Hi. I'm in the market for a new car and am seriously considering the TL. All the information provided in this forum has been a great help! Thanks!

I've also been reading some Lexus forums and see that those drivers are having some problems with Lexus' drive-by-wire electronic throttle control technology. Apparently if you're cruising at around 40mph and then try to punch up the acceleration, the car will hesitate as the transmission/electronic throttle control computer hunts for the right gear to go into.

I know that Acura uses similar technology. Any issues?

M.

 

All I can tell you is that the Acura drive by wire is better than my old BMW 3 series drive by wire. It is very natural.

 

no problems here but people have had problems with starting the car. it will take a couple extra cranks to get it going. but this is not due to the drive-by-wire. the ulev system of the car creates this side effect.

 

It sounds more like a PCM problem than just drive by wire.

 

Heh heh heh... just the opposite! When you're cruising and you punch the gas, the thing goes like a bat outta hell! The "sport-shift" (a.k.a. tiptronic, a.k.a. auto-stick) on the automatic is maybe not as responsive as some other cars - it won't always downshift when you tell it to, or there will be a slight delay. But the punch you get from normal overdrive/VTEC is so good, you almost never need to use it! My last car was an Audi A4 with tiptronic, and I would use it all the time to pass people, etc. Now I just stomp on the gas, and it's all good!

 

No problems - in fact, I can't tell the difference.

 

At 60 I notice it drops to 3rd then takes a sec to hit 2nd when I punch it. However SS mode works great for downshifting full throttle.

 

I still don't like the DBW in my Maxima and my TL ... i like good ole' throttle link cable...

THe maxima (my 2003 SE) is NOTORIOUS for gear hunting when you punch it from a roll and then gently ease up and then punch it again .. i guess you'd just have to experience to understand. I hate electronically controlled throttle.

 

I love the dbw. I have a manual, so I don't know about all this shifting problems, but dbw give the Acura so much more control. It allows the computer to make all the transitions more smooth. Driving in traffic it seems to be much more smooth than a standard 270HP should be. It allows the TCS to control the throttle better. It keeps the pedal from going up and down with the cruise control. I just think it allowed the engineers to do much more with the car than if there was a direct linkage.

 

I could only tell the difference between "drive by wire" and mechanical throttle when I first bought the car almost six months ago. I had to put a little more effort into pushing the pedal to get action. I quickly adjusted and didn't even notice what I was doing until this thread came up.

 

I drive a 6MT. Hesitation in acceleration due to DBW or any other influence is not an issue at all.