So my car has always done this but I'm wondering if it's bad for the car. I almost always drive in M mode (once the car has warmed up to 2 + bars) even when I drive around in the city because it's just a lot more fun, but when I come to a stop I notice it kicks it down into 1 before I actually stop sometimes and it gives it a little jolt. Does everyone else's car do this too ? It seems like it might be putting some stress on the gearbox. I'm assuming the reason it does this rather than putting it in 2 until you come to a total stop is because of the torque converter and so the car won't stall. Either way I plan on keeping this car to at least 100k (44 on it now) and I'm wondering if I should maybe drive it in granny mode more often to save the transmission. Any thoughts on this ?

 

Mine does the same thing. If you pay close attention you can also hear a clack when it does this from second to first. My only guess is that this happens because the converter unlocks between second and first.

 

My car does this too. I guess it's normal.. and if you come to a slow stop like I always do, it shouldn't be an issue.

 

Cool...well good to know it's normal at least. I do always come to a slow stop at lights as well V, brakes are too expensive to slam on all the time haha. I guess time will tell, I just wonder how many other F owners are in M mode most of the time.

 

Mine does it too, no worries.

 

You can stop it fom happening by either:

A: Do not come to an abrupt stop from 2nd to 1st, seems like if you give it time to shift it will be a lot smoother.

B: What I do most of the time, is shift it from 2nd to 1st myself at the appropriate time. If you shift when your going to slow it will still clunk, but if you do it higher up (around 20mph or so I believe) it will rev match and be a smooth transition.

I didn't put it to words very well, but its something I've learned to correct myself since driving the car.

 

@OP, It happens to me too and I will agree that id does seem harsh on the car, but im sure it would be fine... because race car. <-- LOL

@SeanGTS, going to have to try "B" next time I take out the F. I usually just let the car slow down and downshift on its own, hopefully it would help with that harsh jerk

 

I do believe this is normal. It does seem odd because we are use to the Lexus being such a refined car but the gearbox was designed more for performance than comfort.

A friend of mine drove a Lamborghini with the Auto E-gear transmission and he also described similar tendencies with the transmission and said it felt very mechanical. He described it as being clunky and being able to feel the downshifts, much like the Lexus. It's just the nature of the beast.

 

If the F did not kick it down to first, I believe the car would stall in manual mode.

Try down shifting to first at speeds ranging from 15-20. It should be much smoother.

 

30mph seems to be the highest mph to downshift from 2nd to 1st. I usually do it in between 20-30 mph and it is smooth and stills give a bit of blip, but from 10mph and lower if you do it...it jerks. The GT-R did the exact same thing. Nature of the beast.

 

Its normal, i too always drive manual mode after the engine is warm up to 2 bars temp.

 

I always drive in manual + sport unless i'm in traffic...then i'm in sport + manual