I recently purchased a CPO 2001 RX 300. I have been driving with the overdrive off ("O/D off" lit in the dashboard) in city streets and in stop-and-go situations. However, I am starting to worry that I bought a lemon, because when I'm driving with O/D off, the ride is not smooth at all. It's like the car undergoes jerky movements, then drives like I'm gliding for 5 seconds, and then starts feeling jerky again. It feels like the car is hesitating and doesn't know what gear to be in. This happens time and time again when my foot is NOT touching the gas. To alleviate this disconcerting experience, I have to put my foot on the gas pedal OR turn overdrive on.

Is this normal for Lexus overdrive mode? I used to drive a Nissan Altima with overdrive off, and I never experienced this type of unsettling ride.

BTW, I use premium gas.

Please help me with your invaluabe advice, before i go to the service department to complain. Thanks.

 

Eyeball,

I have a 1999 RX300 but I haven't experienced the problem you describe. The problem with mine is slight hesitation when accelerating. Lexus shouldn't have these problems. They are problems I've never experienced in any other vehicle through the years including three Toyota Avalons.

 

You should always drive with the overdrive engaged. The light is off on the dash. When the light is on. The transmission will be jerky with the O/D off.

Also you will noticed that after driving the car for a while. It will be slower on takeoffs. You can step on the gas and it will hesitate. You need to pull the 20 amp EFI fuse. And it will reset the ECU. You will see a big difference. I do it every time I fill it up.

 

Always drive with the O/D on. Dont ever turn it off. Meaning that, the next time you start your RX, don't ever touch that O/D button. Drive your RX with the O/D on and see the difference. It will be smoother and it shouldn't be jerky. The manual even says to always leave your car with O/D on, not only will your ride be smoother, it will save you gas too. The manual also says that, when you first start your car and the temperature of the engine is not warm enough, O/D will still be engaged even if it is set "OFF". Drive your RX with O/D on for about a week and dont touch the O/D button and see how is it.

 

i came home from having dinner and when i was on the freeway going about 80mph with the O/D on i notice that the RMP was at 5, like as if it was in the wrong gear. has anyone had this problem.
this morning my girl friend drove it to work and she was also going 80mph but this time the RPM was at 3 only. I think i have a tranny problem and will take it in to the dealer ship this weekend. do you think they will replace me with a new tranny or just flash my ECU? i to have the hesitation problem sometimes when coming to a rolling stop around 5-10 mph and then steping on the gas, but the car would not go past 20 for about 5 sec.

has anyone had this problem and do you know if they will fix it for me?

thanks

 

Do you think they will be able to determine the problem using there diaonogstic at the dealer?

 

If I am driving in stop and go traffic with speeds less than 40mph I drive with OD off.

The RX300 has 4 gears: L, 2, OD Off, D (OD On)

To satisfy the govt, all manufacturers optimize their transmission for fuel efficiency. So when you exceed say 40mph the transmission kicks into 4th OD gear but if you were dirving a manual you would never do that because you know you are going to stop/slow down pretty soon. Yes - driving with OD off will slightly (unnoticeably) lower your mpg but will do wonders for the gear change response time and your transmission

I dont feel any jerky motion. Any such issue should be covered by the powertrain warranty

 

are you having high RPM problem like OD is not working correctly?

 

At my 1/4 mile track, I used the overdrive button successfully at launch. This came after a lot of experimentation and advice. I have a 99 RX.

1. At line, turn on your PWR button and switch off overdrive.
2. With foot on brake, rev car to slightly under 1,000 RPM, just a low rumble.
3. Let'er rip just before the third light...you can hit .500s easily.
4. At the end of the 60 foot box, put the overdrive back on.