Power mode, how often do you use it?
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: ca
Power mode, how often do you use it?
Im just curious how often do you people use the power mode on their cars. I have never used it since i read in the manual that it eats more gas. What is different when you put it in power mode? And can i play around with the car when i have the power mode on and with the traction control off? Thank s. I want to see what V8 can really do and the power of 300 horses!!
theres already another similar topic for this that you might find useful...
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/performance/62892-where-do-you-usually-set-your-ect.html
i usually don't use it...
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/performance/62892-where-do-you-usually-set-your-ect.html
i usually don't use it...
lol I thought we had a topic like this posted before...how about the "search" hehe....but to get back to your ?....I rarely use mine...mainly coz gas is soo expensive here....like around 2.50 a gallon 
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,851
Likes: 4
From: Arkansas
alvinn, if you don't want to read that other thread, here it is in a nutshell. PWR mode doesn't affect the power output of the engine, just the point at which the tranny upshifts and downshifts for a given throttle setting. It'll hold a given gear longer going up and downshift with less throttle pressure. There is likely a little change in the throttle position mapping but not near the difference one sees with SNOW mode. And WOT produces redline upshifts (or downshifts to lowest gear available for a given vehicle speed) for maximum acceleration whether in PWR or NML.
You might use a little more gas but the consensus is that mileage is more or less unchanged compared to the affect of your driving habits.
And you can certainly turn your electronic nanny off if you want to wear off some extra rubber. Just remember, off is REALLY off, not "mostly off but we're still here to pull your *** out of something really stupid" as some other mfgrs program their versions of traction/stability control.
Oh, and PWR for me all the time, plus I gate shift a lot to hold gears even longer since even PWR mode shifts very conservatively at lighter throttle settings.
You might use a little more gas but the consensus is that mileage is more or less unchanged compared to the affect of your driving habits.
And you can certainly turn your electronic nanny off if you want to wear off some extra rubber. Just remember, off is REALLY off, not "mostly off but we're still here to pull your *** out of something really stupid" as some other mfgrs program their versions of traction/stability control.
Oh, and PWR for me all the time, plus I gate shift a lot to hold gears even longer since even PWR mode shifts very conservatively at lighter throttle settings.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: International
PWR does several things
- it stiffens the suspension slightly
- it changes the weight of the steering wheel to make it heavier
- it changes the ECU map / gearing so it is more aggressive, it will make 0.5s difference on the 1/4 mile
I can only speak for my car, Aristo V300 or the Jap Lexus GS Turbo.
I usually drive in normal mode but switch to PWR when I'm going fast down the twisties/over-taking.
- it stiffens the suspension slightly
- it changes the weight of the steering wheel to make it heavier
- it changes the ECU map / gearing so it is more aggressive, it will make 0.5s difference on the 1/4 mile
I can only speak for my car, Aristo V300 or the Jap Lexus GS Turbo.
I usually drive in normal mode but switch to PWR when I'm going fast down the twisties/over-taking.
Trending Topics
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Originally Posted by yoshi
PWR does several things
- it stiffens the suspension slightly
- it changes the weight of the steering wheel to make it heavier
- it changes the ECU map / gearing so it is more aggressive, it will make 0.5s difference on the 1/4 mile
- it stiffens the suspension slightly
- it changes the weight of the steering wheel to make it heavier
- it changes the ECU map / gearing so it is more aggressive, it will make 0.5s difference on the 1/4 mile
Lead Lap
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 4
From: Illinois
Originally Posted by yoshi
PWR does several things
- it stiffens the suspension slightly
- it changes the weight of the steering wheel to make it heavier
- it changes the ECU map / gearing so it is more aggressive, it will make 0.5s difference on the 1/4 mile
I can only speak for my car, Aristo V300 or the Jap Lexus GS Turbo.
I usually drive in normal mode but switch to PWR when I'm going fast down the twisties/over-taking.
- it stiffens the suspension slightly
- it changes the weight of the steering wheel to make it heavier
- it changes the ECU map / gearing so it is more aggressive, it will make 0.5s difference on the 1/4 mile
I can only speak for my car, Aristo V300 or the Jap Lexus GS Turbo.
I usually drive in normal mode but switch to PWR when I'm going fast down the twisties/over-taking.
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: California
Originally Posted by yoshi
PWR does several things
- it stiffens the suspension slightly
- it changes the weight of the steering wheel to make it heavier
- it changes the ECU map / gearing so it is more aggressive, it will make 0.5s difference on the 1/4 mile
I can only speak for my car, Aristo V300 or the Jap Lexus GS Turbo.
I usually drive in normal mode but switch to PWR when I'm going fast down the twisties/over-taking.
- it stiffens the suspension slightly
- it changes the weight of the steering wheel to make it heavier
- it changes the ECU map / gearing so it is more aggressive, it will make 0.5s difference on the 1/4 mile
I can only speak for my car, Aristo V300 or the Jap Lexus GS Turbo.
I usually drive in normal mode but switch to PWR when I'm going fast down the twisties/over-taking.
Maybe I missing something here but I really don't think so.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,206
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Originally Posted by mooretorque
... PWR for me all the time, plus I gate shift a lot to hold gears even longer since even PWR mode shifts very conservatively at lighter throttle settings.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 31,944
Likes: 2,738
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by yoshi
PWR does several things
- it stiffens the suspension slightly
- it changes the weight of the steering wheel to make it heavier
- it changes the ECU map / gearing so it is more aggressive, it will make 0.5s difference on the 1/4 mile
I can only speak for my car, Aristo V300 or the Jap Lexus GS Turbo.
I usually drive in normal mode but switch to PWR when I'm going fast down the twisties/over-taking.
- it stiffens the suspension slightly
- it changes the weight of the steering wheel to make it heavier
- it changes the ECU map / gearing so it is more aggressive, it will make 0.5s difference on the 1/4 mile
I can only speak for my car, Aristo V300 or the Jap Lexus GS Turbo.
I usually drive in normal mode but switch to PWR when I'm going fast down the twisties/over-taking.