I turned on the ECT switch when I saw a RX 8 wanted to see who is faster. When I was in either 4th or 5th it stayed redlined at 7500 RPM for like 2 - 3 seconds and would not shift. I even let go of the gas to see if it would shift faster and no luck. I never experienced this problem before. I am wondering if someone else experienced this issue.

One question in my mind is could I have done some minor engine damage holding the RPMs at 7,500 (redline) for 2-3 seconds?

Please give me your thoughts.

BTW..... The RX 8 was a stick shift. It was close, but the IS350 is faster. He had a stick shift. He pulled up next to me and gave me the loosing "nod".

I looked up the 0-60 for the RX 8 and it is 5.9 sec.

 

Maybe you had it in "S" mode and you didnt shift it when you were suppose to??

 

No, I dont use the "S" mode ever. It is a waste of a feature.

 

In that case its normal for the tranny to stay in higher gear when you turned on "ECT". When I test drove an IS350 at the Taste of Lexus event a few weeks ago. I pushed that car pretty hard and there was a small "S" turn on the roadcourse when I let go of the gas it stayed in gear (5k+ rpm, which I wanted) because after that "S" turned I floored it again and then if shifted.

I think everything is fine so dont worry.

 

I just find it strange. The car will be 1 year old Sept. 1st and have 22,000 miles on it. I have raced before with the ECT button and never had this issue. I hope it is just some freak thing it did. I was just curious if anyone else experienced the same.

 

same thing has happened to me several times. It happened today as matter of fact. Bounced off the rev limiter for several seconds before finally shifting. Very unnerving. No, it is not normal. Just not sure what to do about it though. Between this and the engine cranking noise I'm thinking strongly about the extended warrany when it comes up

 

What cranking noise do you get? I only get it when the engine is cold and only last as long as it takes the guage needles to move back and forth then I dont hear anything. Kind of sound like a rattle or vibration from the engine compartment.

 

ARe you talking about the tick noise on cold starts? if you are there is a tsb to fix that. we are replaceing the cam actuators. as far as the redline issue ive never encountered it so i cant help you on that.

 

If you come off the accelerator very quickly in ECT PWR mode, it'll tend to hold that gear (and correspondingly, that engine speed). This is "abnormal" for a normal automatic, which will jump up a gear as soon as you come off the gas. But the pwr mode is designed to make the car more responsive, and in these situations, most people would prefer to hold the gear if they come off the accelerator and not downshift until the driver brakes.

If anything, I'd bet you made it hold near redline longer by taking your foot off the pedal.

 

I've experienced this "holding of rpm" too. Not at redline, but if it downshifts for quick acceleration and then I come off the gas (ie-a slow car in front of me), it will "engine brake" itself a little...similar to a manual in which you keep it in a low gear.

A little weird to get used to at first if you're used to other automatics, but a pretty neat feature when you think about it.

 

If you had a cold tranny, it wouldn't shift to 6. Had you been driving at least 5 minutes before that?

 

Any thought on long term reliability to the engine after making that tsib?

 

Car was on for at least 15 min.

 

How did you get it to 7,500... I thought the redline was 6,600?

 

No engine damage. In reality, the engine is capable bouncing off the rev limiter all day long. (as long as there is plenty of oil and the temperature is maintained). BTW, Isn't 7,500 RPM in 4th gear WAY past the cars speed limiter? In 5th gear at 7,500 RPM the car would be going about 160 MPH, maybe more, without a speed limiter.