GSCT

I use them occasionally inSport + mode just to hear the throttle blip. The times that I've tracked it, I found that Sport + can pick the gears better than I can, so I never use the shifters.

JDR76

I can never get mine to blip. Grrr...

bclexus

Must be in Sport or Sport+ mode and gear shift in Manual.

JDR76

Even in Sport S+ and manual I haven't had any luck.

bclexus

Maybe your RPMs weren't high enough when engaging the lower gear, and thus you didn't notice the increased RPM blip to match.

If you will manually downshift one gear at say 2,800 RPMs the engine should increase RPM to smoothly engage the next lower gear sending the RPMs to say 3,500 RPMs...and when engine braking takes the RPMs down to 2,800 RPMs again, then downshift once again to the next lower gear, and so on. Each time you downshift the engine speed should blip up to engage the lower gear smoothly just like if you blipped the throttle with your foot in a manual transmission car to purposely match the RPMs of the lower gear you were going into. This engine speed increase 'blipping' happens with the GS 350 not because the lower gear causes the engine's RPMs to rise, but instead because the transmission communicates with the engine in a split-second to increase the engine speed 'as' the downshift happens, thus 'matching' the engine speed necessary for a smooth transition into the lower gear.

bclexus

It's like there is a magical foot on the throttle that gives the engine a quick blip of gas to bump the RPMs up at the exact same time the transmission downshifts into the lower gear, thus 'matching' (increasing) the engine speed needed for the lower gear...so there is not the normal (significant) difference in RPMs that can cause a forceful (engine breaking) reduction in speed the moment the downshift happens.

vinnier6

Yes it does

2Squared

Same here, I think the programming is spot on in Sport + mode.

frazierwa

I think I've used them once or twice; Once to see if they were working, and then when people say; "What are those for?" My bet is that a very small percentage of drivers use them, and those drivers use them seldom. I wouldn't miss them at all, but I suspect they are going to be around for some time since Lexus probably believes that competitors will use that as a discussion point to differentiate their models from Lexus.

I would rather see Lexus divert the cost of that system to something that most users would appreciate; like better integration with smartphones which EVERYONE has. I'd sure like to be able to display my Waze screen on the in-dash display for example.... but I digress.

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

Its the only thing that I use when I drive my car, shifts way better and Im not slamming on my brakes.

praetor

I prefer the shifter but the paddles make sense sometimes. I use it to downshift when I want to accelerate quickly. Not many hills in Chicago, but when I am driving in hilly areas, the manual shifting does come in handy.

bclexus

No more so than starting the engine wears out the starter.

ARM350F

To me it was a big part of the buying decision I love paddle shifters reminds me of F1.

Onpoint

Can one of you gents, give a blow by blow as to how to use effectively.

neegroy

iTrader: (19)

lmao when you have full exhaust you will use them paddles like i do. errrday!