'23 Tundra Underpowered at high elevation?

A few weeks back, I went over Cinnamon Pass outside of Silverton, CO on the Alpine Loop. High Point is 12,000+. Nearing the top, the truck felt super underpowered. It was to the point of pedal to the floor to just get up some of the easy rock ledges. I was in 4Hi and it was not a traction issue, it seemed to be a lack of power. I have gone over similar high points in much harder terrain in other rigs (Tacoma, Colorado, Jeep) without issue.

Is this just how turbo motors perform at high elevation and such is life?

 

How fast were you trying to go over these rock ledges in 4HI?

 

Sounds more like the computer cutting power

 

I can go as fast as I want to go over any pass as I want. Power actually seems to be quite good at altitude. Did you try 4Lo at all?

 

This is my first turbo engine and the majority of my driving is 7k+ asl, you are out of your mind. This truck blows away the last 3 5.7 tundras I have had. And the 2020 Tacoma was so anemic I won't even bother responding to it. Troll much??

Almost 400 hp and 475 ft lbs of torque at any altitude?? Your post cannot be real.

 

Yep, that's what 4 low is for.

 

I think we are thinking the same thing as I was going to ask the same thing.

like trying to off-road or rock climb in 4hi, lol.

 

High altitude turbocharger fluid sounds like it is low.

 

Wondering if the 'puter sees extreme transmission fluid temperatures and decided safe mode might be in the best interest of all concerned.

 

You're joking, right? This has to be trolling.

 

Bro had a rock under the pedal.

 

I think you’re experiencing a combination of nannies (more torque at low rpm probably pings your traction control sooner in low traction environments such as gravel and dirt roads) and being in 4Hi. Turbo’d engines lose less power at altitude than NA engines.

When I am on high elevation shelf roads and mountain pass roads, I’m in 4Lo. My NA v8 is not lacking for power at all at those elevations.

S4 and 4Lo got me up here through torrential rain and hail (thankfully small enough no hail damage). Never wanted for more power even once:


Your big, fat, full-size, ~6,000lb truck wants to be in 4Lo, even if only to help control transmission temperatures. And consult your manual to disable some nannies. That’s all.

 

Nothing aggressive, just simply trying to get from point A to point B on the same trail that I have done numerous times in other vehicles, in 4Hi without issue.

 

I kept an eye out for any warning lights and such. I never saw anything.

 

As a child, I wished that my parents were rich and that I had nannies to experience

 

color match those corners please

 

No, we didn't go back over that pass and the only other times I've been anything close to that high I was in 4Lo because of conditions.

 

Not trolling, just a simple question. I live at 8750 so all of my driving is higher elevation. I've never had an issue which is why I posed the question.

 

Good work.

 

Wouldn't there be a warning light or something on the display?

 

Any normally aspirated engine looses 3% power per thousand feed of elevation. That's a 36% power loss at 12K.

My turbo (a kia) climbs to that and far more effortlessly - I know its not a truck yet you get the point. There s-b no obvious loss of power in a Twin Turbo.

 

Thanks for a useful response. There are certainly a lot more nannies on this truck than prior rigs so that makes sense. Sounds like more 4Lo usage is needed than my prior vehicles.

 

That is what I understood about turbos as well which is why I was curious/confused. I'm thinking now that it is the brains and nannies on this truck that would prefer 4Lo more often.

 

You would think so. First time I pulled my travel trailer up my long steep driveway in 4L I was shocked to see I was unable to get past abound 3,000 RPM. I wish I would have known RPM is limited by the ECU while in 4L. No warning lights just a puckered rear end on my part. Now that I know about it I'm fine with it.

 

Yeah, Toyota loves their nannies. High torque @ low RPM + nannies + 4Hi which requires more skinny pedal = computer cutting power for traction. That’s how I see it anyway.

Better gearing (i.e., 4Lo) will control transmission temps and require less skinny pedal (which should result in less scolding from the truck’s traction control nannies).

That pic is 3 years old. I bought bumpers for cheap from a guy with a 2020 Pro who had installed steel bumpers front and rear.
This is last September glassing for elk (at 8k ft if I remember correctly):

 

ah, much better thank you.