k+ miles and I always use ECT PWR, 100% of the time. It just changes the shift points, and stops gear-hunting. BTW, I get 19/24 gas mileage.
I drove a 2005 trd sport tacoma with the trd supercharger up until I sold it and got the 2021 sport 4x4. **Sigh** 3 years later and I still miss that power… personally the only way I enjoy driving the 3rd gen is with a throttle commander, ect on, and using the “manual” shifting feature to really wind out those rpm’s. Even all that, still doesn’t compare to that 4 liter v6 supercharged.
I bought my wife a brand new 21 off-road long bed Tacoma back in April of 22 and I really regret it. Drove that POS for the 1st time last week from NC to Texas then back to NC for our vacation. All it did was gear hunt. I asked my wife how the hell can she like that and her response was, "I'm used to it". I'm a die hard Toyota fan boy and this is the 9th Toyota I buy brand new. But this is just a disappointment. I'm glad my 21 tundra TRD Pro doesn't have that problem.
Its amazing how many Bro's dont know how to work a transmission. Push the damn ECT if u dont want it gear hunting, or lock out 5th or 6th with the S mode. Every high hp/torque 1/2 ton truck Iv driven with 8 or 10speed trans kicked down gears in NC, TN and GA mnts or in TX head winds.
I have a 2020 Tacoma off road it definitely has a acceleration boost especially when your not towing or at max load weight. I’ll throw in the extra on the highway or even on a two lane road when passing allowed just for the exta boost ito blow by the granny in front of me haha
so it totally agree with this. I currently have a new power wagon but sold my 2020 tacoma trd off road. the problem i had with this truck is in normal driving mode it would just hunt for the most efficient gear and the wrong time. if i put this in ect mode, it drove like i would have wanted it to drive all the time....maybe they need to replace normal driving mode with ect and then come out with a ect+ mode :-)
Ya your right about the Tacoma up shifting quick at the wrong time to get better MPG’s , what I’ve learned to do with mine is I accelerate a little hard to get it up to the speed I want and just cruise, the more I’m into the throttle the less up shifting happens best way I can explain it .
I think if you didn't go full throttle you'd have seen a difference. The transmission controller sees you have the car floored so it's gonna give it everything it has. But when you go around driving partial throttle if it delays the shift points it's certainly going to move along more swiftly. It's not enabled full time because it would def terrible things to the already miserable fuel efficiency of our trucks.
I just drove my 2023 home 600 miles with an empty trailer and got horrendous gas mileage with the transmission constantly hunting and almost never getting into the 6th gear. I’m hoping it will do better empty. 😂
ECT only gives you more power in 2nd and 3rd gear. I got the KD Max tune that gives it more power through all 6 gears and let me tell you, the ECT button is now a nitrous button.
Dude , the ECT button is the same thing as Tow/Haul mode on Chevy and GM trucks. It provides torque on the lower gears longer to get you and your trailer on the highway , and it doesn’t let the transmission shift in to the highest gear at highway speed. This results in more towing power. Using it when you’re not towing anything is pretty stupid.
It's just a tow haul button. It only changes the RPM's it will stay at without downshifting. It tells the computer hey, normally we'd shift into 4th here but lets stay in 3rd 1200 rpm extra and just stay there because I think we need more power than normal due to having more weight, otherwise I'll just have to downshift again real soon.
Great video! The ECT makes way more sense now. So... does the manual sport mode do similar? I've heard it should shift later but like you did, when I put my foot down it feels the same to me. Thanks bro!
ECT Power button just changes the shift points of the transmission. Hence the higher rpm. It’s the same as the “Tow haul” mode in the tundra. Does nothing else besides that.
I believe ECT is more comparable to a sport mode not tow/haul & remember something about Toyota not recommending when towing…. But I could be wrong haha.
Tow/haul and sports mode are basically identical in functionality, the idea in both is better throttle response. The Big difference (with some manufacturers not all) is when you let off the throttle completely in tow it will down shift more aggressively to maximize engine breaking, both will down shift when you break, while sport mode (depending on manufacturer) letting off the throttle will up shift so you can maintain your current speed. Both will down shift aggressively when throttle input is detected to maximize acceleration. However as shown in the video when you mat the throttle modern cars go into a semi sports mode shift pattern you just don't get the engine breaking when slowing down.
Why would they hold back power in a vehicle that isn’t really known for power and make you push a button for it lol. It would make a lot more sense to have a button to maximize the thing its designed to do but isn’t always being done.
