anesthesia

I have a 99 ls400, and I love using this switch PWR/ECT. It makes the car feel so much more powerful as far as taken off and on acceleration. I know it's not great on gas when it's on all time but dam, does it feel good like a different car if I may say. Now beside using more fuel any downside to having this on at all time?

texbanc

I use it 100% of the time. Currently have an 09 gs460 and previously had an 01 GS430. I have not seen any appreciable diff in mileage. Using it will not hurt anything, it just changes the mapping a little and holds it in gear a little longer. I also turn it on when driving my wife's LS.

Mugen_1

As soon as I get in the car, I ensure the switch is set to PWR and the TRAC OFF button is pressed. Like texbanc, I haven't seen any change in mileage.

1sWt2GS

iTrader: (6)

I currently started doing this in my gs. I wouldn't turn off traction though

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

lucky to you guys who have the TRAC button !

i too always have my PWR/ECT on all the time. like everyone else, i too did not see any drop in MPG. the reason most people think they see a drop is b/c they start mashing on the pedal more for more POOOOWAH!

xtremex626

iTrader: (3)

unlike all of you guys who prefer to have the "PWR/ECT" on, i prefer to have mine on "SNOW". reason being is it actually saves you gas when you're on the highway. it's alot slower but i'm more about saving gas than wasting gas . i always put mine on "SNOW" everytime i enter the car.

dengman

I should try that when I take my next road trip. Would force me to accelerate slower, well at least remind me. I'm in the pwr/ect mode and drive slow. Dont like the slip and shift of normal.

sam12345

iTrader: (1)

Snow will not save gas

xtremex626

iTrader: (3)

^i've used it long enough to notice it. you won't benefit much using it on local streets & like i said... it would only help on highway.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Once you've driven the car for a period of time, you know exactly where to put the pedal to get the tranny to shift at the higher points. You guys with the 98+ have more engine available but us in the '97 and older are These things are slugs.

sam12345

iTrader: (1)

Do you realize you are taking off in second gear? And on the highway you need x amount of power to go x speed. How is snow going to change the laws of physics?

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

simple:
it GREATLY dampens throttle response, so you end up not being able to open the throttle as much and consequently drive slower, saving fuel.


I only really use snow when in traffic, or driving on super loose sand.

sam12345

iTrader: (1)

When you drive on the freeway you go a constant speed so regardless there is no difference,
Two cars going down the freeway at a constant speed will get the same gas mileage (two identical cars)

j2b4o

He is referring to accelerating to speed from a slow down or during merging. I have rarely driven on a hwy and kept my speed constant. There is always a series of slow downs and speed ups.

MR2turbo

My '00 LS400 doesn't start off in 2nd gear while in snow mode, but it makes the throttle a LOT less sensitive and dampens the throttle response, so I can definitelly see how this would save gas in city driving.

You are right though, if you have the car set on cruise control on the highway, it doesn't matter what mode the transmission is in, it'll consume the same amount of gas (as long as the gear and rpm's are the same).

Back on topic, I always set my car to snow mode for driving around town. Improves traction a bit in the winter and makes starting off super smooth. I usually switch it to normal mode I'm driving onthe highway and it makes the LS feel like a rocket after being used to the throttle response on snow mode.