Are there any consequences of driving in s4 mode for long periods of time? Say someone puts it in s4, drives about 30 MPH in the neighborhood, comes to the highway, speeds up to 65 MPH and stays there for about 10 minutes until she reaches her destination.

The manual says that s4 "automatically chooses a gear between 1 and 4 based on driver performance and conditions" and also states that it will automatically shift to a higher gear to prevent overrevving, so I'm hoping that the only consequence of driving the car in s4 would be a little decline in gas mileage. Am I correct to assume this, or should I be worried about other problems?

Thanks.

 

I don't think you need be too concerned. The transmission's computer will take it to a higher gear if the driver fails to do so manually. Since you didn't incur any heat problems that would have displayed an alarm on your screen, it is highly doubtful any deterioration in gearing or fluids would have occured. So, who dunnit?

And btw, if you select any gear in Standard mode (7 or 8 for example), the transmission will limit itself to those seven or eight gears. This is different than most manu-matic transmissions which when they are brought to a stop, will be limited to 1st and 2nd gear if left in manual mode when the car start rolling again... Once you get used to this transmission strategy, you'll find it superior to any others out there. Many writers and detractors have pooh-pooed Lexus' 8-spd unit, and have failed miserably to recognize its many features/benefits. It is arguably the epitome of engineering and workmanship in cars today - a new benchmark for others to aspire to.

 

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I understand that 4th gear is direct drive, and all gears higher are different overdrive gears. I doubt you could do any damage, even if this is incorrect, as redlining in 4th would be well over the legal speed limit anywhere in the US or Canada.

 

Sixth is 1.000:1; the rest are as follows:

1st - 4.596:1
2nd - 2.724:1
3rd - 1.864:1
4th - 1.464:1
5th - 1.231:1
6th - 1.000:1
7th - 0.824:1
8th - 0.685:1
Rev - 2.176:1

 

Thank you so much for the information.

Heh twas' my mother - it was funny because made excuses about how her car was "out of gas" (1/4 tank full constitutes being out of gas???) and she just had to run to the Container Store to buy some...containers, so she took the LS out for a spin.

 

lol, that was a good excuse

but yeah i think it's fine. she was probably doing a bit high rev on the freeway doing 65mph (consider how short the gears are) but shouldn't damage anything