Fink

Can leaving the ECT on all the time have any bad consequences. I had it on for the first time since I got my rig today and LOVED it...so much more power but I was just wondering if there was anything wrong with it.

Other than that it uses a lot more gas

Thanks guys!

rimpainter.com

No, it has no long-term consequences. And it doesnt gain any power, it just holds the RPM's longer.

On my old Auto, I never turned it off PWR.

Fink

I didn't mean power...I just meant acceleration, but it makes it FEEL like more power. LoL, and with these 180 horse motors more power can feel GREAT!!!

Thanks 96, I appreciate the response man!

Robinhood150

150 hp, 180 ft-lb torque for the 3.0 V6.

Rick F.

SInce I often tow a boat or camper, I've been leaving my ECT in "power" mode lately. I notice a bit more pep and have experimented with it on and off. Perhaps it's my driving style, but I see very little difference in fuel economy either way. Of course, if you're really putting your foot into it you'll eat the fuel, power mode OR normal. It certainly helps in hilly terrain, since the tranny won't downshift as soon.

Leaving your ECT in "power" mode will not hurt a thing. As <96 Runner> said, "...it just holds the RPM's longer."

Mad Chemist

Fink,

I don't mean to bust your balls, but these other guys are yanking your chain. Its been documented by Toyota engineers that using ECT above 15 miles per hour can seriously damage your engine. You haven't gone above 15, have you? HAVE YOU?!?!?!?

L33T35T 4Runner

it does two things, it holds the RPM out longer and also keeps your torque converter unlocked, hence giving you better acceleration.

if you accelerate with the ECT button off, the torque converter will lock up at 4000 and you'll have a significant power decrease because the motor has to push right to the tires. with it unlocked, the motor can move faster and easier.

i drive around town with the ECT off, but every once in a while i'll turn it back on. normally i'll turn it on to get on a freeway, but once i'm up to speed (70) i'll turn it off

try this next time you're at high speeds (above 50 and not accelerating anymore) keep a constant speed with the ECT off. tap the break with your left foot just so the brake lights go on, but it doesnt actually engage the brakes. your torque converter unlocks as soon as you hit the brakes. you'll see the RPMs shoot up about 500. kinda fun to mess with the tranny and ECU

AgRunner06

I'd like to see some proof of this. The only damage that can be caused from holding your rpms higher is increased engine wear. I don't consider that serious damage. BTW why would you only use the ECT below 15 mph?

I'm not sure about this. I've had the torque converter lock up on the interstate before with the ECT on. It just unlocks faster. I do agree with holding the rpms longer.

I'll play around with mine some tomorrow and see what I find.

Mad Chemist

Sorry, thought you'd figure out I was just messin' wit' ya'! Been a long day.....

AgRunner06

Yeah I'm sorry too. I should have noticed that one.

Fink

LMAO Chemist...that was great.

I knew YOU were yankin' my chain versus everybody else, lol.

I leave it on most of the time, I take it off at highway speeds though.

Thanks for the help guys!

Axo

Given my daily 28 mile one way mix of heavy traffic, up to moderate speed stop-go and finally to full speed freeway driving I do, my 97 2WD V6 gets slightly more than 3% better gas mileage with the ECT on. plus or minus around 19.1 versus 19.6

I've now tracked this over the last two months and, in general, it has remained consistent.

My conclusion is it appears that leaving the ECT on allows me to stay in a lower gear longer and avoid lugging the engine and thereby waste gas.

Another trick I use, is at freeway speeds (65-70) don't mash the pedal to accelerate (unless you really want second gear) slightly depress the accelerator and tick the overdive switch off. You'll get good acceleration without wasting too much gas.

It's all in how you use it!!.

Rich
I may be fooling myself but it's my delusion.

L33T35T 4Runner

axo, your attention is needed here

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...threadid=12121

Sparman

I had concerns that my engine was "lugging" since going to 33s and maintaining the stock 4.10 gearing. It seemed that I was just out of the 'sweet spot' where RPMs are concerned.

Then my exhaust pipe was begining to look 'sooty' and I was worried.

Then I tried 'ECT' and it changed my world.

Performance is better, soot is gone, and there is no noticable decrease in mileage.

I leave it on all the time now and I really think it brought things back closer to stock.

I would recommend that anyone running 285/75/16s give it a try.

midiwall

One of these days I'm going to reverse the wiring to the indicator lamp so that it goes ON when the ECT mode is off. For some reason that green light on the dash bugs me.

I think the switch is just a DPDT with one side driving the indicator lamp... I hope it is anyway.

L33T35T 4Runner

sparman, what cross streets do you live on? we both live in fountain valley, c00l!

Axo

L33T35T 4Runner,

Would love to go but have other plans with my family. One of these weekends my schedule and local get together will coincide.

Rich

Sparman

Edinger and Brookhurst. I just noticed you're from the 'nice place' too.

L33T35T 4Runner

magnolia and slater representin!

we gotta meet up some time, talk about our rigs. what are you doing tomorrow?

jjdeneen

you guys from fountain vally should meet up at seapoint and garfield in huntington beach (that should be close to ya) go down the dirt path on the side of the road off the side of the roas to the lookout point on the cliff there in front of the new houses(cant miss it) there is some good muddin to to down there!!!!!!!!!!!

if i can find a scanner i,ll post some pics of my truck down there!
btw my buddy lives at magnolia and yorktown and i'm always down in that area, from long beach area though.....