As stated, vvti does not "kick in."

The change you're most likely feeling is the automatic downshifting a gear to give you more power up a hill, most likely from 4th to 3rd.

 

that's called "uphill shift logic"... applies to automatics.

learn more at your local toyota dealership.. oh what am i kidding.. like they know much about our cars..

j/k.. you gotta go in the back to where the mechanics are smoking... they should know their stuff.. if not... i'd be worried.

but here's the thing with the uphill shift logic.. cause i know about it..

the electronic control module determines when you're climbing a hill by comparing actual acceleration with the predicted acceleration based on throttle position... upshifts into 4th (in auto) are inhibited when driver lifts the throttle for an uphill curve... reduces gear hunting... keeps engine in peak torque band... thus.. smoother uphill climbs.
and the benefit of strain on tranny and all that other good stuff...

(or.. you can just turn overdrive off yourself for hills... helps for downhill as well... (adds a little "engine braking"))

got it? no kicking in anything..

 

who wrote anything about "kicking in" because I didnt wirte noting about "KICKING IN" and I dont have an AUTOMATIC.

 

Then I honestly don't know how vvti would help going up hills.. or what you are feeling.

 

like he said, thats your power band your feeling there

 

If you cant feel the change of the engine then what was the point of vvt-i again?

 

VVT-i, or Variable Valve Timing with intelligence, is an automobile variable valve timing technology developed by Toyota. The Toyota VVT-i system replaces the Toyota VVT offered starting in 1991 on the 4A-GE 20-Valve engine. The VVT system is a 2-stage hydraulically controlled cam phasing system.

VVT-i, introduced in 1996, varies the timing of the intake valves by adjusting the relationship between the camshaft drive (belt, scissor-gear or chain) and intake camshaft. Engine oil pressure is applied to an actuator to adjust the camshaft position. In 1998, "Dual" VVT-i (adjusts both intake and exhaust camshafts) was first introduced in the RS200 Altezza's 3S-GE engine. Dual VVT-i is also found in Toyota's new generation V6 engine, the 3.5L 2GR-FE V6. This engine can be found in the Avalon, RAV4, and Camry in the US, the Aurion in Australia, and various models in Japan, including the Estima. Other Dual VVT-i engines will be seen in upcoming Toyota models, including a new 4 cylinder Dual VVT-i engine for the new generation 2007/2008 Corolla. Another noteable implementation of the Dual VVT-i is the 2GR-FSE D-4S engine of the Lexus GS450h. By adjusting the valve timing, engine start and stop occur virtually unnoticable at minimum compression, and fast heating of the catalytic converter to it's light-off temperature is possible, thereby reducing HC emissions considerably.

VVTL-i

In 1998, Toyota started offering a new technology, VVTL-i, which can alter valve lift (and duration) as well as valve timing. In the case of the 16 valve 2ZZ-GE, the engine has 2 camshafts, one operating intake valves and one operating exhaust valves. Each camshaft has two lobes per cylinder, one low rpm lobe and one high rpm, high lift, long duration lobe. Each cylinder has two intake valves and two exhaust valves. Each set of two valves are controlled by one rocker arm, which is operated by the camshaft. Each rocker arm has a slipper follower mounted to the rocker arm with a spring, allowing the slipper follower to move up and down with the high lobe with out affecting the rocker arm. When the engine is operating below 6000 rpm, the low lobe is operating the rocker arm and thus the valves. When the engine is operating above 6000 rpm, the ECU activates an oil pressure switch which pushes a sliding pin under the slipper follower on each rocker arm. This in effect, switches to the high lobe causing high lift and longer duration.

 

"If you cant feel the change of the engine then what was the point of vvt-i again?"

The point is that it's working all the time, improving performance all across the rpm band... If you disabled it entirely, you'd definitely feel a difference, and it would be negative...

 

it would be like disconnecting the vacuum hose on the vacuum advance on a distributor

i've done that few times too many on my old car heh