Page 163 of 573

1624-2. Driving procedures
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
■When “Check Access System with Elec. Key” is displayed on the multi-information dis-
play
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 4 2 7
■Operation of the engine switch
●When operating the engine switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the switch is
pressed improperly, the engine may not start or the engine switch mode may not
change. It is not necessary to press and hold the switch.
●If attempting to restart the engine immediat ely after turning the engine switch off, the
engine may not start in some cases. After tu rning the engine switch off, please wait a
few seconds before re starting the engine.
■If the smart access system with push-butto n start has been deactivated by a customized
setting
P. 4 8 8
CAUTION
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the accelerator
pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resu lting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the doors until
the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering lock in this cir-
cumstance may lead to an accident, re sulting in death or serious injury.
■Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle, press and hold
the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly 3 times or more in succes-
sion. ( P. 4 4 7 )
However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emergency. Turning
the engine off while driving will not cause lo ss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. Th is will make it more difficult to steer and
brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
Page 164 of 573

1634-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
●Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for long
periods of time without the engine running.
●If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is disp layed on the meters while the engine is
not running, the engine switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the engine
switch off.
●Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If the engine is
stopped in another shift lever position, the engine switch will not be turned off but
instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY
mode, battery discharge may occur.
■When starting the engine
●Do not race a cold engine.
●If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehicle checked
by your Lexus dealer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfun ction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, there may be a malf unction. Contact your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
Page 165 of 573
1644-2. Driving procedures
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, move the shift lever
with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.
Automatic transmission
Shifting the shift lever
Page 166 of 573
1654-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, shift the shift lever to D for normal driv-
ing.
*2: Any gear range can be fixed when driving in M mode.
■Sport mode/Eco drive mode
P. 2 3 1
■Snow mode
Snow mode can be selected to suit th e conditions when driving on slippery
road surfaces, such as snow.
Press the switch.
Press the switch again to return to
normal mode.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
MM mode driving*2 ( P. 1 6 7 )
Selecting the driving mode
Page 167 of 573

1664-2. Driving procedures
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
To drive using temporary shift range select ion, operate the “-” paddle shift switch.
The shift range can then be selected by operating the “-” and “+” paddle shift
switches. Changing the shift range allows restriction of the highest gear, prevent-
ing unnecessary upshifting and enabling th e level of engine braking force to be
selected.
Upshifting
Downshifting
8-speed models: Th e selected shift
range, from D1 to D8, will be displayed
in the meter.
6-speed models: The selected shift
range, from D1 to D6, will be displayed
in the meter.
To return to normal D position driving,
the “+” paddle shift switch must be held
down for a period of time.
■Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engi ne braking forces than a higher shift
range.
Selecting shift ranges in the D position
1
2
Meter displayFunction
D2 - D8
(8-speed models)A gear in the range between 1 and the selected gear is auto- matically chosen depending on vehicle speed and driving conditions
D2 - D6
(6-speed models)
D11st gear is set
Page 168 of 573

1674-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
To enter M mode, shift the shift lever to M. Gears can then be selected by oper-
ating the shift lever or paddle shift switches, allowing you to drive in the gear of
your choice.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The gear changes once every time the
shift lever or paddle shift switch is oper-
ated.
8-speed models: Th e selected gear,
from M1 to M8, will be fixed and dis-
played in the meter.
6-speed models: The selected gear,
from M1 to M6, will be fixed and dis-
played in the meter.
When in the M position, the gear will no t change unless the shift lever or pad-
dle shift switches are operated.
However, even when in the M position, the gears will be automatically
changed in the following situation:
●When vehicle speed drops (downshift only).
●When the automatic transmission flui d or engine coolant temperature is
low.
●When automatic transmission fluid temperature is high.
●When the needle of the tachometer is in the red zone (the range which
exceeds the allowable revs of the engine).
In the following situations, the gear will not shift even if the shift lever or paddle
shift switches are operated.
●“1st Gear not available due to slippe ry road surface” is displayed on the
multi information display.
●The vehicle speed is low (upshift only).
Selecting gears in the M position
1
2
Page 169 of 573

1684-2. Driving procedures
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
■When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated with the shift lever in the D position
A shift range will be automatically selected. Th e 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
●If the accelerator pedal is depressed for more than a certain period of time
●When the shift lever is shifted to a position other than D
■To protect the automatic transmission
“Transmission Fluid High Temperature” is displayed on the multi-information display and
a function is adopted that automatically selects a higher shift range when the fluid tem-
perature is high. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
■Downshifting restriction warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performa nce, downshifting operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even when the
shift lever or paddle shift switch is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if the engine switch is turned off after driving in
snow mode.
■Multi-information display
■When driving with cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking,
engine braking will not activate because cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control
will not be canceled.
●8-speed models: While driving in the D posi tion, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4.
( P. 192, 196)
●6-speed models: While driving in the D position, downshifting to 5 or 4. ( P. 192, 196)
●When switching the driving mode to sp ort mode while driving in D position.
( P. 2 3 1 )
When the shift lever is shifted to the M position,
the current gear position is displayed on the
multi-information display.
Page 172 of 573
1714-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
■Turn signals can be operated when
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned out.
■If the turn signals stop flashing before a lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again.
■Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be changed.
(Customizable feature P. 5 2 5 )