ECT PWR button - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

JimDod · 08-29-2011, 11:30 PM

I have had my 2001 4wd all its life and have never noticed any difference when I push the "ECT PWR" button. Anyone offer any proof that it truly does nothing?

***humanoid*** · 08-30-2011, 01:31 AM

Proof I cannot provide, but it is supposed to change the tranny's shift points. It keeps the engine revving at a bit higher RPM before it shifts to give it that extra kick in the pants. It's usually used when towing.

JimDod · 08-30-2011, 01:42 AM

thanks for the quick reply,

Yes that is what it is supposed to do but I have never seen any rpm difference. I'm just looking to see if anyone has.

***humanoid*** · 08-30-2011, 01:54 AM

Try mashing the pedal to the floor on a couple of occasions and you should feel the difference between the 2 settings.

jetwhine · 08-30-2011, 07:41 AM

JimDod,

The only time you will notice a change is if it is on and you mash the pedal down it will hold each gear longer than it would if it were turned off. Other wise you might not notice a change. And as huminoid said it works well with towing because you are on the throttle more, and it will hold it in that gear longer to keep the tranny from up and downshifting all the time. On my camry I leave it on all the time and get better gas millage with ECT on.

TheUltimateBohab · 09-01-2011, 11:36 AM

Really you get BETTER mileage? I always thought it would be the opposite.

jetwhine · 09-01-2011, 08:38 PM

Bohab,
No not really.
I did some millage checks. I have on numerous occasions tested full tank runs on both the ECT on and the ECT off and got the best millage with the ECT on. My theory is that with it off you need to mash the throttle more to gain speed, than you do if the tranny holds each gear longer. Mind you this is with my Camry not the 4runner. My 4runner is manual not auto. Try it if you have and auto tranny, you might be surprised. Then again it might not do anything for you depending how you drive, or where you drive. With me I do allot of up and down hill driving and it does make a difference for me. I'm talking about 3-4 miles to the gallon difference.

***fourwd1*** · 09-02-2011, 09:27 PM

It does make a difference.
In the Power mode the engine winds out farther before it shifts.
This does impact MPG.

If you don't keep your foot deep on the accel pedal it's not as apparent.