'03 Es300 Rpm Survey

[tkoste]

At 70 mph on a flat freeway, at about what RPM should my engine run?

Mine is running at 3100 RPM.

My friend's is running at 2250 RPM.

What does your's run?

I wrote Lexus and asked for a list of several normal speed/RPM ratios for my ES300 but they responded by telling me to take my car to a dealer.

I took my car in for 10k service and I requested they reprogram the ECM (an action suggested in a recent letter from Lexus) and my car's engine now seems to "run hard". I wish I had noted my RPM/speed ratios BEFORE I took my car in for 10k service, but I didn't. So now I am surveying other Lexus owners about the issue.

I am worried that my car is no longer going into overdrive.

Thanks.

(Note: I posted a similar message a couple of evenings ago but it was lost because of the software problem the list server experienced.)

[SW03ES]

Mine runs right abour 2300...

[wfmiller]

Mine does about 2300 RPM's also.

[tkoste]

So far, about 2300 RPMs at 70 mph is what most are reporting.

I took my car into the dealer convinced my car was not going into 5th gear and I just got a call from them and they said the car IS going into 5th gear and it's running at 3100 or so RPM is normal.

If we all have the same model car, we all have the same sized 5th gear, and, presuming none of us has done anything to the rear axle size or tire size, then we all should be running at about the same RPMs at any speed. Is this a correct assumption? (I don't know much about these things.)

The reprogramming of the ECU or ECM thing should have no bearing on the RPMs is what understand to be true.

Isn't my engine wearing out faster than an engine running at lower RPMs at the same speed?

Any suggestions?

I appreciate the info' from those of you who took the time to report their RPMs at 70 to the list.

TK

[SW03ES]

3100RPMs at 70MPH is not normal for a car with as much power and a 5 speed auto like the ES. If we were talking about a Manual Volkswagen that would be one thing, but 3100 RPM is WAY too high for the ES...

[amf1932]

Are you sure your shift selector is in "D" and not in "4"? If it is in "D" and your RPM is about 3100 @ 70mph, then there is definitely something wrong! I had the ECU upgrade done and it didn't affect the gearing, all it did was to change the shift characteristics. My car is about 2300RPM @ 70MPH.

Try this: Drive at 70MPH in "D" and watch your tachometer, then shift into "4" and see if you get a difference in the tachometer reading. Please let us know your results.

[bbsal]

sounds to me you have overdrive off.if i shut overdrive off then my rpms are about 3100 at 70mph.with overdrive on its about 2300rpms.if you do have overdrive on and its that high then im it could be your tranny is going bad.

[SW03ES]

I agree with Alan. The "D" position is overdrive. Shift it into 4 and back to D if there is no change in the tach readings, then the car is not going into overdrive.

[jclu888]

I'm pretty sure the 70 miles / 3200 rpm happened on "4", not "D". Is there any negative impact if you drive "4" (without overdrive) for a lengthy period? Just wandering....

[amf1932]

It shouldn't hurt the engine since it's not operating over the redline on the tach, but your gas mileage will suffer and your engine life will be shortened, a small degree.

[tkoste]

THANK YOU!!!

I had been inadvertently pulling my car's gear shift into 4th and preventing my car from going into overdrive. Stupidly, it never occurred to me that I was doing it--actually I think I was not aware that there were two positions in the same horizontal line. (My previous car's shift was a straight line.)

I am embarrassed about it all, but really appreciate the information you participants provided.