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!

 

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..

 

Yup most cars does it, even Hyundai.

 

This has been around since the 2IS lol

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

It's actually a pretty nice feature..

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.