Boodies

Hi guys. I just had a quick question about the power button. I just wanted to make sure that it does what I think it does. Just downshift's one more gear then non pwr mode. For instance when I'm 50 @ 5TH, and I floor it, it goes into 3RD(PWR) instead of 4TH(nonPWR) Right?

Also, I always have the PWR button on and was wondering if that's ok. I mean why would it not be ok? Why would you not want to have that extra power ready? All you have to do is step on it less if you don't want to make it downshift as much as it can. Right? um.. Right? I think Im right I mean other then that, there is nothing different the non PWR mode correct?


Thanks

dpatterson069

when the power button is on, you will use more gas than if it is not on..
for instance, you normally shift from 2nd to 3rd at like 3ooo rpm, however, in power mode, you will shift at about 4000 rpm....
i makes the gears shift higher for more power..
as fas as the down shifting goes, ive notcied that my IS300 doesnt shift down to 5000 rpm or so unless the power button on..( from like 5th to 3rd)
im pretty sure that the power button, if NOT on, will only shift down to 4th at 50 mph from 5th gear...not 3rd
i may be mistaken though

scuba821

So if the PWR button changes what gear you drop down to for passing gear, what does the snow button do? Or should I ask what is it supposed to do?

lisnup65

The pwr button increases the shift pattern for higher RPM shifts. The snow button really lowers the shift points to around 2K. The snow button is a valuable asset if you want to improve fuel economy. You wont get the normal takeoff and the car will feel sluggish, but their are cruising times that it wont matter and if you can squeeze an extra 2/3 MPG then why not. I use it for when I commute to work and my weekly average went from 14MPG to 16.234MPG's.

aust182

The snow button may change the shift pattern but per the Lexus text it is supposed to dampen throttle response. The basic idea is this: IS300 has alot of torque, even with trac, in the snow it wants to spin. The snow button reduces power applied versus how much the pedal is depressed. This alllows you to use the throttle without constantly spinning the wheels.

This is just how I understood it to work. Anyone actually tried it in snow? I am in So Cal. (we don't get much snow here)

dpatterson069

yea i tried it,i live in cali...
the snow button really does slow down the car alot..
you feel like a really weak civic!!! hahaha
anyways..you feel like the car shifts too soon, but it actually keeps the gears high and the shifts low for better contrrol in the snow..
i think it will save gas, not too sure though
but it does shift low and proly that will do it

sbmIS300

What's amazing is that when I have my car in PWR mode I actually get better gas mileage! How could this be??? I attribute it to my SRT intake. The intake was supposed to give me better mileage, but I kept on getting the same, ~15-16 mpg, in non-PWR mode. So out of curiousity, I drove a full tank's worth in PWR mode and got ~18-20. The intake never ceases to amaze me.