2011 Lexus IS250 Automatic

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

141
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
IS350/250_U■
Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater en gine braking force than a higher shift
range.
Shift rangeFunction
6Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 6
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions.
5Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 5
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions.
4Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 4
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions.
3Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 3
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions.
2Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 2
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions.
1Setting the gear at 1.

142
2-1. Driving procedures
IS350/250_U
Changing shift ranges in S modeTo enter S mode, shift the shift lever to the S position. The shift range can
then be selected by operating the “-” and “+” shift paddle switches or the
shift lever. Changing the shift range a llows restriction of the upper limit of
the gears to be used, 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
6, will be displayed in the meter
cluster.
The initial shift range in S mode is automatically set to 5 or 4 according to
vehicle speed. However, the initial shift range may be set to 3 or 2 if the
AI-SHIFT has operated while the sh ift lever was in the D position.
(→ P. 1 4 4 )
■ Shift ranges and their functions
→ P. 1 4 1

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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

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2-1. Driving procedures
IS350/250_U
■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. How-
ever, operating the “-” shift paddle switch will restrict the function’s operation. (Shift-
ing the shift lever to the S position cancels the function.)
While in power mode, the engine speed may stay high while depressing the accel-
erator pedal and may remain high after releasing the accelerator pedal. This does
not indicate a malfunction.
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceleration, as this could result in the vehi-
cle skidding to the side or spinning.

148
2-1. Driving procedures
IS350/250_U
Parking brake
■Usage in winter time
See “Winter driving tips” for parking brake usage in winter time. (→P. 1 9 5 )
Vehicles with an automatic transmission
Sets 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.
Vehicles with a manual transmission
Sets
the parking brake
Fully set the parking brake while depressing the brake pedal.
Releases the parking brake
Slightly raise the lever and lower it completely while pressing the button.
Canada
U.S.A.
Canada
U.S.A.

158
2-2. Instrument cluster
IS350/250_U
■Indicators
The indicators inform the driver of the operating state of the vehi-
cle’s various systems.
Turn signal indicator
(→ P. 1 4 7 )
(vehicles with
an automatic
transmission)
“ECT SNOW” indicator
(→ P. 1 4 0 )
Headlight high beam indi-
cator ( →P. 1 6 6 )
(vehicles with
a manual
transmission)
“ETCS SNOW” indicator
(→ P. 1 4 6 )
(U.S.A.)
Headlight indicator
(→ P. 1 6 5 )
(vehicles with
an automatic
transmission)
“ECT PWR” indicator
(→ P. 1 4 0 )
(Canada)
Tail light indicator
(→ P. 1 6 5 ) Cruise control indicator
(→ P. 1 7 5 )
Front fog light indicator
(→ P. 1 6 8 )
(if equipped)
Intuitive parking assist
indicator ( →P. 1 7 9 )
(vehicles with an automatic trans-
mission)
Shift position and shift range indica-
tors ( →P. 1 3 9 )
Slip indicator ( →P. 1 8 6 )
VSC off indicator
(→ P. 1 8 7 )
SRS airbag on-off indica-
tor (→ P. 1 0 4 )
*1
*1
*1, 2

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2-2. Instrument cluster
IS350/250_U
Multi-information display
The multi-information display presents the driver with a variety of driving-
related data, including the current outside air temperature.
●Trip information ( →P. 1 6 1 )
Displays driving range, fuel con-
sumption and other cruising
related information.
●Satellite switch mode display
(→P. 329)
This switch is used to configure
various function settings.
●Intuitive parking assist dis-
play (if equipped) (→ P. 1 7 9 )
Automatically displayed when
using intuitive parking assist.
●Warning messages
(→P. 4 7 0 )
Automatically displayed when a
malfunction occurs in one of the
vehicle’s systems.