The third-generation 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma is a good truck, but many owners complain of throttle lag. In fact, our 2020 Tacoma is an example of a truck that exhibited said lag. The pause between throttle input and response was driving us crazy, so we decided to do something about it. We solved the problem by installing a JMS Products PedalMAX. The unit is designed to improve the throttle response and overall driving characteristics of vehicles equipped with electronic throttle control systems. As a bonus, it installed quickly and easily.
The Dilemma
Quite simply, our Tacoma took a leisurely approach to throttle response. From the time we pushed the accelerator pedal to the time it took the engine to respond was at least a full second or two. When the lag was combined with the V6 engine’s underwhelming power, the overall experience was poor. For example, this lack of “go” has put us in some unpleasant situations. When trying to make a U-turn or pass another vehicle on the highway, we needed to make sure there was plenty of runway. Otherwise, we’re in the way of someone else, and that’s dangerous. And often, our truck is hauling additional weight, which exacerbated the problem.
And recently, we fit our Florida-based truck with larger-diameter tires. While we’re very happy with the performance of the meats on- and off-road, throttle lag seems even more pronounced. For example, we often need smooth off-road acceleration in sand, but that’s not what we’re getting. And when we add gear and toys, like extra fuel and a dirt bike, the lag is even more irritating.
JMS Products PedalMAX To The Rescue
Fortunately, the aftermarket has responded with ways to improve throttle response. One of those is the U.S.-designed-and-assembled JMS Products PedalMAX. The plug-and-play PedalMAX is an easy-to-install device that offers improved throttle response and acceleration by eliminating throttle delay. JMS Products says that PedalMAX enhances low- and mid-range horsepower, torque, and acceleration. It’s important to note that PedalMAX does not increase horsepower or torque. The company says the device also offers faster downshifts on automatic transmission-equipped vehicles. Additionally, it reduces throttle hang on vehicles with manual transmissions. Furthermore, it is said to offer a big turbo lag reduction, and it’s factory and aftermarket tuning compatible. Finally, PedalMAX can be “stacked” with other tuning products to maximize performance.
The PedalMAX kit includes the PedalMAX, wiring harness, remote adjustment knob, installation kit, and installation instructions. JMS also offers the PedalMAX Terrain, which is designed for varying terrain. It offers the ability to increase or decrease the sensitivity of your vehicle’s throttle. For comparison, the PedalMAX only allows the sensitivity to be increased. Since our Tacoma spends most of its time on the pavement, we installed the standard PedalMAX. We chose the PedalMAX because of its simplicity, slick design, and highly rated reviews.
Easy Install
Our PedalMAX kit included the control box, wire harness, on-the-fly control knob, and a quartet of cable ties. This is likely one of the easiest aftermarket products we’ve installed. PedalMAX mounts inside the cabin, under the dash near the accelerator pedal sensor. The instructions note how to attach the PedalMAX in-line between the pedal position sensor and the OE wiring harness. Using the provided cable ties, the PedalMAX unit is secured under the dash. The control knob wiring is designed to plug into the four-pin connector on the main wire harness. The control knob can either be attached with fasteners or via the adhesive pad on the back of the unit.
The Results
We’re very happy with the results of the JMS Products PedalMAX. The dial allows it to be adjusted from 0 to 100. The 0 setting represents the factory parameters. Thus, turning the dial decreases throttle lag. This allows the user to find the “sweet spot” that works best for their vehicle. And because it works on-the-fly, you can adjust PedalMAX to dial in throttle response for different driving situations. Additionally, we like its wide range of settings. When not hauling cargo, we typically drive with the PedalMAX set to 25. The setting decreases throttle lag without making throttle inputs too sensitive. However, we’ve had occasions where we’ve bumped it up to 50, or more, when traveling on a two-lane road where passing is commonplace. The increased throttle response is welcome when we need a quicker reaction to throttle inputs during passing maneuvers.
The Bottom Line
The JMS Products PedalMAX is an easy-to-install product that solves a problem. We enjoy driving our Tacoma much more since we’ve installed the unit. No longer do we have to attempt to mentally compensate for throttle lag during driving maneuvers. And off-road, it has given us the ability to quickly and easily dial in the best setting for a given type of terrain, whether its sand or mud.
PedalMAX is available for a wide range of makes and models of 4x4s with electronic throttle control systems. For a complete list of applications, visit jmschip.com.
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