transmission Lexus IS F 2008 Do-It-Yourself Maintenance /

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
2
1-1. Key information ........................... 20Keys ...................................................... 20
1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk .................. 22
Smart access system with push-button start .......................... 22
Wireless remote control .............. 34
Doors.................................................... 37
Trunk...................................................... 41
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors,
steering wheel) .......................... 44
Front seats .......................................... 44
Driving position memory ............. 45
Seat position memory ................... 48
Head restraints................................ 50
Seat belts ............................................. 51
Steering wheel.................................. 57
Anti-glare inside rear view mirror ................................................ 59
Outside rear view mirrors ........... 60
1-4. Opening and closing the windows and moon roof .......... 62
Power windows................................ 62
Moon roof .......................................... 64 1-5. Refueling ........................................ 67
Opening the fuel tank cap........... 67
1-6. Theft deterrent system............... 70 Engine immobilizer system ......... 70
Alarm.................................................... 72
Theft prevention labels (U.S.A.) ............................................. 74
1-7. Safety information ....................... 75 Correct driving posture ............... 75
SRS airbags ....................................... 77
Front passenger occupant classification system ................... 88
Child restraint sy stems ................. 93
Installing child restraints ............... 96
2-1. Driving procedures................... 106 Driving the vehicle ........................ 106
Engine (ign ition) switch ................ 114
Automatic transmission............... 118
Turn signal lever............................. 126
Parking brake .................................. 127
2-2. Instrument cluster ..................... 128 Gauges and meters ..................... 128
Indicators and warning lights ... 132
Multi-information display........... 135
1Before driving
2When driving

When driving2
105
2-1. Driving procedures ....... 106Driving the vehicle.................. 106
Engine (ignition) switch .......... 114
Automatic transmission ......... 118
Turn signal lever ....................... 126
Parking brake ........................... 127
2-2. Instrument cluster .......... 128 Gauges and meters ................ 128
Indicators and warning lights ......................................... 132
Multi-information display ..... 135
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers......... 139
Headlight switch...................... 139
Fog light switch ........................ 142
Windshield wipers and washer ..................................... 143
Headlight cleaner switch...... 146 2-4. Using other driving
systems .......................... 147
Cruise control........................... 147
Dynamic radar cruise control ..................................... 150
Intuitive parking assist ........... 160
Driving assist systems ............ 166
PCS (Pre-Collision System) ....... 173
2-5. Driving information........ 176 Cargo and luggage ................. 176
Vehicle load limits .................... 179
Winter driving tips .................. 180
Trailer towing ........................... 182
Dinghy towing .......................... 183

108
2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When starting off
To prevent the vehicle from creeping forward, keep the brake pedal firmly
depressed when shifting the shift lever.
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accelerator
pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal will
result in sudden acceleration that may le ad to an accident that could result in
death or serious injury.
• When backing up, you may twist your bo dy around, leading to a difficulty in
operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly, allowing you to depress the brake and accelerator pedals prop-
erly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, resulting in an acci-
dent.
●Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
●Do not let the vehicle roll backwards while the shift lever is in a driving position, or
roll forward while the shift lever is in R.
Doing so may cause the engine to stall or lead to poor brake and steering perfor-
mance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
●If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and check
that the trunk is closed. Large amounts of exhaust in the vehicle can cause driver
drowsiness and an accident, resulting in death or a serious health hazard. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
●Do not under any circumstances shift the sh ift lever to P, R or N while the vehicle
is moving.
Doing so can cause significant damage to the transmission system and may result
in a loss of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the engine brake to not operate properly and lead to an
accident.

