"S" Gear Question
05-11-16, 05:18 PM
#16
Lexus Champion
So, I got even more curious and looked at some pictures on Cars.com. Looked at some 350, 350 F SPORT, 450h, and 450h F SPORT models.
What I noticed is as follows:
RX 350: "S" mode
RX 350 F SPORT: "M" mode
RX 450h : "S" mode
RX 450h FSPORT: "S" mode
As it turns out, only the 350 F SPORT has an "M" mode. I'm still not sure if it works the same as "S" mode. From what Macs4RX is saying, the RX 350 works like what I stated in "S" mode. Anyone with a RX 350 F SPORT care to chime in on their experience?
What I noticed is as follows:
RX 350: "S" mode
RX 350 F SPORT: "M" mode
RX 450h : "S" mode
RX 450h FSPORT: "S" mode
As it turns out, only the 350 F SPORT has an "M" mode. I'm still not sure if it works the same as "S" mode. From what Macs4RX is saying, the RX 350 works like what I stated in "S" mode. Anyone with a RX 350 F SPORT care to chime in on their experience?
In "S Mode", as on previous Lexus models, it sets a limit, not an actual gear selection. So if you go to 4, it means it can select any hear from 1 to 4. If you select 3, it can go from 1 to 3, and so on. So if you're in 4th you can kick it down to 3rd by going to 3, but if you're in 4th gear and move up to 6, it will still be at the discretion of the transmission programming, as you're telling it that anywhere from 1-6 is okay. M Mode lets you select a particular gear, but as shown above, for the 4RX, that's only on the 350 F Sport. This, by the way, is what my 3IS had and 4GS has. My 3RX has S Mode. I don't bother...
05-11-16, 06:08 PM
#17
So, say if I resume my driving from a stopped condition at an intersection and according to the MID and HUD I am in S3 mode, the RX will start out in 1st gear and upshift very quickly generally to 2nd gear and then finally to 3rd gear. From there it will not upshift any more and the tachometer rpm will continue to climb very high if one continues to accelerate. An automatic override will upshift the engine eventually to protect itself from over-revving. That's my understanding and experience with using it.
05-11-16, 06:54 PM
#18
Lead Lap
That's what's confusing. But in the owners manual, Lexus refers to the "S" mode ranges several times. I finally figured out it means a range of gears.
So, say if I resume my driving from a stopped condition at an intersection and according to the MID and HUD I am in S3 mode, the RX will start out in 1st gear and upshift very quickly generally to 2nd gear and then finally to 3rd gear. From there it will not upshift any more and the tachometer rpm will continue to climb very high if one continues to accelerate. An automatic override will upshift the engine eventually to protect itself from over-revving. That's my understanding and experience with using it.
So, say if I resume my driving from a stopped condition at an intersection and according to the MID and HUD I am in S3 mode, the RX will start out in 1st gear and upshift very quickly generally to 2nd gear and then finally to 3rd gear. From there it will not upshift any more and the tachometer rpm will continue to climb very high if one continues to accelerate. An automatic override will upshift the engine eventually to protect itself from over-revving. That's my understanding and experience with using it.
F sport M selector is
regular S mode
+
M full manual control mode where you CAN select gears
vs a non F sport
S mode only which is just shift ranges.
Cant believe the bean counters missed putting their nose in this one and just allowed M mode for all just like any other mfg
05-13-16, 01:54 AM
#19
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
I'm learning more and more. Thanks for the input everyone 
So far I haven't tried the "S" gear yet, but since we have so much traffic here in Los Angeles I'm actually making great use of the ECO Mode.
So far I haven't tried the "S" gear yet, but since we have so much traffic here in Los Angeles I'm actually making great use of the ECO Mode.
05-13-16, 01:57 AM
#20
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Adding onto Crolla,
Use that mode when you want to be a bit more of a responsive drive. When you first slot it into S, it will just hold gears longers aka you`ll be stuck in the lower gears, longer RPM holding (so the engine will sound louder as its working alot harder), and the engine will respond much faster. When you start pulling or pushing the gear lever thats when you full control of the gear selected. So if you like shifting through each gear then do that.
Just a Headsup, if you recently purchased the car, I would avoid using S mode until you have passed the breakin period, as that mode adds undue stress to a new engine
Use that mode when you want to be a bit more of a responsive drive. When you first slot it into S, it will just hold gears longers aka you`ll be stuck in the lower gears, longer RPM holding (so the engine will sound louder as its working alot harder), and the engine will respond much faster. When you start pulling or pushing the gear lever thats when you full control of the gear selected. So if you like shifting through each gear then do that.
Just a Headsup, if you recently purchased the car, I would avoid using S mode until you have passed the breakin period, as that mode adds undue stress to a new engine
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