foodforara

Hey guys I'm new around here! I just picked up a used 2013 gs450h. I've noticed that it drops into EV mode really aggressively when in sport+ mode, like if I'm going 70km/h and I slow down to 50 as I come up behind a slower car it'll turn off the engine and then start it up again almost immediately after. Also there is a bit of delay in the throttle response even when the engine is active and in sport+ mode. Would resetting the ECU help? I'm guessing the previous owner drove much more conservatively than I do. Ideally, I would like the car to keep the engine on longer while in sport+ mode (e.g. only turn it off once I drop below 20 or 30 km/h). Just today, while in sport+, the engine turned off while I was going at 55km/h. I thought the upper speed limit for that was 40 something km/h...

Sorry if this info has been posted before I tried a search and I couldn't find any information on how to reset the ECU in our cars. Preferably I would like to keep my other settings (radio, seat position) but I don't mind having to readjust those. I read about an "ECU fuse" in the 2nd gen GS do we have one of those as well?

Tom450

Welcome Aboard!! You will really enjoy this beast. If the battery is fully charged it can run in EV mode up to almost 40MPH or about 60KPH so this is normal. I find I get a little better acceleration by not flooring it but rather giving it a firm increase in throttle. When floored it seems to seek the lower gear ratio which does lead to a little delay. I love the CVT, it just keeps on accelerating with the RPM at about 6000. Also, when the battery is fully charged I seem to get better acceleration due to the increased HP from the battery.

foodforara

Thanks! Yea I'm loving the car a lot. So smooth I often don't realize how fast I'm going. Haven't really floored it though, what is the best way to get that "pushed back into your seat" feeling? So far I've just been driving it in auto mode and haven't messed around with the paddle shifters / "manual" mode yet. Am I missing out on much? I just want to minimize the delay I feel sometimes (like when I'm making a turn and I want to clear the intersection quickly)

MustangSal

The 450h, while the most stout in the 350/450 GS class gets its slight edge with the added torque of the electric motors. It's slight but pretty noticeable in the early band of acceleration. Depending on the mode, also determines when the engine actually kicks in (and throttle input).

That said, the throttle response on a complicated car with additional inputs and calculations make it a touch slower in reactions to your right foot dropping the hammer. I'd say it's definitely more touchy in sport and sport+. From a dead stop you'll want to be left foot brake and about 2k in any mode which will load the torque enough to give you a pretty good set into the seatback when you let it rip.

Another addition which most have spoken only good reviews on is the apexi throttle controller. I don't have one (yet) but it's in my plan to add it in. Not a power adder necessarily but just tightens up the response to inputs as I've heard.

So don't be disappointed that the throttle kick isn't exactly that of a higher end "sports car". Remember it's a hybrid. And for a hybrid, it basically kicks the crap out of any other hybrid I know of in its class. So while you can roast a good amount of cars around you, you can also stand behind it's 32mpg with complete integrity.

foodforara

Cool you guys seem very knowledgeable about the car One more question. When the car is moving with the engine off there seems to be a very strange whirring noise... the car isn't completely silent like I expected it to be. Is that some kind of safety feature? Or should I get the noise looked at? I remember a camry hybrid ad I saw years ago of a family sneaking up on deer in their car and ever since I've always wanted to be able to do that.

MustangSal

It makes a few different noises and whirrs when you're not exactly expecting it. Especially when it needs to generate power by turning the engine ...which the first time it did that and I was in it, I wondered who bumped the car. I'm used to that now.

tejanp

The noise you hear when the car is on electric is by behaviour. This is a safety feature that was implemented so that blind pedestrians won't be caught off-guard.

Enjoy the car, it's a great purchase! I love every single min of driving mine.

Tom450

I believe the noise when on battery power was added in later years and is not on the 2013. Could be wrong but my 2013 is very quiet.

tejanp

Mine has it.

Tom450

I checked and the 2013 does have it, guess I just never heard it.

Calsenator

Totally have the electric noise for my 2013 450H. Also is the exact same sounds on my 2012 Camry Hybrid and 3rd gen+ prius

Waqas9282

hello guys
i am working on my gs 2013 with thw niddle speedometer changing it to 2016 but whne install the new meter on my beauty it dose not start my car can any1 help me out on this