LS - cruise control is somewhat variable.
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From: Alabama
LS - cruise control is somewhat variable.
I just got my first speeding ticket in 20+ years in the LS. Got it on I-49 in a Louisiana Washington County speed trap. Cop got me going 77mph in a 70 zone.
Interesting thing is that I had my cruise control set at 75. I had just gone down a small downhill section and the cruise allowed me to get up to 77 just when he lit me up with the speed gun.
I tested the premise later on the same trip using my GPS to precisely track mph speed. It looks like my Lexus cruise control allows a 2 mph variation on + side and a 2 mph variation on - side. Seems like a little more variation than my previous car (Acura RL) but I guess I should have known better. The cop said he would have not pulled me over if I had been going 75 or under.
Anyway be careful when you set the cruise at slightly above speed limit in state of LA. Ticket was $165.
Interesting thing is that I had my cruise control set at 75. I had just gone down a small downhill section and the cruise allowed me to get up to 77 just when he lit me up with the speed gun.
I tested the premise later on the same trip using my GPS to precisely track mph speed. It looks like my Lexus cruise control allows a 2 mph variation on + side and a 2 mph variation on - side. Seems like a little more variation than my previous car (Acura RL) but I guess I should have known better. The cop said he would have not pulled me over if I had been going 75 or under.
Anyway be careful when you set the cruise at slightly above speed limit in state of LA. Ticket was $165.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
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From: NY/NJ
I never thought that cruise would keep you at the "set speed" if you're going down a hill. It will just maintain your speed going straight or up a hill. I know that the LS has some control that won't allow it to go 10 mph beyond the set speed because I've noticed going down long hills that it downshifts to keep it no more than 10 mph over, but it won't keep it at 75mph for all terrains.
As for slowing the car down like the RL, I just think the way the LS is geared, it drives more like an American car where it continues to coast even after letting go of the gas. My Civic, Accord, even RX all would almost start to slow down once you let go of the accelerator. The LS... nope, just keeps on going. Must be too much HP and torque...
Anyway, sucks that you got the ticket. It must have been quota time, cop was going to bust you no matter what...
As for slowing the car down like the RL, I just think the way the LS is geared, it drives more like an American car where it continues to coast even after letting go of the gas. My Civic, Accord, even RX all would almost start to slow down once you let go of the accelerator. The LS... nope, just keeps on going. Must be too much HP and torque...
Anyway, sucks that you got the ticket. It must have been quota time, cop was going to bust you no matter what...
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 264
Likes: 7
From: Poulsbo, WA
I've noticed the same thing about the car when the cruise control is set and I'm on a downhill section of the freeway that the speed does inch up a bit. I think its because the LS has very little rolling and wind resistance and gravity just takes over.
Speaking of speed tix...I've gotten 3 in the past 1.5 years and beaten them all. There has been a noticeable increase in speed traps on the California freeways lately as I guess they're trying to help with the states budgets woes and the average bail on my "10 over" has been $235.00. So, I plead not guilty, set a court date, show up and the cop (witness) doesn't show up so the judge throws it out. My time is coming as I do about 35k a year in our two LS's so am driving a bit more conservatively these days.
Speaking of speed tix...I've gotten 3 in the past 1.5 years and beaten them all. There has been a noticeable increase in speed traps on the California freeways lately as I guess they're trying to help with the states budgets woes and the average bail on my "10 over" has been $235.00. So, I plead not guilty, set a court date, show up and the cop (witness) doesn't show up so the judge throws it out. My time is coming as I do about 35k a year in our two LS's so am driving a bit more conservatively these days.
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From: Alabama
I think the LS just glides so much better than any other car I have other driven. The cruise would have to hit the brakes to slow it down and I don't think the cruise control operates on the brakes...maybe it does?
Lead Lap
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From: NY/NJ
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Pole Position
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 331
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From: NSW - Australia
^^^ then it won't apply the brakes. It's a shame you got booked,but unfortunately,that's the way that particular system operates.
I've got the radar cruise system on my car,and have only used it a few times so far,so I can't comment on it's downhill accuracy. it WILL apply the brakes if you come up on a slower moving car though,I can confirm that part.
Justin...
I've got the radar cruise system on my car,and have only used it a few times so far,so I can't comment on it's downhill accuracy. it WILL apply the brakes if you come up on a slower moving car though,I can confirm that part.
Justin...
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: MI
I just got my first speeding ticket in 20+ years in the LS. Got it on I-49 in a Louisiana Washington County speed trap. Cop got me going 77mph in a 70 zone.
Interesting thing is that I had my cruise control set at 75. I had just gone down a small downhill section and the cruise allowed me to get up to 77 just when he lit me up with the speed gun.
I tested the premise later on the same trip using my GPS to precisely track mph speed. It looks like my Lexus cruise control allows a 2 mph variation on + side and a 2 mph variation on - side. Seems like a little more variation than my previous car (Acura RL) but I guess I should have known better. The cop said he would have not pulled me over if I had been going 75 or under.
Anyway be careful when you set the cruise at slightly above speed limit in state of LA. Ticket was $165.
Interesting thing is that I had my cruise control set at 75. I had just gone down a small downhill section and the cruise allowed me to get up to 77 just when he lit me up with the speed gun.
I tested the premise later on the same trip using my GPS to precisely track mph speed. It looks like my Lexus cruise control allows a 2 mph variation on + side and a 2 mph variation on - side. Seems like a little more variation than my previous car (Acura RL) but I guess I should have known better. The cop said he would have not pulled me over if I had been going 75 or under.
Anyway be careful when you set the cruise at slightly above speed limit in state of LA. Ticket was $165.
1) If not: just say you were driving at posted speed and just accelerated due to gravity. You clearly weren't too far above 70 so it should be plausible.
2) If so: say you were keeping pace with traffic. I am assuming you were driving in a safe manner at the time, so you were just following another car apparently doing the appropriate speed. However, the hill caused him/her to speed up. Since you were still follow them, you consequently sped up slightly without even knowing it.
Good luck, that cop was just trying to fill a quota. No way should anyone waste your time and money if you were doing 77 on the highway. There are plenty of idiots who tailgate or change lanes without looking who deserve the ticket way more than you do.
Thread Starter
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From: Alabama
It was in the middle of Louisiana about 250 miles from my house on a 5 day trip to the great city of NOLA. No way I am going back there to appear in court. For me appearing in front of a small town judge in Boo-foo Louisiana is the stuff nightmares are made of.
You're right the speed traps are a significant revenue generator operation for those small poor counties in the middle of LA state. Lesson learned - next time I'll fly as its a boring drive.
You're right the speed traps are a significant revenue generator operation for those small poor counties in the middle of LA state. Lesson learned - next time I'll fly as its a boring drive.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 38
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From: Oregon
I also have been ticketed going down a hill. I also pleaded not guilty, but my cop showed up. After telling the judge what kind of car I have, and that you really can't tell speed sensation, He told me "Well, thats the price for ridding in luxury." He reduced the fine.
Unfortunately I was back there six months later. Same judge, Same court room, different cop. I was able to tell him the story of last time I was here, "I said that?" "Yes your honor." "Well, I don't feel that witty today." and he reduced the ticket same as before!
This was a few years ago and in my LS 400. But I always watch my speed since, especially on that stretch of road.
Unfortunately I was back there six months later. Same judge, Same court room, different cop. I was able to tell him the story of last time I was here, "I said that?" "Yes your honor." "Well, I don't feel that witty today." and he reduced the ticket same as before!
This was a few years ago and in my LS 400. But I always watch my speed since, especially on that stretch of road.
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