Pedal Commander Thoughts?

Has anyone installed a Pedal Commander? If so, what are your thoughts? Any differences in fuel economy?

 

4.88

 

Just floor it. If you have to have a pedal pretender, go Banks.

 

I’m sorry, I don’t know what that means.

 

Regear to 4.88

 

Ohhh, my head was in Pedal Commander mode and I thought maybe that was your ideal setting or something, lol.

Pedal Commander seems like such a quick and easy addition, though.

Anyone have experience with it?

 

Weren’t we asked for our PC thoughts a couple of weeks ago or is this a new thread?

 

I’m new to the forum and just got here so I wasn’t around a couple of weeks ago. So yes, this is a new thread. If you’d care to share a link to the previous one, I can take a look there.

 

Everything you need to know https://aguyagirlandatrail.com/2023/03/08/throttle-controllers/

 

There's dozens of threads on these throttle controllers.

Yes, they make response seem snappier.
No, they do not make more power.
No, they will not improve economy. Depending on driving habits, a loss is more likely.

PC just has the best branding, there are others on the market that do the same for less.

 

Try typing this in your browser:

Pedal commander site:4runners.com/

 

Went with Banks Pedal Monster instead. Constant power and stock reverse. Two significant functions Pedal Commander lacks. Pretty happy and it's certainly noticeable in the more aggressive modes. I've only had MPG hits in Sport 3-10 modes & Track modes. Anything in City - all the way to 10 - shows MPG as if I didn't have it but there is certainly performance improvement off the line and when passing.

 

No

 

I don't, but almost everyone who uses them seems to love them. It's definitely worth shopping the different products, as some people prefer the Sprint Booster, and others like Banks.

Check out the link in post #9 for some good information

 

All this ^^^^

 

So for many it's very much worthwhile to use a throttle input modifier as the OEM input is very conservative to say the least. However, I would highly recommend passing up the Pedal Commander for a Banks Pedal Monster as it's a fr superior unit. The Banks has many layers of safety built in that the Pedal Commander lacks. The Banks Pedal Monster also does not just tap into a power source which some people has caused fault codes and even loss of throttle control. Even well known Toyota mechanic and Youtuber had a dangerous experience with the Pedal Commander. Below is a video addressing why the Pedal Commander is so inferior and has safety risks vs, the Banks Pedal Monster:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL3pKztZirA

P.S. I have had the Banks Pedal Monster installed for almost a year now with zero issues. It makes a world of difference.

 

Can't this also be said for the Eco/Normal/Sport driving modes in many Toyota?

 

Those modes can do more than just adjusting throttle response so I'd say those can make a bigger, but obviously not a sizable difference. (ex. Sport would hold lower gears longer)

I remember reading somewhere that Hyundai estimated that using "Active Eco" mode netted up-to a max of 7% in fuel economy improvement but conditions naturally vary. (keyword: "up-to") Honda's eco mode reduces A/C performance too.

Regarding the topic at hand, I'm not a fan of extra electronics between me and my throttle.

 

yes and no. Like the Taco has the "ECT power" button also changes the transmission shift points. Not only the pedal input signals.

 

That's understandable and I'm generally in the same camp as you. That's one of the safeties built into the Banks unit. Should anything malfunction it bypasses the Banks entirely reverting to the OEM.

 

That makes total sense.

 

Been using for over a year and no problems. That said I don't use anything Sport mode just City or Economy. There are some different and cheaper ones out there. I don't know that you need all the settings more than just getting rid of lag. I was running City -3 and with 33s I'm just using it at City neutral setting. I found another controller for $100 that just eliminates the lag. Anything over City makes transmission shift to often and to crazy it's so sensitive. It will shift to something every time you barely touch the gas.