Buying used - How to reset the throttle response/pedal position etc?

[characterzero]

Alright, I searched and looked at 10 pages of results. Coming from a Nissan, I know that with those vehicles I could reset the ECU/throttle body response/pedal position. All of these things are what the truck "learned" over the course of analyzing my driving habits. Perhaps this is unique to Nissan, but I thought it warranted asking.
Given that I'm about to take on a used vehicle that is used to how someone else drove it, is there a method to reset the learning point so that I can make this truck "mine"?
Thanks in advance!

 

[lezavw90]

I'm pretty all you can do is just drive it. It's not like you can really teach vehicles bad habits. I doubt the learning capability is anywhere near as smart as we give it credit for.

It's not like if your new vehicle was driven by grandma and then you jump in and it takes 15 seconds to hit 60mph.

All it really does is slightly adjust gas pedal inputs, if you always jump in and mash the gas it will learn that, and open the throttle body a little quicker. It's definetly not this massive variance between differently driven vehicles like we make it out to be.

 

[1engineer]

I'm pretty all you can do is just drive it. It's not like you can really teach vehicles bad habits. I doubt the learning capability is anywhere near as smart as we give it credit for.

It's not like if your new vehicle was driven by grandma and then you jump in and it takes 15 seconds to hit 60mph.

All it really does is slightly adjust gas pedal inputs, if you always jump in and mash the gas it will learn that, and open the throttle body a little quicker. It's definetly not this massive variance between differently driven vehicles like we make it out to be.

Where did you get your information???

To the OP: Disconnect your negative battery terminal for 15 minutes or so. Make sure you have your radio codes though as it will need to be reset as well. Your ecu will be reset and start to learn again.

@lisavw: Please try to remember that, while several on here know BS when they read it here (as of a few minutes ago there were 150 guests viewing this section) some of them might take what you said as truth, which it is not.

 

[philsey]

To the OP: Disconnect your negative battery terminal for 15 minutes or so. Make sure you have your radio codes though as it will need to be reset as well. Your ecu will be reset and start to learn again.
.

Also know that first time you start it, it will die immediately - just restart.

 

[lezavw90]

Lol, I said pretty sure. Not 100% you can't. Other than the statement"All it really does is slightly adjust gas pedal inputs". Well yes I was talking out of my ass as I have no idea exactly what parameters it adjusts.

But the rest i would say is true. If you take 2 identical 4runners and drive them completely different. I doubt there would a massive difference in the drivability between them. If the learning was that great then Toyota would have the throttle programmed so when people took it for test drives, they would say "holy crap this truck has balls". Then the vehicle would learn your driving habits from there. But instead you have All these posts of people complaining of lack of power.

 

[1engineer]

I'm pretty all you can do is just drive it. It's not like you can really teach vehicles bad habits. I doubt the learning capability is anywhere near as smart as we give it credit for.

It's not like if your new vehicle was driven by grandma and then you jump in and it takes 15 seconds to hit 60mph.

All it really does is slightly adjust gas pedal inputs, if you always jump in and mash the gas it will learn that, and open the throttle body a little quicker. It's definetly not this massive variance between differently driven vehicles like we make it out to be.

Where did you get your information???

The ECU is always tracking the engine's sensors and actuators. Resetting the ECU does not cause the ECU to learn engine changes any faster. The ECU is always tracking the gradual changes in the engine sensors and actuators. The ECU never gets satisfied with a setting, and is always updating the trim values. It will discover whatever change you made to your engine and make the appropriate changes. In fact, unplugging the ECU will most likely increase the learning curve of the new part. It is adjusting cold start values, air/fuel mixture, etc. and will continue depending on ambient temp and altitude. It does not know what altitude you are but knows air pressure has changed and will adjust accordingly.

To the OP: Disconnect your negative battery terminal for 15 minutes or so. Make sure you have your radio codes though as it will need to be reset as well. Your ecu will be reset and start to learn again.

@lisavw: Please try to remember that, while several on here know BS when they read it here (as of a few minutes ago there were 150 guests viewing this section) some of them might take what you said as truth, which it is not.


EDIT: Don't know what happened. Was continuing to type and found it posted an incomplete post. Sorry for the sorta double post. This one is complete.

 

[lezavw90]

1engineer I was hoping for your thoughts on what I wrote about the 2 identical vehicles part, I'm curious as to what you think.
But you just quoted my original post and you wrote out almost the same as what you wrote the first time.

 

[1engineer]

1engineer I was hoping for your thoughts on what I wrote about the 2 identical vehicles part, I'm curious as to what you think.
But you just quoted my original post and you wrote out almost the same as what you wrote the first time.

Yeah, I don't know how I sort of double posted. It took half and posted it somehow. You are right - It would not be a massive difference but it could make enough of a diffference of 2-3mpg depending on variables. Performance wise not so much. Efficiency wise yes. The real story though is that the ECU continues to learn and adapt so initially it could be much different (say the original owner lives at 6,000 ft) and you buy it and live in Houston. The ECU initially will be adjusting for a thinner air mix. Eventually it will learn but not before the owner gets on T4r.org and complains about gas milage. In my other post in another thread about breaking in period I asserted this was the primary reason they ask you to do varied driving. My good friend Antman postulated it was to seat the rings and while I think it may be a little of that it is primarily to adjust the vehicle to the owner and driving habits.

 

[Jtraskell]

Also know that first time you start it, it will die immediately - just restart.

In addition, don't you have to "reset" the rear window too? I thought I read that somewhere.....

