99custom

Sorry for simple question, I thought it was drive by wire then I read on edmunds.com it was a CVT.

My wife has a 2002 es300 and I hate the transmission shifting so I'm curious.

PuReChaos

drive by wire only describes how the throttle works, meaning previously there used to be a cable that would operate the throttle body but now its drive by wire in that the computer sends a signal to the throttle body telling it how far to open based on the position of the pedal. i don't believe there are any lexus currently out that have a CVT, I could be wrong on that though.

99custom

Thanks for explaining the drive by wire. I'm wanting to use some lubegard in the transmission to smooth out the shifting. But you can't use it in CVT cars. I normally don't use products like these but lubegard has such high reviews on amazon.

Megafast13

Also, for your ES...If you are not happy with the shifting, disconnect the battery terminals for a few minutes so it will reset the computer's memory of driving style and it will adjust and make a huge difference. Honestly feels like a different car after you do this every once in a while.

Oro

If the transmission isn't shifting well, address the underlying mechanical problems and don't throw nonsense mousemilk like Lubeguard at it. Bad experience with that stuff myself in an Acura recently (now rebuilding the transmission partly or perhaps mostly because of it; was working perfectly before I added it).

Known issue with the 2002 gen ES300 and U151E are that the 3 lower engine mounting points (reduced from four on the prior gen) were a bad design flaw. General fail points are the front center mount, and the upper torque strut (dog-leg brace between the Rube Goldberg-esque front engine mount brackets and the Left upper strut tower). Left and Right mounts usually are OK but worth inspecting.

Replace those two, break open the tranny cooler lines near the radiator and exchange out the tired old mediocre T-IV and put in Valvoline MaxLife ATF synthetic (cheap at Walmart in gallon jugs). You'll be shocked how nice the unit is after that. Our 2002 has 240k miles on it and runs BETTER than new (with synthetic fluids and good maintenance).

Pulling the battery to reset the PCU as mentioned is a valid thing, too. If a lead foot has programmed in that response, it will reset. However, the learning curve of the PCU is pretty fast. My partner has a lead foot and when we switch, I can see the PCU re-learn my habits within a day/50 miles or so of stop/go. She drives the car Monday to Friday and I mostly do on the weekends. It will learn my habits fast. No need to really do that and blank out the stereo/homelink/etc. if you don't want to.

99custom

I changed all the motor mounts and tranny mount at 100K. the car rides smooth and shifts smooth 95% of the time, it just has an aggressive 2-3 shift completely out of nowhere once and awhile and it bothers me. I've done the drain and fills with the Toyota trans oil every 25k.

No one has yet answered if the tranny is CVT though?

HomerJay

Not a CVT. You actually answered your own question by asking about the shifting harshness. A CVT transmission
does not have shift and/or speeds.

99custom

Hi, Thanks for the reply. I just hear people complaining about CVT trannys all the time on car forums, I didn't actually know how they worked..Thanks

Megafast13

Yeah, Nissan is a big proponent of them, but they are very odd to drive in my opinion. They kind of leave you on the edge of your seat waiting for a shift to happen haha, it's quite different. Definitely not a fan.

285exp

All the hybrid Lexi have cvts.

OP, Google is your friend,