113
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause the
following serious damage to the vehicle.
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to
have your Lexus dealer check the following.
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil an d fluid used for the engine, transmission,
differential, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints (where
possible) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

118
2-1. Driving procedures
Automatic transmission
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever and selecting a shift position
While the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch is
in IGNITION ON
mode, depress the brake
pedal and move the shift
lever.
*: To improve fuel efficiency andreduce noises, set the shift lever
in the D position for normal driv-
ing.
Shift
positionFunction
PParking the vehicle/ starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*
MM mode driving ( P. 122)

122
2-1. Driving procedures
Selecting gears in the M positionTo enter M mode, shift the shift lever to the M position. Gears can then be
selected by operating the shift lever or paddle shift switches, allowing you
to drive in the gear of your choosing.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The gear changes once every time
the shift lever or paddle shift switch
is operated.
The selected gear, from 1 to 8, will
be displayed in the meter cluster.
When in the M position, the gear will not change unless the shift lever or
paddle shift switches are operated.
However, even when in the M positi on, the gears will be automatically
changed in the following situations:
● When vehicle speed drops (downshift only).
● When the automatic transmission flu id or engine coolant temperature
is low.

124
2-1. Driving procedures
■Downshift restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstance s, downshifting may not be possible even
when the shift lever or paddle shift switch is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■When driving with the cruise contro l or dynamic radar cruise control
Engine braking will not occur during shif t range selection in the D position, even
when downshifting to range 7, 6, 5 or 4. ( P. 147, 150)
■Automatic deactivation of snow mode and “Sport” mode
If the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned OFF after driving in either snow
mode or “Sport” mode, the mode is automatically deactivated.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 3 8 4
■If is not displayed after shifting the shift lever to M
●Within a few seconds of turning the “E NGINE START STOP” switch to ON, the
transmission will not go into M mode if the shift lever is moved to the M position.
This is because a system check is being performed. In this case, wait a moment
and then try moving the shift lever to the M position again.
●If the display does not change to on an occasion other than that
described above, it may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission
system. Have your vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
■Automatic gear selection when the vehicle is stopped
●When the vehicle comes to a stop, the tr ansmission will automatically downshift
to allow you to start off in 1st gear.
●When the vehicle is idling at high rpm in order to warm up, and the vehicle is on
a slippery road, the transmission will automatically shift to 2nd gear for stopping
and starting off.

125
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
■If the automatic transmission fluid temperature warning light comes on
■AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the optimal gear according to driver perfor-
mance and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position. How-
ever, operating the “-” paddle shift switch will restrict the function’s operation. (Shift-
ing the shift lever to the M po sition cancels the function.)
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden accele ration, as this could result in the vehi-
cle skidding to the side or spinning.
If the automatic transmission fluid tempera-
ture warning light comes on while driving,
make sure you return to normal D position
driving and reduce speed by easing off the
accelerator pedal. Stop the vehicle in a safe
place, shift the shift lever to the P position and
let the engine idle until the warning light goes
out.
When the warning light goes out, the vehicle
can be driven again.
If the warning light does not go out after wait-
ing a while, have your vehicle inspected by
your Lexus dealer.

138
2-2. Instrument cluster
■Gear position display
Indicates the current gear , and the range of gears
that is available when the shift lever is in the D posi-
tion. 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 8 available gears
(1 through 8) has been selected by the driver. (The shift
lever is in the D position with 8 ranges enabled) It is
possible for the transmission to automatically select
between all 8 of the gears. In this case, the transmission
has selected third gear.
When in the M position, the “F” mark is displayed.
CAUTION
■The information display at low temperatures
Allow the interior of the vehicle to warm up before using the liquid crystal informa-
tion display. At extremely low temperatures, the information display monitor may
respond slowly, and display changes may be delayed.
For example, there is a lag between the driver's downshifting and the new gear
number appearing on the display. This lag could cause the driver to downshift again,
causing rapid and excessive engine brakin g and possibly an accident resulting in
death or serious injury.

273
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• Moves smoothly (without uneven pedal effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission “Park”
mechanism• Can the vehicle be held securely on an incline with the shift lever in
P?
Brake pedal
• Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clearance and correct amount of free play?
Brakes
• Not pull to one side when applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraints• Move smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Function properly?
Lights
• Do all the lights come on?
• Headlights aimed correctly? ( P. 3 3 2 )
Pa r k i n g b r a ke
• Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on
an incline?
Seat belts
• Does the seat belt system operate smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats• Do the seat controls operate prop- erly?