How many of you guys drive in the "ECT Power" mode?

I've been driving it on this mode for the past few days on short and long trips. I'm definitely noticing poorer gas milage, but the power is definitely greater and the shifting and speed is way more entertaining.

The only thing I've noticed that I'm not sure I like yet, it a very defined downshifing when slowing down on the parkway to a quick exit.

What have your experiences been and is it recommended / okay to drive in this mode regularly?

Tks.

 

Even thou im in hawaii i drive in snow mode all the time, not for the mileage but i like the smooth acceleration and shifting, even in snow mode i can blow 80% of the cars on the road

 

from what ive read, people have been fine driving in this mode, but like you said, there is loss to your mpg. of course, the amount of loss for your mpg depends on your driving style, as well.

basically, pwr mode holds gears longer than usual. the owners manual, if im correct, says one of its uses can be when ascending on steep hills. i dont think it necessarily 'adds' power, but it may feel that way since youre hitting a higher rpm than usual.

one of the things i like is what you described, the 'defined downshifting'. it helps when i tap the brake and it doesnt delay to downshift. personally, i rarely use it, but when i do it definitely makes the car a bit more fun to drive

 

i generally keep my car in ect power mode but as the person before me said, it doesnt actually add any power, all it does is change the gear timing. ect power mode is not like the "M" button on an m5/6, there is absolutely no hp or torque gained but shifts are quicker and the gears are held longer. naturally, yes, mpg declines simply because a higher revving motor drinks more than that a lower revving motor, per occam's razor.

for more spiritted driving keep it in ect power mode, for more conservative driving dont

 

The fastest quarter mile times have been done in normal mode. ECT PWR does not help you run faster at the track, but does hold gears longer so if you are off and on the power, it will not upshift as easily.

 

so is it pointless to have etc on when in manual mode? since all it does is change the gear timing... yet your controlling the shifting, it makes it not do anything right?

 

Yes, the snow/normal/ECT setting is pretty meaningless in manual mode, although the manual mode isn't as manual as you might think. It still downshifts by itself. It's the one thing I think they really screwed up on the IS350.

 

that is not entirely true...when in ect power mode while in manual i do notice that my upshifts are quicker as are my downshifts. if you have your info screen on the current gear you will notice that even in manual mode the current gear will not always match the gear you selected. its like the tranny computer thinks it knows how to drive better than you but in ect power it is more responsive to your gear selections...at least based on my experience.

 

use it on the highway sometimes.. when I feel like flying ;] lol

 

This is exactly what the ECT power mode does - from the New Car Features: