Pedal Commanders - are these upgrades worth the cost and do they really work or just use more fuel?

Pedal Commanders - are these upgrades worth the cost and do they really work or just use more fuel? Your thoughts

 

I love mine. I can’t say it uses any more gas but I don’t care about mileage or I’d have gotten a different vehicle.

 

Well not sure exactly you're looking for a throttle controller to do. But yes and yes would be the answers. Yes they work and yes the sport and race settings will use more fuel depending on how you drive.

I currently use the shift power controller. I've used a sprint booster on my Tacoma.

 

They do what they say they do, improve throttle response by changing the curve of the throttle position sensor output. They do not add power. Fuel consumption depends the setting you choose and how you drive.

I use the Sprint Booster. I notice no difference in fuel consumption. I have a very mild setting of Sport 4.

 

PC is garbage. Get the Banks. Yes, it's absolutely worth it

 

None of them are worth anything when you can simply stomp on the throttle. 3 years with a PC without issues and I gave it to someone on here. I don’t miss it at all.

 

Hello to you all. I need advice. I have a 2018 Four Runner TRD Offroad. A yellow light went on on my console: KDSS. I went for a visit at my Toyota retailer and apparently KDSS signifies that my assisted suspension does not work properly and it would cost me $17,000.00 Canadian to fix!!!! This seems completely exagerated. Is this system necessary on my vehicule? Cani still go offroad in the bush?

 

you may want to consider posting this as a separate thread, for better response. best of luck

 

Lol, it's always the same players chiming in on how you just need to "stomp" on the pedal......as if everyone wants to stomp like they are at a hoe-down.

The truth is, throttle sensitivity modifiers are exceptional at changing the sensitivity/curve to suit the operators needs. It's very noticeable when changing from a different vehicle to the 4Runner.

Like another said above, the Pedal Commander is bottom of the barrel when it comes to these modifiers. The Banks Pedal Monster is a much better unit with safety's built in that the PC lacks. It also does not change the OEM curve while in reverse.

Do yourself a favor and take the time to watch this video as it explains in great detail why the Banks is a far superior product:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LSBrGBmCgg

 

Yes ^^ It just remaps your throttle curve by changing the signal from the pedal position sensor to a pre-mapped curve and feeds the new signal to the throttle body. So for instance say stock mapping says at 1/8" throttle movement the computer gives 5% throttle and at 1/4" you get 7% etc... that's not linear. So instead, for a snappier feel at 1/8" you may get 10% and at 1/4" you get 20%. That would be a linear curve and a bit more peppy. I think Toyota's curve is pretty flat till you reach over 1/2 throttle say? Just a guess.... it's pretty tame. I'm sure "sport" mode has a pretty abrupt pickup early in the curve. Anywho it's about pedal feel, throttle response, and drivability preferences. You'll probably use more gas just like if you were to dig into the throttle on any other car.

 

It depends on what you mean by this.

If you want a more sensitive throttle pedal; yes, they do.

If you're hoping for more power; no, they don't add power.

Almost everyone who has one seems to like it. You can always sell it to recoup some of your money if you don't like it.

 

I had a Sprint Booster for a year and a half. It worked as advertised. I'm putting it up for sale.

 

It’s exponential.

 

That's a first. Not the KDSS light, but asking about it in a PC thread...

 

As mentioned, get the Banks. It is a much better unit.

 

Thanks for the comment...any particular reason you went with a Sprint Booster over the Pedal Commander as these 2 seem to be the main sellers?

 

Here’s pretty much everything you need to know, in detail, about what they do and how they do it.

https://aguyagirlandatrail.com/2023/03/08/throttle-controllers/

 

I purchased a Pedal Commander early on, and it sat on the shelf for about 6 months or so prior to deciding to install it. In the meantime, I did more research on the Sprint Booster. I decided the features and the smaller footprint of the SB controller were more what I wanted. I never installed the Pedal Commander, and sold it NIB to a fellow member on the forum.

I then got a KDMAX tune, and the Sprint Booster was disconnected at that time and put back in the original box. I just haven't gotten around to listing it in the for sale thread.

While I ran the SB, it worked perfectly well. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for something like it.

 

I've had the Pedal commander for about 2 years and it's been great. You definitely notice a different in pedal response with a PC. Though I have nothing against the PC, I recently purchased the Banks Pedal Monster as I feel like it is a safer overall option. I have yet to receive and install it yet. I should have it installed in the next few days.

As a side note, I don't understand why people buy 4Runners and worry about gas mileage...

 

Emmantik, well, its not a "worry" so much as a concern regarding gas mileage....fewer stops at gas stations is a nice benefit when on the road going long distances to get to "the place". I'll look into the Banks Pedal Monster so thanks for the tip, much appreciated!

 

Yup totally understand. It didn't mean to come across as a jab, just a general thought.

If someone starts off looking for a 4Runner, they should already know from the start they are not getting a fuel efficient vehicle.

 

Toyota programmed in some lag in the gas pedal to reduce throttle fluctuations from "nervous foot" and save fuel. The pedal controllers remove that lag to improve throttle response, and in the process fuel consumption could go up.

For the cost of the pedal controller it's better to just get a tune like OTT. You get better throttle response plus actual improvements throughout the power band.

 

When my 4R came, I stayed open to the possibility of using a product like this. Before long, I got used to the way it came from the factory. I don't mind starting up more gradually than I would in a different kind of vehicle.

 

These devices don't/can't remove the lag. They only manipulate the signal from the pedal to the ECU, which might reduce the lag slightly.

 

^With the iDrive on stock tune, comparing the pass-through "- -" setting back to back with even a mild "U2" setting, the pedal lag was distinctly noticeable, about half a second.

 

I remember during the test drive, getting into the gas and wondering when it was going to start responding. I believe I had it floored and nothing was happening. Put in a PC and am running the City mode. Much better.

I don’t mind some lag either. Had been driving a turbo Ford V6 which had its own lag issues. But the stock 4R throttle response feels like Toyotas ploy to get EPA off their back, at the expense of the user. So I wanted it to go away and the PC did that.

 

I think the lag is reduced because by amplifying the pedal input, it also amplifies the speed at which you appear to be pushing the pedal down. The ECU thinks you're mashing the pedal even when you aren't.

 

I also vote for Sprint Booster. Love mine and no issues since I began using it 2.5 years ago.

 

Pretty much $5/gal here….

 

Love my pedal commander! Makes all the difference in the world as far as get up and go. Vast improvement to stock acceleration.