Ect Pwr

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Drinkin40s

Drinkin40s

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Mar 5, 2006
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New Hampster
I have spent the last two days driving with this button on. I noticed that the shifting is much better with the 285's. Are there any negatives? The manual states that you get better gas mileage without it on, but I have found it to drive much nicer with this shifting pattern.... any downsides besides potential gas? Thanks!
 
Peeling out? :grinpimp:
 
I think it raises the Shift RPM points if you floor it. So your engine will race to higher RPM's before shifting. I think this probably puts alot more stress on the engine myself. Since it is revving to almost redline before it shifts I'm sure it is putting more wear on the engine. Personally I only use it for passing situations.
 
I wouldnt use it too much!

It raises the shift point but doesnt necessarily mean it has to hit redline unless u put pedal to the metal and never let up.

However, as with any autobox, the more you use this the faster the internal clutch wears and sooner than later, you'll have a tranny that slips.
 
I really like the button since it really wakes it up, but I can see how potential problems can develop. I don't race it to redline and it seems to hit about 2-3k before it shifts. With the 285's using the ECT makes it like a totally different ride.... oh well - looks like I will push the button back in and save it for special occasions. Thank you all for your input!
 
Mine no-worky :frown:
 
Many Toyota's have had ECT control buttons for years. I wouldn't worry about it wearing your transmission faster. The shifts still happen the same was as before, and while it is conceiveable that additional wear occurs, it's a trivial amount. When it's on "Power" it does move the shift points up and it also modifies how the TC lockup occurs slightly.

In other words (in my opinion) the only downside to using the button is decreased fuel economy.
 
bdeakin said:
Many Toyota's have had ECT control buttons for years. I wouldn't worry about it wearing your transmission faster. The shifts still happen the same was as before, and while it is conceiveable that additional wear occurs, it's a trivial amount. When it's on "Power" it does move the shift points up and it also modifies how the TC lockup occurs slightly.

In other words (in my opinion) the only downside to using the button is decreased fuel economy.
Click to expand...

I agree.

Toyota has had this button for decades in other cars.

Decreased gas mileage is about all you will see. Before the huge gas prices and before having the LC (read that as 13mpg!!! WHAT) I always had this button pushed in my other Toyota's. They were still the usual Toyota's, extremely reliable.
 
I would argue that turning overdrive off and having ECT on while towing anything more than a light load will improve towing. It has in my experience and it reduces shifting between 3rd and 4th as well as handling TC lockup a little better. Fuel economy suffers a touch, but I'd rather burn some gas than jump between gears every few seconds while climbing hills.
 
bdeakin said:
I would argue that turning overdrive off and having ECT on while towing anything more than a light load will improve towing. It has in my experience and it reduces shifting between 3rd and 4th as well as handling TC lockup a little better. Fuel economy suffers a touch, but I'd rather burn some gas than jump between gears every few seconds while climbing hills.
Click to expand...

I'm going to be towing a 6x12 Uhaul over the rockies in the next couple of weeks total weight should be around 1500 to 2000 lbs for trailer and load. So when I get to the mountains you suggest I turn off over drive (which gives me a 3 speed transmission versus the 4 speed right???) and turn on the ECT. This would cause less shifting and keep the LC in the sweet spot on RPM's between 2000-3000 rpms.
 
SWUtah said:
I'm going to be towing a 6x12 Uhaul over the rockies in the next couple of weeks total weight should be around 1500 to 2000 lbs for trailer and load. So when I get to the mountains you suggest I turn off over drive (which gives me a 3 speed transmission versus the 4 speed right???) and turn on the ECT. This would cause less shifting and keep the LC in the sweet spot on RPM's between 2000-3000 rpms.
Click to expand...

Absolutely, an old car collector once told me that Overdrive is a transmission killer if used improperly. He said a transmission needs higher RPMs to cool itself better when under a load. So I always turn the overdrive off when hauling, and use the ECT if I am in a hurry, which isn't very often. I challenged him by saying that I can idle right down to Key West without any additional shifting with a load and he told me that it did not matter, the transmission is under higher strain whether it shifts more or not and the higher RPMs are worth it in the long run.
 
I have had ECT Power on several Toyotas over the years and they change the shift points to higher RPMs between gears. I like it for driving on winding mountain roads or driving around town with a loaded car. The idea is how I want the transmission to shift. With a load or with curving mtn roads, I want a bit more rpm. Similar with towing. I doubt there is any gas mileage hit for using the Power mode in those conditions - it may even improve (shifts to higher gears too soon mean the engine bogs down, then down shifts again using more gas).

