Page 169 of 600
1694-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
IS350/300/200t_U (OM53D18U)
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 170 of 600
1704-2. Driving procedures
IS350/300/200t_U (OM53D18U)
*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 4 6
■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
(Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
MM mode driving*2 ( P. 1 7 2 )
Selecting the driving mode
Page 171 of 600

1714-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
IS350/300/200t_U (OM53D18U)
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 forc e 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
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 172 of 600

1724-2. Driving procedures
IS350/300/200t_U (OM53D18U)
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 173 of 600

1734-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
IS350/300/200t_U (OM53D18U)
■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.
■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 disp lay. (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.
●8-speed models: While driving in the D posi tion, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4.
( P. 198, 202)
●6-speed models: While driving in the D position, downshifting to 5 or 4.
( P. 198, 202)
●When switching the driving mode to sp ort mode while driving in D position.
( P. 2 4 6 )
Page 174 of 600
1744-2. Driving procedures
IS350/300/200t_U (OM53D18U)
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 5 0 8
■AI-SHIFT
●The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitab le 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.)
●8-speed models: The G AI-SHIFT is automa tically changed to a suitable gear step
while running in sport mode according to the driving operations and running condi-
tions.
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 accele ration, as this could result in the vehicle
skidding to the side or spinning.
Page 175 of 600
1754-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
IS350/300/200t_U (OM53D18U)
The lever will return to its original position after operation.
Right turn
Lane change to the right (move the
lever partway and release it)
The right hand signals will flash 3 times.
Lane change to the left (move the
lever partway and release it)
The left hand signals will flash 3 times.
Left turn
■If the turn signals do not stop flashing af ter turning left or right, or if you want
to stop them flashing
Operate the lever in the opposite direction to either position or . If you
move the lever to either position or , the selected turn signals will flash.
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4
23
14
Page 176 of 600
1764-2. Driving procedures
IS350/300/200t_U (OM53D18U)
■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 befo re 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 5 2 )