FusionMan79

How do you guys drive your cars? For those of you with early model LS400s (I'm not sure if later models have this feature), do you typically run in ECT Power mode or normal shifting style.

I find myself, that ECT gives faster off the line performance, but if I drive too long in that mode the car tends to lose its pep; as soon as I switch back, she really lets loose. It's like the car adapts to make my off the line slower.

Let me know what you guys think.

JBrady

Hmmm... mine is a 96 and I leave it in power mode all the time I have not noticed any performance drop. Then again, I never switch! I will experiment a little and let you know if I notice anything. Also, being that mine is a 2nd gen car it could have different programming, what works for me may not for you.

LOTC

I only use it when the situation calls for it, i do not want to lose mileage.

Ls400Ditty

I've noticed that in power, it gives faster performance off the line than in regular, but i think it eats up 20% more gas as well so only when when the situation calls for it to I switch it up

JBrady

On 2nd gen LS400s the ECT switch in PWR mode allows the engine to reach a higher rpm before shifting and will downshift more aggressively with less throttle required. That said, if you use a light throttle you will NOT have a significant decrease in fuel economy, less than 5%. Highway cruising without downshifting would have 0% change in economy.

On my car, 1st to 2nd gear shifts with full throttle occur at 5800rpm regardless of switch position. Light throttle allows upshifts "slightly" sooner. When the traction control is on and activated (dash light showing loss of traction) power is WAY down and shifts occur sooner (5600rpm observed).

My advice, leave it in PWR and if the roads are dry turn TRAC CONT off.

New Owner

Never too old, mid-life crisis, call it what you wish. Even now at age 55 I still play with the ECT switch. It's the kid in me, I'm sure.

When driving by myself I leave it on. When "chauffering" my wife around it stays in normal mode.

Dirty old men want to have fun too!

ST430

In the LS430, interestingly enough, if you engage in PWR mode instead of regular, you (of course) get a more sporting ride (although it exhibits the same numbness in shifting at high speeds with the slushbox), but guess what i found out so far:

YOU GET BETTER GAS MILEAGE TOO!

I would rationalize this to the fact u have more "power" through the lower gear ratios (since it doesn't shift as readily), so you're not force to floor it as much. Or maybe it's the fact I'm a granny driver already?!?!!:eek:

emus1

Keep my 99 LS 400 in normal mode. Once in a great while may switch to power, but performance is quite decent in normal.