Before I recently purchased my 2001 RX 300, I had heard about the lag when you accelerate. I didn't realize how bad it actually was until I drove it the first time. 50,000 miles has this SUV in great shape with a little bit of warranty left. What can I do about this annoying lack of immediate responsiveness?

 

When do you feel the lag, when you first start out? This is a known problem

Some of us pull the EFI fuse every week, it is no.13, yellow and I believe 20 amp. That will reset your transmission information, and the car accelerates really fast following a warm-up.

 

Lexmex,

Based on your message, it sounds like pulling the EFI fuse improves the initial acceleration for about a week, then you do it again? Bizzare...but if it works, I'll try it!

Mine doesn't really hesitate, but seems a little sluggish. The dealer, of course, says it's "normal."

 

Just make sure to pull it with the key OUT of the ignition.

That is exactly what it does, reset the engine. However, take it easy the first time you drive it, then you can let if fly after the first drive.

Some people do this weekly, though other friends do it monthly. The local Toyota dealer had a cow when I was showing people how to do this, while waiting for an alignment. I guess they make some money off of people and charge a whole lot to do this.

You do not have to do it weekly, but if you drive your car hard, you might as well.

 

Is there a similar fuse on a 2000 GS 300? Just wondering.

 

Can anyone tell me how to open the fusebox? It's the cubby hole to the left of the steering wheel right? Thanks.

 

I just step on the gas harder...

 

Isn't it usually normal for the car to lag when you accelerate, usually with the A/C running? Is that the kind of lag you guys are all talking about?

 

No, it's the pigheaded tranny that doesn't downshift fast enough. When I step on the gas further, it downshifts two gears and jerks the vehicle.

 

My 2002 did not do this...

I hate the 2004 just because of this... I didn't feel it when I bought it, and it didn't do it all the time at first. I now think that this could even be a safety issue, since the car does not respond as expected when I need to pull into traffic (or away from it).

This sounds like a software bug (if you have to reset the system once a week). I hope there is a TSB for it soon... (Or a full-fledged recall??)

Art

 

I just had this happen today. From a stop, pressed the gas, up to about 10-15 mph, let off cause of traffic for about 1 sec, pressed the gas lightly again, and it jerks like a bad manual-tranny driver Very "moody" tranny if you ask me...