Hello everyone,

I just got a 2007 IS350 recently. I noticed that it changes its gear really early. From 0-10mph its in gear 1, then 10-20 its gear 2, and at 40MPH it's already at gear 6. This seems like it makes my engine rev super high and not good for the engine. Is this normal for a IS350 or is something wrong?

 

you might need to reset your ECU so it can learn your driving habits....

 

Thats about normal then again its been a while since my car was stock... I would say compare it with another stock is350 to see.

 

How do you do that? And do you think that's the problem?

 

I'm say normal it an auto not a standard. I drive in 6 gear around long straight city roads. It in high gear to give you low rpm to save you gas.

 

yeah i agree, sounds normal to me. my car drives the exact same way. when im driving on the air force base, at 25-30mph, my car is in like 4th or 5th gear sometimes

 

Yup seems normal, the tranny will always try to upshift as soon as possible to keep your engine RPM low in an attempt to improve fuel economy. This also makes the car feel sluggish sometimes because like you said it wants to upshift way too early.

If you don't mind paying a little more at the pump, turn your ECT program to PWR. It will make throttle response a little sharper, hang onto a gear a little bit longer and lets your engine have a little more fun in the rev range before deciding to upshift.

 

I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking this, but can you explain in more detail? Revving "high" would mean that your RPM's go up, and RPM's are mechanically proportional to speed when the transmission is in gear.

Shifting into 6th gear at 20/30/40mph is normal if you are not accelerating quickly. Your car has enough power at 1200RPM to cruise. Shifting at lower RPMs is the norm if you aren't driving aggressively and saves wear and tear on the engine and your wallet (better MPG).

If you stomp on the gas peddle, it should downshift and accelerate quicker (lower gear/same speed = higher RPM).

Another thing that may be happening is a high idle (this happens when it's cold in order to pull more oil into your head).

Your shift point (the RPM where it shifts to the next gear), is electronically controlled based on your throttle position. The 'PWR' button, if you have it, simply adjusts that point so it downshifts with only a slight press of the throttle, and shift at a higher RPM at that same position.

 

The correct fix is to switch on PWR ECT Trans sounds like it's working normally.

 

The only downside with PWR ECT is the rough down shifting. I swear, I am down shifting smoother on my 6 speeds, BMW Mcoupe (by rev matching).

 

I don't know where folks are getting "use ect and that will fix it" from. When you are driving normal, having your car in ect, it'll still shift the same. Only difference is its less throttle to make the downshift sooner. Like in passing situations. If you're doing 40mph it doesn't just stay in a low gear cause it's in ect mode

 

yeah, I think OP is confused about something.

My car is stock and it does the following gear if I don't step on the gas (average 2000 RPM):
0-10 (1st) 10-20 (2nd) 20-27 (3rd) 27 - 35 (4th) 35 - 40 (5th) 40 - 9000 (6th)

The gear the car is in can be control by watching the RPM. You can make the car stay in 4th until 40mph by keeping the RPM above 2000. If you ease on the gas after that, it will go to 5th and quickly switch to 6th -- this will have a more linear acceleration feel.

 

oh so you are at 6th gear at 40mph as well? I've always thought 6th gear was supposed to be when you're going fast like 80mph+

 

I think most cars will be in the highest gear at 40mph.