Any cons to having ECT power on all the time?

Hello everyone.

Since driving with ect power always on seems to be a more aggressive kind of driving.
Could it have any negative effects in the long run when it comes to engine and transmission longevity ?
I'm planning in making my 2017 DC sport 2WD my last vehicle. And I don't want to be driving around like an old lady. but also don't want to make the truck run like is a race car all the time. If that is what ect is trying to do.


Thanks in advance.

 

Fuel economy will suffer potentially but that's it.

 

I have never used the ETC - your 6cyl does not have enough power? You have tried with and without? If this will be your last vehicle, driving conservatively is probably a good idea, at least some (most) of the time.

 

I use ECT all the time. I have 17,000 miles on my Taco. My fuel mileage INCREASED 3mpg since turning it on. I live in Texas and drive 60 miles one way to work mostly on the Interstate at 75mph. I am sure there will not be any problems by running the ECT. EPA requirements require all manufacturers to make their engines low power for emissions.

You should be fine using it all the time. Plenty of people on this forum do it all the time; that's what convinced me to try it. Now my low power Taco; is drivable.

 

I hate the low end power of this engine/trans config. Its like a lie saying at redline it gets 278... who drives a truck at such high rpm. Ive been thinking about running the ect in town to make it drive like it should have. I basically look at it like like an ECO button.

 

I've used both. The truck has a how to drive it learning curve compared to a regular engine. And I think I'm getting to the end of it. in other words. at first I didn't like it. but than I started to listen to the engine and learning the transmission behavior. Now I'm very happy with it.
My issue is I live around Los Angeles and there is always traffic around here. So with ect off it can some times be frustrating running in and out of traffic. And most of my driving is street driving. Not that the fwy is any different now days. :-(
I can live without using ect all the time. I think I've learned the gas pedal play that this engine requires. but I was wondering if the quick fix of using ect would shorten the life of the mechanics.

 

Not sure either - time will tell....
I hear you about "learning" the new engine. It is definitely different than anything else I have driven.
I never owned an auto trans before and I think this helped me with this truck, in some strange way.
I also do mostly stop and go street driving.
One thing I really love about this truck and something I have never seen mentioned is the "engine braking"-almost like driving a stick if you are in tune with the gas pedal.

 

do you push the button every time you drive or have you figured out a way for it to default to ON at startup?

 

You didn't mention if you have had the TSB done. Make sure you get the transmission TSB done and then evaluate using ECT mode all the time.

I can see both sides. I would guess you would get lower mileage around town with ECT on. Not sure about the highway.

 

Without an ECT option, I would have gotten rid of the truck. With ECT on all the time it's barely enough for me to be content.

 

I'm much happier since I had the TSB done. The tranny now shifts when I would expect it to. Much smoother starts. Averaging 18-19 MPG mixed driving. I only use the ETC when towing or mountain driving. I have the TRD Sport.

 

I took the truck to the dealer last week. They kept it most of the day.
The trans fluid was physically checked and it was fine. And no TSB required.

With a mix of Street and fwy I get 19 to 23 per gallon. This last tank.. has been all Street one quarter tank left and is showing an avg of 16.5

 

Yes, I need to push the button each time I start my Taco. I have also had the tranny TSB done as well. I had considered trading my Taco, but the TSB made a HUGE difference for me the past 2000 miles, and learning to turn on the ECT makes a TON of difference, and I love my Taco again.

I have tried tons of highway driving with the ECT off. If your posted speed is 60mph, you will probably get great gas mileage with ECT off. My posted speed is 75mph. The Taco REALLY REALLY struggles to maintain that speed. If it is windy it will constantly shift from 5th to 4th to 5th .... 30 times in a 60 mile drive. The ECT turns off the atchinson cycle, which never would get used often unless on flat ground with no wind.

The engine has a TON of power you just need to get it up past 3000 rpm otherwise it has no power.

EDIT: Forgot to mention, some other mechanics said they used tech stream to check if there was an ON/OFF setting for the ECT in the ECM. No one has found a setting yet: so the ECT button must be pushed after each start. Also all major manufacturers test high limits on their engines. There is nothing wrong with running ECT all the time except that it perhaps creates more emissions.

 

Personal preference when it comes to driving style.Using ect mode shouldn't alter longevity of drivetrain at all.

 

I dont use ECT unless I am towing something. I hear alot about it not having enough get up and go. I notice mine will take its time getting up to speed if I let it but giving it about a half inch more pedal it gets up very satisfactorly. My advice is use your foot and give it a little more pedal and it will do what you need it to do.

 

I use the ECT on the highway all the time. I need the extra power for the 2.7 4cyl.

 

I just picked up a 2019 Gen 3 4 banger to replace my 2008. For towing around 1200 lbs, do I use ECT and put it in 4 gear on highway speeds?

 

There was a member who rigged up some thing to flip it on every time - it was something where when you went from P to R or something it triggered something to switch ECT on. I think initially he had some reliability issues with it working all the time, don't know if it was all sorted or not.

 

Placebo effect

Check out a few YouTube vids were the 0-60 is pretty well the same with or without it on!

 

Here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ect-mod-on-all-the-time.456373/