mm88

Hello All,

I just recently bought a 1998 LS400 & wanted to know what is the normal engine/rpm speed for the car while driving at 60 mph & 70 mph. I used the following sites below to calculate the expected engine speed, which suggests that it should be around 1884 rpm while driving at 60 mph & 2197 at 70 mph. I noticed that my car is at 2000 rpm at 60 mph & 2300 at 70 mph, so I am not sure if there may be a problem with the transmission or not. car shifts quickly & doesnt hesitate when shifting, but its something that bothers me a bit. Anyway, if anyone out there with a 1998 -2000 ls400 could chime in with what their engine speed is at 60 & 70 mph, i would appreciate it.


Links i used to calculate engine speed:
RPM calculator 1: http://www.ringpinion.com/Calculators/Calc_RPM.aspx
RPM calculator 2: http://www.csgnetwork.com/multirpmcalc.html

Wikipedia page with A650E gear ratio:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_...smission#A650E


These are the values that i used:
Differential Gear = 3.27 to 1
Transmission Gear = 0.75 to 1
Tire Diameter (Inches) = 28.00

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Are you sure you are driving it in D and not 4th? Sounds like you are in 4th grear on the highway. The shift lever should be to the right not left. I seem to remember 65 mph being right at 1900 - 2000 rpm's in my 99 LS400. I remember letting my father borrow my car and for whatever reason the shift lever position confused him. If you have the lever to the left it will prevent the transmission from going into overdrive or 5th gear.

mm88

Hi Lavrish,

Thanks for the quick response! Yeah, im driving it in D & not in 4.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Have you tried shifting to 4th while on the highway? Try moving the lever to 4th to see if she downshifts at the speeds mentioned. If nothing happens it sounds like the transmission is not going into 5th gear.

mm88

ok, might give that a try on my lunch break & will let you know of the results. Thanks for your time!

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Also, have you checked your transmission fluid level? Make sure it is not low. It should be checked with the transmission warm, after your have driven it for 20 min or so and on very level ground. If it does look suspicious or dirty then have a good shop or Lexus dealer do the drain and refill with Toyota type IV. Don't flush it.

Lots of good info here. Post back.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...questions.html

mm88

Just came back from the drive. It was in 5th gear, when I shifted to 4 while driving at 60 mph, rpm went from ~2000 to 2500, then i shifted back to D & it went back to 2000. I got the transmission fluid checked before i got the car & they stated that it was good, but it looks dirty to me. fluid level is ok. I have an appointment with lexus on saturday & they plan to do some tests then (hopefully pressure & stall speed test if needed). I'll update again after i get it checked.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Do you have stock wheels and tires? What is your tire size?

mm88

225 60 r16, I believe the wheels are stock.


Edit:
Not sure yet, but maybe that's what it is. I recalculated the expected engine speed using the above tire size (radius: 26.63) & it looks like its returning 1983 rpm for 60 mph & 2313 for 70 mph, which is what i'm getting on my car with an obd tool while driving. I'm still going to get it checked by the dealer on Saturday though, just to be sure.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

That's the right tire size. 2313 still seems a little high but maybe this is correct. I'm at 2100 rpms at 77 mph on my 6 speed LS430. If everything turns out good have the dealer do your fluids. Drain refill on the trans, differential, brake, PS, and decarb the throttle body. How many miles are on her?

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

rpm is fine, you're worrying over nothing.

YoshiMan

If it makes you feel any better, either count the gears as it shifts through, or manually select each gear and make sure it shifts through all five.

Also, drive on the freeway and let off the gas. When you push it down again, the RPMs should level out and they drop slightly once the converter lockup kicks in.

mm88

Thanks everyone for your responses.

it has 186,600.

I hope your right. Is it close to yours?

I counted the shifts, its going through all 5 gears, though i'm not sure when the torque converter locks up. I'll give what you suggested a try tomorrow on the way to work.

Kansas

Your transmission is fine - rpm's are about what my 2000 LS400 does. Why does this seem to be a problem?

Yamae

The chart right side may help you to judge. You need to convert Km/H to mile/H though.