For a lead foot with pedal to the metal, the shifting will be at higher RPMs and will be a bit harsher. Again, I doubt there is much difference in gas mileage over Normal in that condition. The only place I believe there is better gas mileage is on flat land with a very soft foot on the pedal (as in EPA testing). The main reason I don't use PWR all the time is the smoother shifts in Normal mode are fitting for a luxury cruiser and I might get slightly improved economy under normal conditions.

When towing, if the vehicle starts downshifting or gear hunting, I take it out of overdrive for reasons Travis mentioned. As far as longevity, the Power mode is well controlled and I doubt there is any effect from the relatively small difference in shift points.
 
Good post about O/D on the Tundra forum. IIRC, both the early LC and Tundra share the same 4sp, A343 tranny, right?

RockyMtnRay said:
I live in Colo also and tow a 3600 lb low profile TrailManor travel trailer over our steep, long, and high altitude grades.

You might be able to tow the light trailer with OD left on; my experience is you best turn OD off anytime you're pulling a 3000 lb or heavier trailer. The key is whether or not the transmission torque converter stays locked...if it unlocks (you'll see about a 200 RPM rise on the tach when it does)...or if it downshifts to 3rd, the torque converter creates a great deal of heat. Additionally the constant engagement/disengagement of the torque converter clutch and OD clutch pack causes wear and even more heat.

One little known fact about turning OD off on the Tundra transmission is it will allow the torque converter to lock in 3rd gear...with OD on, the TC will only lockup in OD. With the TC locked in 3rd, I find I can pull up to 5% grades at 60 to 65 mph without having it downshift to 2nd...and a locked TC in 3rd gear provides enough engine braking that I seldomly need to use my wheel brakes on descents of grades of 6% or less.

I have a pan mounted transmission temp gauge and normally see 150 to 160 degree ATF temperatures when pulling hard with the TC locked in 3rd (ambient temps in the 70s) (when not pulling hard, the temp is more like about 130). But when the TC unlocks and I drop into 2nd for the steeper (6% or greater) climbs, the ATF temp fairly steadily rises to about 185 to 190...those are still acceptable temps but it's obvious an unlocked torque converter produces a huge amount of heat and heat is what kills a transmission. I should add that my truck does have the towing package with the external transmission cooler in addition to the cooler in the bottom of the radiator. If you don't have the towing package with that external cooler, you should immediately add one.

So to answer your question, try towing in OD...if you see even semi-frequent TC unlocking or downshifting to 3rd, just turn off OD and be done with it...as soon as OD is turned off, the transmission will go to 3rd and the TC will immediately lock.
Click to expand...
 
Perhaps a lock up torque convertor switch is the way to go for towing, not sure if a 442 switch will fit a 343, ask them here
http://www.automatictransmission.com.au/release.asp?NewsId=12101

From their site..."Allows for full time Lock-Up in any gear including 3rd when heavy towing greatly reducing transmission over heating, eliminating constant Lock-Up engagement and disengagement, Longer life expectancy of the Lock-Up plate and giving you greater fuel economy in all of the above circumstances. Cheap and easy to fit, comes complete as a wiring loom, relays and switch that illuminates when Lock-Up is manually activated. Lock-Up convertor reverts back to being ETC ( Computer ) Controlled when Manual control is turned off."

If it doesn't fit, perhaps one of you guys who has some wiring diagrams could nut it out for the 343, as the 442 was the only box imported into OZ IIRC, although this company rebuild 343's for international customers.
 
Last edited:
hoser said:
Good post about O/D on the Tundra forum. IIRC, both the early LC and Tundra share the same 4sp, A343 tranny, right?
Click to expand...

Thanks, looks like I will be driving with over drive off and ECT on from Utah through Colorado. Guess I can turn the over drive back on when I get to Kansas :)

What is the rpm range for the LC with overdrive off at say 65 mph???
 
4th gear is .765 vs 3rd gear at 1.0
31.3" tires, 4.3 R&P, 3rd gear @ 65mph is 3000 RPM
In 4th, 2295 RPM
 
I towed this weekend again 4 hours each way. 4000# +/- load.

I keep the car in 3rd and the ECT on and I run 75mph with the stock tires.

It runs about 3500 RPM, never drops below 70 on the hills and gets 8mpg on average.

It is a very comfortable tow rig. Usually when I tow with anything but a diesel I am very tired when I get to the place I am going because I am constantly alert and trying to figure out what to do on hills, stops etc. With the TLC, I am just as cool and clam as with my Duramax.
 
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