@@paleface8 I drive a semi otr lol. And the original comment was that they thought Ect isn’t a tow mode so your response to my response has nothing to do with my comment. Once again why would Toyota lock non towing performance behind a switch when it is already rather sluggish unless they only want grandpas to buy their truck?
Have to ask. I didn't see or hear this, sorry if it was there. Can you, do you, switch to ETC while moving. 20/50/60 mph? Or is it ok to move back and forth with it? I live in the mountains in Montana but also get on the highways and interstate here. And lots of moron drivers to deal with needing to pass. Thanks guys.
It’s like me, changing the corolla gears with 123 to get to higher rpm’s and more power, but the car is doing it for you, and you don’t have to change them yourself, still
I mean sort of. If the gear ratio changed your rpms would go up way faster. But i get what youe saying! Its more like there is just more throttle input.
Doesnt make sense I have a Manual transmission Tacoma. Explain how like you said the e. CT button adjust gear/ shifting in the transmission. If I'm responsible for shifting my gears how is that possible?
With the ECT on, the Tacoma drives like it should be. Without it, it’s always in limp mode unless you hammer the gas pedal, imagine if you’re driving a manual transmission and you immediately shift to 5th or 6th gear while going 10-15 mph. That’s how the Tacoma feels like with the ECT off.
The ECT button makes a difference in 'transmission hesitation' on my 2023 Tacoma. I use it for hilly drives and when there's a lot of stop 'n' go. Thanks for posting your explanation! Excellent!
The ECT ON definitely makes the truck feel totally different and much more responsive!
Just like hitting the Tow/Haul button in my Tundra
I agree just figured out what it did today after accidentally turning it on. I was wondering why a light tap felt so much more aggressive than normal.
Until you drive with ECT on regularly. Then the transmission “learns” when in ECT mode, and reverts back to the old stock lame mode..
even with ECT on. to fix the problem, you have to get an aftermarket program in the ECM. This will fix the problem without having to turn on ECT by changing shift points, adjusting the throttle response of the accelerator pedal.
Just hauled 1500 lbs of tile plus my 190 lbs in my 2023 Trd Off Road. No ECT on and hauled like a champ. The Taco hauls it better than my previous truck - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500.
You were smart to drop that GMC for a Tacoma! I've owned two of them and never regretted the decision!
I tried the ECT for the first time today. Wow! It is crazy how different the truck feels.
Today I had to slam the brakes, my phone was sitting on the arm rest and flew all the way up and hit the ECT... The moment I hit the gas I was like woah what's going on
Good explanation except for one mistake, ECT stands for Extra Cheese Taco 🌮
I like this better 😂
Great one
I thought it was extra cheesy taco 🤷🏾♂️
Lit
I did not know that😮
Just got a 22 sr5. You explained this better than the dealership. Hats off to you!
THANK YOU!😊 Yes, you’ve explained this better than anyone I had previously asked.
How you liking it?
@@EndangeredMooseknuckle
I have a 21 SR5. I wish it were 4x4, but I'm also a child and I would destroy the thing if it had those capabilities. I haven't gotten it stuck since I'm too scared to, I'm not the name on the truck, so I would never want to damage it just in case.
It is a very QUICK truck, not fast necessarily, but it goes when you tell it to. I've noticed that it is a little less responsive than most vehicles I've driven in the past, but that just requires you to play around the lag, sort of thinking ahead. The ECT PWR will absolutely change the responsiveness or the feeling of said lag, at least in my opinion. I also do not tow, so keep in mind that I haven't used it under a payload.
Hope that you don't mind me answering for someone else, lol.
I drive long distances to my job every day. When I tell you the ETC has gotten me out of sticky merging ramps, and dodgy passes on busy roads, it truly does. But in situations where the throttle has to be instant, I can feel the transmission shift through slowly to what I need, and in emergency situations such as dodging an idiot, it definitely does take a moment to respond. It's not responsive enough for sudden emergency maneuvers -obviously not the design- but is great for matching speed on ramps and pulling away from the idiots of modern traffic
That was a real life comparison, thank you for explaining the ECT function and actually showing the difference on the tach.
ECT buttons have been out on Toyota's since the mid 80's. It simply changes the behavior of the transmission. It raises the rpm between shift points which allows you to take advantage of the extra torque you get at the higher rpm.
The manual for my 2017 Taco said to use it when towing, which I did. It was also useful in situations where a little extra oomph was nice such as accelerating to enter a highway. My only complaint with it was the rather stupid location of the button.
