"S" Mode and Paddle Shifters
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: SC
"S" Mode and Paddle Shifters
When you put your IS in "S" mode and use the paddle shifters does it harm your car in the long run? Like does it result in a shorter transmission life or anything like that? Just wondering because I recently started using them and a friend told me it ruins your transmission really quick. Thanks!
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 5
From: Orange County
I'm too lazy to go find the posts but I'm sure it can be found with some searching but, I once saw that a Lexus technician said to always leave it in sport mode. If you have an is250 it will help present carbon buildup or at least minimize its effects. It doesn't substantially lower the transmissions life, but higher rpms means the transmission is working harder. If you aren't racing I think you should be fine, it's only a problem if you are redlining it on a daily basis. If you give it a WOT here and there that's actually good.
I drive with sport mode on 90% of the time and my transmission is fine... and I'm at 145,000 miles.
I drive with sport mode on 90% of the time and my transmission is fine... and I'm at 145,000 miles.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: SC
I'm too lazy to go find the posts but I'm sure it can be found with some searching but, I once saw that a Lexus technician said to always leave it in sport mode. If you have an is250 it will help present carbon buildup or at least minimize its effects. It doesn't substantially lower the transmissions life, but higher rpms means the transmission is working harder. If you aren't racing I think you should be fine, it's only a problem if you are redlining it on a daily basis. If you give it a WOT here and there that's actually good.
I drive with sport mode on 90% of the time and my transmission is fine... and I'm at 145,000 miles.
I drive with sport mode on 90% of the time and my transmission is fine... and I'm at 145,000 miles.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 5
From: Orange County
I'm too lazy to go find the posts but I'm sure it can be found with some searching but, I once saw that a Lexus technician said to always leave it in sport mode. If you have an is250 it will help present carbon buildup or at least minimize its effects. It doesn't substantially lower the transmissions life, but higher rpms means the transmission is working harder. If you aren't racing I think you should be fine, it's only a problem if you are redlining it on a daily basis. If you give it a WOT here and there that's actually good.
I drive with sport mode on 90% of the time and my transmission is fine... and I'm at 145,000 miles.
I drive with sport mode on 90% of the time and my transmission is fine... and I'm at 145,000 miles.
'S' or shift mode only acts as a gear limiter. For example: when you're in 1st gear, you're saying that the transmission isn't allowed to shift above 1st. When you shift up to second, you're allowing it to shift up. However, it doesn't mean you always shifts when you shift it up. It's slightly more complicated but that's about it. It's basically a restricted automatic
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Car can hold gear on down hill even in full auto mode. You don't need to be in S mode.
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Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: WA
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 815
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Do any of you guys feel any difference between S and D? I cannot tell any difference. I can definitely tell the difference in PWR mode(really nice).
I find the S mode to be just as useless as the pedal shifters. I cannot understand Lexus not giving manual control on this car, any other manufacture does.It is just stupid on their part and nothing irritates me more on my car than the fake pedal shifters that doesn;t do what they suppose to do.
I find the S mode to be just as useless as the pedal shifters. I cannot understand Lexus not giving manual control on this car, any other manufacture does.It is just stupid on their part and nothing irritates me more on my car than the fake pedal shifters that doesn;t do what they suppose to do.
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: WA
Do any of you guys feel any difference between S and D? I cannot tell any difference. I can definitely tell the difference in PWR mode(really nice).
I find the S mode to be just as useless as the pedal shifters. I cannot understand Lexus not giving manual control on this car, any other manufacture does.It is just stupid on their part and nothing irritates me more on my car than the fake pedal shifters that doesn;t do what they suppose to do.
I find the S mode to be just as useless as the pedal shifters. I cannot understand Lexus not giving manual control on this car, any other manufacture does.It is just stupid on their part and nothing irritates me more on my car than the fake pedal shifters that doesn;t do what they suppose to do.
What are you expecting the S mode to do? Something tells me you need to read the manual.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 815
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Uhh they do exactly what they are supposed to do, they are gear limiters and I have never seen them marketed otherwise. If you want to have more control buy an ISF or get a stick shift car.
What are you expecting the S mode to do? Something tells me you need to read the manual.
What are you expecting the S mode to do? Something tells me you need to read the manual.
And you are wrong, Lexus market them as gear shifters and not gear limiters, in their confusing way to mislead. It's only when you read the manual you find out that they're limiters and are useless.
Lexus description on their website. "IS sport sedans are fitted with race-inspired steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. They allow drivers to quickly upshift or downshift gears without taking their hands off the wheel." Which coming from a BMW, Acura, VW, Audi, Infinity or any other car company you might think of: manumatic.
P.s. when I shop for this car all the dealers I came across had no idea those are gear limiters and not shifters.
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: WA
Since all the paddle shifters in the cars are used to allow you to shift gears MANUALLY those doesn't do what they suppose to do.
And you are wrong, Lexus market them as gear shifters and not gear limiters, in their confusing way to mislead. It's only when you read the manual you find out that they're limiters and are useless.
Lexus description on their website. "IS sport sedans are fitted with race-inspired steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. They allow drivers to quickly upshift or downshift gears without taking their hands off the wheel." Which coming from a BMW, Acura, VW, Audi, Infinity or any other car company you might think of: manumatic.
P.s. when I shop for this car all the dealers I came across had no idea those are gear limiters and not shifters.
And you are wrong, Lexus market them as gear shifters and not gear limiters, in their confusing way to mislead. It's only when you read the manual you find out that they're limiters and are useless.
Lexus description on their website. "IS sport sedans are fitted with race-inspired steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. They allow drivers to quickly upshift or downshift gears without taking their hands off the wheel." Which coming from a BMW, Acura, VW, Audi, Infinity or any other car company you might think of: manumatic.
P.s. when I shop for this car all the dealers I came across had no idea those are gear limiters and not shifters.
When you shopped for the car did you test drive it? When I drove the ISF and tested the shifter I could instantly tell the difference from test driving the IS350.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 815
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Usually many cars manufactures have P R N D 3 2 1 where 3, 2, 1 are the shift limiters, and separate from D , +/- for manual overdrive shift.
I think Lexus purposely used this technique to mislead.