IS 500 transmission
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,612
Likes: 4,800
From: GA
Idk man, I think y’all are spoiled.
I came from the AA81E in my supercharged rc350 and that thing was atrocious. God the transmission never knew what it wanted to do. Sometimes it just unlocked the converter mid pull and you'd lurch forward in your seat. Other times, it would just refuse to shift outright until you let out of the throttle.
This AA80E is a damn masterpiece compared to the AA81E. It does what we all need it to do, and very well at that. Sure, there will always be a car out there thats faster, but so what? None of you bought your IS500 thinking it was faster than an M3 or because it had faster lap times than an RS3. You bought it because its the only car in class with a smooth, refined, and powerful NA V8. You bought it because of the reliability.
One thing I don't quite understand, many lexus owners and IS500 owners specifically brag about their reliable NA v8. It's reliable because it's old and it's proven. Same thing for your transmission. I dont hear anyone complaining that the 2UR sucks, even though its objectively worse for going fast say compared to a 6cyl turbo, like in the m3. But again, the IS500 and 2UR are desirable for subjective reasons. You can beat that NA v8 @7200 RPM.
Comparison is the thief of joy, my friends. Enjoy your 2UR and AA80E in your dying breed of a car. In 20 years you'll reminisce on how cool these kinds of cars are, when ICE's are outlawed.
I came from the AA81E in my supercharged rc350 and that thing was atrocious. God the transmission never knew what it wanted to do. Sometimes it just unlocked the converter mid pull and you'd lurch forward in your seat. Other times, it would just refuse to shift outright until you let out of the throttle.
This AA80E is a damn masterpiece compared to the AA81E. It does what we all need it to do, and very well at that. Sure, there will always be a car out there thats faster, but so what? None of you bought your IS500 thinking it was faster than an M3 or because it had faster lap times than an RS3. You bought it because its the only car in class with a smooth, refined, and powerful NA V8. You bought it because of the reliability.
One thing I don't quite understand, many lexus owners and IS500 owners specifically brag about their reliable NA v8. It's reliable because it's old and it's proven. Same thing for your transmission. I dont hear anyone complaining that the 2UR sucks, even though its objectively worse for going fast say compared to a 6cyl turbo, like in the m3. But again, the IS500 and 2UR are desirable for subjective reasons. You can beat that NA v8 @7200 RPM.
Comparison is the thief of joy, my friends. Enjoy your 2UR and AA80E in your dying breed of a car. In 20 years you'll reminisce on how cool these kinds of cars are, when ICE's are outlawed.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 825
One question I have been meaning to ask is - has anyone noticed the torque converter locking in second gear in manual mode AFTER shifting? It happens to me if I am at or below 2500 RPM after the upshift into second. I feel a very noticeable lurch a second or two after shifting.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,612
Likes: 4,800
From: GA
I haven't experienced that, but I haven't had enough seat time to really understand all of the nuances of this new transmission. It has a much different driving characteristic in auto vs manual. One that I dont quite understand. I cant really give you an answer without making one up.
Steps to reproduce:
1. Put car in manual.
2. Come to complete stop (could be done prior to step 1
).3. Accelerate with moderate throttle.
4. Upshift to gear 2 at 2500-3500 RPM.
5. Continue with moderate throttle as second gear engages and observe any un-smooth acceleration.
I did not experience this in my IS 350.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 294
Likes: 90
From: PA
Idk man, I think y’all are spoiled.
I came from the AA81E in my supercharged rc350 and that thing was atrocious. God the transmission never knew what it wanted to do. Sometimes it just unlocked the converter mid pull and you'd lurch forward in your seat. Other times, it would just refuse to shift outright until you let out of the throttle.
This AA80E is a damn masterpiece compared to the AA81E. It does what we all need it to do, and very well at that. Sure, there will always be a car out there thats faster, but so what? None of you bought your IS500 thinking it was faster than an M3 or because it had faster lap times than an RS3. You bought it because its the only car in class with a smooth, refined, and powerful NA V8. You bought it because of the reliability.
