What is this and what does it do for the car?

Does gas mileage go down when on?

 

It puts the transmission in a mode that increases shifts which can be akin to, dare I say, a sport-mode. ECT stands for: Electronically Controlled Transmission.

To me it's more fun as a daily driver with ECT engaged.

 

I didn't notice any decrease in gas mileage unless you start driving much faster with the PWR button on than you do with it off.

 

It also adjusts the throttle response and makes the pedal more sensitive. You will notice that the transmission does less hunting for gears, and is more likely to stick in one gear especially during a long deceleration, which feels much nicer to drive with.

 

On my 06 GS300, I swear the car takes off harder in "Power" mode. It is very obvious. Any chance the car in "normal" mode takes off in 2nd gear, and PWR makes it launch in 1st?

 

nope, car always starts off in 1st gear MX5, and what rkenimer said is completely correct. the ECT power combines a much more sportier throttle response, combined with the car holding a low gear for a longer period for that "downshift" feeling when you're driving.

The car does feel like it's launching harder, but your foot whomping on that pedal has the same effect in a way.

 

^ That makes sense, if it causes the pedal to be more sensitive (drive by wire I assume) then pushing with the same force would make it feel more responsive. Most cars I've had with this type of switch, it just makes the tranny hold gears longer. This is the first one that actually gives the illusion of 50 more HP

 

Don't underestimate our V6's and V8s, they have a ton of TQ that follow behind them..... The i6's are the ones that are comparable to tqless wonders heh....

Our cars are def DBW for the record . It's a good thing, trust me..... You can mess with throttle response with devices like a throttle controller from Blitz or HKS .