donb

I'm new to this forum. Seems like a great site. My '92 has been great since I purchased it in '93. My wife drives it around town (not much highway) and I don't drive it very often. When I do I noticed that when doing around 60 mph it runs at about 2600 - 2800 RPM. Seems high to me. Does this car have an overdrive that should be kicking in and lowering RPM? Transmission shifts fine and the car has been well taken care of .
Trans fluid changed about every 15k with every fifth oil change. I was wondering is there a sensor or electronic unit not shifting into overdrive or something.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Lexusfreak

Welcome donb I would double check with yor Lexus dealer(s) about your concern. However, from your description I would say that it sounds like the transmission is about right & your overdrive is working correctly. I say that because you don't mention what RPM's the car was running previously over the years (my 01' ES runs roughly the same give or take a couple hundred RPM's). If you were in the mid 3,000rpm range at 60 mph, then I would be somewhat concerned. Dosen't hurt like I mentioned to contact either your Lexus dealer or a product specialist at Lexus U.S.A. head office. I'd be courious what the outcome is as well. Good Luck.

donb

Lexusfreak, thanks for the response. As far as I can remember it has always run at these RPMS. Just a little high compared to my other (newer) vehicles.

Lexusfreak

Not a problem donb, as I mentioned I'd double check with a couple Lexus dealers to confirm for sure. The technology has come along way since they built your 92 ES which has to account for something too.

amf1932

If you listen carefully while accelerating from a dead stop, you should hear the transmission shift 4 times. The final shift is your overdrive.

My '03 ES has a 5 speed transmission, and when it's in the 4th gear the RPM is about 2600 to 2800 at 60mph. When it shifts into the 5th gear at 60mph, the RPM drops to about 2300 RPM. I think your transmission has the proper RPM's at 60mph.

phatroksek

i have a 97 es300
it seems that when i'm driving i can't get into 4th gear
the O/D is on and i've been to a mechanic and the transmission is physically fine
it does seem that when the O/D is off it works how it should, but i just can't get into 4th gear
i was thinking there may be some electrical problem with the O/D
please advise!
thanks!

amf1932

If you're talking about the indicator light on the dashboard, then it works this way:
Light on dashboard ON = Transmission does NOT shift into overdrive.
Light on dashboard OFF = Transmission shifts into overdrive.

Pheonix

From a stop, if you count three gea changes, you are in overdrive.

phatroksek

when the overdrive is off it works the way it's supposed to engine braking and all
when it's on it also does seem to do it's job by dropping the rpms when the car is cruising with no gas
however, it will not change gears into overdrive/4th gear

from a stop, there are only 2 gear changes

also, it seems to me that the rpm at which the gears change from 2nd to 3rd are kind of high. the car goes into 3rd at about 3000 rpm