2012 ES loaner, have some questions...
05-12-12, 11:09 PM
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
2012 ES loaner, have some questions...
While my IS is in for some lengthly work, I have a new ES to keep me company. It's such a nice ride, I really would consider this car next time around.
Anyway, while scrolling through the trip computer, I noticed an "ECO" feature that is disabled. How would I activate that? I see no ECO button anywhere. Would it affect performance if it was activated?
Second, is there a way to have the radio station displayed while the Nav is showing a map? I'm surprised it's not up all the time regardless of what's showing in the Nav screen. I'd like to have both up at the same time.
Lastly, is there a one-touch feature for the sunroof? Not seeing any quick way to open and close it.
Thanks! And you all have a VERY slick ride!
Anyway, while scrolling through the trip computer, I noticed an "ECO" feature that is disabled. How would I activate that? I see no ECO button anywhere. Would it affect performance if it was activated?
Second, is there a way to have the radio station displayed while the Nav is showing a map? I'm surprised it's not up all the time regardless of what's showing in the Nav screen. I'd like to have both up at the same time.
Lastly, is there a one-touch feature for the sunroof? Not seeing any quick way to open and close it.
Thanks! And you all have a VERY slick ride!
05-13-12, 05:55 AM
#2
ECO feature can not be activated or deactivated, its just a light that goes on and off. Some people don't like the light going on and off, so they turn it off. I turned it off because its distracting me.
05-13-12, 10:24 AM
#4
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Thanks.
05-13-12, 02:32 PM
#5
Steering wheel tabs will give you the option to activate it. I find it distracting too as mine is not activated. Also has a USB port in the center console for your stick music.
05-13-12, 03:07 PM
#6
Its always active, you can't turn ECO mode off. Car automatically goes to ECO mode when you drive steady or very light acceleration. The option is merely for the light to go green when car enters ECO mode. Maybe the thought was that you will hit accelerator less hard because the light goes off when you do that, this way you can get better MPG. Just a stupid light.
05-13-12, 04:42 PM
#7
According to the Owner's Manual the ECO light operation can be turned off (a customizeable setting) by a dealer only. Dumb.......but that's the way it is. You can "disable" the light operation by putting the gear selector in "S" (Sport Mode).
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05-14-12, 02:02 AM
#8
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Okay, I figured out what's going on with the ECO not displaying. I have been driving in "S" mode and it automatically shuts off when you choose this position. Once you throw it back in "D", it appears. I'm probably one of the few driving an ES in manual mode. ; )
Still not having any luck with the one touch sunroof. I'm hitting the open/slide button as if it's supposed to have two detents (like a power window button), but nada. Time to crack open the owners manual on my lunch break tomorrow.
Thanks everyone for the responses. This car just gliiiiides over bumps and the engine is silent even when you put your foot into it. It's a good longterm test for me, as I'm at that stage in life when the sporty rides are losing some of their luster and isolation is starting to appeal more. About the only longterm thing I'd be concerned about giving up is the responsive handling for emergency situations.
Still not having any luck with the one touch sunroof. I'm hitting the open/slide button as if it's supposed to have two detents (like a power window button), but nada. Time to crack open the owners manual on my lunch break tomorrow.
Thanks everyone for the responses. This car just gliiiiides over bumps and the engine is silent even when you put your foot into it. It's a good longterm test for me, as I'm at that stage in life when the sporty rides are losing some of their luster and isolation is starting to appeal more. About the only longterm thing I'd be concerned about giving up is the responsive handling for emergency situations.
Last edited by Fizzboy7; 05-14-12 at 02:05 AM.
05-14-12, 03:48 AM
#9
On my 2012 ES I was able to turn if off myself by going through the menus.
05-14-12, 08:09 AM
#10
Lexus Champion
Okay, I figured out what's going on with the ECO not displaying. I have been driving in "S" mode and it automatically shuts off when you choose this position. Once you throw it back in "D", it appears. I'm probably one of the few driving an ES in manual mode. ; )
Still not having any luck with the one touch sunroof. I'm hitting the open/slide button as if it's supposed to have two detents (like a power window button), but nada. Time to crack open the owners manual on my lunch break tomorrow.
Thanks everyone for the responses. This car just gliiiiides over bumps and the engine is silent even when you put your foot into it. It's a good longterm test for me, as I'm at that stage in life when the sporty rides are losing some of their luster and isolation is starting to appeal more. About the only longterm thing I'd be concerned about giving up is the responsive handling for emergency situations.
Still not having any luck with the one touch sunroof. I'm hitting the open/slide button as if it's supposed to have two detents (like a power window button), but nada. Time to crack open the owners manual on my lunch break tomorrow.
