How to adjust Ignition timing on 2000 Lexus ES300?

[vamsi]

My car became bit sluggish and I hooked up vacuum gauge to check everything is ok but on idle it is reading about 23 to 24 -Hg which is bit higher than ideal vacuum 18 – 22 -Hg. Book says clogged air intake or overly advanced ignition timing but the air filter is brand new so it should be ignition timing. How can I adjust that timing?

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[Richard Kirshy]

I may be mistaken…
But other than checking the timing marks on the crank and cams are correctly aligned.
The variable valve timing solenoids(VVT) along with the ECU controls the timing functions.

[Billy]

To clarify, crank/cam alignment and VVT solenoids pertain to valve timing, not ignition timing.
The ES300 uses coil-on-plug ignition, not a distributor, so as nightflyr said, the ECU controls the ignition timing; you don’t adjust that.
This is an OBD2 car, so the vacuum gauge is no longer your go-to diagnostic device. Time to update your skillset. Get an OBD scanner with live data capability, and check out your fuel trims at idle, 2500, and 4000 RPM.
Can you provide more details about the sluggishness?

[Author]

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