I have a 09 GS350, 7k miles. While braking and coming to a stop i have been experiencing a weird transmission downshift. I am a soft driver so i wasn't braking hard or going fast when i come to stops. it has been happening quite frequently. I understand manual drivers downshift and brake to slow down faster. In my case when i brake; the tranny down shifts, rpm sikes about 1k rpm and the car has a little jolt...then i stop. i took it to the dealer while servicing some dash rattles and the service guy said he will have the memory cleaned. he said that the car has memory and is learned by the driver. My question is if any other owners have experienced this problem?

-Also got denied to turn of DRL lights by lexus headquarters and dealership. So stupid! the loaner 2010 rx350 had a switch to turn off DRL lights, so i don't know why its such a big deal. Does anyone know where or how to get DRL's turned off in houston area. (besides unplugging them) thanks in advance

 

The downshift feature is normal. My car does the same thing. I was wondering as well when I first got it, but in the end its better for braking and will then have the car ready for immediate acceleration, if needed, after the decrease in speed.

 

Every automatic transmission downshifts as you slow down.

Never noticed any jolts though.

 

As I8ABMR said...it's normal.

 

im also getting this sometimes

which dealership was it? I plan to ask if they can turn mine off when i get my oil change done soon

 

It happens under hard braking mainly. If you are under normal braking its totally normal, but go into a light hard and apply pressure in a strong and quick manner and you will feel it

 

I know that its normal that the tranny downshifts. But jolting like that? i have never experienced that in any other cars I've driven. Doesn't it cause more wear and tear on the tranny? If its happening to other owners and is normal, it must be normal...but sure doesn't feel good coming to a stop

 

How big is the jolt? I barely feel it when it happens automatically...which is what it is supposed to do. I always downshift using manual mode when going down long hills, because it doesn't really do it too aggressively by itself.

 

llay, I had the same experinece with my 07 350. It's weird because when I was driving my 06 300, under same driving conditions, the "downshift" wasn't as promient as my 07 350. My 06, you could barely fel it when it downshifted to stop while my 07 does is abruptly. O well, if something gives out good thing I have my power train warranty haha

 

Yes the jolt should be coming from the immediate spike in RPM. Should be doing that to slow down faster.

 

I'm having the same issue in my 07' GS350. It's typically when I'm in 4th gear around 40-50 mph, starting to go down a hill, and an extremely "light" braking activates the brake boost. It makes my passengers feel like I spiked the brakes, but even with consistant pressure it does it. ANNOYING! I went from a Benz to this and it makes me want to get rid of it. It happens daily!

Also, notice that after the downshift brake boost spike happens the next upshift or two can jolt you a little bit as well. It would be awesome if someone had a service code on this because it's rediculous!

 

In my car it usually happens between 15-0mph,and the jolt is around 5mph. So it actually doesn't slow down any faster, it actually gets a kick jolt and is very awkward and frustrating. When other people are in the car i don't know what to tell them... Well i'm not glad its happening to other people, but at least i know I'm not the only one. Lexus should fix this. thanks for everyone's inputs.

 

Do you guys drive with ECT power on? That will also induce engine braking more so than not having it on.

 

ECT power is off, i don't even use it. i drive alot so im always trying to be gas efficient

 

ECT is never off for me :P.. I got used to driving with it on.. really adds more excitement imo.