ECT PWR button
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 751
Likes: 1
From: CA
ECT PWR button
First off, this button makes a huge difference in throttle response, shift timings, and rev range. I read some initial test drives where people said the difference between it being on and off are minimal. This couldnt be further from the truth! With that said, I started wondering well why wouldn't I want it on all the time? Perhaps higher fuel consumption? I will start my experiment with my new tank of gas. My last calculation was 212 miles with 10 gallons (22 mpg city and highway driving). I will try to travel 212 miles with the ECT PWR button on all the time and see how many gallons it drinks. If the onboard computer determines your MPG based on your driving behavior, then what the car displays as how many miles are left in the tank did not change any if at all. This can be misleading, however, so I will post again my mileage after 212 miles (3 days for me).
Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: CA
You should see a pretty significant change in fuel economy after using it for a few days -- ECT-PWR mode will tend to "hang onto" a lower gear for as long as possible, giving you as much acceleration as it can until it really needs to shift at a redline. That alone will make a huge difference in your mileage.
Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 123
Likes: 2
From: Georgia
As you've noticed, ECT changes the shifting and transmission pattern. I have always thought of it as ECT is best used and intended for "city driving" versus driving on the interstate. It will make the car "quicker" as you accelerate in start & stop city driving. If you like the way the car responds, keep it on. If taking a long trip, turn it off.
I find the ECT PWR button a bit too aggressive for my tastes. It does make a huge difference as pointed above. I've just left it in the "normal" position and learned to jam the accelerator if I need the quick downshift and then go to SS if I need to hold it at a particular gear.
But that's just my taste. Everyone else will have a different take of ECT PWR of course.
Cheers,
Kermee
But that's just my taste. Everyone else will have a different take of ECT PWR of course.
Cheers,
Kermee
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 287
Likes: 2
From: GA
Originally Posted by LSUFanMan
As you've noticed, ECT changes the shifting and transmission pattern. I have always thought of it as ECT is best used and intended for "city driving" versus driving on the interstate. It will make the car "quicker" as you accelerate in start & stop city driving. If you like the way the car responds, keep it on. If taking a long trip, turn it off.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 2
From: CA
we're discussin it on the GS3 forum as well
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=196393
what i've noticed so far after about 3 weeks of use...my fuel consumption did hurt a little bit, but i managed 318 miles before filling up to 14 gallons. Not bad considering i have a lot more punch when i'm driving on the streets as well as on the freeways, as it doesnt take as much to get the tranny to downshift for passing or merging. Truly an awesome button. I think i'll change it to say something like turbo boost hehe
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=196393
what i've noticed so far after about 3 weeks of use...my fuel consumption did hurt a little bit, but i managed 318 miles before filling up to 14 gallons. Not bad considering i have a lot more punch when i'm driving on the streets as well as on the freeways, as it doesnt take as much to get the tranny to downshift for passing or merging. Truly an awesome button. I think i'll change it to say something like turbo boost hehe
Trending Topics
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
From: MA
Originally Posted by foofighter
we're discussin it on the GS3 forum as well
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=196393
what i've noticed so far after about 3 weeks of use...my fuel consumption did hurt a little bit, but i managed 318 miles before filling up to 14 gallons. Not bad considering i have a lot more punch when i'm driving on the streets as well as on the freeways, as it doesnt take as much to get the tranny to downshift for passing or merging. Truly an awesome button. I think i'll change it to say something like turbo boost hehe
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=196393
what i've noticed so far after about 3 weeks of use...my fuel consumption did hurt a little bit, but i managed 318 miles before filling up to 14 gallons. Not bad considering i have a lot more punch when i'm driving on the streets as well as on the freeways, as it doesnt take as much to get the tranny to downshift for passing or merging. Truly an awesome button. I think i'll change it to say something like turbo boost hehe
But if I am in Sport and have ECT power on, is there any evidence that it actually changes the speed the shift is carried out at and throttle response, or are these just perceived due to the changing shift points, etc.
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 287
Likes: 2
From: GA
Originally Posted by heffergm
I'm curious, does ECT power only affect things in auto mode? In other words, if it just affects shift points and how long the transmission will hold a gear, I really don't care. I'll have the thing in Sport mode already and will be shifting it myself.
But if I am in Sport and have ECT power on, is there any evidence that it actually changes the speed the shift is carried out at and throttle response, or are these just perceived due to the changing shift points, etc.
But if I am in Sport and have ECT power on, is there any evidence that it actually changes the speed the shift is carried out at and throttle response, or are these just perceived due to the changing shift points, etc.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
From: MA
Originally Posted by ahohnstein
My guess is that it would affect the shift points when in S-mode. Since when you're in S-mode, the gear you select is actually the highest gear the car will shift to, not necessarily what gear you're currently in. E.g. you shift over to S-mode and shift to 5th. Coming to a stop your car downshifts to first. leaving the selected gear in 5th you accelerate. The car follows the "sport/ECT PWR" shift pattern back up to 5th but no higher. Because the car still shifts according to pre-programmed shift patterns, and the button is engaged, I have to believe that there IS a difference in S-mode w/ the button engaged.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,329
Likes: 210
From: Miami, Florida
That PWR button along with keeping the overdrive off in my RX is my bread and butter at the track. It makes .1 to .2 difference in my 1/4 mile times, which is significant as many of you racers know.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 751
Likes: 1
From: CA
Originally Posted by heffergm
Aha. Good point, I always forget that. I'd say you're most likely correct.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 2
From: CA
Originally Posted by heffergm
I'm curious, does ECT power only affect things in auto mode? In other words, if it just affects shift points and how long the transmission will hold a gear, I really don't care. I'll have the thing in Sport mode already and will be shifting it myself.
But if I am in Sport and have ECT power on, is there any evidence that it actually changes the speed the shift is carried out at and throttle response, or are these just perceived due to the changing shift points, etc.
But if I am in Sport and have ECT power on, is there any evidence that it actually changes the speed the shift is carried out at and throttle response, or are these just perceived due to the changing shift points, etc.
And i agree, when this thing builds up a head of steam, it's actually kind of scary because you're just pulling effortlessly and it gets quite a bit of momentum. I love this switch...should have been stock and the switch would be for "cruising"
I think it does... forces you not to drive aggressively. hehe