I'd like to add a complaint to your complaint. When you turn it on, it doesn't light up green like everything else in that area. It shows up on the dash instead. Literally bugs the shit out of me 🤦♂️😂
I use ECT every time I tow my enclosed 6x12 trailer. AT V6 RWD and runs smooth on the road. Just learn how to work with the gears while you accelerate and let go of the gas pedal to keep the RPMs at 1800-2000 Get to know your Tacoma and you won’t have any issues with “hunting” for gears.
"Get to know your Tacoma" is great advice. If you jockey the cruise control at the right time in the hills, you won't have the hunting problem. :) Much easier than getting worked up about it. 😁
Yep, it took me a minute to figure out why it was hunting for gears.
I'm glad I never have to worry about this feature when I can leave it in 1st or 2nd gear since mine is 6 speed manual 😉
Good luck replacing that clutch bearing every 30k
@@skunkycatog I wonder what have you done to cause the clutch bearing to fail, the reason for this comment?
@@Yurimaster He's probably responding in that way because of the narcissistic tone of your comment. Some of us don't want a manual in our DD, it's a pain in the ass and becomes annoying on long hot commute days.
YOU are the ECT button!😎
Mine lasted 100,000 and i was slipping from pulling trucks out of mud@skunkycatog
What about 0-60 timed?
Tacoma’s have a horrible payload capacity. if i put a few hundred pounds in my bed it affects the quality of the ride.
This video could have made in a minute. Why do youtubers always feel it necessary to drag a video out for much longer than needed.
HOWEVER I think it’s a great video with quality information. Good job actually show us literally what it does.
I have a 2014 trd sport i bought new and 2023 trd off-road i bought new. Up until now i have confused that button with the button that powers 120 watt plug in the vex of the truck. I can’t believe i didn’t know this since i am all about the taco. 10 years it took me to figure this out thanks to this guy.
Thanks for making this video my guy.
ECT, simply put, will keep the converter locked up in whatever gear you leave it in, and let you keep the RPM higher between gears.
I’m glad I looked this up. Picked up mine yesterday and the salesmen told me it was the traction control button…
solves the gear hunting issue. i also call it traffic mode, slows down faster so i am not using the breaks constantly.
I hauled 2 scoops of mulch recently. Handled it great. V6, 2wd long bed here
Yes you are correct, I only use the ECT when I tow my car total weight around 5700# trailer & car combined and I stay only in 4th gear unless it’s just a straight road than I will up shift to 5th gear and I’m getting 15 mpg when loaded & 24 mpg on the highway when empty can’t say enough good things about this truck I love it , definitely my favorite truck that I have owned in 27 years
I had an '03 Tacoma 4wd regular cab with automatic transmission and it had the ECT button. The truck had the 2.7 engine and the truck felt pretty sluggish in normal mode. Turn on the ECT, and the truck felt like a V6! It definitely made the trans shift at a more optimal time. I just kept it on after I saw the difference it made. Loved that little truck.
Does it affect gas mileage if you leave it on all the time?
My salesman explained this , luckily. I've always kinda wondered if there was more to it, but turns out, not really. I've used it for towing a trailer and for getting up to speed quickly like when getting onto the highway or passing someone on a back road
One big difference with the tow haul in the ram 1500 is that with the v8 when you turn tow mode on it prevents the truck from going into eco mode dropping 2 of the cylinders when at cruising speed
that is true with the truck that don't have the 8 speed zf trans. if you have the 8 speed your truck will still go into eco mode with tow haul mode on.
@@TheGettyAdventures 🤡
@@TheGettyAdventuresno it doesn’t buddy 🤡
I use the RCT button during bad rain storms. It keeps me from sliding . Also use it when backing up a trailer in my yard. We have a little hill.
😭😭😭😭
Everyone I've seen testing this does it on flat roads. I drive on large rolling hills everyday and I get smoother driving and better gas mileage with ECT power on. With it off, the car goes into overdrive too much and burns more gas and makes the ride more jumpy. Plus the extra torque makes the truck coast longer
You use yours on the highway too?
love the schoolbus wallpaper in background... it pops... looks so real.
You’ll be towing at 3000 rpm or more if on the highway with a camper. Maybe 12 mpg about 200 mile range.
I have the 6 speed manual transmission, and now I know why my truck is missing this button.
It definitely feels like the truck is more responsive in general when I press that ECT button. It definitely feels like they might've made that button alter the throttle in some way. Whenever I let somebody drive my truck I press that button. IMO it makes the truck feel more like a normal car.
