gbrickey

OK - I'll be the first to admit I didn't read every page of the user's manual for my 2015 IS350 F Sport. Coming from an Acura TL Type-S, I sort of assumed the paddle shifters on the IS only work in Manual mode. Come to find out - they also work in all Drive modes, even ECO mode.


The owners manual covers it, and it's primarily for down-shifting to take advantage of engine braking. In fact - it will downshift up the three gears at once (from 8th to 5th) depending on speed and engine RPM. The shift to manual is temporary and it will return to D mode automatically.


Check it out!

dojoman

iTrader: (5)

It's been known for years. You're a bit late to the party. lol
Most cars with paddle shifter work in D not just Lexus. Tried it on Porsche, BMW, etc..

AMNss

Yup most cars does it, even Hyundai.

anthonys2r

iTrader: (1)

This has been around since the 2IS lol

gbrickey

My Acura TL's paddle shifters were deactivated if you weren't in manual mode, so this was a sweet find for me. And how are all the other Lexus newbies to know unless we spread the word - Lexus got it right.

dojoman

iTrader: (5)

People that had second gen already knew but even if you messed around while driving people will eventually find out. Here's another one. When you're in D and you downshift but want to get back the car to shift for you again, instead of waiting a few seconds you can actually hold down shift up a few sec to intermediately go back to auto.

ARM350F

The only bad thing about using the paddles in D mode is that it's slow to shift. It shifts a lot faster in manual mode.

J3ffrey

It's actually a pretty nice feature..

manchild

my GTI had this feature and I used it allot back then. I don't really use it on my IS350 just smashing the gas down does a good enough job getting me from point A to point B rather quickly.

anthonys2r

iTrader: (1)

Agreed, the 8-speed transmission is smart enough to downshift a gear or two when flooring to maximize torque

MatrixPC

There are few cars that weren't true manual mode type but simply a gear limiter type. My Sienna is one of those.

I try the manual mode in the IS, and I can tell you that it is suck big time. I just leave it to the ECU to do that job for me. Simply floor the pedal and it can down shift a gear or two.
One reason I haven't sold my Supra yet is driving a TRUE manual tranny.

gbrickey

I rarely use full manual unless I'm demonstrating the car to someone.
Since discovering the downshift, I do use it occasionally for slowing down when coming up on a light or stop sign, and I do like that feature. I've never felt the need to use it when I need to punch the gas.