LC500 trans overheating issues?
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 573
Likes: 486
From: New Mexico
A quick update since I've now also attended a Lexus Performance Driving School event, at Circuit of The Americas (the US Formula 1 track) in Austin. If you've never done one, absolutely go do one. We did some quick back-of-the-napkin math and it's hard to see how Lexus isn't losing money on these events (i.e. marketing expense). We did 11 fast laps around COTA in LC500's, two autocross segments of 3 laps each in the new IS500 then about 10-15 minutes of skidpad time each in an RC-F. The per-driver cost isn't trivial, but for comparable experiences at the same venue for how much you get to do with breakfast/lunch included it's a bargain.
In the Q&A session with Scott Pruett I asked about the LC's cooling, he acknowledged that it was a GT car rather than a track car, and that it needed more cooling to be a track car. For the main track we would do 3-lap segments, there were 4 groups of 3 participants with an instructor in a 4th car in the lead. The instructors all drove RC-F's, all the "hot laps" where participants could ride with instructors at the end of the day were done in RC-F's. The RC-F has upgraded trans cooling over the LC.
The day started off cool in the 30's, and got into the high 50's or low. The pavement warmed notably from the sun over the day. My two friends and I were the "fast group" of our 12, we passed other groups twice and our instructor really let us push the cars. The fastest speeds we typically saw on a good lap were up to about 140. They recommended against manual mode, they also recommended Sport over Sport S+. I ran the entire day in Sport and never experienced a high trans temp warning. My two friends ran in Sport S+ for one of their runs and both saw a high trans temp warning at the end of their runs. We were driving in a group so pushing the cars largely the same on those runs.
I expect that a hotter day would have caused more issues, however I also never expect to run my own car this hard. So to confirm the general consensus reached earlier, "probably not a problem for how most of us will drive these cars". I'd still prefer more trans cooling for the car -- cooler average temps long-term means less issues -- but at this point I'd say it's not necessary unless/until I start experiencing these issues myself on hot days.
In the Q&A session with Scott Pruett I asked about the LC's cooling, he acknowledged that it was a GT car rather than a track car, and that it needed more cooling to be a track car. For the main track we would do 3-lap segments, there were 4 groups of 3 participants with an instructor in a 4th car in the lead. The instructors all drove RC-F's, all the "hot laps" where participants could ride with instructors at the end of the day were done in RC-F's. The RC-F has upgraded trans cooling over the LC.
The day started off cool in the 30's, and got into the high 50's or low. The pavement warmed notably from the sun over the day. My two friends and I were the "fast group" of our 12, we passed other groups twice and our instructor really let us push the cars. The fastest speeds we typically saw on a good lap were up to about 140. They recommended against manual mode, they also recommended Sport over Sport S+. I ran the entire day in Sport and never experienced a high trans temp warning. My two friends ran in Sport S+ for one of their runs and both saw a high trans temp warning at the end of their runs. We were driving in a group so pushing the cars largely the same on those runs.
I expect that a hotter day would have caused more issues, however I also never expect to run my own car this hard. So to confirm the general consensus reached earlier, "probably not a problem for how most of us will drive these cars". I'd still prefer more trans cooling for the car -- cooler average temps long-term means less issues -- but at this point I'd say it's not necessary unless/until I start experiencing these issues myself on hot days.
I parrot your thoughts exactly. I wish the LC had a better trans cooler as well but the way 99% of us drive 99% of the time it will never be an issue.
COTA is a fabulous track to drive. I haven't done the Lexus Experience at COTA but I did get to participate in the AMG Driving Academy there in 2014. I particularly love the Turn 6 thru Turn 10 sequence. Glad you got to experience it!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 519
Likes: 320
From: Denver CO
We're watching for the one next year at Road Atlanta.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,178
Likes: 811
From: Vancouver BC
besides the tranny overheating, why on earth did they only come with 8 way adjustable seats and not 16 or possibly 32? for a 120k+ car to have only 8 way adjustable seats on a GRAND TOURER makes no sense.
I was shopping for one to replace my 2008 maserati gran turismo and i had a few issues that kept me from buying it at full sticker.
1) heavy
2) 4.7sec for 0-60 is the same numbers my maserati gran turismo was doing back in 2008. Granted i know its not a numbers car, but i feel that at this price point you really should be getting more pep for that sort of money.
3) the infotainment is kind of a joke. Thank god they have apple car play now but it still seems outdated.
4) The interior just isnt as nice as something like a S class coupe or SL. especially the seats.... i really cant forgive them for the limited adjustability on the seats
they nailed the exhaust note, nailed the reliability (probably) and the styling but missed on a few important things. Ill keep my granturismo... it depreciated so much i might as well drive it into the ground.
I was shopping for one to replace my 2008 maserati gran turismo and i had a few issues that kept me from buying it at full sticker.
1) heavy
2) 4.7sec for 0-60 is the same numbers my maserati gran turismo was doing back in 2008. Granted i know its not a numbers car, but i feel that at this price point you really should be getting more pep for that sort of money.
3) the infotainment is kind of a joke. Thank god they have apple car play now but it still seems outdated.
4) The interior just isnt as nice as something like a S class coupe or SL. especially the seats.... i really cant forgive them for the limited adjustability on the seats
they nailed the exhaust note, nailed the reliability (probably) and the styling but missed on a few important things. Ill keep my granturismo... it depreciated so much i might as well drive it into the ground.