That's correct. If for example you press the pedal down 25% you get 25% power. But when you hit that button at 25% pedal down, now the butterfly opens to 35% giving you more power from the same pedal press. It is not transmission related. We know this because you can be moderately accelerating and hit the ect button and feel more power long before you get near red line.
It causes the transmission to shift 500 rpm higher which is closer to or in the engine's power band. That's why it feels "more powerful" - the engine is operating in or much closer to the engines power band.
@@garyking1705 i assume that means less gas mileage if you use it all the time?
@@lucascoxe1481 Not necessarily but certainly a distinct possibility. How's that for vague?
@@garyking1705 lmao its cool I understand
ECT doesn’t give you more HP. It just changes your throttle response. Instead of having to press 3/4 throttle to get the vehicle up and going, you only need 1/4 throttle. I ran ECT for an entire tank of gas and lost 40 miles.
I feel a bit of a difference when I floor it at speed rather than from a dead stop.
It affects Trans shift points.
But it also acts as a locker for the rear axle by negating the limited slip drive of power going to right rear only and goes to both rear wheels.
A simple test in sand or mud will show you with ect off right rear will spin.
Ect on
Right and left will spin.
I heard it kills a puppy in Norway every time you push it
I heard Kittens in Kalamazoo !
New owner of a 23 OR, this was really informative thank you. I found it amusing that you kept mixing up ECT with ETC or ESC throughout the video.
Grest explanation! Keep up with such good content
It simply changes the shift points in the transmission. Like he said its a tow/haul button found in many vehicles.
well said sir!
I wonder if this is....or is like.....having a different shift plate put in your tranny. What I had in San Francisco for the hills. Chevy always wanted to shift at exactly the wrong point for the hills there.
2:30 you were correct the first time. Increasing RPM’s at each shift point increases the engine’s power output, not the torque.
I call it the extra power button and use it on the mountain roads/hills, feels like the transmission doesn't hesitate as much and stays in lower gear instead of swapping constantly. lets see what the pro says!
I tow often near or even over the tow max capacity lol. I live in Texas with hills and without the button on I noticed it'll switch gears often probably because it's trying to save gas but with the button on it makes towing alot more livable by not jumping up a gear then slowing down then shifting again.
Yeah I live in the hill country and we go get 1500# of feed every two weeks. But mine is bagged as well so that helps but the rear end does have a squat.
With the 3rd Gen 4 cylinder Tacoma, pressing ECT button seemed to climb better up Highway 58, from Mojave to Tehachapi. Also seemed to get up to freeway speeds better in winter, with a cold transmission, from a stop.
I use the ECT button and the banks pedal monster and my trucks hauls ass up off Ramps and passing on highway higher speeds!
It's aboot time that you talked aboot this.
Same as tow haul mode in other trucks...no explanation needed.
On my 98' 4Runner, I call that my ECsTra (rhymes with Extra) power button... makes it climb the mountians like a champ... not really, actually, it really just helps it make it up the hills without falling so far below the speed limit that I get run over, but hey, we're still rolling.
It helps use less pressure on the accelerator pedal. Wish there was an option to keep it on constantly though.
Gee my 1990 had it 33 years ago, good for heavy tow take offs and long hill climbs to keep it from lugging? No wait it’s a power boost mode, no I got it eco mode. 3 4Runners and 1.27 million miles later still does the same thing, still a great feature. My 2020 Rav4 is normal/Eco mode. Great explanation…
The amount of different ways he said “ect” 😂 fantastic
Excellent video finally a good explanation of the ECT, the owners manual doesn’t do it.
Nice man, hey what tires size brand are this??
Takes the load nicely....
You know my mom?!
In my 3rd Gen Tacoma 4cyl the ECT will make the throttle more sensitive and it will shift more frequently and with less hesitation to keep the truck closer to the power band. It is better when I am offroad for sure.
The ECT function can dampen that annoying transmission/torque converter vibration that the Tacoma has…mine had it from new, ECT helps and so does a tube of lubegard in the transmission fluid.
I know almost nothing about cars but I still can't help myself snickering when someone swears by something feeling faster that absolutely really isn't 😂
I have a 2020 sr5 with towing package and you won't notice a difference until you have a load pulling a trailer with a sizeable load on it.i have a16 ft.trailer hauling 5 round rolls of hay with totaling trailer 4200 lbs.defenitly makes a difference
They should put the button back on side of shifter
My 2022 Tacoma SR5 (2WD) has 10k+ miles and I always use ECT PWR, 100% of the time. It just changes the shift points, and stops gear-hunting. BTW, I get 19/24 gas mileage.