One thing I don't quite understand, many lexus owners and IS500 owners specifically brag about their reliable NA v8. It's reliable because it's old and it's proven. Same thing for your transmission. I dont hear anyone complaining that the 2UR sucks, even though its objectively worse for going fast say compared to a 6cyl turbo, like in the m3. But again, the IS500 and 2UR are desirable for subjective reasons. You can't beat that NA v8 @7200 RPM.
Comparison is the thief of joy, my friends. Enjoy your 2UR and AA80E in your dying breed of a car. In 20 years you'll reminisce on how cool these kinds of cars are, when ICE's are outlawed.
I came from the AA81E in my supercharged rc350 and that thing was atrocious. God the transmission never knew what it wanted to do. Sometimes it just unlocked the converter mid pull and you'd lurch forward in your seat. Other times, it would just refuse to shift outright until you let out of the throttle.
This AA80E is a damn masterpiece compared to the AA81E. It does what we all need it to do, and very well at that. Sure, there will always be a car out there thats faster, but so what? None of you bought your IS500 thinking it was faster than an M3 or because it had faster lap times than an RS3. You bought it because its the only car in class with a smooth, refined, and powerful NA V8. You bought it because of the reliability.
One thing I don't quite understand, many lexus owners and IS500 owners specifically brag about their reliable NA v8. It's reliable because it's old and it's proven. Same thing for your transmission. I dont hear anyone complaining that the 2UR sucks, even though its objectively worse for going fast say compared to a 6cyl turbo, like in the m3. But again, the IS500 and 2UR are desirable for subjective reasons. You can't beat that NA v8 @7200 RPM.
Comparison is the thief of joy, my friends. Enjoy your 2UR and AA80E in your dying breed of a car. In 20 years you'll reminisce on how cool these kinds of cars are, when ICE's are outlawed.
As a new IS 500 owner, I absolutely think that the good far outweigh the bad, and I will be the first to say that the "spoiled" label absolutely applies to me. Believe be, I totally realize that I'm lightly bummed about the complete package not being MORE perfect. Does it ruin the joy I get from the car? Hell no!
In my case at least, its just a bit of wishful thinking / worry about car being broken. I will be totally moving on from this concern shortly given that it's plainly obvious that my car is working as intended.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,612
Likes: 4,800
From: GA
OK.
Steps to reproduce:
1. Put car in manual.
2. Come to complete stop (could be done prior to step 1 ).
3. Accelerate with moderate throttle.
4. Upshift to gear 2 at 2500-3500 RPM.
5. Continue with moderate throttle as second gear engages and observe any un-smooth acceleration.
I did not experience this in my IS 350.
Steps to reproduce:
1. Put car in manual.
2. Come to complete stop (could be done prior to step 1
).3. Accelerate with moderate throttle.
4. Upshift to gear 2 at 2500-3500 RPM.
5. Continue with moderate throttle as second gear engages and observe any un-smooth acceleration.
I did not experience this in my IS 350.
I suspect the torque converter only locks up above a certain speed and only in manual mode or at higher RPM ranges.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 841
Likes: 924
From: Hawaii
I've noticed around town the Sport setting works best for throttle response. Seems like in Normal you can't smoothly accelerate from a stop, the pedal is hard and you have to push rather deeply to get moving. In Sport it's more responsive for easy acceleration and for open highway Normal is just fine.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 906
Likes: 1,348
From: Greater Toronto Area
I've noticed around town the Sport setting works best for throttle response. Seems like in Normal you can't smoothly accelerate from a stop, the pedal is hard and you have to push rather deeply to get moving. In Sport it's more responsive for easy acceleration and for open highway Normal is just fine.
Pit Crew
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 119
Likes: 108
From: IA
When it comes to everyday / relaxed driving, I think the transmission is plenty smooth in any mode. My issue is that this trans is absolutely desperate to reach the highest possible gear as quickly as possible, no matter the mode.
In S or S+, the transmission should hold gears until higher in the rev range. Instead, it shifts at freakin' 2k rpm unless I damn near floor it. IMHO that is silly and annoying for driving around town in a car this powerful. I don't need to drag race to 40 mph, I just want to enjoy some vroom vroom noises (you know, the highlight of this entire vehicle) coming off the red light.
