2008 Lexus IS F sport mode

15
E
Trunk opener P. 41
Fuel filler door opener P. 67
Headlight cleaner switch  P. 146
Satellite switches P. 236
Instrument panel light
control knob
P. 130
: If equipped
*: Refer to “Navigation System Owner's Manual”.
VSC off switch P. 168
F-sport mode total control switch P. 120, 169
D

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2-1. Driving procedures
Selecting shift ranges in the D positionTo drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-”paddle shift
switch. The shift range can then be selected by operating the “-” and “+”
paddle shift switches. Changing the sh ift range allows restriction of the
highest gear, preventing unnecessary upshifting and enabling the level of
engine braking force to be selected.
Higher shift range
Lower shift range
The selected shift range, from 1 to
8, will be displayed in the meter
cluster.
To return to normal D position
driving, the “+” paddle shift switch
must be held down for a period of
time.
■ Selecting a driving mode
The following modes can be selected to suit driving conditions
Snow mode
For accelerating and driving
on slippery road surfaces,
such as on snow.
“Sport” mode
(P. 1 6 9 )
To cancel a mode, press the
same side of the switch again.

124
2-1. Driving procedures
■Downshift restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstance s, downshifting may not be possible even
when the shift lever or paddle shift switch is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■When driving with the cruise contro l or dynamic radar cruise control
Engine braking will not occur during shif t range selection in the D position, even
when downshifting to range 7, 6, 5 or 4. ( P. 147, 150)
■Automatic deactivation of snow mode and “Sport” mode
If the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned OFF after driving in either snow
mode or “Sport” mode, the mode is automatically deactivated.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 3 8 4
■If is not displayed after shifting the shift lever to M
●Within a few seconds of turning the “E NGINE START STOP” switch to ON, the
transmission will not go into M mode if the shift lever is moved to the M position.
This is because a system check is being performed. In this case, wait a moment
and then try moving the shift lever to the M position again.
●If the display does not change to on an occasion other than that
described above, it may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission
system. Have your vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
■Automatic gear selection when the vehicle is stopped
●When the vehicle comes to a stop, the tr ansmission will automatically downshift
to allow you to start off in 1st gear.
●When the vehicle is idling at high rpm in order to warm up, and the vehicle is on
a slippery road, the transmission will automatically shift to 2nd gear for stopping
and starting off.

156
2-4. Using other driving systems
■Automatically canceling vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance control driving is automatically canceled in the follow-
ing situations.
●Vehicle speed falls below 25 mph (40 km/h)
●VSC is activated.
●The sensor cannot operate correctly because it is covered in some way.
●The windshield wipers are operating at high speed.
●The F-sport mode total control switch is set to snow mode.
●The shift lever is shifted to the M position.
●When the shift lever is in the D position and any of the ranges 1 through 3 is
selected using the “-” paddle shift switch.
If vehicle-to-vehicle distance control driving is automatically canceled for any other
reason, there may be a malfunction in the system. Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Automatically cancelling constant speed control
The set speed is automatically canceled in the following situations.
●Actual vehicle speed is more than 10 mph (16 km/h) below the preset vehicle
speed
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
●Vehicle speed falls below 25 mph (40 km/h)
●VSC is activated.
●The shift lever is shifted to the M position.
●When the shift lever is in the D positi on and any of the ranges 1 through 3 is
selected using the “-” paddle shift switch.
■Vehicle-to-vehicle distance settings
Select a distance from the table below. Note that the distances shown correspond
to a vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h). Vehicle-to-vehicle distance increases/
decreases in accordance with vehicle speed.
Distance optionsVehicle-to-vehicle distance
LongApproximately 164 f t. (50 m)
MediumApproximately 132 ft. (40 m)
ShortApproximately 100 f t. (30 m)

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2-4. Using other driving systems
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be aware,
however, that these systems are supplementary and should not be relied
upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces.
■ TRAC (Traction Control)
Maintains drive power and prevents the rear wheels from spinning when
starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■Hill-start assist control
Prevents the vehicle from rolling backwa rds when starting on an incline or
slippery slope.
■ EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel.
■VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the ABS, brake assist, TRAC, VSC, hill-start
assist control, and EPS systems.
Maintains vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road surfaces by
controlling the brakes and engine output.
When the “SPORT” side of the F-sp ort mode total control switch is
pressed, “Sport” mode is activated. ( P. 1 6 9 )
■PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)
 P. 1 7 3

169
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
F-sport mode total control switchYour vehicle is equipped with two types of control modes to accommo-
date various driving preferences. The control modes can be selected with
the F-sport mode total control switch . “Normal” mode allows secure and
smooth normal driving. When the “SPORT” side of the switch is pressed,
“Sport” mode is activated. Control ch aracteristics such as the ECT, EPS,
VSC and TRAC are adjusted to afford maneuverability closer to what a
driver may have imagined, while a sense of security is retained.
“Sport” mode/“Normal” mode
The “SPORT” indicator comes on
when in “Sport” mode.
■Automatic reactivation of TRAC and VSC
Turning the “ENGINE START STOP” switch OFF after turning off the TRAC and
VSC systems will automatically re-enable them.
■Automatic TRAC reactivation
If only the TRAC system is turned off, th e TRAC system will turn on when vehicle
speed increases.
■Automatic TRAC and VSC reactivation
If the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, the systems will not turn on even when
vehicle speed increases.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, TRAC and hill-start
assist control systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate that
a malfunction has occurred in any of these systems.
●Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are operat-
ing. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
■LSD function
The LSD function is part of TRAC control. It maintains drive power by applying the
brakes to wheels that spin when accelerating during a turn, and operates even
when TRAC or TRAC/VSC operation is turned off. However, it will not operate
when the rear brakes are at a high temperature.
■Hill-start assist control is operational when
●The shift lever is in the D or M position.
●The brake pedal is not depressed.
■EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel operates, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Reduced effectiveness of EPS
The effectiveness of EPS is reduced to prevent the system from overheating when
there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The steering wheel
may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from excessive steering input or
stop the vehicle and turn the engine OFF. Th e system should return to normal within
10 minutes.
■Automatic deactivation of “Sport” mode
When the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned OFF after driving in “Sport”
mode, the mode is automatically deactivated.

5
When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection procedure
(Flashing and then con-tinuously on)
(Flashing)
(If equipped)Indicates that the radar
cruise control system is
unable to judge vehicle-
to-vehicle distance.
• Switch the driving mode to either the “Normal” or
“Sport” mode.
• If the windshield wipers
are on, turn them off or
set them to either the
intermittent or the slow
mode.
(Flashing)
(If equipped)
Indicates that your vehi-
cle is nearing the vehicle
ahead (in radar cruise
mode).
Slow the vehicle by apply-
ing the brakes.
■Changing the engine oil (U.S.A. only)
Make sure to reset the oil change system. ( P. 2 8 4 )
■Warning light display in radar cruise mode (if equipped)
In the following cases, the warning light may not be displayed even if vehicle-to-
vehicle distance decreases.
●When your vehicle and the vehicle ahead are traveling at the same speed or the
vehicle ahead is traveling more quickly than your vehicle
●When the vehicle ahead is traveling at a very low speed
●Immediately after cruise control speed is set
●At the instant the accelerator pedal is depressed