GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

Power mode, how often do you use it?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-21-05, 11:26 PM
  #1  
alvinn
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
alvinn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: ca
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Power mode, how often do you use it?

Im just curious how often do you people use the power mode on their cars. I have never used it since i read in the manual that it eats more gas. What is different when you put it in power mode? And can i play around with the car when i have the power mode on and with the traction control off? Thank s. I want to see what V8 can really do and the power of 300 horses!!
Old 02-21-05, 11:36 PM
  #2  
Lyrical
Lead Lap
iTrader: (8)
 
Lyrical's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: California
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

theres already another similar topic for this that you might find useful...

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/performance/62892-where-do-you-usually-set-your-ect.html

i usually don't use it...
Old 02-22-05, 01:46 AM
  #3  
aloha08isf
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (2)
 
aloha08isf's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 1,947
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

lol I thought we had a topic like this posted before...how about the "search" hehe....but to get back to your ?....I rarely use mine...mainly coz gas is soo expensive here....like around 2.50 a gallon
Old 02-22-05, 04:01 AM
  #4  
mooretorque
Lexus Champion
 
mooretorque's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 2,851
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 1 Post
Talking

alvinn, if you don't want to read that other thread, here it is in a nutshell. PWR mode doesn't affect the power output of the engine, just the point at which the tranny upshifts and downshifts for a given throttle setting. It'll hold a given gear longer going up and downshift with less throttle pressure. There is likely a little change in the throttle position mapping but not near the difference one sees with SNOW mode. And WOT produces redline upshifts (or downshifts to lowest gear available for a given vehicle speed) for maximum acceleration whether in PWR or NML.

You might use a little more gas but the consensus is that mileage is more or less unchanged compared to the affect of your driving habits.

And you can certainly turn your electronic nanny off if you want to wear off some extra rubber. Just remember, off is REALLY off, not "mostly off but we're still here to pull your *** out of something really stupid" as some other mfgrs program their versions of traction/stability control.

Oh, and PWR for me all the time, plus I gate shift a lot to hold gears even longer since even PWR mode shifts very conservatively at lighter throttle settings.
Old 02-22-05, 04:48 AM
  #5  
yoshi
Pole Position
 
yoshi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: International
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

PWR does several things

- it stiffens the suspension slightly
- it changes the weight of the steering wheel to make it heavier
- it changes the ECU map / gearing so it is more aggressive, it will make 0.5s difference on the 1/4 mile

I can only speak for my car, Aristo V300 or the Jap Lexus GS Turbo.

I usually drive in normal mode but switch to PWR when I'm going fast down the twisties/over-taking.
Old 02-22-05, 05:30 AM
  #6  
alsilverbullet
Instructor
 
alsilverbullet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: South Florida
Posts: 1,211
Received 60 Likes on 17 Posts
Smile

I leave mine on pwr mode all the time.
Old 02-22-05, 06:15 AM
  #7  
joshoowa
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
 
joshoowa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,353
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

im on always on powermode and e-shift... but i think regardless power or normal if u use e-shift u will control the up and down shifts of the car to ur liking
Old 02-22-05, 07:13 AM
  #8  
chicagoblknazn
Lead Lap
 
chicagoblknazn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Illinois
Posts: 3,707
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

It's rare for mine to be turned off.
Old 02-22-05, 07:19 AM
  #9  
LEXUS_KID
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (4)
 
LEXUS_KID's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: IN THE POKER ROOM!!!!
Posts: 10,823
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Always on for me, I like the power of the V8 with a little extra
Old 02-22-05, 09:07 AM
  #10  
rominl
exclusive matchup

iTrader: (4)
 
rominl's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Lovely OC
Posts: 81,670
Received 184 Likes on 143 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by yoshi
PWR does several things

- it stiffens the suspension slightly
- it changes the weight of the steering wheel to make it heavier
- it changes the ECU map / gearing so it is more aggressive, it will make 0.5s difference on the 1/4 mile
wow i have never heard about the suspension and the steering wheel. i can understand about the steering wheel, but how does it stiffen the suspension?
Old 02-22-05, 09:14 AM
  #11  
chicagoblknazn
Lead Lap
 
chicagoblknazn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Illinois
Posts: 3,707
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by yoshi
PWR does several things

- it stiffens the suspension slightly
- it changes the weight of the steering wheel to make it heavier
- it changes the ECU map / gearing so it is more aggressive, it will make 0.5s difference on the 1/4 mile

I can only speak for my car, Aristo V300 or the Jap Lexus GS Turbo.

I usually drive in normal mode but switch to PWR when I'm going fast down the twisties/over-taking.
Can anyone confirm this? I'd be curious to know if these attributes are true for are US versions.
Old 02-22-05, 09:26 AM
  #12  
TLW
Lexus Fanatic
 
TLW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: new jersey
Posts: 14,523
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by alsilverbullet
I leave mine on pwr mode all the time.

same here ...its probably in my mind but i dont like it when its off
Old 02-22-05, 09:29 AM
  #13  
Mr GS400
Pole Position
 
Mr GS400's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: California
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by yoshi
PWR does several things

- it stiffens the suspension slightly
- it changes the weight of the steering wheel to make it heavier
- it changes the ECU map / gearing so it is more aggressive, it will make 0.5s difference on the 1/4 mile

I can only speak for my car, Aristo V300 or the Jap Lexus GS Turbo.

I usually drive in normal mode but switch to PWR when I'm going fast down the twisties/over-taking.
I don't know what kind of car you're writing about but it's not one that this forum is focused on. The GS Series Lexus has a totally passive suspension system when it leaves the factory. There is absolutely no interface or connection between ECU and suspension components (ie. springs, shocks, sway bars, etc). It might 'alter' the steering 'feel'; I've never noticed that.

Maybe I missing something here but I really don't think so.
Old 02-22-05, 09:41 AM
  #14  
WhiteTiger
Lexus Champion
 
WhiteTiger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,206
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by mooretorque
... PWR for me all the time, plus I gate shift a lot to hold gears even longer since even PWR mode shifts very conservatively at lighter throttle settings.
Same here.
Old 02-22-05, 10:22 AM
  #15  
DaveGS4
Forum Administrator

iTrader: (2)
 
DaveGS4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 31,432
Received 2,127 Likes on 1,297 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by yoshi
PWR does several things

- it stiffens the suspension slightly
- it changes the weight of the steering wheel to make it heavier
- it changes the ECU map / gearing so it is more aggressive, it will make 0.5s difference on the 1/4 mile

I can only speak for my car, Aristo V300 or the Jap Lexus GS Turbo.

I usually drive in normal mode but switch to PWR when I'm going fast down the twisties/over-taking.
Guys don't get confused by this info... the US-spec GS does NONE of these things except for a bit of the ECU mapping / more aggressive shift points to hold closer to redline.


Quick Reply: Power mode, how often do you use it?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:01 PM.