Unusual Drive Shift Interface
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,612
Likes: 1,852
From: Ohio
Yep, really freaking annoying and stupid IMO.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,612
Likes: 1,852
From: Ohio
You likely move cars around all the time, most people don't. I have no issue with my cars going to park when the door opens because I never have a need to open the door while they are in gear,
The computers won't let that happen. When you push P and you are moving, it does nothing or puts the car in neutral. Thats the benefit of a completely electronic system.
The computers won't let that happen. When you push P and you are moving, it does nothing or puts the car in neutral. Thats the benefit of a completely electronic system.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 69,226
Likes: 4,222
From: Maryland
Some will absolutely slam into mechanical park if you open the door or try for park on the controls even if it's a digi shifter. It's also an issue I have seen where certain cars with faults in the door switch will cause it to happen randomly when you stop in traffic.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,702
Likes: 290
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
That's why I'm so glad to have a nice conventional PRNDL lever in the Encore GX.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 69,226
Likes: 4,222
From: Maryland
The computer doesn't always block out Park at very low speeds. I once accidentally hit the park button on the Lacrosse's E-Joystick doing about 1-2 MPH in a parking lot. A couple of audible rattling/clicking noises from the transmission, and an abrupt stop, but no apparent significant damage.
That's why I'm so glad to have a nice conventional PRNDL lever in the Encore GX.
That's why I'm so glad to have a nice conventional PRNDL lever in the Encore GX.
if you shift your shifter into park when driving, it won't go into park either. It too is just a switch.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,612
Likes: 1,852
From: Ohio
The low speed sudden engagements are what can break things though
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 14
From: Virginia
Is my better half the only one who thinks the 2023 Lexus drive interface is bizarre? I mean, over-and-down to go forward; over-and-up to in reverse (?), and push-to-park? Strangest UX I've seen in a car, and I've seen some strange ones. She could never get over the key in the floor of my SAAB Turbo. 
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 46
From: CA
I guess I don't understand why this is such a big deal on an automatic transmission. Put in D to go, put it in P to park, put it in R to go in reverse. They could literally implement any interface and it should still work. It feels like we're just splitting hairs here or just looking for something to complain about for the sake of complaining.
Now if we're talking about a manual transmission, where you are actively participating in the gear shifting and you need to use the interface many times when you drive, then I could understand being picky. However, on an automatic or EV, where you simply select drive and then go and never really touch it again until you put it in park, what is the big deal? Does anybody really care how the light switch for their kitchen lights work?
Now if we're talking about a manual transmission, where you are actively participating in the gear shifting and you need to use the interface many times when you drive, then I could understand being picky. However, on an automatic or EV, where you simply select drive and then go and never really touch it again until you put it in park, what is the big deal? Does anybody really care how the light switch for their kitchen lights work?
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,702
Likes: 290
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I guess I don't understand why this is such a big deal on an automatic transmission. Put in D to go, put it in P to park, put it in R to go in reverse. They could literally implement any interface and it should still work. It feels like we're just splitting hairs here or just looking for something to complain about for the sake of complaining.
It DOES make a difference when you are accustomed to using a fore/aft PRNDL lever on the console for decades, or a sideways PRNDL indicator on a column-shift. Having to pull for some gears, push for others, fiddle with E-Joysticks which adjust in both regular and L-Pattern (some automatically spring back to the middle-indicator no matter how you adjust them), or twist dials back and forth, IMO, is simply a pain in the a**..........or worse.
Consumer Reports also agrees. They have published some articles on the growing amount of confusion in recent shifters, and how it is contributing to accidents and mishaps.
I have used them for close to 20 years. I have no complaints 
Intermediate
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 340
Likes: 29
From: NA
I agree with mmarshall and LexusCTJill. It's one of the reasons I am enjoying going back to Lexus models that still have the gated mechanical shifter. I've had the new E-Joysticks in several recent vehicles. Not a fan. Not to mention they can be a problem to get into neutral for towing if the vehicle cannot be started. A special tool is required to get them into neutral. Some vehicles like the C8 Z06 don't include the tool. The 992 doesn't include it or can't use the tool. The Cayenne had it, but it was a pain or impossible to get to without vehicle power. Not sure what Lexus with the new shifters procedure is to get a vehicle into neutral for towing with no power. Something I never thought about or had to use on my LC 500. On my 22 RX and 23 IS, all that is required to get them into neutral if you cannot start the vehicle is a screwdriver. As the saying goes...Keep it Simple Stupid.
Last edited by Sodbuster1; Jan 25, 2023 at 04:30 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,612
Likes: 1,852
From: Ohio
Neutral on cars like this involves a mechanical release, in the case of my Audis there is a small panel on the drivers footwell/floorboard that you open and a small lever inside withdraws the parking prawl via cable. BMW and Mercedes have a similar system, it's covered in the user manuals on how to set neutral with no vehicle power.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 340
Likes: 29
From: NA
Neutral on cars like this involves a mechanical release, in the case of my Audis there is a small panel on the drivers footwell/floorboard that you open and a small lever inside withdraws the parking prawl via cable. BMW and Mercedes have a similar system, it's covered in the user manuals on how to set neutral with no vehicle power.
Last edited by Sodbuster1; Jan 25, 2023 at 04:29 PM.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 46
From: CA
It DOES make a difference when you are accustomed to using a fore/aft PRNDL lever on the console for decades, or a sideways PRNDL indicator on a column-shift. Having to pull for some gears, push for others, fiddle with E-Joysticks which adjust in both regular and L-Pattern (some automatically spring back to the middle-indicator no matter how you adjust them), or twist dials back and forth, IMO, is simply a pain in the a**..........or worse.
Consumer Reports also agrees. They have published some articles on the growing amount of confusion in recent shifters, and how it is contributing to accidents and mishaps.
Consumer Reports also agrees. They have published some articles on the growing amount of confusion in recent shifters, and how it is contributing to accidents and mishaps.
Not to sound too condecending, its concerning that if we have some drivers out there who do not have the mental capacity to figure out how a shifter works that causes accidents (according to Consumer Reports), then isn't it an even bigger obstacle for them when the attempt to use the interface of most center stacks where they have to attempt to figure out menus and sub-menus in most of today's vehicles?