Does ECT-Pwr use more gas than not using it?

Since gas was so expensive I never used this ECT-Pwr because I have been trying to get the best fuel ecomony with gas prices being so high. Now that gas is down I had forgot about the button (why is it so hidden from view?)

It's been really cool here in FL lately in the 60's and 70's so with the A/C off I turned the ECT-Pwr button on and I was blown away at the power I have even in Drive mode, then switching it to Sport mode in ECT-Pwr I feel like I am using all 306 ponies. It's crazy fast man.

So if I leave it on ECT-Pwr in Sport mode will I get worse gas mileage than if I leave it in ECT-Pwr Drive mode? Or does it not matter?

Also is it safe to leave it in ECT-pwr mode while cruising on the hwy constantly at 65-70 mph? Or should I switch it off?

Man, I love my car all over again.

 

there have been many posts about this topic and the snow mode. please use the search tool first

^^ your gonna get that a lot from a lot of these folks. lol. anyways, yah i feel you on that boost. it's feels like it shift faster and no lag from when you punch it till it goes! I think i've read before in this forum that it's not good to leave it on for a long period of time and it does use up more gas than normal... that's all i got buddy.

 

It's the same ECT power as your SC400.

Tranny downshifts quicker, and holds the gears longer.

That's all.

 

gas mileage is detemined by your foot

 

ect power = holds rpm longer = higher rpms = more gas use...

 

When I launch in ect mode to me it seems that the rpms climb a lot faster from stop position. Does that mean something else is going on besides shifting higher in the RPMS? And by the way is it safe to have ECT on when you are in triptronic mode? Or does it come on b/c you are now the one controlling the shifting? I dunno...to me it seems like ECT is actually adding power. I will test some more tomorrow. I've only had the car just a little over a week and just started really driving with some SPIRIT>

 

lol I feel nothing on power mode, my car hasn't been baby'd since I resetted my ecu

 

It's all in your head. Really.

ECT power actually shifts -sooner- if you floor it than normal mode does. Proof is here-
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...6&postcount=38



It'll down shift more agressively than normal though, which is why it "feels" faster, but it's not.

What ECT actually does-

In 2nd-5th it will hold the gear longer if you pull off the gas, so accelerate resumes more quickly when you get back on it.

In 4-6th gear it downshifts more rapidly than normal mode if you floor it.

In 4-6th gear it downshifts rapidly when you brake to provide better engine braking and quicker acceleration when you get back on the gas.

That's all it does.

See it in print from Lexus here-
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...0&postcount=10

 

Yup...I thought about it this morning...I realize that it will downshift to a lower gear when I punch it with ECT mode on, therefore giving me a quick. I was under the impression that is just shifts later than normal mode...it actually downshifts to a lower gear when punching.

Great post buddy. thanks

ECT mode should be fun for my next autox event.

 

No one seems to mention that it also increases throttle sensitivity. Or is it something else? But try driving a steady 65mph in 6th gear and turn on ect power, you will notice that the car does begin to accelerate while still in 6th gear. (or does my foot have a mind of it's own?)

 

I noticed the throttle sensativity is different between the two.

 

hmm.. yeah I been using the switch when I drive up the mountains, and it does deliver better acceleration. And I do see a difference in gas.. lol.. But its fun tho. Havent had a chance to use the snow mode tho. hmm

 

It provides better _downshifting_ (or better gear-holding when coasting)

which certainly leads to a quicker feel to acceleration under part-throttle conditions which are reasonably common.

When flooring it though, especially from a stop, normal mode actually provides the best acceleration- that's why it's recommended to use normal at the drag strip, since it actually shifts higher than ECT-Power does.