^^^^Actually the seats in the Touring package are 10 way and 8 way with the sport seats with the Alcantara inserts. For me the seats have plenty of adjustability. I can't imagine what additional adjustments would be. IOW, the seats fit me just fine.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/lc-...and-seats.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/lc-...and-seats.html
besides the tranny overheating, why on earth did they only come with 8 way adjustable seats and not 16 or possibly 32? for a 120k+ car to have only 8 way adjustable seats on a GRAND TOURER makes no sense.
I was shopping for one to replace my 2008 maserati gran turismo and i had a few issues that kept me from buying it at full sticker.
1) heavy
2) 4.7sec for 0-60 is the same numbers my maserati gran turismo was doing back in 2008. Granted i know its not a numbers car, but i feel that at this price point you really should be getting more pep for that sort of money.
3) the infotainment is kind of a joke. Thank god they have apple car play now but it still seems outdated.
4) The interior just isnt as nice as something like a S class coupe or SL. especially the seats.... i really cant forgive them for the limited adjustability on the seats
they nailed the exhaust note, nailed the reliability (probably) and the styling but missed on a few important things. Ill keep my granturismo... it depreciated so much i might as well drive it into the ground.
I was shopping for one to replace my 2008 maserati gran turismo and i had a few issues that kept me from buying it at full sticker.
1) heavy
2) 4.7sec for 0-60 is the same numbers my maserati gran turismo was doing back in 2008. Granted i know its not a numbers car, but i feel that at this price point you really should be getting more pep for that sort of money.
3) the infotainment is kind of a joke. Thank god they have apple car play now but it still seems outdated.
4) The interior just isnt as nice as something like a S class coupe or SL. especially the seats.... i really cant forgive them for the limited adjustability on the seats
they nailed the exhaust note, nailed the reliability (probably) and the styling but missed on a few important things. Ill keep my granturismo... it depreciated so much i might as well drive it into the ground.
- seats are incredibly comfortable for even long drives
- car doesn't feel heavy when driving, particularly as i have the dynamic handling package
- plenty of faster cars to be sure, but plenty fast enough for me
- infotainment / trackpad is indeed bad, would prefer a rotary controller, but i'm glad i don't have touch screen fingerprints
- interior materials and fit are excellent
i really cant forgive them for the limited adjustability on the seats
enjoy your 2008 maserati.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 260
Likes: 170
From: SG
I have a Steelcase Gesture office chair at home. It is at best a 6 way or maybe 8 way adjustable seat. For long duration comfort it ****s over any 12 way or 16 way or whatever way seat you can find in any car that has ever existed
My dad's porsche panamera has 16 way adjustment (or was it 18 way?) and my LC500 sport seats literally **** all over it in not just in comfort but how well you are held in the car during cornering.
This obsession with paper specs and numbers baffles me. The LC500 is not a numbers car. if you're that kind of buyer, this car is not for you
My dad's porsche panamera has 16 way adjustment (or was it 18 way?) and my LC500 sport seats literally **** all over it in not just in comfort but how well you are held in the car during cornering.
This obsession with paper specs and numbers baffles me. The LC500 is not a numbers car. if you're that kind of buyer, this car is not for you
Driver
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 81
Likes: 46
From: VA
besides the tranny overheating, why on earth did they only come with 8 way adjustable seats and not 16 or possibly 32? for a 120k+ car to have only 8 way adjustable seats on a GRAND TOURER makes no sense.
I was shopping for one to replace my 2008 maserati gran turismo and i had a few issues that kept me from buying it at full sticker.
1) heavy
2) 4.7sec for 0-60 is the same numbers my maserati gran turismo was doing back in 2008. Granted i know its not a numbers car, but i feel that at this price point you really should be getting more pep for that sort of money.
3) the infotainment is kind of a joke. Thank god they have apple car play now but it still seems outdated.
4) The interior just isnt as nice as something like a S class coupe or SL. especially the seats.... i really cant forgive them for the limited adjustability on the seats
they nailed the exhaust note, nailed the reliability (probably) and the styling but missed on a few important things. Ill keep my granturismo... it depreciated so much i might as well drive it into the ground.
I was shopping for one to replace my 2008 maserati gran turismo and i had a few issues that kept me from buying it at full sticker.
1) heavy
2) 4.7sec for 0-60 is the same numbers my maserati gran turismo was doing back in 2008. Granted i know its not a numbers car, but i feel that at this price point you really should be getting more pep for that sort of money.
3) the infotainment is kind of a joke. Thank god they have apple car play now but it still seems outdated.
4) The interior just isnt as nice as something like a S class coupe or SL. especially the seats.... i really cant forgive them for the limited adjustability on the seats
they nailed the exhaust note, nailed the reliability (probably) and the styling but missed on a few important things. Ill keep my granturismo... it depreciated so much i might as well drive it into the ground.
Liquid Bra Champion
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,831
Likes: 145
From: ƒ(x)
I totally disagree on the interior comment. I think it's luxurious, even opulent, without being ostentatious. I find the new Mercedes interiors kind of tacky honestly, way too much going on. The LC's interior is just stunning, well-built and high-quality. Go ahead and buy an S class coupe, and join the hundreds of others you see every day.
Driver
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 81
Likes: 46
From: VA
Get the LS, best of both worlds. The problem was the LC did look good in pre-release pics, so ordered one as soon as the books opened. I do regret buying the LC though. It’s has nice styling and the interior quality was ok, but just didn’t excite me. It was not a great daily (lack of trunk and rear seats) and nothing special for a weekend car.
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 573
Likes: 486
From: New Mexico
