RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003) Discussion topics related to the 1999 -2003 RX300 models

Driving Pattern Selector Switch

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Old 03-06-08, 07:29 PM
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AMN
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Default Driving Pattern Selector Switch

there is "driving pattern selector switch" in my RX300 with three positions: NORMAL, SNOW, POWER.
I can not find an explanation of how it works and what exactly happened into transmission when I use it.
can anybody advise and does anybody have an experience of using it?
thanks
Old 03-06-08, 07:54 PM
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TampRX300
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http://auth.owners.lexus.com/lexusow...html&locale=en

Check page 290 (or 15 of the PDF)
Old 03-07-08, 10:03 AM
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AMN
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WHERE SHOULD I GO TO: My Lexus Overview/ Manage Vehicles/ Maintenance Schedule/ ...
ORIGINAL OWNERS MANUAL JUST TELLS THAT YOU CAN USE "SNOW" SWITCH AT SAND OR SNOW AND FOR "POWER DRIVING" WITH QUICK RESPONSE YOU CAN USE "POWER" SWITCH.
ACTUALLY MY INTEREST IS ABOUT WHAT PHYSICALLY HAPPENED INSIDE A CAR IF I HIT A SWITCH. THEN I CAN DECIDE IF I WANT TO USE A SWITCH.
I UNDERSTAND THAT WITH "POWER" A CAR WILL CONSUME MORE GAS. WITH "SNOW" I PROBABLY HAVE GREATER TORQUE AT LOW RPM.
OWNERS MANUAL DOES NOT GIVE US THAT KNOWLEDGE.
THANKS.
Old 03-07-08, 10:21 AM
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lexus114
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for most of your driving,leave in the normal mode.for sport driving,it will delay your shifts(hence the gas milage)and give you a more sporty driving experience.(how much really?)just try it,and see how it performs.
Old 03-07-08, 11:00 AM
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Lexmex
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AMN,

Let me explain it this way.

PWR- only if you are going up steep hills, racing at the track (it makes a .1 to .150 second difference in the 1/4 mile, which is significant in racing terms) or when towing up an incline, even if not steep, what you will notice is that shifts are more spread out (take longer), rpms hold longer. I also recommend switching off the overdrive if you are in the towing mode up the incline or going up the steep hill.

Normal- that's really where it should be

SNOW- sand, snow, vehicle will be in second gear at that point, but you will also find a very nice use in wet conditions and especially when going down a hill. There is a highway near me, actually in one of my videos on my youtube site, that is winding and twisting and it makes a world of difference using SNOW when wet on that particular road, this is the video of that road, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvJzY1DB0tQ
Old 03-07-08, 05:33 PM
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AMN
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well, I have noticed two things:
1.SNOW position is probably useful at snowy road (like currently in OH). normally I turn OD off, but now I'll try SNOW. is it safe to turn the switch at driving, or should I turn it on and then start driving? (that was my question about: what physically happened into a transmission).
2.I see you, Lexmex, like racing. even at night. with PWR you have abt. 6000 RPM at 100, at NORM you have 4000 RPM at 100. that is difference between PWR and NORM. probably gas consumption is proportionally different.
In the " Curious about RX 300 MPG?" thread I showed my MPG. I did not mentioned that I've newer driven with RPM higher than 3500. normally at 65 MPH I have 2800 RPM. at 70 = 3000.
Old 03-07-08, 06:01 PM
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Lexmex
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Originally Posted by AMN
well, I have noticed two things:
1.SNOW position is probably useful at snowy road (like currently in OH). normally I turn OD off, but now I'll try SNOW. is it safe to turn the switch at driving, or should I turn it on and then start driving? (that was my question about: what physically happened into a transmission).
2.I see you, Lexmex, like racing. even at night. with PWR you have abt. 6000 RPM at 100, at NORM you have 4000 RPM at 100. that is difference between PWR and NORM. probably gas consumption is proportionally different.
In the " Curious about RX 300 MPG?" thread I showed my MPG. I did not mentioned that I've newer driven with RPM higher than 3500. normally at 65 MPH I have 2800 RPM. at 70 = 3000.
Yeah, you can play around with OD on/off while driving, but it may hit you in the seat of the pants a bit the first time you do it, you'll see, but no harm to the vehicle.

I have played around with a lot of combinations at the track and the best I ever found was OD off and PWR on.
Old 03-07-08, 06:08 PM
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AMN
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after 30 years of experience with stick, I do not think I have problems with any kind of "engine brake". that is very useful thing.
Old 03-08-08, 05:12 AM
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Lexmex
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Originally Posted by AMN
after 30 years of experience with stick, I do not think I have problems with any kind of "engine brake". that is very useful thing.
I wish they had the tiptronic version of the RX300 over here. I saw it when I was in Jamaica, and although not the greatest tiptronic system in the world, I could really use it. Some guys in Russia were trying to retrofit a tiptronic from a 2.4 L to a 3.0 L.
Old 03-08-08, 01:30 PM
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If Toyota develop Lexus with 6pos manual transmission, they would be the most popular cars in Russia!
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