I Review the ECT PWR Button on this Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road Pick up truck. I explained as a mechanic what the ECT Button actually does, when to use it and how to use it affectively. I also reveal that there is no actual power gains from using this button, but explain why it feels like the truck is moving faster.



I hope everyone is having a wonderful week! I have this beautiful Toyota Tacoma once again and I wanted to shed some light on this ECT PWR button. Electronically Controlled Transmission is what ECT means and judging by that name we can assume that this is going to mostly affect the transmission when in use. and that's exactly the case.

this ECT power button helps to extend transmission shifts therefore keeping RPM's high and delivering more torque to your wheels when you need it. a perfect example is when you are towing or hauling something or perhaps driving in the mountains. Basically this is a Tow/HAUL button. My Ram trucks when in Tow/HAUL mode do basically the same thing, they hold the RPMS higher to get more torque and power down to the wheels.

I will say that this truck does make it much MUCH more obvious then my rams. which is probably why people feel like it adds engine power.

So I figured the best way to test this would be to take transmission shifts out of the equation by simply flooring the truck and forcing shifts at redline. In both runs with the ECT ON or OFF there was no difference in RPM speed. if this button was adding some kind of mechanical horsepower we would see the RPMS rise faster with the ECT Button on.

Next I wanted to show this ECT Button actually working so I loaded this Toyota Tacoma to its max payload when would do half throttle runs to see if the truck would hold RPMS longer or at least if it was obvious. so I did that and YES at half throttle it is very obvious that when the ECT button is on the truck gets up to speed much faster. I almost wonder if there is some throttle input changes happening but regardless it was cool to see this ECT POWER mode working well!

Hope you guys liked the video!