To tune or not to tune..

I'm considering tuning my '18 Tacoma for all of the reasons that we know and hate. The transmission issues, for more linear power, better throttle sensitivity, etc.

HOWEVER...I feel the need to ask the question that no one else seems to be asking. Why didn't Toyota tune the trucks this way from the factory? If it provides better fuel economy (a big seller in today's market) better power, better towing and an all around better driving experience, there has to be a reason Toyota didn't tune it this way. What are those reasons? Discuss.

 

The reason toyota tuned it the way they did was fuel economy and emissions. This has been discussed numerous times.

 

So they tuned it to get worse fuel economy? And for emissions, I cant imagine that my transmission going from 6 to 4 on a slight incline is better on emissions?

 

it was factory tuned for the advertised fuel economy.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/what-was-the-design-intent-of-the-2gr-fe.771293/

 

The vast majority of Tacoma owners aren't enthusiasts on a forum. It doesn't bother them. I had mine tuned last year but I thoroughly enjoyed the truck before. This was just an improvement. Then again... stick shift

 

What has been said is that they were using the Taco launch to prove the 3.5l engine and tuning for the upcoming stuff like the new Tundra and such. It was said that there was even some turbo code found floating in the crappy Stock tune. Then, the program started to run late and the dolts at HQ just sent it out the door. This is evident from the various TSB tunes that have been slung out since. They didn't even get it partially right until after the 2019 MY was finished. Even then, the low end torque was never delivered, like the vF Tunes can.

 

Tuned, my truck drives way better. Better response, smoother idling, engine starts quicker, more torque down low and better MPGs. I’m on 94 though, loving it!

I didn’t have much complaints on stock tune but this just makes it a lot more fun to drive and the engine seems happier. I was on the fence for the longest time as well, but I’m not going back now. No way.

 

I was asking the same question for like a year. Why they tuned the way they did? It’s Toyota after all, the most reliable brand. They know a thing or two, well sometimes they don’t…

Now I can see how OV tune is so much better than stock, thanks Mr. OV!

 

Bingo. They are Toyota. They surely know something we don't. Im asking what that is, but I suppose there is no available answer. People saying Toyota tuned it for better MPG, then saying the OTT tune improved mpg doesn't make a lick of sense.

 

Do it you won't regret it....

 

*some people reported improved MPG after tuning. Most of the people who report that are running their tunes under higher compression (octane).

I am not one of those people, my MPG actually decreased. Too much at the stoplights.


I like tuning for what it is, and that is more consistent power with predictable throttle and transmission maps, which makes for a much more enjoyable drive. It did not change my efficiency. I'm still waiting for it to grant me my three wishes.

 

What tune did you settle on if you dont mind me asking? OV or something like KDMAX?

 

I just had mine tuned with the KDMAX tune and I LOVE IT!

 

WTH!? Tunes have nothing to do with compression. Nor does higher octane. Guys are using higher octane gas because most premiums have no alcohol blended in. The ecu can adapt for 100% gas, which can improve gas mileage.

 

I was anti-tune for quite some time. I have a 2021 and the stock tune was ok, but it did have the gear hunting, dead pedal, blah on the low end symptoms everyone talked about. I finally gave in and got a DIY kit from @wahoobie because the closest tuner was a 3+ hour drive. This also overcame one of my objections which was the potential warranty issue. I can now flash back to stock myself if I ever need any engine service under warranty. I went with the KDMax Pro+XT and the difference is pretty significant. The truck has gone from ok to drive to looking for excuses to drive somewhere because I enjoy it so much. I was so happy that I'm setting up to do tunes for others because there is no one anywhere near us.

Can't answer the question about why Toyota didn't do it from the get-go, but I can tell you that the truck is now the way it should have come from the factory. It may suck that we have to pay to do what they should have done in the first place, but at least we can fix it. Realistically it's not a cure-all for everything like some people paint it, but you will no doubt have a much better driving vehicle. If you are on the fence, I would say do it. I don't think you will regret it.

 

Toyota tuned these trucks good. Imo, its all how you break them in from the get go. Use of lots of ECT, and constant S mode's, you end up will a weird stupid shifting truck. Idk, about the older ones with their transmissions, but the latest tsb upgrade in the 2019 and up shift just fine. Got 0 complaints with mine. I think as far as power output, their is something to that. Some trucks seem to make more power than others. My buddies 2019 trd was lazy. Don't know if it was the way it was broken or just a sub standard engine. He really babied breaking his in with 1k oil changes and really easy throttle use. On the other hand i was towing my first big load with not more than 500 miles on the odo....didn't spared the go petal on steeper uphill grades either. Truck currently has throttle response like my old 4.7 tundra, but a much bigger hit on top end.

 

Toyota/factory vehicles are tuned to work on a general scale and be less sensitive to changes in fuel, elevation, throttle, etc. They're set this way for the masses and the masses outweigh the few. Their tables are sloppy but they fit what most users want out of the vehicle instead of needing to be setup a specific way for a specific use/climate. Enthusiasts are the not the masses, which is why these solutions exist. I love tunes and will tune everything I drive from now on. Also my mpg went up after tuning in addition to all the other benefits so...

 

Are you suggesting the tuning platform cannot alter compression or timing? ...and further that higher octane would not provide a benefit to the prior tweaks?

 

Tunes do improve the driving, but they don't improve mpg for me.
My typical mpg on stock "tune" and truck configuration was 21-22 mpg per tank (combined in hilly region) for 3 years. I had once 450 miles on a tank with one of beta versions of OVT (tune sucked in all other departments).
Most recent "low end torque" tunes barely reach 18-19 mpg in my case. But it all depends on the terrain, driving style, truck setup, etc.

 

Toyota tunes for a specific route:demand profile that the EPA, or somehow related to them, provides. They optimize to do well on that profile and their EPA credits and scores are based on how they perform against expectation. That performance, moderated by actual testing decides the final tune. It may be that real world driving and profile results don’t match well. But Toyota got the sticker numbers they needed.

I’m paraphrasing/summarizing and maybe even assuming a little bit there. But maybe it helps understand the process and outcomes.