Is there ny advantage to putting the PC on a 14 LC?
Pedal Commander or other throttle controller thoughts? (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter mcgaskins
- Start date
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BTW, you do know that the owner's manual tells us not to use cruise control when towing. Maybe that is their work around for not being able to get consistent shifting while towing and using ACC. My own experience towing a 6K# travel trailer through Colorado mountains and beyond, if I follow the directives in the manual - don't tow in Drive, S6 or lower, ECT PWR and no ACC -) it works very well. I am seriously considering the PC27 because I suspect it may give my foot some relief on long road trips.
No, I didn't know that! Dang, feel really stupid.
I did not even think of it... but it does kind of make sense.
Well, back to reading the manual for this pilot!
EDIT: Okay, so they do state not to use cruise control while towing.
Toyota Land Cruiser: Trailer towing - Driving information - When driving
"Do not use cruise control when towing."
As far as towing in "D", its not completely clear to me...
"To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system performance, when using engine braking, do not put the transmission in “D”. If in the S mode, the transmission shift range position must be in 5 or lower."
I also couldn't find anything re: ECT...
But anyhow - I think I'll give the PC27 a try.
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Its down to $259.99 on Amazon if anyone else was thinking about it. That is like almost $100 off from when I first looked at it. I decided to order it now for my 18
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BMK5YH...olid=2YJPS2P4XSI7O&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
Just thought I would share.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BMK5YH...olid=2YJPS2P4XSI7O&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
Just thought I would share.
- Thread starter
- #85
That's a killer price! I'm bummed I paid about $70 more, but in hindsight I wouldn't have wanted to wait. This is the right time to buy though if anyone is on the fence.
Damn... What to do...? I've had this sitting in my amazon cart for about a month now.
I was doing a little more research/experimenting before pulling the trigger - not about saving money, more just about trying to stay away from mods. Self imposed mod rehab, I guess. LOL
So - one observation that keeps me wondering is the truck driving real nice in ECT PWR with 93 premium. I'm aware that over time using premium is going to be way more expensive than paying $300 for the PC27, but I must say the way the truck handles with this combo (ECT PWR and 93) leaves me kind of satisfied - to the point I'm not sure I can improve on that... (and yes, my 2017 LC has the TSB transmission reflash).
I don't know what to do...lol.
I'm also puzzled by another observation: when the ECT PWR button is ON the ECO fuel popup disappears - doesn;t matter what you do, the icon is gone. Well, my fuel use over 3-4 tanks has not changed though...
In other words, running on 93 with the PWR button ON I get the same exact fuel economy as when the PWR button is OFF! I get about 14.8-14.9 in mostly highway driving. And I like the shift points with the PWR ON (with 93 gas).
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I was doing a little more research/experimenting before pulling the trigger - not about saving money, more just about trying to stay away from mods. Self imposed mod rehab, I guess. LOL
So - one observation that keeps me wondering is the truck driving real nice in ECT PWR with 93 premium. I'm aware that over time using premium is going to be way more expensive than paying $300 for the PC27, but I must say the way the truck handles with this combo (ECT PWR and 93) leaves me kind of satisfied - to the point I'm not sure I can improve on that... (and yes, my 2017 LC has the TSB transmission reflash).
I don't know what to do...lol.
I'm also puzzled by another observation: when the ECT PWR button is ON the ECO fuel popup disappears - doesn;t matter what you do, the icon is gone. Well, my fuel use over 3-4 tanks has not changed though...
In other words, running on 93 with the PWR button ON I get the same exact fuel economy as when the PWR button is OFF! I get about 14.8-14.9 in mostly highway driving. And I like the shift points with the PWR ON (with 93 gas).
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fireball
SILVER Star
Darn you guys, that is my last black friday/cyber monday purhase, I swear! 
cboyd
GOLD Star
As I just picked up my 2015, I spent a great deal of time RTFM... the manual states that In ECT PwR the Eco icon won’t display. It’s truly the best of an idiot light. It trains the idiot behind the wheel!
