i talked to my lexus service dealer yesterday and he was saying that the first few hundred miles i should drive harder so the VVTi can "learn how i drive" so that later on if i need extra preformance, i'll get it

it sounded a little sketchy to me
can any body verify this (and possibly tell me what the hell VVTi -is-?)

 

Sounds like BS to me but i believe VVTi = Variable Valve timing ... somone correct me if im wrong...

 

VVT-I = Variable Valve Timing w/Intelligence or Toyota's trade name for computer controlled vaiable valve timing. Neveer heard of breaking in the VVT to get more power though.

 

What the? thats a new one on me. Ied say break the motor in easily and if the car isnt intelligent enough to realize that now your done breaking it in and want more power, you can reset the computer by either pulling a few fuses or disconnect the battery for a little bit.

 

The ECUs now require a test tool reset.. pulling the plug doesn't work anymore for the memory.

VVT-i adjusts the timing based on the first few hundred miles of driving. It adjusts to your style so you can have more power in certain ranges (feather foot) or a slight boost in power in certain rpms... it's not THAT noticeable... but you can drive 2 cars similarly equipped after the vvt-i learning period and they will feel different. My friend and I used to run our cars (same exact equipment!! but I weigh like 100 lbs more lol. both were AUTO ran in D w/ OD off) and my car was faster than his... almost everytime x_x

ect-i (transmission program) also adjusts to your shifting habits so you can get a silky or rough shift (not really noticeable on a lexus... but you can sure tell on a toyota!!)

 

Interesting... I thought Lexus only made the ECU to adjust shift timings to adapt to drivers' habits. Didn't know the VVT-i timings are adjusted too. Wonder how much truth there is to the technician's claim.

 

Hate to tell you this but whoever told you this at your lexus service is incorrect. The first few hundred miles, you should drive it easily. Preferably the first 500-1000 to ensure the gaskets and seals to properly seat in your motor.

VVT-i = Variable Valve Timing w/Intelligence.

VVT-i doesn't need to learn how you drive. It's the ECU that adjusts to your driving style. The biggest myth out there right now is..."Reset your ECU and drive it hard to learn your driving style".

Simple Toyota definition:

Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i)
This system selects the ideal intake and exhaust valve overlap under all engine operating conditions. VVT-i virtually eliminates the traditional compromises between low-end torque and high-rpm horsepower. It also helps enhance fuel economy and reduces emissions so effectively that it eliminates the need for the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) emissions device.

 

i never heard it put that way b4

 

The ECU learns how the car is driven. And it adjusts accordingly and changes around the afr and shiftpoints slighty to gain more power.

This is on all performance vehicles from lexus, EX. SC Series, IS series, and GS series. Not sure about the LS or ES.

 

Quick question, say you do take it easy for the first thousand miles for break-in, and the ecu is used to that style of driving habit. If you start driving more aggressively after break-in period, does the ecu automatically adjust to this, or would the ecu have to be reset to adjust for the new aggressive driving habit??

 

There is a min/max range for the shifts... including fuel cut off (for a smoother shift) and also retarding the timing to compensate for the fuel reduction. The ECU "learned" parameters aren't going to make your car a monster from a sheep, but the torque range shift, at least to me, can be felt... peak is still peak... but gas mileage changes quite a bit too. I was getting only 20 MPG and I decided to reset. Nothing on my car has changed (more miles... but ya)... and I still have the same % highway/city driving and now I get about 23-24.

So if this is all untrue, all those ECU resets have been done as a placibo (spelling?) lol. Coincidentally seeing the MPG improve on future reports is an added bonus =D

 

He likely means ECT-i...

ECT-i Six-speed sequential-shift automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence

 

Speaking of which,

Do you guys leave ECT at PWR mode all the time or just sometimes?

 

I left the ECT button on in my LX so much the bulb blew out Whenever i get the chance to drive the LS430 i also flip on ECT PWR and turn Trac off.

Question about VVT-i....what would be required of it to retrofit it to a older motor that didnt come with it? Like, put the 06 LX VVT-i system on a 00 LX?

 

Not possible. It would be easier to just to an engine swap.

Straight from the Wiki:

Toyota recently started offering a new technology, VVTL-i, which can alter valve lift (and duration) as well as valve timing. This is accomplished differently than Honda's VTEC. Instead of switching between two different cam shafts, there are spacers that are slid between a single cam shaft and the valves. At higher RPM, controlled by the ECU, oil pressure is directed to push the spacers between the camshaft lobes and valves, effectively simulating a much "hotter cam" and creating increased valve lift. When the engine falls in RPM the spacers are pulled out of action and the engine operates more economically. This system is used in the Yamaha designed 1.8 liter 4 cylinder 2ZZ-GE which is used in the Toyota Celica GT-S, Toyota Matrix Toyota Corolla XRS, Pontiac Vibe GT and Lotus Elise 111R. This variable lift technology allows the engine to be quite fuel efficient at lower RPMs and, when called upon, able to produce much more power at the expense of fuel economy.

For 2006, the company will add dual VVT-i, which varies timing independently on both the intake and exhaust cams. This will debut on the 2006 Toyota Avalon's 2GR-FE V6.