Notices
Car Chat General discussion about Lexus, other auto manufacturers and automotive news.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Innova

Electronic Throttle Control

Old Aug 21, 2010 | 02:05 PM
  #1  
maficrock's Avatar
maficrock
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: CA
Default Electronic Throttle Control

I'm curious if anyone has a better understanding of the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) systems specifically within the Lexus vehicles. I drive a 2006 GS430 and my wife has a 2007 RX350. I know the ETC are present in pretty much all new cars and basically work the same way. However, I don't like the "hesitation" that I feel at times, especially when accerating quickly.

I recall speaking to one of the service advisors at the local Lexus dealership about 1 year ago and he mentioned to me he drove a 2007 GS that he had the mechanic do some tweaking on the ETC, that alleviated this problem and improved performance.

Would appreciate any feedback. If any lexus mechanics out there, please chime in as well. thanks
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2010 | 02:28 PM
  #2  
Och's Avatar
Och
Lexus Champion
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 17,035
Likes: 248
From: NY
Default

The lag is present pretty much on all vehicles with such system. It's not even that bad on Lexus compared to some other makes, and no vehicle has that instant responce and connected feel as the good old cable throttle.
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2010 | 04:01 PM
  #3  
TCM55's Avatar
TCM55
Intermediate
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 333
Likes: 141
From: FL
Default

Originally Posted by Och
The lag is present pretty much on all vehicles with such system. It's not even that bad on Lexus compared to some other makes, and no vehicle has that instant responce and connected feel as the good old cable throttle.
That is the truth right there. At least Lexus has the sport/pwr button to help sharpen up throttle response, some of the other vehicles in our house don't have such an option.
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2010 | 08:23 PM
  #4  
mmarshall's Avatar
mmarshall
Lexus Fanatic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,521
Likes: 261
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Default

My 2001 IS300 had a drive-by-wire throttle and it worked fine, except for a big lag/flat spot on rolling starts from 5-10 MPH or so. If you came to a complete stop, though, or got it slow enough for the transmission to hit first gear, and then took off, it was more or less normal. The actual problem was never explained by Lexus in complete detail (and computer relashes didn't help much), but, from what I was able to gather, it could have been the system going into winter/snow mode inadvertantly, cutting the engine torque way back to prevent wheelspin.

The ES330 (and some ES300 models) some similiar drive-by-wire problems, but I don't know them in as great a detail, since I didn't own one.

Last edited by mmarshall; Aug 21, 2010 at 08:28 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2010 | 07:20 PM
  #5  
LexJaq's Avatar
LexJaq
Rookie
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: TX
Default

Originally Posted by Och
The lag is present pretty much on all vehicles with such system. It's not even that bad on Lexus compared to some other makes, and no vehicle has that instant responce and connected feel as the good old cable throttle.
I agree. It could be close in terms of throttle response, if they wanted them to be. But emissions and fuel economy are a bigger priority.
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2010 | 04:30 AM
  #6  
IS350jet's Avatar
IS350jet
Pole Position
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,883
Likes: 1
From: Coral Springs, Fl
Default

Originally Posted by mmarshall
My 2001 IS300 had a drive-by-wire throttle and it worked fine, except for a big lag/flat spot on rolling starts from 5-10 MPH or so. If you came to a complete stop, though, or got it slow enough for the transmission to hit first gear, and then took off, it was more or less normal. The actual problem was never explained by Lexus in complete detail (and computer relashes didn't help much), but, from what I was able to gather, it could have been the system going into winter/snow mode inadvertantly, cutting the engine torque way back to prevent wheelspin.

The ES330 (and some ES300 models) some similiar drive-by-wire problems, but I don't know them in as great a detail, since I didn't own one.
Actually, the first gen. IS had a type of hybrid throttle control system. It was actually half cable and half servo controlled.
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2010 | 09:25 PM
  #7  
LexFather
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

VDIM is much much better than the old VSC. However VSC was always defeatable with a switch and VDIM wasn't always defeatable.

Cars need a LSD
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Rider
GS - 3rd Gen (2006-2011)
3
May 18, 2010 05:19 PM
jkeifer3
IS F (2008-2014)
6
Apr 1, 2010 09:35 AM
MPLexus301
Car Chat
2
Oct 10, 2004 07:34 PM
BLUEBYU
IS - 1st Gen (2001-2005)
3
Jun 27, 2001 04:48 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:35 PM.

story-0
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

Slideshow: Our First-Drive Review of the 2026 Lexus ES!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-29 20:30:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

Slideshow: 10 Lexus bargain that are cheaper than a new Toyota.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 10:28:20


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

Slideshow: From hoverboards to luxury yachts, these are the strangest projects Lexus has ever attached its badge to.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-16 11:34:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Some luxury cars chase trends, but these Lexus models look better now than they did when they first rolled into showrooms.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-06 17:58:29


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

Slideshow: How to Get the Best Fuel Economy with a Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-05 20:54:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

Slideshow: 10 best Lexus models no one remembers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 17:33:28


VIEW MORE
story-6
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

Slideshow: diving into 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium's pricing, performance, fuel economy, features, and amenities!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-23 13:09:18


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

Slideshow: the 10 Lexus and Toyota vehicles you need to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-23 10:34:24


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation

Slideshow: Top 10 Lexus/Toyota models with the lowest 5-year depreciation rate.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 12:19:06


VIEW MORE
story-9
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?

The LC hasn't even disappeared from the Lexus lineup yet, and we're already seeing signs of an explosive market.

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-06 09:25:02


VIEW MORE