 

[Wakeborder556]

and sunroof

 

[lezavw90]

Yeah, I don't know how I sort of double posted. It took half and posted it somehow. You are right - It would not be a massive difference but it could make enough of a diffference of 2-3mpg depending on variables. Performance wise not so much. Efficiency wise yes. The real story though is that the ECU continues to learn and adapt so initially it could be much different (say the original owner lives at 6,000 ft) and you buy it and live in Houston. The ECU initially will be adjusting for a thinner air mix. Eventually it will learn but not before the owner gets on T4r.org and complains about gas milage. In my other post in another thread about breaking in period I asserted this was the primary reason they ask you to do varied driving. My good friend Antman postulated it was to seat the rings and while I think it may be a little of that it is primarily to adjust the vehicle to the owner and driving habits.

Never mind I started to reply about the engine breaking in and I don't want hijack this thread.

 

[1engineer]

In addition, don't you have to "reset" the rear window too? I thought I read that somewhere.....

You did. I understand that procedure is initial dealer prep work - where they are setting the rear window's lower limits. I do not think it needs to be reset after every power interruption though.

 

[Jtraskell]

You did. I understand that procedure is initial dealer prep work - where they are setting the rear window's lower limits. I do not think it needs to be reset after every power interruption though.

Check Harper's post from May 13th.....I thought I remembered this....damn, neurons are still working!

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/89516-passenger-window-wouldnt-close.html

 

[Theslammer21]

im just going to throw this out there from the repair manual that may be some proof that the ecm does adapt to driving depending how you take it. from personal experience, driving multiple customer vehicles a day, every single one drives differently and i can usually confirm it by looking at the customer. usually when i go wide open throttle in someones vehicle that has been driven very lightly, (insert elderly retirement home resident), it shift very slow and smooth compared to a younger more agressive driver.

in other sections of the repairs manual it describes this learning to take up to 200 miles to completely learn a driver.

***not saying all elderly people slow and young people drive fast***

Last Modified: 3-14-2012 6.4 D From: 201008
Model Year: 2011 Model: 4Runner Doc ID: RM000000W7F0GDX
Title: A750E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION / TRANSAXLE: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM: INITIALIZATION (2011 4Runner)

INITIALIZATION
1. RESET MEMORY

NOTICE:

Perform Reset Memory (AT initialization) when replacing the automatic transmission assembly, valve body assembly or any of the shift solenoid valves.
Reset Memory can only be performed with the Techstream.
HINT:

The ECM memorizes the control conditions of the automatic transmission assembly and engine assembly. Therefore, when the automatic transmission assembly, valve body assembly or any of the shift solenoid valves has been replaced, it is necessary to reset the memory so that the ECM can memorize the new information.

The reset procedure is as follows.

(a) Connect the Techstream to the DLC3.

(b) Turn the ignition switch to ON.

(c) Turn the Techstream on.

(d) Enter the following menus: Powertrain / Engine and ECT / Utility / Reset Memory.

NOTICE:

After performing Reset Memory, be sure to perform the Road Test described earlier.

HINT:

The ECM learns through the Road Test.

 

[phillyd2]

Which I guess would explain why mine loves to speed up and run over trees. After doing a few times it "learned" the way I drive.........:lookout:

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

Disconnect the neg. battery cable for 10-15 minutes. To reset the auto up & down feature on the drive and tailgate window, roll all the way Down and back up and hold or 5 seconds after window is fully up. You will also have to re program the ore set radio stations and the clock.

It will "memorize" how far you put down the gas pedal and decide where the transmission shift points should be for Max efficiency and power.

 

[Theslammer21]

NOTICE:

Perform Reset Memory (AT initialization) when replacing the automatic transmission assembly, valve body assembly or any of the shift solenoid valves.
Reset Memory can only be performed with the Techstream.

pulling the negative isnt fully dumping all the learned values

that was supposed to be a quote from my previous post above ^^^^

 

[Jtraskell]

Ok, this is kinda making sense here to an admittedly less then expert auto person. Reaching way far back to late high school, early college, most all computers have either or both, RAM and/or ROM chips. One or the other, can't remember now, will hold their "values" or memory with or without constant power, the other will loose those values or memory without power.

So, I am guessing the radio, power windows, and other such devices will "loose" value absent power. The "learned" values of engine/transmission retains memory with or without power, until "commanded" to reset with Tech-stream. Am I on the right track here"

If so, here is my question. In your post of the Repair manual, it also states that once you reset with the Tech-stream, you have to "Road test" as described above. Here is the quote;

NOTICE:

After performing Reset Memory, be sure to perform the Road Test described earlier.

What is that road test? Why? (outside of the obvious to make sure the repairs worked). Will the vehicle then perform based on the person doing the road test within the road test parameters and nothing more or less? (The chip(s) is now imprinted)?

Next issue. Let's say I purchased a 4 runner OFF THE LOT with a couple of hundred miles on it. I have no idea how that vehicle has been driven for that period of time. Now, if all those miles (which are not very much), were driven like I test drive a vehicle, which is quite different then my everyday driving, how does the ECU "learn" my normal habits vs the multiple people who have driven it before me, unless the ECU has a constant learning curve?

If not, then maybe this is why some folks find the acceleration lacking and others find it doing what they expect. It all depends on the first XXXX miles driven. (That road test mentioned above) If there continues to be an ECU learning curve, however, then no matter what changes, eventually the vehicle will "adapt" to the primary driver.

We need to know the answer.........ok, not really, but it would be good to know......

Be Safe.