2008 Lexus IS250 transmission

116
2-1. Driving procedures
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
NOTICE
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indicators)
Have your Lexus dealer check and replace the brake pads as soon as possible.
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
Front brake only: Moderate levels of the brake pad and disc wear allow enhanced
front braking power. As a result, the discs may wear more quickly than conventional
brake discs. Therefore, when replacing the brake pads, Lexus recommends that you
also have the thickness of the discs measured.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads and/or
that of the brake discs are exceeded.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
●The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( →P. 3 8 4 )
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause the
following serious damage to the vehicle.
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to
have your Lexus dealer check the following.
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, transmission,
differential, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints (where
possible) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

117
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
Engine (ignition) switch
Modes can be switched by pressing the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
when carrying the electronic key on your person. (The engine can be
started in any mode by operating the switch at the same time as depressing
the brake pedal or clutch pedal.)
■Starting the engine
Automatic transmission
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal.
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch indicator turns green.
Press the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

118
2-1. Driving procedures
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
Manual transmissionCheck that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in N.
Firmly depress the clutch pedal.
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch indicator turns green.
Press the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

122
2-1. Driving procedures
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
Automatic Transmission (if equipped)
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
While the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch is
in IGNITION ON
mode, depress the brake
pedal and move the shift
lever.

125
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
■Gear position display when driving in S mode
The current gear is displayed on the multi-information display. (
→P. 1 4 2 )
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer (in the S mode)
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even
when the shift lever or shift paddle switch is operated. (The warning buzzer will
sound twice.)
■When driving with the cruise control system or dynamic radar cruise control sys-
tem
The engine brake will not operate in the S mode, even when downshifting to 5 or 4.
(
→P. 152, 155)
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is
turned off after driving in snow mode.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
→P. 3 9 2
■If does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the vehicle will operate as if the shift lever is in D.)
■AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatically shifts the gear to the optimal position according to the
driver performance and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position. (Shift-
ing the shift lever to the S position cancels the function.)

126
2-1. Driving procedures
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
Manual Transmission (if equipped)
Snow modeThe snow mode is used for accel-
erating and driving on slippery
road surfaces, such as on snow.
Push the switch once more to
return to normal mode.
■Shifting the shift lever
Fully depress the clutch pedal
before operating the shift lever,
and then release it slowly.
■ Shifting the shift lever into R
Shift the shift lever into the R
position while lifting up the ring
section.

129
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
Parking brake
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components over-
heating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake wear.
Automatic transmissionSets the parking brake
*
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
*: Fully depress the parkingbrake pedal with your left
foot while depressing the
brake pedal with your right
foot.
Manual transmission
Sets
the parking brake
Fully set the parking brake while
depressing the brake pedal.
Releases the parking
brake
CANADAU.S.A.
CANADA U.S.A.

137
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
■Indicators
The indicators inform the driver of the operating state of the vehi-
cle’s various systems.
Turn signal indicator
(
→P. 1 2 8 )(vehicles with
an automatic
transmission)
“ECT SNOW” indicator
(
→P. 1 2 3 )
Headlight high beam indi-
cator (
→P. 1 4 3 )(vehicles with
a manual
transmission)
“ETCS SNOW” indicator
(
→P. 1 2 6 )
(U.S.A.)
Headlight indicator
(
→P. 1 4 3 )(vehicles with
an automatic
transmission)
“ECT PWR” indicator
(
→P. 1 2 3 )
(CANADA)
Tail light indicator
(
→P. 1 4 3 )
Cruise control indicator
(
→P. 1 5 2 )
Front fog light indicator
(
→P. 1 4 6 ) (if equipped)
“AFS OFF” indicator light
(
→P. 144)
(vehicles with an automatic trans-
mission)
Shift position and shift range indica-
tors (
→P. 122)
(if equipped)
Intuitive parking assist
indicator (
→P. 1 6 4 )
Slip indicator (→P. 171)
“VSC OFF” indicator
(
→P. 1 7 2 )
SRS airbag on-off indica-
tor (
→P. 9 0 )
*
*
*
*