IS250David

Hi guys - I'm worried because I just got my new (used) 2015 IS 250 and when I got it home I had the car on, ignition off, depressed the brakes and shifted the gears to reverse and drive (from park). I was shifting gears because I thought the ignition was on.

Anyways, it caused the check engine light to go on, sounds were going off, things were blinking, and my car moved forward a bit because I was on a slope. Did I just cause permanent damage to my car already on day 1? I put my car back in park, turned it on normally, drove it a few miles and it seems fine.. but I'm still concerned I did something horrible?

Please help me get some peace of mind!

Thanks,
David (the dummy)

RXSF

No, you didn't do any damage.

Lights were on because you were in ACC mode and the sound was probably to inform you that you weren't in Park with the ignition off. I do this all the time on my cars. I am OCD about starting my car just to move it an inch, so I usually do this by putting the car in Neutral, ignition off, and push my car forward

mmarshall

Welcome to CL.

I agree with RXSF. I don't think you did any damage. Modern Lexus products, as do many vehicles today with quiet-running engines, generally have safety-systems programmed in that, short of actually jamming the transmission into park while the vehicle is moving (which you didn't do) will prevent you from doing something that would damage the power train, like start the ignition when the engine is already running. And, because you already had the ignition off, there's even less chance of damage.

IS250David

Thanks for the welcome, mmarshall!

and much appreciated RXSF and mmarshall for clearing my mind on this point. I was thinking the engine was off so I couldn't really have done too much damage. I looked up ACC mode, which was a helpful tidbit.. the more you know!

thanks again

RXSF

ACC mode simply means you turned on the electrics but the car isn't on. It is activated by pushing the start button twice without your foot on the brake.