2011 Lexus IS250 transmission

132
2-1. Driving procedures
IS350/250_U
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during driving.
If the brake pedal is depressed while driving with the accelerator pedal
depressed, driving torque may be restrained.With automatic transmission vehicles
●Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake pedals
together to hold the vehicle on a hill.With manual transmission vehicles
●Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving.
Doing so may cause clutch trouble.
●Do not use any gear other than the first gear when starting off and moving for-
ward.
Doing so may damage the clutch.
●Do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle when stopping on an uphill grade.
Doing so may damage the clutch.
■When parking the vehicle
With automatic transmission vehicles, always put the shift lever in P. Failure to do so
may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accel-
erator pedal is accidentally depressed.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a long
time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.

133
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
IS350/250_U
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.
Rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
Front brake only: Moderate levels of 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
those 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.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire ( →P. 4 8 1 )
■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,
transfer (AWD vehicles), differential, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft (AWD vehicles), bearings and suspen-
sion joints (where possible) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

134
2-1. Driving procedures
IS350/250_U
Engine (ignition) switch
Performing the following operations when carrying the electronic key on
your person starts the engine or changes “ENGINE START STOP” switch
modes.
■ 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.
The engine will crank until it
starts or for up to 30 seconds,
whichever is less.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the engine is com-
pletely started.
The engine can be started from
any “ENGINE START STOP”
switch mode.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
IS350/250_U
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.
The engine will crank until it
starts or for up to 30 seconds,
whichever is less.
Continue depressing the clutch
pedal until the engine is com-
pletely started.
The engine can be started from
any “ENGINE START STOP”
switch mode.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

136
2-1. Driving procedures
IS350/250_U
■Changing “ENGINE STAR T STOP” switch mode
Modes can be changed by pressing the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch with the brake pedal (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
or clutch pedal (vehicles with a manual transmission) released. (The
mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
OFF*
The emergency flashers can be
used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components
such as the audio system can be
used.
The “ENGINE START STOP”
switch indicator turns amber.
IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can
be used.
The “ENGINE START STOP”
switch indicator turns amber.
*: If the shift lever is in a positionother than P when turning off
the engine, the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch will be
turned to ACCESSORY mode,
not to OFF. (vehicles with auto-
matic transmission)

137
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
IS350/250_U
■If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (→P. 8 5 )
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■When the “ENGINE START STOP” switch indicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than an hour with the shift lever
in P (vehicles with an automatic transmission), the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
will automatically turn OFF.
■Electronic key battery depletion
→P. 3 4
■When the electronic key battery is fully discharged
→P. 4 2 1
■Conditions affecting operation
→P. 3 2
■Note for the entry function
→P. 3 5 The “ENGINE START STOP” switch indica-
tor will flash in green and a message will be
shown on the multi-information display. Press
the “ENGINE START STOP” switch again
while turning the steering wheel left and right.

139
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
IS350/250_U
Automatic transmission∗
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.
■ Shift position uses
*: To improve fuel consumption and reduce noises, set the shift lever in the D
position for normal driving.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle or starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*
SS mode driving ( →P. 1 4 2 )
∗: If equipped

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
IS350/250_U
■When the “-” shift paddle switch is operated in the D position
When the “-” shift paddle switch is operated in the D position, a shift range will be
automatically selected. The highest gear of the first shift range will be one gear
lower than the gear in use during normal D position driving.
■Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D position
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situations:
●When the vehicle comes to a stop
●When range 6 is selected and the accelerator pedal is depressed
●If the accelerator pedal is depressed for more than a certain period of time
■To protect automatic transmission
A function is adopted that automatically selects a higher shift range when the fluid
temperature is high.
■Gear position display when driving
The current gear is displayed on the multi-information display. (→P. 1 6 3 )
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
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
Engine braking will not occur during shift range selection in the D position or S
mode, even when downshifting to range 5 or 4. ( →P. 1 7 5 )
■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. 4 9 1