Better Gas Mileage In ECT Power Mode?
#1
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This is very strange and seems counter-intuitive, but I read a thread awhile back claiming better gas mileage with the car in ECT Power mode. So I decided to check it out. I usually average 23.5 to 25.0 MPG driving on the freeway (normal mode), but yesterday I put my 2006 GS430 in ECT Power mode. I drove for about 50 miles on the freeway (some stop and go) then checked my MPG. To my surprise, the reading was 27.8 MPG!!! It subsequently dropped to 26.7 MPG when I came back home in heavier traffic. I noticed that at 80 MPH the RPM's appeared to be lower than what I am used to seeing. Also, the car down-shifted faster as I braked to slow down and came back up to speed faster with normal pedal pressure applied. It's too early to reach any conclusions, but I have never gotten more than 25.6 MPG max. Could be happenstance or it could be that faster gear changes put less drag on the engine and thus better MPG. So for now, I will continue to keep it in ECT Power mode and see over time if this really works.
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#3
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Doesn't sport mode upshift gears as fast as possible? If so, that's probably the reason why...lots of newer transmissions do this; my SUV is in 6th at 60 km/h already!
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I thought in ect power mode the transmission shifts at higher rpm (not necessarily quicker) which improves acceleration but decreases MPG.
If it actually improves MPG, that will be pretty nice.
If it actually improves MPG, that will be pretty nice.
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I've noticed too that for some reason I get WAY better gas mileage with ECT-PWR on, at least 2-3 mpg more.
The reason I say this is because, when i'm in economy mode,
Example: Driving on the street 45mph, and I slow down to 30, the car stays in the same gear with lower rpm. So when I accelerate from a roll at 30mph, the rpms are so low and I have to step on the gas more to get back up to 45mph, thus using more gas.
When I am in ECT-PWR, the car downshifts to a lower gear from 45mph to 30, and I have to step on the gas less to get back up to 45mph.
Its the same on the freeway, from a 75mph to a 60mph then back to 75mph in ECT-PWR.
anyone else have any ideas?
The reason I say this is because, when i'm in economy mode,
Example: Driving on the street 45mph, and I slow down to 30, the car stays in the same gear with lower rpm. So when I accelerate from a roll at 30mph, the rpms are so low and I have to step on the gas more to get back up to 45mph, thus using more gas.
When I am in ECT-PWR, the car downshifts to a lower gear from 45mph to 30, and I have to step on the gas less to get back up to 45mph.
Its the same on the freeway, from a 75mph to a 60mph then back to 75mph in ECT-PWR.
anyone else have any ideas?
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may as well have a GS 460, I doubt it could be much worse. The GS 300 AWD has trouble outrunning a Prius.
#9
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ECT PWR changes electronic shift points to a more aggressive pattern. It also increases the sensitivity of the gas pedal...so you get a more responsive feel to the throttle.
#10
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I get consistently around 22mpg in city driving, and mostly just for short < 10 minute trips.
#13
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