I have a 1996 Toyota RAV 4 (2WD Front). On the center...

FAQS.ORG makes no guarantees as to the accuracy of the posts. Each post is the personal opinion of the poster. These posts are not intended to substitute for medical, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. FAQS.ORG does not endorse any opinion or any product or service mentioned mentioned in these posts.

<< Back to general questions

[ Home | FAQ-Related Q&As | General Q&As | Answered Questions ]

Question by Martin
Submitted on 11/30/2003
Related FAQ: N/A
Rating:	Rate this question:
I have a 1996 Toyota RAV 4 (2WD Front). On the center console there is a button that reads "ECT". When the button is pushed on an "ECT Power" indicator light comes on next to the "OD Off". I have looked in the owners manual and I can find no reference to this button. Could someone please what this button is for and what it does? Thank you.

Answer by Ani
Submitted on 3/6/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
There should be a button on the stick that is on the left side, and you should have it pushed in to have your overdrive on. the ect power, i am not sure what that does but i have it in my car and i dont have it on. so your over dirve is off because of the button on the left side of your stick is not pushed in.

Answer by andi
Submitted on 4/27/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
the ect button is for fourwheel drive and must not be used on hard ground like ashfelt it will damage your gearbox if you use it incorrectly if you do not have fourwheel drive then this button will not do anything

Answer by Stan
Submitted on 8/5/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
ECT - electronically controlled transmission. It will change points of shifting gears in an automatic transmission box. If you turn it on and drive you'll notice that the engine revs up almost until the red line before shifting into next gear. The point is to utilize maximum range of torque available before shifting. Very useful for overtaking.

Answer by mrgoodcheese
Submitted on 8/10/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
The previous post by "andi" on 4/27/2004, stating the ECT button controlled 4WD or did nothing....... is absolutely WRONG. Below is from Toyota's own FAQs: "The ECT button (which stands for "Electronically Controlled Transmission") changes the shift points for the automatic transmission. When engaged, the transmission shifts later, allowing the engine to get to a higher power level and accelerate faster. Gas mileage is usually reduced in this mode. Use it when you need to get up to speed faster; for example, to merge into fast moving traffic. The normal position for this switch is OFF."

Answer by Geoff
Submitted on 9/16/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
The "Ect Power" button make the transmission shift higher so you have more acceleration and makes it easier to go up hills,

Answer by traveller816
Submitted on 9/25/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
ect button switches your automatic from normal to sport mode. I have this on my japanese import 4runner

Answer by Kathy
Submitted on 11/8/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
The ect button keeps your car in a lower gear longer upon acceleration.

Answer by GodMonstr
Submitted on 11/13/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Most Toyota automatics also have an "ECT Power" button too. This button holds the transmission in a lower gear to a higher RPM, giving you more power for faster takeoffs

Answer by remedy5
Submitted on 12/3/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
ECT means electronically controlled transmission you use it on manual for around town and power for long road trips

Answer by bob
Submitted on 7/15/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I believe the ect button is for changing the gear shift points in the transmission for increased acceleration.(pulling into heavy traffic)"ect" stands for electronic controlled transmission

Answer by ox
Submitted on 9/8/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
the ECT button changes the shift point in the transmission it can be used on asphalt, and in 2WD.

Answer by clayton
Submitted on 11/15/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
you are all idiots, it stands for electronic transmission control, and when pushed it increases the firmness of shifts, and shifts for power more than economy. it works great on asphalt, as well as offroad(i have it on my tacoma)

Answer by chuck
Submitted on 12/3/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
You people are idiots. the ect button simply controls the shift points of your transmission and has nothing to do with the traction on hard surfaces. If it is set to power, the transmission shifts at higher speeds and rpm than when in normal. do a google search for ect toyota and you will find out the correct info

Answer by neal
Submitted on 12/11/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Actually Rav4s are always in 4 wheel drive or 2 wheel drive depending on the model you have. Ect Power increases acceleration.

Your name or nickname:
If you'd like to create a new account or access your existing account, put in your password here:
Your answer:

Answer by toyota_77
Submitted on 12/13/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
It has nothing to do with 4WD....my 2WD Camry has it

Answer by boogastrich
Submitted on 12/17/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
This button simply causes the transmission to shift at a higher RPM. It is supposed to supply more 'power'. If you select it likely you won't notice much difference, maybe a bit better acceleration but worse gas mileage. You have a 2 liter auto. Not much power can be expected anyway. Just leave it off.

Answer by jeff
Submitted on 2/23/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I have read that this is the electronic controlled transmission button. it changes the shifting points of the transmission. check out autoshop101.com- they explain it.

Answer by Josh
Submitted on 3/22/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
ECT has nothing to do with 4WD. ECT stands for "Electronically Controlled Transmission" and allows for more aggressive shifting, with the ECT set to on or "ECT Power" it allows your RAV4 to shift gears at higher RPM resulting in faster acceleration. However, having this setting on combined with having a "heavy foot" can drastically reduce your fuel economy.

Answer by Grumpy
Submitted on 4/7/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
No it's not. It has nothing to do with 4 wheel drive. ECT stands for Electronic Controlled Transmission. When the ECT button is activated, the transmission shifts more agressively and the shift is delayed slightly to give you more get up and go. You should use the normal mode for everyday driving.

Answer by a
Submitted on 4/30/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
That button serves for faster acceleration. The shifts changes more rapidly giving more power to the car. Of course in this mode fuel consumption increases.

Answer by Jack Ophsmore
Submitted on 8/1/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
"the ect button is for fourwheel drive and must not be used on hard ground like ashfelt it will damage your gearbox if you use it incorrectly if you do not have fourwheel drive then this button will not do anything" Wrong...It's on 2WD's also. It allows thr trans to shift later wheb ON, and sooner when OFF. ON for towing OFF fornormal driving.

Answer by Luis
Submitted on 9/15/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
The ECT button (which stands for "Electronically Controlled Transmission") changes the shift points for the automatic transmission. When engaged, the transmission shifts later, allowing the engine to get to a higher power level and accelerate faster. Gas mileage is usually reduced in this mode. Use it when you need to get up to speed faster; for example, to merge into fast moving traffic. The normal position for this switch is OFF.

Answer by Kuks@TRD
Submitted on 5/20/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
ECT stands for Electronically Controlled Transmission. When it's in the "Normal" mode your tranny shifts earlier for economy drive. When you set it to power the ECT lets the engine rev higher before it shifts to the next gear. I agree with TRD, it's way more fun. That's if you don't mind the increase in fuel consumption. so the guy who thinks it has anything to do with 4WD can go fly a kite