Our Toyota Highlander has the same feature, but its just called the "power" setting. It just makes the transmission shift at higher engine rpm's.
nice, so basically the exact same thing. great for towing
My ECT button just got me a raise and opened a can of tomato sauce when I turned it on. Pretty good day so far.
I drove a 2005 trd sport tacoma with the trd supercharger up until I sold it and got the 2021 sport 4x4. **Sigh** 3 years later and I still miss that power… personally the only way I enjoy driving the 3rd gen is with a throttle commander, ect on, and using the “manual” shifting feature to really wind out those rpm’s. Even all that, still doesn’t compare to that 4 liter v6 supercharged.
6:27 I used to have a Toyota Hilux 2014 and loaded it with four barrels full of diesel which is heavier than water, Toyota trucks are the best!!
I bought my wife a brand new 21 off-road long bed Tacoma back in April of 22 and I really regret it. Drove that POS for the 1st time last week from NC to Texas then back to NC for our vacation. All it did was gear hunt. I asked my wife how the hell can she like that and her response was, "I'm used to it". I'm a die hard Toyota fan boy and this is the 9th Toyota I buy brand new. But this is just a disappointment. I'm glad my 21 tundra TRD Pro doesn't have that problem.
Its amazing how many Bro's dont know how to work a transmission. Push the damn ECT if u dont want it gear hunting, or lock out 5th or 6th with the S mode. Every high hp/torque 1/2 ton truck Iv driven with 8 or 10speed trans kicked down gears in NC, TN and GA mnts or in TX head winds.
Sold my wife’s 2020 4Runner for the same reason. Unbearable.
I have a 2020 Tacoma off road it definitely has a acceleration boost especially when your not towing or at max load weight. I’ll throw in the extra on the highway or even on a two lane road when passing allowed just for the exta boost ito blow by the granny in front of me haha
so it totally agree with this. I currently have a new power wagon but sold my 2020 tacoma trd off road. the problem i had with this truck is in normal driving mode it would just hunt for the most efficient gear and the wrong time. if i put this in ect mode, it drove like i would have wanted it to drive all the time....maybe they need to replace normal driving mode with ect and then come out with a ect+ mode :-)
I have a v6 sr5 and can confirm. You described it perfectly; that issue is apparent in this model as well. Also mine's a 2021.
Ya your right about the Tacoma up shifting quick at the wrong time to get better MPG’s , what I’ve learned to do with mine is I accelerate a little hard to get it up to the speed I want and just cruise, the more I’m into the throttle the less up shifting happens best way I can explain it .
I think if you didn't go full throttle you'd have seen a difference. The transmission controller sees you have the car floored so it's gonna give it everything it has. But when you go around driving partial throttle if it delays the shift points it's certainly going to move along more swiftly. It's not enabled full time because it would def terrible things to the already miserable fuel efficiency of our trucks.
3rd gen Tacoma with the 3.5 is like a Prius compared to a 1st gen Tacoma with a 3.4 fuel economy
@@ripperlipper1016haha that bad ehh?
Hey Getty should i just I daily drive my Tacamo in ECT mode. Electrical contractor asking? Great video.
Thanks for this. I have a 21 TRD Sport 4x4. Never messed with the button. I’ve hauled some bulk I stuff with it but never anything very heavy.
Thanks for the video. Can you use with a Pedal Commander ?
There is an aftermarket device on E bay that keeps it always ECT always ON. It is only $30.
I just drove my 2023 home 600 miles with an empty trailer and got horrendous gas mileage with the transmission constantly hunting and almost never getting into the 6th gear. I’m hoping it will do better empty. 😂
ECT only gives you more power in 2nd and 3rd gear. I got the KD Max tune that gives it more power through all 6 gears and let me tell you, the ECT button is now a nitrous button.
That's nice but what if your 2019 is a 6 spd manual ?
This Layman says
Thank U 🙏
“This thing actually takes the load nicely”
Ha! 😂
Dude , the ECT button is the same thing as Tow/Haul mode on Chevy and GM trucks. It provides torque on the lower gears longer to get you and your trailer on the highway , and it doesn’t let the transmission shift in to the highest gear at highway speed. This results in more towing power. Using it when you’re not towing anything is pretty stupid.
Landcruiser auto goes back forth between 4th and 5th gear on this one steep hill. Hoping this power button might help keep it one gear
Very well done, Grey explanation, so does it matter if the vehicle is in drive or overdrive when it’s under load/towing?
