Engine Hesitation
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 573
From: PA
Engine Hesitation
When I'm gently accelerating between 38 and 45 mph, going up an incline, I experience some engine hesitation or roughness. If I accelerate seriously, it may lessen or not occur. Car only has 8500 mi on it (2021 ES 350) and I think it's been doing this since it was brand new. Not getting any worse but getting any better, either. Is this a transmission thing? It isn't happening as the car shifts gears. Maybe I need Premium fuel, though I never carry heavy loads, just normal weight wife and I.
I also feel a bit of this when I first drive the car in the morning. During the first minute or two, the engine is rough. I thought it was because the engine was cold. But even though the needle says cold, it's not "winter cold," the car having been sleeping in a warm garage throughout a dry, warm summer overnight.
Any diagnosis?
I also feel a bit of this when I first drive the car in the morning. During the first minute or two, the engine is rough. I thought it was because the engine was cold. But even though the needle says cold, it's not "winter cold," the car having been sleeping in a warm garage throughout a dry, warm summer overnight.
Any diagnosis?
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,551
Likes: 3,393
From: NJ
When I'm gently accelerating between 38 and 45 mph, going up an incline, I experience some engine hesitation or roughness. If I accelerate seriously, it may lessen or not occur. Car only has 8500 mi on it (2021 ES 350) and I think it's been doing this since it was brand new. Not getting any worse but getting any better, either. Is this a transmission thing? It isn't happening as the car shifts gears. Maybe I need Premium fuel, though I never carry heavy loads, just normal weight wife and I.
I also feel a bit of this when I first drive the car in the morning. During the first minute or two, the engine is rough. I thought it was because the engine was cold. But even though the needle says cold, it's not "winter cold," the car having been sleeping in a warm garage throughout a dry, warm summer overnight.
Any diagnosis?
I also feel a bit of this when I first drive the car in the morning. During the first minute or two, the engine is rough. I thought it was because the engine was cold. But even though the needle says cold, it's not "winter cold," the car having been sleeping in a warm garage throughout a dry, warm summer overnight.
Any diagnosis?
Pole Position
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,531
Likes: 1,358
From: IL
When I'm gently accelerating between 38 and 45 mph, going up an incline, I experience some engine hesitation or roughness. If I accelerate seriously, it may lessen or not occur. Car only has 8500 mi on it (2021 ES 350) and I think it's been doing this since it was brand new. Not getting any worse but getting any better, either. Is this a transmission thing? It isn't happening as the car shifts gears. Maybe I need Premium fuel, though I never carry heavy loads, just normal weight wife and I.
I also feel a bit of this when I first drive the car in the morning. During the first minute or two, the engine is rough. I thought it was because the engine was cold. But even though the needle says cold, it's not "winter cold," the car having been sleeping in a warm garage throughout a dry, warm summer overnight.
Any diagnosis?
I also feel a bit of this when I first drive the car in the morning. During the first minute or two, the engine is rough. I thought it was because the engine was cold. But even though the needle says cold, it's not "winter cold," the car having been sleeping in a warm garage throughout a dry, warm summer overnight.
Any diagnosis?
Seconding MikeMu, I would absolutely, positively not waste money on premium gas for this problem. I'm confident it has nothing whatsoever to do with it. Our cars are designed and rated to run smoothly on regular gas from Top Tier brands, and I've experienced no other roughness or drivability problems doing so.
Last edited by LexFinally; Oct 26, 2022 at 01:40 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 624
From: Kentucky
When I'm gently accelerating between 38 and 45 mph, going up an incline, I experience some engine hesitation or roughness. If I accelerate seriously, it may lessen or not occur. Car only has 8500 mi on it (2021 ES 350) and I think it's been doing this since it was brand new. Not getting any worse but getting any better, either. Is this a transmission thing? It isn't happening as the car shifts gears. Maybe I need Premium fuel, though I never carry heavy loads, just normal weight wife and I.
I also feel a bit of this when I first drive the car in the morning. During the first minute or two, the engine is rough. I thought it was because the engine was cold. But even though the needle says cold, it's not "winter cold," the car having been sleeping in a warm garage throughout a dry, warm summer overnight.
Any diagnosis?
I also feel a bit of this when I first drive the car in the morning. During the first minute or two, the engine is rough. I thought it was because the engine was cold. But even though the needle says cold, it's not "winter cold," the car having been sleeping in a warm garage throughout a dry, warm summer overnight.
Any diagnosis?
I drove 4 in a row, including F-sport and I can't believe I forgot the experience. I'm waiting to retest a 450 but otherwise I'm sticking to the ES.**EDIT***
When I experience the hesitation it's been on a straight, relatively flat road. I imagine I would experience it going up a hill or in any driving situation that's been mentioned.
Last edited by UltraLux22; Oct 26, 2022 at 12:06 AM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,551
Likes: 3,393
From: NJ
The hesitation you feel upon the first drive of the day or after it's sat for a while is common from my experience. It was more prominent in my '19 Lux. The service advisors gave some B.S. excuse and told me to drive in sport mode to eliminate or minimize this. IMO changing the fuel will not alter the experience you have with the hesitation as I do not believe it to be engine related. I don't ever feel like the engine is rough but maybe our interpretations might differ but I absolutely have and continue to experience what you do. Want to really feel some hesitation from a transmission, drive a '22 RX 350. (Don't come for me RX owners!)😄 I drove 4 in a row, including F-sport and I can't believe I forgot the experience. I'm waiting to retest a 450 but otherwise I'm sticking to the ES.
**EDIT***
When I experience the hesitation it's been on a straight, relatively flat road. I imagine I would experience it going up a hill or in any driving situations that's been mentioned.
I drove 4 in a row, including F-sport and I can't believe I forgot the experience. I'm waiting to retest a 450 but otherwise I'm sticking to the ES.**EDIT***
When I experience the hesitation it's been on a straight, relatively flat road. I imagine I would experience it going up a hill or in any driving situations that's been mentioned.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 624
From: Kentucky
When driving the F Sport some odd noise was happening too upon initial acceleration. I couldn't believe what was going on. Plus the seats but that's for another thread LOL. Between test drives and Loaners, I've driven 7 - 8 RX's from MY 21 and 22. I don't' remember the issues in the '21's but I couldn't handle the issues with the '22s
Last edited by UltraLux22; Oct 26, 2022 at 02:59 AM.
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 49
Likes: 12
From: Florida
Only during first two or three minutes
I do get some of that old cold car roughness the first few minutes out of the house in the morning. My previous GS and RX did not have that. Rest of the day the car is smooth as silk.
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Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,214
Likes: 896
From: Ontario
On the other hand the ES 300h is silky smooth and the car jumps as soon as you touch the pedal. Love the Hybrid drivetrain in this car.
If the hesitation in city traffic bothers you, try the Hybrid.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,889
Likes: 834
From: Idaho
OT
When driving the F Sport some odd noise was happening too upon initial acceleration. I couldn't believe what was going on. Plus the seats but that's for another thread LOL. Between test drives and Loaners, I've driven 7 - 8 RX's from MY 21 and 22. I don't' remember the issues in the '21's but I couldn't handle the issues with the '22s
When driving the F Sport some odd noise was happening too upon initial acceleration. I couldn't believe what was going on. Plus the seats but that's for another thread LOL. Between test drives and Loaners, I've driven 7 - 8 RX's from MY 21 and 22. I don't' remember the issues in the '21's but I couldn't handle the issues with the '22s