I have a 2000 Rx300, and it has a three way switch for the transmission. The settings are normal, power, & snow. I notice that the newer Rx's only have normal & snow. Does anyone know the difference between the different programs, and how different an '00 "power" setting is from an "01" normal?

 

i'm not really sure about this, but this is what my friend told me. The new ECT programs for toyota transmissions have a kind of mood detector thingie... when it feels that you are starting to drive harder... it starts ( and it may take a while sometimes ) to set itself into "power" mode.... and if you're just doing your nice and safe dialy drive to work... it'll put itself into "normal" mode... the bad part about this is that when you're doin your daily drive.. and someone cuts ya off... hehe... your car won't respond as fast... until you've been drivin like a maniac already for a while...
i know its kinda confusin... was to me at first also.. hope this helps!

 

What nerdspeed is referring to is the way the transmissions can "learn" your drivng style. It adapts shifts to your driving style.

The ECT (Electronically Controlled Transmission) on the '99-'00s has the "Power Mode" which raises the shift points giving better acceleration. The "Snow Mode" starts your RX off in second gear so you won't spin out when the roads are slippery.

I had a chance to use "snow mode" on Jan 1, 2000 when we had very little snow on the ground (maybe 1/2" or less) here in Georgia. It's a great feature and works very well. After taking out a Z-71 truck, I felt my FWD RX was more controlled in the snow

 

interesting... no wonder sometimes i drive and my car seems slugglish.. then other times its juiced up!!! hrm, mabbie i should drive harder now