Hesitation problem at various speeds (TSB info post #159)
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 701
Likes: 166
From: NSW
I think it's just the way he describes it - when the transmission is in a higher gear and suddenly it changes down a gear as you have given it more throttle. Just the normal trait of the mapping for this car.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 701
Likes: 166
From: NSW
Took our 2017 RX 350 back to the Lexus dealership after previously having 2 service bulletins done to address the "shifting" hesitation and the drone noise in the low gears around the 3rd and 4th.They confirmed that ALL of the 2016-2021 RX350 models have the same "issue" and as stated above some drivers notice it while others do not. It all depends of how the driver accelerates and what the driving conditions are (start from a dead stop, ascending a grade, rounding a corner and then accelerating, etc.). I have driven the 2011 RX 350 for years without any such issue but it is a 6 speed as compared to this 8 speed. I was told the other day by the dealership master mechanic and garage supervisor that Lexus is well aware of the "concern" and have noticed the ES does not perform the same way and there is some discussion in future builds to use the ES transmission in the RX 350s. He encouraged me to contact Lexus corporation, as I have already done and been assigned a case number, to further voice my displeasure with the driving experience. He will channel additional data from his position up through the channel as well.
The mapping was specifically designed to try to improve fuel consumption, it's a heavy car and does chew through the fuel so they made it change up gears sooner then you often would like. It depends on your driving style and if the area is hilly or flat, driving gently around a flat area the car can perform faultlessly, smooooth as, but drive harder and/or throw in some hills where you are turning at intersections and the constant up-changing of the gears too soon becomes annoying. That's when I use Sports mode where it holds the gears longer and feels much smoother.
If they did the TSB correctly the new software "should" make it feel better, more like Sports mode in Normal mode.
Again, it's all purely in how Lexus have written the software, nothing to do with the actual mechanical side of things.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,941
Likes: 581
From: New York
It's not the actual transmission, it works fine, it's the software mapping.
The mapping was specifically designed to try to improve fuel consumption, it's a heavy car and does chew through the fuel so they made it change up gears sooner then you often would like. It depends on your driving style and if the area is hilly or flat, driving gently around a flat area the car can perform faultlessly, smooooth as, but drive harder and/or throw in some hills where you are turning at intersections and the constant up-changing of the gears too soon becomes annoying. That's when I use Sports mode where it holds the gears longer and feels much smoother.
If they did the TSB correctly the new software "should" make it feel better, more like Sports mode in Normal mode.
Again, it's all purely in how Lexus have written the software, nothing to do with the actual mechanical side of things.
The mapping was specifically designed to try to improve fuel consumption, it's a heavy car and does chew through the fuel so they made it change up gears sooner then you often would like. It depends on your driving style and if the area is hilly or flat, driving gently around a flat area the car can perform faultlessly, smooooth as, but drive harder and/or throw in some hills where you are turning at intersections and the constant up-changing of the gears too soon becomes annoying. That's when I use Sports mode where it holds the gears longer and feels much smoother.
If they did the TSB correctly the new software "should" make it feel better, more like Sports mode in Normal mode.
Again, it's all purely in how Lexus have written the software, nothing to do with the actual mechanical side of things.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 701
Likes: 166
From: NSW
Yep, you probably drive around in a high density area, lots of stops/starts, hills, etc and it will work far better in Sports mode. I live in a small town (30,000), mostly flat, usually drive gently as I'm not rushing around and it drives fine, love it. But when I visit a city where you need more "go" I use Sport mode otherwise that gear changing going up gear too soon becomes a pain.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,941
Likes: 581
From: New York
Yep, you probably drive around in a high density area, lots of stops/starts, hills, etc and it will work far better in Sports mode. I live in a small town (30,000), mostly flat, usually drive gently as I'm not rushing around and it drives fine, love it. But when I visit a city where you need more "go" I use Sport mode otherwise that gear changing going up gear too soon becomes a pain.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 908
Likes: 59
From: Lincon, CA
As per service bulletin, I had the exhaust center pipe replaced because of the loud "droning" noise when the vehicle shifted in lower gears. It now sounds somewhat loud all of the time!!!! I also had service bulletin0032-19 for "bucking and surge" or hesitation but believe it has done NOTHING!!!!!!!! I was told secretly by the dealership service writer that ALL of the RX 350s have a hesitation problem?? Was at a July Christmas party and another guest has a 2017 like mine and I asked her. She immediately brought her husband over and said, "see, I am not nuts, I told you the suv does not shift right". She mainly drives the vehicle. Very disappointed in this vehicle after having a 2011 for 7 years, I want it back!!!
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
2016 RX Sport Slow acceleration
Anyone have the RX 350 Sport? I have noticed after braking at a light or stop sign, the RX is slow to move, even when given more gas. This is a recent purchase as I am very disapointed this is my 3rd Lexus and I have never had any problem with acceleration.
CL Community Team
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,001
Likes: 682
From: NJ
Are you driving in ECO mode? Have you tried changing it to Sport or Sports+ mode?
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,227
Likes: 904
From: Ontario
😀😀 you are asking your question on page 111 of people expressing their similar experience with the same issue.... 😀😀
Racer
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 215
From: Texas
I’m curious of those that are having the hesitation issues, if they are at a high altitude or a low altitude or if that plays any part in the issue? I’m at 1500ft above sea level & our octane levels are lower because of it. Places like Denver are even higher & have even lower octane levels. Perhaps someone can shed some light on this, as our engines are supposed to self adjust for altitude & octane levels, so that should not be a factor in the hesitation.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,555
Likes: 345
From: Ontario, Canada
There is only so much that the computer can compensate for lower octane level, that's why the manual says not to go below 87.
In cases like this there is no choice but to move up to 89 or even better 91 octane.
In cases like this there is no choice but to move up to 89 or even better 91 octane.