The Relic That Makes a Difference - 2016 Toyota Tacoma Long-Term Road Test

Edmunds.com

The Relic That Makes a Difference - 2016 Toyota Tacoma Long-Term Road Test

The six-speed transmission calibration in the 2016 Toyota Tacoma is a hair-splitting search for fuel economy. Should we need to engage a "sport"-type calibration just to drive around our neighborhood?

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ebeaudoin

Ah yes, the ECT PWR switch. Gotta love it. It looks like you have the Qi Wireless Charging Pad. I'd be interested to read about your experiences with that.

daryleason

Well...based on the way you described the terrain...I'd say "yes." But wouldn't the better question be, "Why did my town decide to build in an area that causes most cars to go nuts trying to find the right gear?" I'll bet the same complaints were made back when everyone moved by horseback or carriage, going "I hate this street. My horse can't get a good grip. He's fallen twice so far."

I'm not a Toyota guy. I've never owned one. But I'm guessing the ECT is basically "Over-Drive Off" for Fords and Chevys?

longtimelurker

Why would a transmission control algorithm in a 2015 or 2015 model vehicle not have some kind of grade logic built into it?

kirkhilles1

So the question is, will it remember your choice the next time? If I were a manufacturer, I'd have the default EPA mode and then a button that basically says "Turn me on to not have driving suck" and allow it to be permanently selected. I guess a "non-ECO" mode.

nate001

kirkhilles1 said:

So the question is, will it remember your choice the next time? If I were a manufacturer, I'd have the default EPA mode and then a button that basically says "Turn me on to not have driving suck" and allow it to be permanently selected. I guess a "non-ECO" mode.

That sounds a lot like what Volkswagen did. The EPA was not pleased when they found out.
Even if the drivers were given a button, The EPA would not let that pass.

allthingshonda

Toyotas have had the ECT Power switch for as long as I can remember. My aunt's 1988 Camry had that button. And it's not an overdrive off because there is a button for that too.

Apparently gear hunting is why Ford is developing the 10-speed for trucks. Ford wanted enough ratios so when towing heavy loads on hills the transmission would have a sweet spot to pick a gear and maintain speed without gear hunting. Sounds great but how all these gears will work out in everyday driving is concerning. Can we say ZF 9-speed.

5vzfe

On my 2002 4Runner, that ETC switch only changes the shift points for each gear - it allows the engine to rev a little higher for longer periods basically. There is an additional O/D off switch on the gear shift as well, which allows for firmer shifts and even longer gear holding. Although it's not perfect, one thing I do like about the auto 4 speed Toyota used is that it has no qualms holding gears for an infinite amount of time on hills - even without pushing any buttons. Mountain passes are still tricky - but that's only due to the lack of power from the engine, not the transmission tuning. Probably one of the main reasons my fuel economy isn't so spectacular.

henry4hire

ETC all the time!!

jrsf

I have a Qi Wireless pad in my Avalon Hybrid. It's fairly worthless. It's at an angle (so you can see the phone upright when it's in the pad), and the slightest move of the car side to side sends my phone (Galaxy Edge) off the pad. Which stops the charge. It's constantly cycling off the charge contacts. It's also a trickle charge (very slow), whereas my Edge will charge off the right charger very quickly, including in the car with the right charging brick. I put one of those in the cigarette lighter adapter under the Qi pad and turned the Qi pad off.

bassracerx

daryleason said:

Well...based on the way you described the terrain...I'd say "yes." But wouldn't the better question be, "Why did my town decide to build in an area that causes most cars to go nuts trying to find the right gear?" I'll bet the same complaints were made back when everyone moved by horseback or carriage, going "I hate this street. My horse can't get a good grip. He's fallen twice so far."

I'm not a Toyota guy. I've never owned one. But I'm guessing the ECT is basically "Over-Drive Off" for Fords and Chevys?

no. overdrive off just locks out the tallest gear. The toyota has that feature as well. ECT power will change shift points and throttle by wire calibration. if you wanted a Ford/Chevy comparison it would be similar to the "TOW?HAUL" button on chevys and fords. the graphic looks like the back of a trailer on a steep incline.