drive mode Lexus IS250 2011 User Guide

138
2-1. Driving procedures
IS350/250_U
CAUTION
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not press the accelera-
tor while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting 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, push and
hold the “ENGINE START STOP” switch for more than 3 seconds.
However, do not touch the “ENGINE START STOP” switch while driving except in
an emergency. Turning the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or
braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. This 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.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION
ON mode for long periods without the engine running.
■When starting the engine
●Do not race a cold engine.
●If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately.

140
2-1. Driving procedures
IS350/250_U
Selecting shift ranges in the D position
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” shift paddle
switch. The shift range can then be selected by operating the “-” and “+”
shift paddle switches. 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.
To return to normal D position
driving, the “+” shift paddle switch
must be held down for a period of
time.
■ Selecting a driving mode
The following patterns can be selected to suit current driving and
operating conditions.
Power mode
For powerful acceleration
and driving in mountainous
regions.
Normal mode
Snow mode
For accelerating and driving
on slippery road surfaces,
such as on snow.
Press “SNOW”
to return to nor-
mal mode.

144
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.

157
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
IS350/250_U
Indicators and warning lights
The indicator and warning lights on the instrument cluster and center
panel inform the driver of the status of the vehicle’s various systems.
Instrument cluster
The units used on the speedometer and the tachometer gauge display may
differ depending on the model/type.

Center panel

159
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
IS350/250_U
CAUTION
■If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should a safety system light such as the ABS and SRS warning light not come on
when you start the engine, this could mean that these systems are not available to
help protect you in an accident, which could result in death or serious injury. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately if this occurs.
*1: These lights turn on when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch isturned to IGNITION ON mode to indicate that a system check is
being performed. They will turn off after the engine is started, or after a
few seconds. There may be a malfunction in a system if a light does not
come on, or if the lights do not turn off. Have the vehicle inspected by
your Lexus dealer.
*2: The light flashes to indicate that the system is operating.
■ Warning lights
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in any of the vehi-
cle’s systems. (→ P. 4 6 1 )
*: These lights turn on when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned
to IGNITION ON mode to indicate that a system check is being per-
formed. They will turn off after the engine is started, or after a few sec-
onds. There may be a malfunction in a system if a light does not come
on, or if the lights do not turn off. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Lexus dealer.
(U.S.A.)(Canada)(U.S.A.)(Canada)
(U.S.A.)(Canada)(for
driver)(for front
passen-
ger)
******
******

160
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.

163
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
IS350/250_U■
Average vehicle speed
■ Gear position display
(vehicles with an automatic transmission only)
Displays the average vehicle speed since the engine
was started or the function was reset.
The function can be reset by pushing the “DISP” switch
for longer than one second when the average vehicle
speed is displayed.
Indicates the current gear, and the range of gears
that is available when the shift lever is in the D or S
position. The gear range is shown by the number of
dots ( •) and the current gear is shown as a number.
The transmission automatically selects the gears
within the driver selected gear range.
In the illustration to the left, a range of 6 available gears
(1 through 6) has been selected by the driver. (The shift
lever is in the D or S position with 6 ranges enabled.) It is
possible for the transmission to automatically select
between all 6 of the gears. In this case, the transmission
has selected third gear.
■System check display
After switching the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to IGNITION ON mode,
“CHECK” is displayed while system operation is checked. When the system check
is complete, “COMPLETED” is displayed before returning to the normal screen.
■Outside temperature display
In the following situations, the correct outside temperature may not be displayed, or
the display may take longer than normal to change.
●When stopped, or driving at low speeds (less than 12 mph [20 km/h])
●When the outside temperature has changed suddenly (at the entrance/exit of a
garage, tunnel, etc.)

167
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
IS350/250_U
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights come on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds
after a door is opened and closed if the “ENGINE START STOP” switch has
been switched to ACCESSORY mode or turned OFF. (The lights turn off
immediately if on the key is pressed after all doors are locked.)
●When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch is switched to ACCESSORY mode or turned
OFF and driver’s door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, switch to IGNITION ON mode, or turn the light switch
off once and then back to or
.
■Automatic headlight leveling system (vehicles with discharge headlights)
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number of
passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do
not interfere with other road users.
■Customization that can be configured at Lexus dealer
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 5 4 0 )
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the engine is not running.

185
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
IS350/250_U
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be aware,
however, that these systems are supplementary and should not be relied
upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.
■ ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces.
■TRAC (Traction Control)
Maintains drive power and prevents the rear wheels (2WD models) or all
wheels (AWD models) from spinning wh en starting the vehicle or acceler-
ating on slippery roads.
■ Hill-start assist control (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
Helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when starting on an
incline or slippery slope.
■EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel.

206
IS350/250_U
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Automatic air conditioning system
Using the automatic modePress .
The air conditioning system will begin to operate. Air outlets and fan
speed are automatically adjusted according to the temperature setting.
Press to switch to automa tic mode. (IS350 only)
Automatically switches between outside air and recirculated air modes.
Air outlets and fan speed are automatically adjusted according to the tem-
perature setting.
With navigation system
Owners of models equipped with a navigation system should refer to the
“Navigation System Owner's Manual”.
Without navigation system
Automatic mode
Driver’s side temperature
setting display Changes the air outlets used
Off Fan speed
Airflow display
Fan speed display
Passenger’s side
temperature setting displayMicro dust and
pollen filter
Driver's side
temperature control
Air conditioning on/off Outside air or recirculated air modeWindshield defogger
Passenger’s side
temperature control
Dual operation
STEP1
STEP2