I always used it to "engine break" when going down hills.
It's just a tow haul button. It only changes the RPM's it will stay at without downshifting. It tells the computer hey, normally we'd shift into 4th here but lets stay in 3rd 1200 rpm extra and just stay there because I think we need more power than normal due to having more weight, otherwise I'll just have to downshift again real soon.
Great video! The ECT makes way more sense now. So... does the manual sport mode do similar? I've heard it should shift later but like you did, when I put my foot down it feels the same to me. Thanks bro!
Under normal driving conditions, should you turn it on or off?
can you actually use this button when loading a camper in the bed?I mean can you keep it this way all the time when the camper is on?
I put ECT on when driving in metro areas so the truck responds to traffic demands much better.
How do the transmission adjustments with ETC effect the Atkinson cycle of the engine?
I’m a little confused because I have a manual transmission and I also have an ECT button too. What’s it’s purpose with a manual??…
I use button daily. Everything you said plus it wont allow the truck the shift into 6th gear.
It’s for when you need to turn left but got in the wrong lane 😂
ECT Power button just changes the shift points of the transmission. Hence the higher rpm. It’s the same as the “Tow haul” mode in the tundra. Does nothing else besides that.
It advances the throttle also. More throttle/less pedal
So towing a boat I should use the ECT?
I believe ECT is more comparable to a sport mode not tow/haul & remember something about Toyota not recommending when towing…. But I could be wrong haha.
Tow/haul and sports mode are basically identical in functionality, the idea in both is better throttle response. The Big difference (with some manufacturers not all) is when you let off the throttle completely in tow it will down shift more aggressively to maximize engine breaking, both will down shift when you break, while sport mode (depending on manufacturer) letting off the throttle will up shift so you can maintain your current speed. Both will down shift aggressively when throttle input is detected to maximize acceleration. However as shown in the video when you mat the throttle modern cars go into a semi sports mode shift pattern you just don't get the engine breaking when slowing down.
My 2016 tacos owners manual says to put it in ECT when towing.
Why would they hold back power in a vehicle that isn’t really known for power and make you push a button for it lol. It would make a lot more sense to have a button to maximize the thing its designed to do but isn’t always being done.
@@joshmccarty8800 Have you ever hauled a trailer up a mountain ? You need the higher rpm’s so you next shift has good momentum.
@@paleface8 I drive a semi otr lol. And the original comment was that they thought Ect isn’t a tow mode so your response to my response has nothing to do with my comment. Once again why would Toyota lock non towing performance behind a switch when it is already rather sluggish unless they only want grandpas to buy their truck?
Great informative video.
I hit the ECT when racing them Civics on the Blvd 😂
Have to ask. I didn't see or hear this, sorry if it was there. Can you, do you, switch to ETC while moving. 20/50/60 mph? Or is it ok to move back and forth with it? I live in the mountains in Montana but also get on the highways and interstate here. And lots of moron drivers to deal with needing to pass. Thanks guys.
Thanks! Very good description...
thank you sir! appreciate it
It’s like me, changing the corolla gears with 123 to get to higher rpm’s and more power, but the car is doing it for you, and you don’t have to change them yourself, still
I mean sort of. If the gear ratio changed your rpms would go up way faster. But i get what youe saying! Its more like there is just more throttle input.
After watching and reading comments, I assume it's ok to leave it on all the time? Wouldn't it cause any issues down the road?
So ECT is like Baja mode!
This would have been good to know last time i drove 3600 miles at max weight lol
Doesnt make sense I have a Manual transmission Tacoma. Explain how like you said the e. CT button adjust gear/ shifting in the transmission. If I'm responsible for shifting my gears how is that possible?
I just the 22 with 3.5. I put lift on today and couldn't believe how small the oil pan was. It like 1 quart.
Its a smaller engine lol 😆
I have 2001 tacoma and the ect button does nothing, just they try to fill up spaces on your dashboard
Maybe it doesn't work that well because they were developing the technology back then?
With the ECT on, the Tacoma drives like it should be. Without it, it’s always in limp mode unless you hammer the gas pedal, imagine if you’re driving a manual transmission and you immediately shift to 5th or 6th gear while going 10-15 mph. That’s how the Tacoma feels like with the ECT off.
It is annoying. It is hilly where I live. I just use S-3 and S-4 when not on the highway.
ECT is for towing or performance. Off is for gas mileage. Read the owners manual.