- Thread starter
- #89
Bumping this up because I still regularly get questions if I'm happy with the PC (literally 2x in the last week and 5x in the last month), and after 6 months with it I have enough seat time to qualify my review. Simply put, I would not own a 16+ LC without it. Not a single downside, and it transforms the truck's performance, feel and driving comfort. I have not been paid or received any compensation to endorse the product (although I probably should have!), but that's how strongly I feel about it. I don't feel it's necessary at all in the 08-15 LC or LX, nor do I think it's necessary in the 16+ LX with how tunable it is already. I think it's a shame the 16+ LC comes with the tuning it does from the factory, but at least it's easy to solve with this addition.
This weekend I had the opportunity to change the gain on the PC during a Bill Burke trail leadership class (mcgaskins was with with me). My goal was to see how my 2016 performed with factory setting and the multi-terrain select. My initial attempt was up some muddy hills and and no PC gain. I was shocked at how gutless the 2016 was. the hills were a bit steep but I was literally mashing the accelerator to the floor boards and barely making progress. I adjusted the PC gain up on my phone and it was like driving a completely different vehicle. I too can't imagine driving a 2016 without the PC. Off road with no PC it was miserable.
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- Thread starter
- #91
100% agree. The PC is equally if not more effective in 4 low which is a good point to make. The wheeling I did before the PC really strained my previously injured peronial tendon because I was burying the pedal constantly in 4 low. It feels like the truck really cuts back the throttle response in 4 low to likely keep less experienced folks from giving it too much throttle. That’s another nice thing about the PC - dial in the aggressiveness to your liking.
Kinda cool to have 2 brandywine mica 2016 LCs (both with the PC) in the mix together with all these other trucks!
@mcgaskins @Mendocino you guys run on regular 87 octane, correct?
I’m running on 93, keep the ECM PWR on most of the time. With the /freshly TSB-ed transmission (Reflash) I love the truck but if I could wean it off of premium gas with the Commander, that would be cool. And besides, this thing has been sitting in my amazon cart for few months now, lol.
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I’m running on 93, keep the ECM PWR on most of the time. With the /freshly TSB-ed transmission (Reflash) I love the truck but if I could wean it off of premium gas with the Commander, that would be cool. And besides, this thing has been sitting in my amazon cart for few months now, lol.
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I run on 87 frequently. On this trip I filled both tanks (60 gallons) with 89 and it was fine.
- Thread starter
- #94
I always run whatever the lowest grade is in both the LC and the LX as well as my old 2014 LC and haven't had any issues (higher altitude means lower octane is required though). The PC makes about a million times more difference than running different octane, and I've experimented with ethanol free gas too - PC is the way to go. Get that crap out of your cart and put it in your truck!
Done!I always run whatever the lowest grade is in both the LC and the LX as well as my old 2014 LC and haven't had any issues (higher altitude means lower octane is required though). The PC makes about a million times more difference than running different octane, and I've experimented with ethanol free gas too - PC is the way to go. Get that crap out of your cart and put it in your truck!
Thank you, lol. I’ll post any updates.
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Deleted
Big, big thank you for bringing this up.I always run whatever the lowest grade is in both the LC and the LX as well as my old 2014 LC and haven't had any issues (higher altitude means lower octane is required though). The PC makes about a million times more difference than running different octane, and I've experimented with ethanol free gas too - PC is the way to go. Get that crap out of your cart and put it in your truck!
This thing is THE BOMB.
I honestly did not know what to expect, but the difference is incredible. I guess that right foot pedal is what connects us to the truck, hence it effects the entire experience.
Going to leave it in "Sport" +3 or +4, I think, and enjoy. I may even wean the truck off of premium gas I've been running, which would be great. May need the funds to fix any speeding tickets...lol.
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Let's not forget that OEMs are NOT targeting the settings on any vehicle parameters for "people like us," for the most part.
