What is ECT? (in a car)

[Legendary]

I drive a '91 Camry and I just noticed the ECT button next to the parking brake. I pushed it down, not knowing what it is, and I think my car was accelarating faster...what is ECT exactly, what does it do and what are the consequences of it?

 

[pyonir]

Eject. you're lucky it didn't work

 

[Kelvrick]

<< I drive a '91 Camry and I just noticed the ECT button next to the parking brake. I pushed it down, not knowing what it is, and I think my car was accelarating faster...what is ECT exactly, what does it do and what are the consequences of it? >>


My 93 Camry has a button next to the Shifter. *forgot what its called*

When I push it, a little light on the dashboard says Power and when I'm pushing the gas uphill and the car is struggling, it seems to shift down gear so I get more power.

 

[tigerbait]

Electronically Controlled Transmission

You probably switched it from Economy to Power mode, or something like that, which adjusts the shift points.

 

[FrustratedUser]

ECT = Electronic Camry Tuning

DOH!

 

[Bulk Beef]

Tigerbait has it. "Power" for powerful acceleration - "Normal" for general driving conditions. That's from the owner's manual.

 

[Rallispec]

probably the same as the "over-drive' button on nissans.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Basically all it does is holds the shifts till redline...so once you approach redline it will upshift.

However it does not work like that all the time, sometimes it upshifts before redline.

Most newer cars sense that when your at WOT <Wide Open Throttle> it will hold the shift till redline anyway.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

<< probably the same as the "over-drive' button on nissans. >>



No overdrive is different, and I know for a fact that the Camry in question has the overdrive button as well.

In simple terms, overdrive = 4th gear on an 4-spd automatic tranny

All 4-spd auto trannies have it

 

[glen]

Electronic
Transmission
Control

 

[PsychoAndy]

pm nfs4. he might know

 

[Legendary]

Thanks very much.

 

[308nato]

I don't know for sure about the Toyota but on some cars engaging that system makes the car shift up at lower rpm than usual. This is to assist on getting traction in slippery conditions like ice, snow and rain. less chance of wheelspin if it isn't wound so tight when gears change.

 

[Zenmervolt]

<<

<< probably the same as the "over-drive' button on nissans. >>



No overdrive is different, and I know for a fact that the Camry in question has the overdrive button as well.

In simple terms, overdrive = 4th gear on an 4-spd automatic tranny

All 4-spd auto trannies have it >>

No, "overdrive" is a gear with a ratio less than 1:1. In some 4-speed automatics 4th gear is 1:1, thus it is direct drive and not "overdrive". BMWs don't have overdrive in their manuals (or at least they didn't used to), 5th gear in older BMWs is 1:1. The "overdrive" button does typically lock out the highest gear, but in a lot of transmissions it also remaps the shift points. The ECT button remaps the shift points without locking out the top gear. (Example of an "overdrive" ratio: 0.68:1)

ZV

 

[GingerSynapse]

Thanks, glen, for answering his question. I learned something today!

To me, ECT means Electo Convulsive Therapy (also known as "shock treatment,") but I doubt that many people would want this in their cars.

 

[glen]

ECT is one of the most effective teatments for depression around. Unfortunately, it was unfairly portrayed as a brainwashing technique in One Flew Over The CooKoo's Nest.

 

[NFS4]

It's a performance mode. I have it on my '95 Camry. I use the power function in the city, and turn it off on the highway. I like the higher RPM shifting for city use.

From what I have noticed (by eyeballing the tach during transmission shifts), ECT shifts about 250 - 300 RPM higher in the rev band than in normal mode. Sometimes, I'll forget that I have it in ECT mode when I'm on the highway and I'll pull in the left lane to pass someone, step on the gas, and the mofo will downshift and charge forward like a mofo . I prefer a more "relaxed" highway ride so I leave it off b/c of this.

 

[Danman]

<< probably the same as the "over-drive' button on nissans. >>



Yep.

 

[MazerRackham]

<< Eject. you're lucky it didn't work >>



LMAO! A friend of mine once convinced his (now) ex-gf that a certain odd button on his dashboard was actually an eject button. So they got into a fight once, and he said "that's it! I've had enough of your sh!t and you're out of here!!" and then hits the button. The best part is that she screamed "Noooooooooooooooooo!!!"



OMG some of my friends are effing hilarious...

 

[Kelvrick]

<<

<< probably the same as the "over-drive' button on nissans. >>



Yep. >>


Gotta be wrong. That means I have 2 things that do the same thing? I have over drive AND ect.

 

[NFS4]

<<

<< probably the same as the "over-drive' button on nissans. >>



Yep. >>


Nope. Camry have an ECT button and an O/D button

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Zemmervolt: isn't the 4th gear in a 4-spd auto always less than 1:1??? 3rd gear is the closest to 1:1 right?? Or usually it is?

 

[TonyH]

The ECT or "Electronic Controlled Transmission" switch in the Toyota and Lexus vehicles sets the perfomance mode of the transmission.

In the Power mode the shift points will be higher with firmer shifts for better performance.

The Economy setting gives you earlier shifts for optimized fuel economy.

Both settings will give you all four forward gear ratios plus TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) engagement.

The O/D button will cancel or enable overdrive in either mode.

 

[tigerbait]

<< <<

<< probably the same as the "over-drive' button on nissans. >>



Yep. >>


Nope. Camry have an ECT button and an O/D button >>



likewise in my 4Runner

 

[Jerboy]

<< I drive a '91 Camry and I just noticed the ECT button next to the parking brake. I pushed it down, not knowing what it is, and I think my car was accelarating faster...what is ECT exactly, what does it do and what are the consequences of it? >>




Electronically Controlled Transmission. Some cars have a power mode and regular(econo) mode. This button lets you choose between high acceleration and fuel economy mode. As many stick drivers are aware, early shifting, typically before you let the engine hit 3,000RPM can achieve a better fuel economy. You rev it up to higher RPM before shifting if you want better acceleration, but it will cost you fuel economy.