2012 Lexus IS250 engine

148
2-1. Driving procedures
IS350/250_U■
Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engine 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.

149
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
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 allows 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 shift lever was in the D position.
(→ P. 151)
■ Shift ranges and their functions
→ P. 1 4 8

150
2-1. Driving procedures
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 7 0 )
■Downshifting restrict ions 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 8 6 )
■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. 5 0 3

153
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
IS350/250_U
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.
■Maximum downshifting speed
Adhere to the downshifting speeds in the following table in order to prevent over-
revving the engine. mph (km/h)
Shift positionMaximum speed
133 (54)
256 (90)
383 (134)
4108 (172)

154
2-1. Driving procedures
IS350/250_U
Turn signal lever
■Turn signals can be operated when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■If the indicators flash faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the turn signal lights has not burned out.
Right turn
Left turn
Move and hold the lever part-
way to signal a lane change
The right hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.
Move and hold the lever part-
way to signal a lane change
The left hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.

158
IS350/250_U
2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters
The units used on the speedometer and the tachometer gauge display may
differ depending on the model/type.

The following gauges, meters and display illuminate when the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed.
Multi-information display
→ P. 1 6 7
Tachometer
Displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute.
Tacho indicator
When the set engine speed is reached, this ring-shaped indicator comes
on in yellow. The indicator comes on in red when the engine speed
reaches a dangerous range.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature.

161
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
IS350/250_U■
Changing the indicator setting
The satellite switch can be used to change the set speed at which the
yellow speed or tacho indicator ring comes on.
The setting can be made only when the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch is in IGNITION ON mode and the vehicle is stopped.
Push “
<” or “>” to select the speed or tacho indicator set mode. ( ) Turn
the speed or tacho indicator to “O FF” and then “ON” by pushing the
“ON/OFF” button. ( )
After one second, the mode enters
the indicator setting mode.
The speedometer or tachometer
needle moves to the previously set
speed.
STEP1

162
2-2. Instrument cluster
IS350/250_UPush “
<” or “>” within 6 seconds of the speedometer or tachometer nee-
dle moving to change the setting of th e desired speed, then turn the indi-
cator mode to “ON” by pushing the “ON/OFF” button.
Pushing and holding the button chan ges values at a faster rate.
If the satellite switch is not operated for some time, the multi-information dis-
play returns to its previously displayed content.
The yellow indicator is displayed to indicate that the desired speed has
been set.
STEP2
■Speed indicator display conditions and vehicle speed setting range
Vehicle speed setting range: Approximately 30 to 100 mph (approximately 50 to 160 km/h)
When the maximum speed is selected, the speed indicator comes on only in red.
■Tacho indicator display conditions and engine speed setting range
Engine rpm setting range: Approximately 2000 to 6500 rpm (r/min)
When the maximum rpm is selected, the tacho indicator comes on only in red.