They are looking at a combination of legal requirements (MPG mostly) and prevention/reduction of lawsuit exposure. So, there is likely built in delay or smoothing/reduction of response to help the normals not get freaked out about "unintended acceleration" and such malarkey.
We also know that EPA economy test cycles DO NOT replicate real-world driving/road conditions very well, so if they tune things to do well on that, it will leave us dissatisfied out here where we really live/drive. The "eco" mode on transmission uses starting in 2nd and earlier shift points to reduce consumption. Reducing throttle response and smoothing things out to get better MPG ON THE EPA TEST wouldn't necessarily (probably doesn't) translate to open road driving.
I am pretty sure the PC does NOT change anything in the ECU/TCU or other vehicle programming... rather, it ONLY changes the output voltage/pattern/profile from the drive by wire program in the OEM module. This means the ECU/TCU are seeing different inputs, and they then respond according to existing programming. IF there were an ECU tune for these engines (... or is there?), the same change to pedal responses could be part of that flash.
So, people who understand their vehicles and drive "like we do" will be pretty satisfied with a more liner/direct response, and even be able to maybe get better MPG due to being better able to control the vehicle.
I have a BMW 535xi in storage (working out of the country for now) and I will also install the PC on that, because I came to realize that there is a noticeable delay in response, as well as reduced sensitivity to inputs in that car, in line with what people here are saying. I drove a car here in EU with the same engine, and it felt MUCH different than my car.... I attribute that to the programming of the module on my US car....
They are looking at a combination of legal requirements (MPG mostly) and prevention/reduction of lawsuit exposure. So, there is likely built in delay or smoothing/reduction of response to help the normals not get freaked out about "unintended acceleration" and such malarkey.
We also know that EPA economy test cycles DO NOT replicate real-world driving/road conditions very well, so if they tune things to do well on that, it will leave us dissatisfied out here where we really live/drive. The "eco" mode on transmission uses starting in 2nd and earlier shift points to reduce consumption. Reducing throttle response and smoothing things out to get better MPG ON THE EPA TEST wouldn't necessarily (probably doesn't) translate to open road driving.
I am pretty sure the PC does NOT change anything in the ECU/TCU or other vehicle programming... rather, it ONLY changes the output voltage/pattern/profile from the drive by wire program in the OEM module. This means the ECU/TCU are seeing different inputs, and they then respond according to existing programming. IF there were an ECU tune for these engines (... or is there?), the same change to pedal responses could be part of that flash.
So, people who understand their vehicles and drive "like we do" will be pretty satisfied with a more liner/direct response, and even be able to maybe get better MPG due to being better able to control the vehicle.
I have a BMW 535xi in storage (working out of the country for now) and I will also install the PC on that, because I came to realize that there is a noticeable delay in response, as well as reduced sensitivity to inputs in that car, in line with what people here are saying. I drove a car here in EU with the same engine, and it felt MUCH different than my car.... I attribute that to the programming of the module on my US car....
That's more or less exactly how I feel about it. The PC is not an ECU reflash, it purely just modulates voltage output on whatever accelerator position sensor the truck is using. For me, it works: I can now adjust that throttle response curve to what feels a lot more natural, intuitive, and fun.
There's been someone here in the forum, said to be working with DAP on a LC reflash. To be quite honest, the PC will probably do it for me, and I would no longer be seriously interested in a reflash given the limitations of our N/A engine and potential risks involved. I think.
In my 2017 LC200 I played with the ECT PWR button, 93 vs 87 octane, and got the TSB transmission reflash - each of those items can contribute to better driving experience.
The PC is about ten fold more radical/effective though.
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- Thread starter
- #100
Glad to get your feedback. It was frustrating how people were saying “hey bro just hit the power button it will do the trick!” yet they had no experience with the 16+ LC. The mapping is so incredibly different than the earlier trucks with the 6 speed those peanut gallery comments were not helpful, especially considering I have an 08 to compare the 16 to. The PC is very effective and well worth the money, and I have not seen or heard of a single person being disappointed in it here.
