How many run in ECT/Power mode 100%

[T4Runner]

I used it 100% for maybe the first 5k Miles but to save fuel (as much as one can save fuel in this thing), I now use it like Michael Knight to get out of a jam...

 

[lrowe_csp]

When you’re in a ECT/power mode does that deactivate hill assist function meaning when you take your foot off the brake your 200 will roll backwards if you’re on a hill and into the car behind you? But if your in normal mode the hill assist keeps your 200 series from rolling backwards?

I leave it on all of the time and my hill assist is still activated (steep driveway, so I have a chance to test it every once in a while).

 

[Sandroad]

100% on. The 8 speed shifts much better (IMHO) with it on. And, I'm "happy" with my mpg. I regularly average 20 mpg (vehicle computer calculated) on the highway with a light load and 11 mpg (actual) while towing (in S6) my 3500 lb camper. Both mpgs are fine with me.

 

[Docboy]

Not all the time. But when I'm towing, 100% of that time. It makes a meaningful difference for high load situations. Makes it easier to drive, as the throttle tip in is way more aggressive, and shift logic changes in that it holds shifts to higher rpms. I'd bet it also keep VVTi primed towards the power end of timings too.

To Markuson's point, mounting big tires also presents itself as higher loads to the driveline, and ECT/Power will help there too.

I remember in my LX470, which doesn't have as much power, it notably helped even for 33's. On my LX570 with 33's, it's a bit aggressive making modulating the throttle for smooth inputs still a bit edgy. There's been several occasions coming back from a towing trip, where I forget to turn it off after unhitching, and the wife is confused why it's so jumpy.

No problem in doing this. There is a hit to gas mileage though.

I seriously considered the LX470 prior to my 570; I recall a major negative for me was that it was really slow. Lacking enough power that I recall I couldn't merge into traffic from a complete stop without giving a few extra car lengths. Now that I read your post, I should have tried this switch to see if it made a difference in the acceleration.

The LX570 has plenty of power though!

 

[Bendcruiser]

Can’t believe I’ve been driving 4 months without it! On 100 percent of the time now. Today was day one. Thanks

 

[yonah]

I leave it on all the time unless it's a long highway trip. I like the punch and responsiveness of the throttle when in ECT POWER mode.

On my daily commute there are two right turns I must make, with one being a mostly blind curve with 45-50mph intermittent incoming traffic. ECT POWER makes pulling into traffic much easier and safer.

 

[TeCKis300]

I seriously considered the LX470 prior to my 570; I recall a major negative for me was that it was really slow. Lacking enough power that I recall I couldn't merge into traffic from a complete stop without giving a few extra car lengths. Now that I read your post, I should have tried this switch to see if it made a difference in the acceleration.

The LX570 has plenty of power though!

There were several configurations in the 100-series span, between 4-speed tranny, upgrade to 5-speed, and VVTI motor upgrade with 5-speed. I had driven several 5-speed and late 5-speeds with VVTI, and owned a later year 2006 model. The differences were pretty dramatic. While not prodigious power like the LX570, the later model years had enough snuff with the VVTI upgrade. I towed a ~5500lb trail with it with full family and it was just fine. The early year ones were dogs like you mentioned and couldn't get out of their own way, despite ECT/Power.

 

[TeCKis300]

And when Im really feeling frisky, I go power mode AND Sport mode! Just slap that shifter to the left and leave it there. (I don't actually manually shift unless in mountains)

Great point. I don't usually leave it in sport mode unless I'm manually shifting or downshifting. I tried Sport mode and leaving it in S6. It does hold the gears a tad longer by itself. Didn't really note much different with both ECT/Power and Sport mode engaged, but the response and mapping must be just a bit more aggressive still.

For LX owners, don't forget to put her in Sport suspension mode to handle all that gratuitus speed!! I was caught off-guard in comfort mode and almost fell off a cliff.

 

[HGB]

Great point. I don't usually leave it in sport mode unless I'm manually shifting or downshifting. I tried Sport mode and leaving it in S6. It does hold the gears a tad longer by itself. Didn't really note much different with both ECT/Power and Sport mode engaged, but the response and mapping must be just a bit more aggressive still.

For LX owners, don't forget to put her in Sport suspension mode to handle all that gratuitus speed!! I was caught off-guard in comfort mode and almost fell off a cliff.

TeckIs, do you see a problem with leaving the vehicle in S mode (shifter lever engaged to the left) and ECT PWR mode for prolonged periods of driving? I know ECT has been deemed safe for constant usage, but checking in re sport mode.

also glad to hear you didn’t ‘O’Doyle rules!’ Off the cliff

 

[JohnPW]

TeckIs, do you see a problem with leaving the vehicle in S mode (shifter lever engaged to the left) and ECT PWR mode for prolonged periods of driving? I know ECT has been deemed safe for constant usage, but checking in re sport mode.

also glad to hear you didn’t ‘O’Doyle rules!’ Off the cliff

I tow long distances with ECT PWR and S6 on my 2016. Nothing wrong with this except mileage.

Otherwise I go back and forth with ECT PWR on or off. For around town I frequently leave it on. I haven’t done close calculations but it doesn’t seem to make much of an MPG difference if you’re not lead footing it, which I don’t.

 

[coleAK]

TeckIs, do you see a problem with leaving the vehicle in S mode (shifter lever engaged to the left) and ECT PWR mode for prolonged periods of driving? I know ECT has been deemed safe for constant usage, but checking in re sport mode.

also glad to hear you didn’t ‘O’Doyle rules!’ Off the cliff

I just had mine in ECT power and S4 for ~2500 miles towing my 6800 lb camper most of it, Over 6 days. Anchorage -> Seward -> Anchorage -> Chena -> Brooks range -> Denali -> Anchorage.

 

[TeCKis300]

As others, I do the same. I see absolutely no issues using sport and ECT long term. Many on the 100-series boards only run this way as they have less power and need all the help they can get.

 

[hankinid]

On at all times.

 

[RobRed]

ECT is on 0.0% of the time, used to be 100% before I added Sport + and Race mode.

 

[CharlieS]

Hardly ever.

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

I use ECT on two occasions.

1) I’m towing over 3-4,000 pounds (kinda state dependent, yeah know, flat or not)

2) I’m off road and I’m on those easy, mostly gravel and wash out trails that go flat, then a climb, then flat, then a climb. I limit the trans to 2nd or 3rd gear almost always, but sometimes you just want to stay in a lower gear a bit longer, but don’t want to be constantly limiting the trans between 1st and 3rd.
So ECT is a easy way for me to not over rev, while not bogging down when on those easy back roads. When I’m in low range in anything technical, nope, ECT does nothing for me.

For normal driving, na, I’ve got 4.88s.

But 4.88s aren’t enough for mountain driving with a modest trailer in my opinion, so ECT comes on when pulling the Kimberly around.

 

[ThomasGS4]

Only when I'm towing something. Otherwise, it stays in normal mode.

 

[grinchy]

Agree with @Taco2Cruiser . with the .88s it's a bit overkill on the road, a very sudden driving experience.

 

[LCtoLX]

I switch around but just had some fun on S+ mode on the way home today. Too much fun driving so maybe it’s a good thing that the default at start is Normal. Zipping around in town having fun will likely get me a ticket

 

[terdrocket]

I am ECT off 100%.
I manually shift 100%.
All traction controls off 100%.