2017 V6 Underpowered.....

W

Wildcat

New Member
Been a Toyota owner for decades so in 2017 I decided to buy a new Tacoma. It was a V6, 4WD, dbl. cab. I believe it was a 3.5 engine. Around town it was fine but on the interstate it was a piece of crap. Sluggish, continually bogged down going up even the most modest hill or against a gentle headwind. I kept it 3 months and traded it off for a Ford F150. Which I guess makes me some sort of spy on this forum......
But I have decided to downsize and am looking at small trucks again. So I am asking for advice on the newer Tacomas. Have they reworked the engine/transmission so that there is adequate torque? I don't want to make the same mistake twice. I have heard others who own the older Tacomas and they all rave about the pickup but my 2017 was terrible. It was a tough, reliable truck but wouldn't outrun a turtle. Thanks for any help.....
 
I'm of the opinion its all about gas mileage. The six speed automatic is basically a double overdrive trans. Fourth gear is 1:1 with 5th and 6th gear both being overdrive. The ram pro city I drive at work has a 9 speed in it and it is constantly shifting, after awhile you just get used to it and ignore it. ECT and sport mode deffinately brings it to life.
 
My 19 is not a powerhouse by any means however it holds its own. Right now I run premium gas and a k&n air filter and it does real good. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get my borla exhaust installed, depending on how cold it is, which should help it a little more.
 
Great question... I downsized from a 2012 F350 6.4L diesel to a 2019 Tacoma Limited. I like everything about my Tacoma except the engine performance. It's a dog! I've put a S&B cold air intake on it and I'm running the OVTune and its's still not great. At first the tune seemed to correct things, but with the 'learning' mode... I feel its' right back to where it was prior to the tune. Could be wrong, but feels that way. Not sure if the Tundra has the same issues, but probably should have went that route. One thing I'm really happy about... resale value. No other truck seems to hold its value like the Tacoma.
 
brooks.leib said:
Great question... I downsized from a 2012 F350 6.4L diesel to a 2019 Tacoma Limited. I like everything about my Tacoma except the engine performance. It's a dog! I've put a S&B cold air intake on it and I'm running the OVTune and its's still not great. At first the tune seemed to correct things, but with the 'learning' mode... I feel its' right back to where it was prior to the tune. Could be wrong, but feels that way. Not sure if the Tundra has the same issues, but probably should have went that route. One thing I'm really happy about... resale value. No other truck seems to hold its value like the Tacoma.
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I've been tuned for over 30k and this doesn't sound familiar once so ever...
I even ran it on a stock 04B13 tune for a day a few weeks ago after changing my ECU ID through Techstream with all the latest TSBs... the stock tunes are still atrocious but better than the older trucks... currently running a beta tune, it's good stuff. 2.0 will be vurry nyyyce... just be patient... lol
Matt was in an accident but still been red-eying the monitor every night trying to unfuk the spaghetti bowl inside of our ECUs... He's made several huge steps just since Christmas...
Are you sure that your tune actually ever loaded? Asking because there's a night and day difference when I flash back and forth. Maybe you should just flash it again for fun, try a different tune or something...
 
Toyota made some minor changes to get a little more low end power. It's not night and day, but my '19 accelerates better than my '16 did. Using ECT is a substantial difference, though. It goes up inclines effortlessly - the way you want it to. The Orange Virus tune is supposed to help a lot and people also say regearing makes a big difference.
 
texasred said:
2017 Tacoma Limited here. I agreed with you right up to when I discovered ECT. Changed the transmission shift points and changed my highway driving experience.
Good explanation here:
Hey, thx for info. I seem to remember there was a button to push but I guess I must have thought it was too much trouble. On the interstate I would have to be pushing it constantly. I think I heard that Toyota sacrificed power in order to get better mileage. I took it to the dealer and they said it was a known issue and nothing they could do so I wound up with a Ford F150. 2.7L with twin turbos. It will run like a scalded cat. Just beginning to want a smaller truck that will fit in garage.....
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brooks.leib said:
Great question... I downsized from a 2012 F350 6.4L diesel to a 2019 Tacoma Limited. I like everything about my Tacoma except the engine performance. It's a dog! I've put a S&B cold air intake on it and I'm running the OVTune and its's still not great. At first the tune seemed to correct things, but with the 'learning' mode... I feel its' right back to where it was prior to the tune. Could be wrong, but feels that way. Not sure if the Tundra has the same issues, but probably should have went that route. One thing I'm really happy about... resale value. No other truck seems to hold its value like the Tacoma.
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Same scenario here. I came from a 2005 Titan 5.6L with towing package. Made the Taco seem like a snail. I sold the Taco for almost what I paid for it.
 
Cape taco said:
I. ONLY DRIVE IN THE S-MODE ! THEN U CAN HOLD IT IN ANY GEAR.
TRY IT AND WHEN YOU PULL OUT ON THE HIGHWAY MANUALLY SHIFT AT 5 GRAND MAKES THE TACO REALLY FUN TO DRIVE.
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Cap lock much? [emoji57]

Cape, I just looked at this post again. That frowning emoji was supposed to be a smirking one. It’s right below and I picked it by mistake. My bad. No shade meant.
 
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ECT will see your mileage tank, no question. This engine is one that develops it's power at higher RPMs, and because the truck was/is geared for fuel economy numbers with the EPA, the truck tries(I said tries) to get into the higher gears as quickly as possible. In my experience the truck would only hold 6th gear on very flat roads with little or no headwind on the highway. There is a cure, albeit it's not cheap and really should be changed at the factory, and that is having the truck regeared. You will notice an immediate improvement in shifting, much smoother, no bogging or requiring you to mash the accelerator with the tranny trying to decide what you want from it, and it holds 6th gear all day long. Very large improvement in towing and some improvement in fuel economy dependent on how, and where, you drive. If you are largely a highway driver you will see an improvement in fuel economy. Nitro is an excellent company to provide gearing for the Tacoma, and worth every dime especially if you are an off-road person.
 
wbeaton2 said:
ECT will see your mileage tank, no question. This engine is one that develops it's power at higher RPMs, and because the truck was/is geared for fuel economy numbers with the EPA, the truck tries(I said tries) to get into the higher gears as quickly as possible. In my experience the truck would only hold 6th gear on very flat roads with little or no headwind on the highway. There is a cure, albeit it's not cheap and really should be changed at the factory, and that is having the truck regeared. You will notice an immediate improvement in shifting, much smoother, no bogging or requiring you to mash the accelerator with the tranny trying to decide what you want from it, and it holds 6th gear all day long. Very large improvement in towing and some improvement in fuel economy dependent on how, and where, you drive. If you are largely a highway driver you will see an improvement in fuel economy. Nitro is an excellent company to provide gearing for the Tacoma, and worth every dime especially if you are an off-road person.
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I actually get better city/highway mixed with ECT. Maybe 1.5 mpg. No scientific study. Just observation. But if I’m in heavy stop and go, it gets shut off. Too jumpy.
IMHO
 
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