Jerky Transmission
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 129
From: pa
Sluggish is exactly what I thought Eco would be which is why I took so long to even try it. For me, lots of power in Eco if you give her some throttle and easy to kick into passing gear if you need it. Don’t mind the downshift when I call for it and expect it. Right, Avalon and Camry have same trans and engine so have same jerky response. I first learned about the issue on ToyotaNation myself.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,560
Likes: 3,398
From: NJ
Sluggish is exactly what I thought Eco would be which is why I took so long to even try it. For me, lots of power in Eco if you give her some throttle and easy to kick into passing gear if you need it. Don’t mind the downshift when I call for it and expect it. Right, Avalon and Camry have same trans and engine so have same jerky response. I first learned about the issue on ToyotaNation myself.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 129
From: pa
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 787
Likes: 52
Think my problem is resolved. For kicks and giggles I tried the Eco Mode. Wow, a major improvement. I never considered Eco because read so many places that Sports Mode is the solution and it is better. I can not give a technical explanation but Eco gives a much smoother acceleration from a rolling stop. Maybe just my style of driving but I now look forward to driving my new ES instead of dreading it. Also, the stock stereo sounds great!
I had the same problem in a 2016 NX, and absolutely hated driving it. After several trips to see if they could fix it, I finally discovered what caused my issue and how to recreate it. Right before I traded it in on my ES. I believe that Lexus does not expect ANYTHING resembling aggressive driving in an ES, and the throttle and transmission mapping simply can't handle it. Downshifts especially are slow and clunky, and upshifts are slow but very smooth. If you back off a little, it works much better. On the ES, I tried Sport mode and it was better, but I don't like having to change to Sport every time I start the car. Then read on this forum (because I NEVER would have tried it on my own!) that it Stays in Eco even after you turn it off. So I tried it, and my issue was almost completely resolved! Manual downshifting helps too, even in Eco, assuming you remember to do it before it's needed. Plus!!! When you move it to Sport mode after getting used to Eco, it makes your car feel MUCH faster!
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,560
Likes: 3,398
From: NJ
I made the same discovery!
I had the same problem in a 2016 NX, and absolutely hated driving it. After several trips to see if they could fix it, I finally discovered what caused my issue and how to recreate it. Right before I traded it in on my ES. I believe that Lexus does not expect ANYTHING resembling aggressive driving in an ES, and the throttle and transmission mapping simply can't handle it. Downshifts especially are slow and clunky, and upshifts are slow but very smooth. If you back off a little, it works much better. On the ES, I tried Sport mode and it was better, but I don't like having to change to Sport every time I start the car. Then read on this forum (because I NEVER would have tried it on my own!) that it Stays in Eco even after you turn it off. So I tried it, and my issue was almost completely resolved! Manual downshifting helps too, even in Eco, assuming you remember to do it before it's needed. Plus!!! When you move it to Sport mode after getting used to Eco, it makes your car feel MUCH faster!
I had the same problem in a 2016 NX, and absolutely hated driving it. After several trips to see if they could fix it, I finally discovered what caused my issue and how to recreate it. Right before I traded it in on my ES. I believe that Lexus does not expect ANYTHING resembling aggressive driving in an ES, and the throttle and transmission mapping simply can't handle it. Downshifts especially are slow and clunky, and upshifts are slow but very smooth. If you back off a little, it works much better. On the ES, I tried Sport mode and it was better, but I don't like having to change to Sport every time I start the car. Then read on this forum (because I NEVER would have tried it on my own!) that it Stays in Eco even after you turn it off. So I tried it, and my issue was almost completely resolved! Manual downshifting helps too, even in Eco, assuming you remember to do it before it's needed. Plus!!! When you move it to Sport mode after getting used to Eco, it makes your car feel MUCH faster!
), the ride somehow changes??
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 787
Likes: 52
ECO changes the throttle mapping, transmission shiftpoints, steering, and even some of the HVAC when put into ECO mode. My car doesn't change the suspension with ECO. I may be wrong, but I think that's only FSport (and/or some non-US cars). All of these changes are supposed to result in better mileage. It actually works on a long drive! I would guess 2 to 3 MPG in my style of driving. My guess is that the CAFE standards think it's OK because of the increased mileage. They don't seem to care about ride or handling.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,560
Likes: 3,398
From: NJ
Yes, Sir!!! It was life-changing for me! OK. That might be an overstatement, but I was able to enjoy driving without the constant annoyance of terrible shifting, and I can put it in Normal or Sport mode as I choose. As long as I remember to put it back.
ECO changes the throttle mapping, transmission shiftpoints, steering, and even some of the HVAC when put into ECO mode. My car doesn't change the suspension with ECO. I may be wrong, but I think that's only FSport (and/or some non-US cars). All of these changes are supposed to result in better mileage. It actually works on a long drive! I would guess 2 to 3 MPG in my style of driving. My guess is that the CAFE standards think it's OK because of the increased mileage. They don't seem to care about ride or handling.
ECO changes the throttle mapping, transmission shiftpoints, steering, and even some of the HVAC when put into ECO mode. My car doesn't change the suspension with ECO. I may be wrong, but I think that's only FSport (and/or some non-US cars). All of these changes are supposed to result in better mileage. It actually works on a long drive! I would guess 2 to 3 MPG in my style of driving. My guess is that the CAFE standards think it's OK because of the increased mileage. They don't seem to care about ride or handling.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 787
Likes: 52
You get used to ECO, and adapt. At least I did, but it was hard for me at first. I have made the same comment in the past, but it's worth it for the improved shifting in my opinion. I rarely even measure my mileage.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Lexus TX 550h+ (& 3 Reasons to AVOID!)
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyota Models of the 1990s RANKED!
Joe Kucinski
10 Great Toyotas That Could Have Been Lexus Models
Joe Kucinski
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,560
Likes: 3,398
From: NJ
If I gave that impression, it was an error. You don't have to restart. I was only saying that the car will stay in ECO even after a restart, as opposed to reverting to Normal as Sport mode does.
You get used to ECO, and adapt. At least I did, but it was hard for me at first. I have made the same comment in the past, but it's worth it for the improved shifting in my opinion. I rarely even measure my mileage.
You get used to ECO, and adapt. At least I did, but it was hard for me at first. I have made the same comment in the past, but it's worth it for the improved shifting in my opinion. I rarely even measure my mileage.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 363
Likes: 91
From: Ct
Seems like Sport mode increases RPM's to the max at Wide open Throttle? Also Sport mode does help with the whiplash shift. Still have to anticipate it and baby the gas pedal or manually shift way down to lower gears.
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 131
Likes: 54
From: WI
Here's a TSB I found regarding the drivability issue many of us are experiencing. They kept my car for over a week back in the spring collecting data off of it. They didn't offer me the questionnaire found in this TSB though. This isn't a TSB with a fix, rather it shows that Lexus knows of the problem and they are collecting data on it.
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Lexus/...8-20-rev.shtml
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Lexus/...8-20-rev.shtml
Last edited by Ltvscout; Sep 21, 2020 at 04:23 PM. Reason: Fixed URL
Racer
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 1,729
Likes: 927
From: CA
Here's a TSB I found regarding the drivability issue many of us are experiencing. They kept my car for over a week back in the spring collecting data off of it. They didn't offer me the questionnaire found in this TSB though. This isn't a TSB with a fix, rather it shows that Lexus knows of the problem and they are collecting data on it.
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Lexus/...-0020-20.shtml
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Lexus/...-0020-20.shtml
Last edited by grp52; Sep 21, 2020 at 02:39 PM. Reason: Fixed incorrect you're usage with your