Barrington

Well almost a month has gone by since we picked up the new 2011 RX350. It had 3 miles on it at delivery and now has about 2500. Overall we are very happy with it. Yeah the rear of the hood still flutters but oh well. One thing that seems strange is the operation of the trans kickdown for instance when you are stuck in back of a very slow driver getting on 880 in Hayward from 92 and they feel that you should enter the freeway at 35-40 mph. Anyway, I mash down pretty hard and to me it took quite a bit of effort to knock it down a gear or two to get it to go. I know we have the option of shifting it manually and I realize that we are not powered by an L-88 big block with a B&M shift kit but it seems like it should take less effort. Around town at slower speeds and climbing grades it seems fine. I wonder if there is a programing adjustment of any kind to alter this. Then again maybe it was just me being pissed at the guy in front of me.

RXSF

not programmable in a way that you can make it more of a sport shift. However, I believe the RX (as in all Lexus's) has a user learning transmission. The car over the course of time learns your habits and drives how it thinks you want it to drive. The issue here is that most people baby their car during the break in period, as they should, and as recommended by the manufacturer. So...by the time you want the tranny to be more sporty, its too late.

I dont exactly know how to reset the tranny to factory and have it relearn again, but it may require a dealer tool. In mercedes' cars, the reset is in the form of brake work/turning the ignition key in the right order.

MEP7557

I have to use this feature (down shift) every time I merge on the freeway. Not sure why people think you should get on a freeway at 40 MPH. Any way, I don't have a problem with the tranny down shifting. I love the fact it lacks the shift shock that my V-8 4Runner had. The RX moves just as quick or quicker. I think in the frustration you don't think it is reacting as fast as you would like. I know that feeling.

I just put the pedal to the metal and away we go.

TripleL

One thing I'll mention here because is works on my IS very well is that I find if I want to 'jump out and pass' like is being described here that the speed of my throttle input can force a 1 or even 2 gear kick down immediately.

What I mean is if i lean on the gas pedal and continue to push it further the car will accelerate and may or may not down shift a gear depending on speed/grade etc.

But, If I'm cruising along and then I quickly push down the gas pedal a mare inch; 9 times out of 10 the car will down shift immediately and pull away at which point I can either depress more or let up a little. The electronic throttle must sense the speed of input because an inch is not a lot of movement in the gas pedal yet it reacts.

Now it might just be based on my driving style as I do tend to be a feather foot but might be worth trying If someone tries it please let us know.

ebenz315

:-0 so what would you recommend? I baby my new rx, but don't want to suffer later for it with shift shock. Just one more thing to worry about! LOL

sweetboy02

Don't get me wrong, I love my RX so much, but I felt like it's slower to accelerate than my Corolla S or might be It's a new car so i drive it not that aggressive.