Thanks everyone for the responses. This car just gliiiiides over bumps and the engine is silent even when you put your foot into it. It's a good longterm test for me, as I'm at that stage in life when the sporty rides are losing some of their luster and isolation is starting to appeal more. About the only longterm thing I'd be concerned about giving up is the responsive handling for emergency situations.
Coming from an IS I can see how the handling would be a lot different. I've had two ES350's and have adjusted to to handling. No problem with emergency handling but not anywhere near as responsive as what you are used to.
05-14-12, 09:38 PM
#11
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
The sunroof on the loaner should open and close via on touch. Maybe hold the button an extra second or so.
Coming from an IS I can see how the handling would be a lot different. I've had two ES350's and have adjusted to to handling. No problem with emergency handling but not anywhere near as responsive as what you are used to.
Coming from an IS I can see how the handling would be a lot different. I've had two ES350's and have adjusted to to handling. No problem with emergency handling but not anywhere near as responsive as what you are used to.
One good thing with the handling... having all this power can be a safety feature. When you need to scoot and get out of harm's way, you can do it. Having said that, does this car have any torque steer?
05-15-12, 03:22 PM
#14
Pole Position
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I went through the same thing, after driving the ES350 for a while, I got rid of our GS350. Too much road noise, poor handling and steering (compared to our 3 series bimmer) etc.
Our lease on the 2010 ES will end in February and I don't know if we'll get a new one yet. I don't like what we see in the photos, but it may actually look better in person.
I don't like the Eco light either...and never use the sunroof.
Our lease on the 2010 ES will end in February and I don't know if we'll get a new one yet. I don't like what we see in the photos, but it may actually look better in person.
I don't like the Eco light either...and never use the sunroof.
Last edited by hughh; 05-18-12 at 02:53 PM.
05-15-12, 07:48 PM
#15
In my 2011 ES350 with Navigation (no Mark Levinson):
The ECO light - Press the "DISP" button until you get to the one that says "ECO Indicator OFF" and then hold down the "DISP" button until it changes to "ECO Indicator ON" - you will then notice the bright green "ECO" light will turn on as long as you feather the gas. Rev up beyond 2000 rpms or so and the ECO light turns off. Just a visual encouragement to be lighter on the gas pedal.
2012 should be the same - not sure about older models - maybe it was a dealer change in older Pre-2010 ES's?
The sunroof - you should be able to do one touch open / close by holding down the sunroof rocker switch for roughly 2 seconds in either direction. It isn't a dealer option as far as I know - might be something wrong with the car.
As far as torque steer - I've noticed a pretty significant amount of torque steer in my car, I generally try not to floor it because of that.
Wish the NAVI offered a way to see the Radio and map at the same time - but as far as I know I haven't seen it.
I'm shocked anyone drives this car in Manual mode. The manual mode seems completely broken since the car will not hold a gear for you - the manual mode only prevents a car from upshifting, it still downshifts to a lower gear if you step on the gas too hard. Essentially it is like an automatic with a "D6, D5, D4, D3, D2, D1" that simply is replaced by the manual mode. I guess I'm used to the Sport Shift on my Acura - other than 1 to 2, it will hold the gear for you, it never upshifts or downshifts out of the gear you have selected unless you manually shift it, or you slow down to the point where it has to drop down a gear to prevent the car from stalling. The way it works is closer to driving a manual car than the way Lexus does it on the ES.
The ECO light - Press the "DISP" button until you get to the one that says "ECO Indicator OFF" and then hold down the "DISP" button until it changes to "ECO Indicator ON" - you will then notice the bright green "ECO" light will turn on as long as you feather the gas. Rev up beyond 2000 rpms or so and the ECO light turns off. Just a visual encouragement to be lighter on the gas pedal.
2012 should be the same - not sure about older models - maybe it was a dealer change in older Pre-2010 ES's?
The sunroof - you should be able to do one touch open / close by holding down the sunroof rocker switch for roughly 2 seconds in either direction. It isn't a dealer option as far as I know - might be something wrong with the car.
As far as torque steer - I've noticed a pretty significant amount of torque steer in my car, I generally try not to floor it because of that.
Wish the NAVI offered a way to see the Radio and map at the same time - but as far as I know I haven't seen it.
I'm shocked anyone drives this car in Manual mode. The manual mode seems completely broken since the car will not hold a gear for you - the manual mode only prevents a car from upshifting, it still downshifts to a lower gear if you step on the gas too hard. Essentially it is like an automatic with a "D6, D5, D4, D3, D2, D1" that simply is replaced by the manual mode. I guess I'm used to the Sport Shift on my Acura - other than 1 to 2, it will hold the gear for you, it never upshifts or downshifts out of the gear you have selected unless you manually shift it, or you slow down to the point where it has to drop down a gear to prevent the car from stalling. The way it works is closer to driving a manual car than the way Lexus does it on the ES.