Last week I used the ECT button for the first time in my Lexus life. I didn't think it would make any difference....until I read an article in an older L&E Mag where the writer said it made a difference when he tested the car. So I tried it. It does make a difference. The tranny shifts are more of a performance mode. I couldn't believe it. On the bad side, all the performace driving I have been doing has caused me to burn more gas and I've curbed my right rear wheel twice. Guess I'd better slow down. I have a couple questions though.

Is it okay to leave it on all the time?

Is it my imagination but is the suspension stiffer with it on?

 

just your imagination, only people with AVS will have its suspension tighten up, not sure about Lexus but I drove my bmw 5 years with a similar sports mode on 24/7, never had any problem

but yes, it just burns more gas as it's so much easier to open her up and maybe a slightly more stress on the engine as it's constantly at higher RPM than normal

 

yep!!! i dont know what the other 2 modes do.. and i still average just about 20.5 mpg..

 

Yep it's okay to leave it on 24/7/365!

 

Is there a normal mode?

 

He he he

 

Good to know it's okay to leave it on, I'm having too much fun to turn it off. The car finally feels like it has a sporting heart. Wish I knew about this sooner.
Too bad I ruined one of my wheels, though.

 

you drove a gs300 then got a gs350 and you never used the ECT mode? where have you been LOL

 

I mostly cruise around in normal mode, but the car really wakes up in power mode.
Just as an observation, never measured it in any meaningful way, the car seems to get better mileage in hilly areas, especially on long steep hills, in power mode as opposed to normal.

 

i am not sure if it's always in a higher rpm. i flip the switch when i am cruising on freeway and nothing happens...

 

It affects the shift points and timing, there is no change to the gear ratios

 

yea that's what I meant, we all know what the ECT does just lets you hold/delay the shift a little longer hence my mentioning of "higher rpm"

*btw, nice to see you back Henry, seems like you were MIA for a while

 

But of course. The shift pattern from ECT SPORT to ECT NORM is huge. ECT PWR definitely allows the GS to shine. In NORM mode, it's as docile and smooth as a Toyota Corolla.

No. It's all in your imagination. If you did have AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension), you would notice a slight difference between Sport and Normal mode.

 

yeah, work had been killing me and i had family matters as well

hope things get better

 

Worse than that. I had an SC300for 6-7 years and never used it. I just thought it wasn't a big deal. I think I tried it once while driving on the highway and didn't feel a difference. I didn't think to try it again in city and urban traffic.
Went for a ride with wifey in her GS last nite. Put on the ECT for her. SHe loved it....for a while. Then she saw the gas needle move and shut it off.
I still think the suspension has stiffened a little. Let me stay in my imaginary world. I'm luvin it!