ECT versus econo mode

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I doubt it makes a difference. I don't think the shift lockup is changed, only the shift points and how aggressively it downshifts.

I've heard people claim that it has no effect on fuel economy. If that's true, I suppose it's preference.

Personally, I drive in 'regular'.
 
I found that on the wife's 2018 with ECT "Off" and low rolling starts, the trans would be in the wrong gear and then need to shift to proper place. I've since turned on the ECT and that has almost completely taken care of that issue circa 90% I would say.

I'm just leaving it on from this point forward.

Cheers,

john~
 
Overland Tailor said:
I found that on the wife's 2018 with ECT "Off" and low rolling starts, the trans would be in the wrong gear and then need to shift to proper place. I've since turned on the ECT and that has almost completely taken care of that issue circa 90% I would say.

I'm just leaving it on from this point forward.

Cheers,

john~
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Hey John! Hope you guys are still liking that 200 (let me know when you're ready to sell me the 80 ;)). I'd suggest you grab one of these for your 18 - it's really a game changer: Pedal Commander or other throttle controller thoughts?
 
How are ya brother. Heidi loves the 200 and she has no complaints. It's a great truck, but I'll be honest that it's really made me appreciate my 80. Selling at this point would have been a huge mistake, so I really need to say thank you.

I'm sure at some point I'll start on the 200 after Heidi gets tired of it... You'll be first on the list if I ever want to sell. The Pedal Commander will be a must, but I don't think Heidi needs it ;)
 
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Are you all using 91 with the ECT on??? I've been using 91 since I got it, but I drive with the ECT off, maybe I'll try a tank with it on and see
 
I use the ECT all the time in my 16 Tacoma OR whenever I am going up steep mountain roads.I feel a ton more power(I know the 200 has 385 hp vs.around 285 on my Taco).So more power going up and less brake pedal going down.The end result for me and my way way lighter truck is less wear on the brakes(68k on stock front pads so far)

I know a 200’s weight is a lot more but could help for wear and tear on brakes. I have yet to try ECT on my wife’s 14 200 as they have so much more power.Just thought I’d mention my experience with my Tacoma.
 
I've been running the ECT PWR and 93 premium all the time...
That may change now, just got the PC that @mcgaskins recommended and LOVE IT.

Distinct from that, what is the forum's view on using the "S" position for engine (compression) braking? Does using it all the time have any adverse effects on the truck, long term?

--
 
Having come from a gutless and overloaded 2016 Tacoma, I've yet to want more power out of the LX. Nearly 2.5 months of ownership and I've yet to even try the ECT switch. I suppose I should... For scientific reasons and such...

I doubt it'll make any difference in reliability or longevity, just in the fun and fuel economy sectors.
 
ECT and econo largely changes the throttle pedal mapping and transmission shift logic. Possibility that it also changes some of the engine mappings, such as VVTi so that the engine is more primed for response or additional fuel savings.

ECT won't make more power. What it does is change the drivetrains responsiveness to throttle inputs. i.e. smaller gas pedal movements via your foot results in larger throttle openings at the throttle body to produce more power. Transmission will also likely be in a better gear to keep the engine in its power band. Ultimate power is the same.

Econo or 2nd gear start, will do exactly the opposite. Dampen throttle response and highest gear to moderate outputs.

Each of these, like the Pedal Commander don't make more ultimate power. It changes the engines response to your foot. Some people like a more responsive engine (potentially at the cost of being able to moderate it easily for smooth driving). Just depends on your preferences and what you're use to.

Toyota spends millions with calibrators to get this just right, with additional fuzzy logic to further tailor itself to the driver. I generally find these pretty good. Coming from sports cars and direct tuning of throttle maps, I personally dislike overly mapped throttles such that I cannot drive a vehicle with finesse and smoothness. ECT to me is too jumpy with an unloaded car. Great when towing as it demands pretty large throttle inputs! I often forget to turn it off, after unhitching, and I'll immediately find the vehicle to herky jerky when unladen.

