I was driving an IS-F the other day and the car's transmission automatically down-shifted, including to 1st, when in S Mode. I tried today in my IS350 and nothing. Anyone know if this is something that can be programmed.

 

The IS-F's transmission allows it to be shifted like a manual using the paddle shifters. However, on the ISx50's, its simply a top gear limiter. Whatever gear you have it in, the car won't shift past that gear, but it will shift freely between any gears below it.

I don't think anyone has been able to mod this into a ISx50 yet, probably because it would require reprogramming the computer to allow the transmission to do so.

 

The IS250/350 use shift limiters that automatically shift up to whatever gear you select. For example if you set it to 4 the car will shift automatically but will never go past 4th gear. Only the IS-F will shift when you use the paddles.


Edit: Killa beat me to the punch! =D

 

eh? Automatic shifting is one thing that people don't want....and I am not quite understanding your question.

My IS250 also downshifts automatically in S mode.

 

My IS250 only does it when it is in 6th gear. If I am on the highway and want to pass someone, I put it into shiftable mode by moving the stick over, it goes down to 4th every time. In other cars I've been in it stays in the same gear until you shift it.

 

U surely mean regardless of the speed of the car?

You can downshift all you want by limiting the top end.
you cannot however upshift to any gear you want because there is no practical application other than the intent of killing your transmission. For example if you are going 5mph, why would you even want to shift to the 6th gear?

 

are you sure it drops to 4th? i think mine stay at 6 when i switch from D to S and i just use the paddle shifters to shift down and up

 

In my experience the car does downshift to 4 when you move over to S mode. I can tell because the the rpm's increase slightly.

 

The IS-F, drops the gears to 1 (at a stop) if you don't shift down. Much different paddle shift experience that I wish was a "mod" or "re-program" for the IS X50. Oh well....

 

By default, going into Sport mode sets the top gear at 4, unless that would put the car passed the redline.

 

I'm sure you mean exactly the opposite of what you wrote. An IS-F will not downshift automatically in S mode only the IS-250, 300 and 350 does that.

Your IS 350 though will down shift automatically. Just hit the display button on your steering wheel to show you the actual gears.

 

This car is my first automatic.....is it safe to down shift using the paddle shifters while in S mode? I know all about RPM's and being "safe." But is it hard on the automatic tranny to downshift with the paddleshifters say when your coming to a light.

 

^ I think the car automatically downshifts itself and shifts up to whatever gear you set it to (4 by default)

 

You can play around with the paddle shifters all that you want and it wont' hurt your car. Even though you are telling it to downshift the computer still handels everything. As for using it for engine breaking, it will not harm the car, but it puts alot of stress on the tranny. If you think about the the tranny is ment to keep you moving forward, your breaks and designed to turn kinetic energy into heat. I want to keep my tranny is optimal condition for as long as possible, however break pads i'm willing to replace whenever they need it.

 

The IS-F DownShifts to first gear at a stop if you don't touch the paddle. When in S Mode, my 11 IS350 isn't showing a reduction in gears (ex. 4, 3, 3, 1) unless I shift it.