Happened today during the snow storm. I never drive in auto when it's snowing. I usually use the first 3 gears to get around, this allows me to engine brake, which reduces the slipping and sliding greatly.

Anyways, today my car ( after 3 winters and many snow events ) decided to disable the 1st gear ??? I have tried turning the snow mode on / off as well as the VSC , but the car would not give me the 1st gear back

Eventually it released it and I was a happy camper again Below is the message I was getting every time I tried to down shift.

 

First time I see that message.

 

I read about that in the manual a long time ago, but haven't seen it happen in my car. But I don't drive in manual mode in the snow either, so I guess that would be why. I'm not sure what triggers it, maybe an attempt to engage 1st and it detects wheel(s) slipping?

 

Wow, didn't realize the GS could revoke gear privileges based on slippage. Pretty interesting lol.

 

Lol yes I've seen this a few times while driving in our many blizzards and snowstorms we've had in the past month. I wanted to bring this up but couldn't catch a pic as here in Mass we tend to drive like a battle royale.

I don't exactly understand how it determines the surface as sometimes when I'm clearly slipping it will allow me to grab it but then sometimes on not so slippery surfaces it will apologize for being inconvenient.

 

Maybe the computer has to detect x number of times there is wheel slippage within x period of time before it automatically locks out M1. That would not bode well if you wanted to do numerous burnouts and clocked runs at [say] a drag strip. I'd hate to do a burnout and then stage the car...all to end up surprisingly (and sluggishly) launching off the line like a turtle on crutches in 2nd gear (Snow Mode).

 

With nice winter tires, i never get this message . However, even when i turn TC off, its kicks back on when wheel speed gets above 30mph

 

You say it gave you that message with the Trac off? I was able to spin my car like a mad tornado on snow with the trac off I do not remember if I had it in Drive or Manual mode though. I am pretty sure that it didn't start me in 2nd as I was able to get the the spin without much work.

 

My car spins like a mad tornado in the rain in M1-3 with Trac off.

 

Trac was on when I got the message. I turned it off, but it would still not release the gear.

 

Engine braking in first gear in slippery conditions is not good. You are better off using your brakes as they have ABS. Engine braking can easily lock up the tires especially in lower gears. I'd bet that's why they made it that way.

 

Are you holding the TC button down long enough to light up the yellow image in the speedo. I run in town over 30 mph without the TC turning back on. I just wish you could control it while moving instead of on or off only while stopped.

 

good stuff good stuff. yeah i always drive in manual and when it snows i get that message too hahaha

 

Interesting...

Hey this would be a great question to use if you want to try out the new "Lexus Customer Service forum on Club Lexus". Maybe you can post your question about the "feature" there and let us know what happens!

 

I believe it is set up the same way as my tacoma. It keeps everything off until 30mph then it turns it back off when you go below 30mph.