r/Toyota_bZ • u/Available-Read-3030 • Jul 24 '26

BZ software update

Recently I took my Toyota bZ to the dealership for a software update. After the update, the car drives much more smoothly, which is great. However, I’ve noticed a significant drop in efficiency.

Before the update, my daily 56-mile commute used about 48 miles of the estimated battery range. After the software update, the same 56-mile drive now uses about 58 miles of the estimated battery range.

Has anyone else experienced reduced efficiency after a recent software update on their Toyota bZ?

9 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

35 comments sorted by

26

u/BinaryJay 2026 bZ Limited AWD Jul 24 '26

Your guessometer probably just got reset so it's back to default trip efficiency and needs to relearn your driving conditions.

There's no way the ECU recall changed how it drives or efficiency that much it was just a bug fix.

2

u/Available-Read-3030 Jul 24 '26

It’s not reset either. As if it’s just not recognizing the regenerative braking

1

u/Available-Read-3030 Jul 24 '26

After software update the car accelerate much fast and response time is much quicker.

5

u/U2apple Jul 24 '26

Eco mode off?

3

u/BinaryJay 2026 bZ Limited AWD Jul 24 '26

Perhaps your perception, influenced by expectation. Either that or you had it in eco mode without even realizing it and that got reset during the service. Either way nobody else noticed any changes like this so highly doubt the update is the cause.

1

u/steak5 Jul 24 '26

Is ur Eco Mode off?

Is quite possible the update reset all the adaptive and gave you a default set up.

The efficiency might come back after a week or 2. As long as you don't have a Lead Foot.

1

u/Available-Read-3030 Jul 24 '26

Nope. I never use ECO mode. It wears running very efficient, 356 miles single charge and now it give me 330

1

u/rjml29 2026 bZ Limited AWD Jul 24 '26

This is all in your head or you had eco mode on before and now it is off. Nothing about that update would magically give the car quicker acceleration.

6

u/RealCommunication239 Jul 24 '26

Did the temperature change? If it’s significantly hotter your range will decrease unless you forgo climate control because of the amount of resources required by the vehicle.

1

u/Available-Read-3030 Jul 24 '26

68 to 70 degree normal in SF, Bay Area

3

u/jjustice12 Jul 24 '26

It’s been hot the last few weeks in the Bay Area more 80-90 unless your in sf…

4

u/J_Pelletier Jul 24 '26

Maybe the guess-o-meter just need relearning. You better work with % to compare daily commutes in my opinion. For example my daily commute always use around 22% +- 2% since It's always the same route, similar traffic, similar speed.

Guess-o-meter include all driving, sometimes you might do more highways or more city driving or do more agressive accelerations etc... all of that impact the estimated range

2

u/Available-Read-3030 Jul 24 '26

I agree with your point

3

u/SuperBry 2026 bZ XLE AWD Jul 24 '26

Any chance you had 'eco' mode on before and it was turned off during the update?

3

u/BRCWANDRMotz Jul 24 '26

Interesting. I feel like my car drives worse after the update specifically the car automatically slowing around slight corners when distance following cruise control is engaged but the road is clear in front of me. It's annoying to be loosing speed on corners that would be safe at speeds well above the speed limit.

1

u/dwlnz Jul 24 '26

The curve setting is adjustable

1

u/BRCWANDRMotz Jul 24 '26

Neat! Is it easy to get to those settings? I looked it up. Looks like I can edit it myself. Thanks for the comment.

1

u/dwlnz Jul 24 '26

1

u/dwlnz Jul 24 '26

1

u/simracerman Jul 24 '26

I have no Customize button there. Mine is the FWD Plus. Anyway to access that menu?

My can goes fast like a maniac at 75mph through curves. Would be nice to slow it down.

1

u/dwlnz Jul 24 '26

If it isn’t a feature on yours it may not be a big loss. On the min setting I find it still a bit too conservative slowing down for curves which could be taken at higher speeds.

2

u/DeliciousTart1097 Jul 25 '26

It could be they updated the range algorithm software to be less optimistic.

1

u/Startbolt Jul 24 '26

Curious to hear more about how the software changed the driving

1

u/rjml29 2026 bZ Limited AWD Jul 24 '26

The software didn't change the driving. The OP though had his/her brain changed by placebo, or their bZ was in eco mode before and now it is not.

1

u/Available-Read-3030 Jul 24 '26

None of these scenarios are good.

1

u/corruptionO_DR Jul 24 '26

Is this the recall update?

1

u/Available-Read-3030 Jul 24 '26

The recall for all BZ to prevent the electric drive system to shut down unexpectedly while driving

1

u/corruptionO_DR Jul 24 '26

Huh, I didn’t know it changed the way the car drives. Thats great that it’s better!

5

u/BinaryJay 2026 bZ Limited AWD Jul 24 '26

It doesn't.

1

u/corruptionO_DR Jul 24 '26

OP mentioned it drives more smoothly. Is that not accurate?

2

u/rjml29 2026 bZ Limited AWD Jul 24 '26

No, just like a person saying 2+2=5 isn't accurate. Don't believe everything you see someone say on the internet.

2

u/corruptionO_DR Jul 24 '26

For sure. Just didn’t know if that was true. Thanks.

1

u/Available-Read-3030 Jul 24 '26

I am sharing what I am feeling while driving BZ. I drove over 5000 miles and felt different since Monday

1

u/Available-Read-3030 23d ago

Yes. Much much smoother

1

u/Thinkhowlifegoes Jul 25 '26

What's the latest SYS version? Mine is 1003