Will leaving my car in ECT power mode cause any damage if used on a daily basis. The car is more fun to drive, and of course the gas mileage is a little worse, but you can't have your cake and eat it too.

Also... does engine braking with the manumatic shifting cause damage when slowing down instead of using the brakes?

Sorry for questions that may be considered stupid, but of all my cars this is the one that I plan on keeping for the long run. I usually trade my cars in after 30k miles or so... not the case with this beauty!

Thanks in advance!

2007 GS350 AWD Glacier Frost

 

it won't be a problem, a lot of 2gs people kept their ECT in pwr mode for years

if you don't overrev the engine too much it should be ok

 

by over reving, do you mean going into the red line, or just getting near the red line and pushing it too hard???

Thanks...

 

you can go all the way up to redline at full throttle any time you want. it doesn't cause damage. thats why the redline is put where it is, not at say 4500 rpm.

 

i think ect pwr mode sucks. Super jerky and isnt really any better.

 

ECT PWR mode is great when you need to hustle a little bit. It just causes you to waste more gas more than anything else.

Engine braking is fine, but don't over do it as it just adds unneeded stress to the tranny. Just remembeR: Tranny replacement $$$ > Brake pad replacement $.

 

that's what i was referring to. engine braking is fine. but don't try to downshift hard every time and pull the rpm close to 6000rpm. you are going to jerk yourself big time and it's not good for the car either

if done right, there is no issue

 

I use the Power mode and SPORT mode on my GS430 daily. No problems nor did i have any problems on my gs400 i had for 6 years when i did the same thing.

 

I kept the ECT on my old Avalon for 12 years with no problems. I like the way it shifts better that way. I'm doing the same with my '07 GS350.

What is your Ave Mileage per Tank with and without ECT? I get about 20 w/o ECT and 19 w/ ECT (mix of highway and street).

 

I just realized my previous cars with ECT PWR button:

95 Toyota Avalon
04 Lexus IS300

I remember we had a 1986 Camry in the family that had a physical ECT NORM and ECT PWR button on the console.

 

The Power mode makes a huge difference in the hybrid. The car is much more responsive. It's similar to the sport button on my old 650.

 

Oh yes. Hybrid PWR mode turns the GS450h into a monster. I was fortunate o drive the GS450h on Laguna Seca Raceway back in August during our first Lexus Performace Experience event and the IS-F. Hybrid NORM mode is okay for regular driving. Hybrid PWR mode is a whole new beast.

 

Forgot to add Hybrid PWR mode on the LS600hL definitely wakes that tank up. Especially the long straightaways at Laguna.

 

any particular reason why the pwr button wakes up the hybrid cars better? coz' of cvt?

 

According to the dearer, the pwr mode increases the battery usage. I'm not sure if this is accurate, but I do see the battery/voltage meter shoot up faster and further than the standard mode.