ECT, because it holds gears and potentially makes engine maps more aggressive, WILL use more gas. My experiments tell me ~.5-1 gallon more.
 
TeCKis300 said:
ECT and econo largely changes the throttle pedal mapping and transmission shift logic. Possibility that it also changes some of the engine mappings, such as VVTi so that the engine is more primed for response or additional fuel savings.

ECT won't make more power. What it does is change the drivetrains responsiveness to throttle inputs. i.e. smaller gas pedal movements via your foot results in larger throttle openings at the throttle body to produce more power. Transmission will also likely be in a better gear to keep the engine in its power band. Ultimate power is the same.

Econo or 2nd gear start, will do exactly the opposite. Dampen throttle response and highest gear to moderate outputs.

Each of these, like the Pedal Commander don't make more ultimate power. It changes the engines response to your foot. Some people like a more responsive engine (potentially at the cost of being able to moderate it easily for smooth driving). Just depends on your preferences and what you're use to.

Toyota spends millions with calibrators to get this just right, with additional fuzzy logic to further tailor itself to the driver. I generally find these pretty good. Coming from sports cars and direct tuning of throttle maps, I personally dislike overly mapped throttles such that I cannot drive a vehicle with finesse and smoothness. ECT to me is too jumpy with an unloaded car. Great when towing as it demands pretty large throttle inputs! I often forget to turn it off, after unhitching, and I'll immediately find the vehicle to herky jerky when unladen.

ECT, because it holds gears and potentially makes engine maps more aggressive, WILL use more gas. My experiments tell me ~.5-1 gallon more.
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I didn't think that ECT (at least on the LC) changes the gas pedal sensitivity. I thought it simple altered the shift points. At least that is what I remember reading in the owners manual. Maybe Eco mode (I don't think I have that on my LC) is on the LX and does remap the throttle sensitivity. I don't notice any change on my throttle sensitivity on my LC when using ECT PWR. I also believe ECT stands for Electronically Controlled Transmission. So I suspect ECT is only about the transmission (holding lower gears longer is the way I think about ECT PWR.). I use ECT PWR whenever I am towing or in the mountains (per the owners manual).
 
I haven't driven an LC in your model year. But I have driven 100-series LC's/LX, Tundras, many Lexus's, and my own LX. All these vehicles have been drive by wire with ECT buttons. Based on my experience, the gas pedal maps are most definitely altered in such way that it can't just be accounted for by altered shift logic. The response off the line alone, with mild throttle inputs definitely has added gain. To the point that it makes the vehicle more jumpy and aggressive. Classic traits of a remapped throttle.
 
ECT on my 2013 definitely changes the throttle mapping. Off the line it's much jumpier with similar pedal force. Until we stepped up to larger tires my wife hated it and would always flip it back to ECO model. Now we both leave it on.

I have not noticed a difference in mileage, though my mileage is always abysmal.
 
I have never understood the difference, in terms of what the truck is doing, between ETC PWR and the S or Sport mode, other than the S limiting your top gear. If ECT PWR is changing shift points, how is that different than S? Does S also change throttle mapping? What if you use them both?
 
The eco mode you guys are talking about - what/where is it? My ECT button's other option is 2nd gear start, which I assumed was for starting in low traction situations. Is that the Eco mode?

I do get the Eco symbol on the dashboard when driving just right, but it's not a permanent mode.
 
OK. I stand corrected. The Owners Manual says almost nothing about how ECT PWR works (at least that I can find) so I'll trust you guys on this. It is confusing because ECT 2nd is about gears. And I do think that the T in ECT refers to transmission. I'll start paying more attention to how the throttle feels when in ECT PWR. I rarely use it and when I do I'm usually also in S-mode so I have multiple things going on.

And as for @eatSleepWoof's question about Eco mode, I assuming that is simply "normal" mode without ECT PWR pressed in the LC. There is no ECO mode or button in the LC.
 
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