In S or S+, the transmission should hold gears until higher in the rev range. Instead, it shifts at freakin' 2k rpm unless I damn near floor it. IMHO that is silly and annoying for driving around town in a car this powerful. I don't need to drag race to 40 mph, I just want to enjoy some vroom vroom noises (you know, the highlight of this entire vehicle) coming off the red light.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,612
Likes: 4,800
From: GA
When it comes to everyday / relaxed driving, I think the transmission is plenty smooth in any mode. My issue is that this trans is absolutely desperate to reach the highest possible gear as quickly as possible, no matter the mode.
In S or S+, the transmission should hold gears until higher in the rev range. Instead, it shifts at freakin' 2k rpm unless I damn near floor it. IMHO that is silly and annoying for driving around town in a car this powerful. I don't need to drag race to 40 mph, I just want to enjoy some vroom vroom noises (you know, the highlight of this entire vehicle) coming off the red light.
In S or S+, the transmission should hold gears until higher in the rev range. Instead, it shifts at freakin' 2k rpm unless I damn near floor it. IMHO that is silly and annoying for driving around town in a car this powerful. I don't need to drag race to 40 mph, I just want to enjoy some vroom vroom noises (you know, the highlight of this entire vehicle) coming off the red light.
8th Gear
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 8
Likes: 2
From: CO
When it comes to everyday / relaxed driving, I think the transmission is plenty smooth in any mode. My issue is that this trans is absolutely desperate to reach the highest possible gear as quickly as possible, no matter the mode.
In S or S+, the transmission should hold gears until higher in the rev range. Instead, it shifts at freakin' 2k rpm unless I damn near floor it. IMHO that is silly and annoying for driving around town in a car this powerful. I don't need to drag race to 40 mph, I just want to enjoy some vroom vroom noises (you know, the highlight of this entire vehicle) coming off the red light.
In S or S+, the transmission should hold gears until higher in the rev range. Instead, it shifts at freakin' 2k rpm unless I damn near floor it. IMHO that is silly and annoying for driving around town in a car this powerful. I don't need to drag race to 40 mph, I just want to enjoy some vroom vroom noises (you know, the highlight of this entire vehicle) coming off the red light.
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 33
Likes: 15
From: NY
Not sure whether it is just how mine is doing, in Sport mode it looks like the highest gear it will go to is the 7th. I want to faster and more sensitive throttle response of the sport mode, but I do also want it to be in the 8th gear when I need it, for smoothness and less “nervous” or "jerking" sensation of the engine and drivetrain.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,612
Likes: 4,800
From: GA
Not sure whether it is just how mine is doing, in Sport mode it looks like the highest gear it will go to is the 7th. I want to faster and more sensitive throttle response of the sport mode, but I do also want it to be in the 8th gear when I need it, for smoothness and less “nervous” or "jerking" sensation of the engine and drivetrain.
I have set my custom mode up to be Sport everything, so I get the heavier steering and stiffer suspension from Sport S+ with the drivetrain tuning of Sport S. I think this is my new favorite way to go since it'll do well no matter what kind of driving I'm doing. I can just go back to Sport S if I want to soften up the suspension.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 1,600
From: CA
Weird. For me, in Sport S, it will go to 8th gear if I am driving gently. The harder I drive, the lower a gear it will use.
I have set my custom mode up to be Sport everything, so I get the heavier steering and stiffer suspension from Sport S+ with the drivetrain tuning of Sport S. I think this is my new favorite way to go since it'll do well no matter what kind of driving I'm doing. I can just go back to Sport S if I want to soften up the suspension.
I have set my custom mode up to be Sport everything, so I get the heavier steering and stiffer suspension from Sport S+ with the drivetrain tuning of Sport S. I think this is my new favorite way to go since it'll do well no matter what kind of driving I'm doing. I can just go back to Sport S if I want to soften up the suspension.
I just wish I could have the Sport S+ gauges in custom too. I don't see a way to change gauges.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,612
Likes: 4,800
From: GA
I agree with you, though. I miss the ability to change the needle color like I had on my 2016. At least that would have been nice.