New angle on ES300 trans problem

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njbok - 16 Nov 2006 23:25 GMT

I brought my 02 ES300 in for service today and asked that the trans be
checked out, my complaint being the jerky shifting I've had since day 1 with
this car (I mention it at each service, thus documenting my history with the
problem).

Now, at 65K, the jerky shifting is worse than ever (I've had the firmware
upgrades, and computer resets done). The hesitation complaint I had early on
is gone, but slamming downshifts have replaced that.

I was told today that the trans checked out okay, but said it is apparently
due to the fact that I don't burn premium fuel. I expressed my doubts that
that would explain it. He said that drive-by-wire requires premium fuel, and
that Lexus had issued a TSB to that effect, and that he would show it to me
if I wanted to see it. I said I'd be interested in seeing it. He couldn't
find it.

Is anyone aware of this TSB blaming jerky shifting on regular fuel ?

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mcbrue - 16 Nov 2006 23:42 GMT

Wow! What jerk was it that said they need premium fuel to shift right?
Where does he suggest you put that premium fuel? Hmmm ... let me think
about where to put premium fuel with a service advisor like that. Have
you tried to do a lemon law car replacement yet?

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David Z - 16 Nov 2006 23:50 GMT

> Wow! What jerk was it that said they need premium fuel to shift right?
> Where does he suggest you put that premium fuel? Hmmm ... let me think
> about where to put premium fuel with a service advisor like that. Have
> you tried to do a lemon law car replacement yet?

Hey, McStupid:

Shut up unless you have something intelligent to say.

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David Z - 16 Nov 2006 23:59 GMT

> I was told today that the trans checked out okay, but said it is
> apparently due to the fact that I don't burn premium fuel. I expressed
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Is anyone aware of this TSB blaming jerky shifting on regular fuel ?

I'm not aware of any TSB.

However, I switched to premium fuel about 6 months ago based discussions
on this board about increased MPG. I concluded that the increased MPG
pays for most, if not all, of the higher price of premium fuel. Do a
google search to see that discussion.

As I stated in that discussion, I noticed that the hesititation and
jerkiness are reduced using premium fuel. Premium fuel certainly
doesn't eliminate the problem, but IMO, it definitely is an improvement
over regular in that regard.

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Ray O - 17 Nov 2006 00:43 GMT

>I brought my 02 ES300 in for service today and asked that the trans be
> checked out, my complaint being the jerky shifting I've had since day 1
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> Is anyone aware of this TSB blaming jerky shifting on regular fuel ?

A search of the NHTSA TSB database lists the following TSB's regarding harsh
shifting:
TC 00403
TC 00202

I did not see one regarding using premium fuel, but the explanation you
received is plausible.

You can search yourself at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/home.cfm

Signature

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

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Ice - 17 Nov 2006 01:37 GMT

I have never used premium fuel in my 03 ES . I had the first upgrade after
2K and by this time the newness of the car had worn off and I stopped
driving it like an old lady and went back to the heavy foot I used to drive
my Mustang with . In my case the lag totally disappered and now at 21 K I
am completely satisfied . It is my belief that if you drive the car in a
more spirted manner the less lag you will experience.

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njbok - 17 Nov 2006 01:44 GMT

On 11/16/06 8:37 PM, in article
SuudnXInZJmrj8DYnZ2dnUVZ_uSdnZ2d@giganews.com, "Ice"
<iceplanet2@comcast.net> wrote:

> I have never used premium fuel in my 03 ES . I had the first upgrade after
> 2K and by this time the newness of the car had worn off and I stopped
> driving it like an old lady and went back to the heavy foot I used to drive
> my Mustang with . In my case the lag totally disappered and now at 21 K I
> am completely satisfied . It is my belief that if you drive the car in a
> more spirted manner the less lag you will experience.

I don't have lag.

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Ice - 17 Nov 2006 01:55 GMT

I have no shifting issues either

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