Page 200 of 612

2004-2. Driving procedures
IS200t_EE(OM53D19E)
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 displayed 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 any authorized Lexus dealer or repair er, or another duly qualified and equipped
professional immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction 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 malfunction. Contact any authorized Lexus
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualif ied and equipped professional immediately.
Page 201 of 612
2014-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
IS200t_EE(OM53D19E)
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 202 of 612
2024-2. Driving procedures
IS200t_EE(OM53D19E)
*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 8 3
■Snow mode
Snow mode can be selected to suit the 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
(Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
MM mode driving*2 ( → P. 2 0 4 )
Selecting the driving mode
Page 203 of 612

2034-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
IS200t_EE(OM53D19E)
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” paddle shift switch.
When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated, the shift range will be downshifted
to a range that enables engine braking force that is suitable to driving conditions.
When the “+” paddle shift switch is operated, the shift range will be one gear
upper than the gear in use during normal D position driving. Changing the shift
range allows restriction of the highest gear, preventing unnecessary upshifting
and enabling the level of engine braking force to be selected.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from D1 to D8,
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
A gear in the range between 1 and the selected gear is auto- matically chosen depending on vehicle speed and driving conditions
D11st gear is set
Page 204 of 612

2044-2. Driving procedures
IS200t_EE(OM53D19E)
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.
The selected gear, from M1 to M8, will
be fixed and displayed 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 fluid 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 slippery 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 205 of 612

2054-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
IS200t_EE(OM53D19E)
The Gear Shift Indicator display is a guide to help the driver achieve improved
fuel economy and reduced exhaust emissions within limits of engine perfor-
mance.When not in operation
Shift-up indicator
■Gear Shift Indicator function
●This function automatically operates during M mode.
●By following the Shift-up indicator and shifting up accordingly, it is possible
to achieve improved fuel economy and reduced exhaust emissions.
●The Gear Shift Indicator does not have a similar function for downshifting.
●Depending on the driving conditions, the Gear Shift Indicator may not dis-
play the Shift-up indicator while driving in M mode.
■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 di splayed 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 any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer,
or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Gear Shift Indicator (if equipped)
1
2
Page 206 of 612

2064-2. Driving procedures
IS200t_EE(OM53D19E)
■Downshifting restriction warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circumstances, downsh ifting 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.
■Gear position display on the multi-information display
When Gear positions is selected for a Drive Information screen on the multi-information
display and the shift lever is in the D or M position, the currently selected gear position
will be displayed on the multi-information di splay. (The display changes according to the
shift lever position and driving conditions.)
■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.
●While driving in the D position, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4. ( →P. 24 0, 244)
●When switching th e driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position. ( →P. 2 8 3 )
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
→P. 5 4 9
■AI-SHIFT
●The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver performance
and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the sh ift lever is in D. (Shifting the shift lever
to the M position cancels the function.)
●The G AI-SHIFT is automatically changed to a suitable gear step while running in sport
mode according to the driving operations and running conditions.
The G AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the drive mode select switch is set to
sport mode with the shift lever in the D posi tion. (The function will be canceled, if the
drive mode is select switch is set to normal mode or shift lever is put in the M position.)
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceler ation, as this could result in the vehicle
skidding to the side or spinning.
■Gear Shift Indicator display (if equipped)
For safety, the driver should not look only at the display. Refer to the display when it is
safe to do so while considering actual traffic and road conditions.
Failure to do so may lead to an accident.
Page 208 of 612
2084-2. Driving procedures
IS200t_EE(OM53D19E)
■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 76 )