So I have an '18 IS350 F Sport AWD (which obviously has AVS which seems to be on all the time). As I've been playing around with the drive modes (Normal, Sport, Sport +, and Custom), I'm trying to figure out what is on and what is off with each mode.

I've gone through a ton of topics on here, watched the Lexus made videos on YouTube regarding drive modes, but nothing specifically says what's on and off in each setting.

Here is what I think is happening, but would love confirmation (especially on the Custom setting).

Normal = Steering weight - Normal, Suspension firmness - Normal, Throttle response - Normal
Sport = Steering weight - Normal, Suspension firmness - Normal, Throttle response - Sport
Sport + = Steering weight - Sport, Suspension firmness - Sport, Throttle response - Sport

Custom Option 1 - Only "chassis" set to Sport:
Steering weight - Normal, Suspension firmness - Sport, Throttle response - Normal
OR
Steering weight - Sport, Suspension firmness - Sport, Throttle response - Normal

Custom Option 2 - Only "powertrain" set to Sport:
Steering weight - Normal, Suspension firmness - Normal, Throttle response - Sport
If this is the case, how is this option any different than putting it into Sport? Other than pressing down for Custom vs turning right for Sport

Custom Option 3 - Both "powertrain" and "chassis' set to Sport:
Steering weight - Sport, Suspension firmness - Sport, Throttle response - Sport
Similar question to above, how is this option any different than putting it into Sport +?

 

in Sport mode it wide throttle out and holds RPM like Stickshift driving
in Sport+ the AVS will strengthen out suspension/steering and make it stiffer along with WOT and RPM

AVS won't activate in Normal or Eco mode

 

AVS is always on. Sport+ makes the dampers stiffer making the suspension stiffer but the AVS is always active on all settings.

 

 

Most people here have the older versions so can't help you here. I guess just driving with it in the custom modes will tell you the story as Sport+ is really noticeable and different than just Sport.

 

That's the problem, when in Sport + the throttle response combined with the steering and dampening firmness, all come together very well (especially on the f sport). When in custom (with only chassis selected to sport) it's hard to tell if it's the full on Sport + suspension and steering minus the added throttle response, or just a paired down version of it. I believe you are probably right though about it being newer, although the custom setting has been on the GS for a while. Maybe I should be asking on that side of the forum lol

 

thanks EZZ i got it

 

Same issue over there. Custom mode was new for 2016+ so not many have experience with it. Personally, I don't see the use for it and just stick with the 4 other drive modes available. Doesn't really seem like it does anything useful and it's a bit confusing as the options available don't match up with other drive modes (i.e. Power mode & Sport chassis). I also cannot tell if it's in the same settings used in Sport+ or if it's less harsh when using Sport chassis settings (seems to be less harsh, imo). Not sure what's going on. Only setting you can gain is Normal engine response with Sport chassis, but again, what that even entails and if it's even as aggressive as the settings used in Sport+, who knows?

What I've noticed in multiple Lexus models (with adaptive suspension) is that each drive mode (Eco, Normal, Sport, Sport+) changes everything. So each of the 4 has different suspension settings, steering weight, etc. which goes completely against what Lexus even says is going on (they say that the only steering and suspension changes that occur take place in Sport+ mode which is 100% bogus - each mode has a distinct difference. Eco has the lightest steering effort and seems to use the slowest steering ratio available at all times (VGRS) and makes the ride very floaty and soft, too soft almost, IMO, for example. Normal mode uses slightly more effort in steering as well as making it more progressive and uses a quicker steering ratio more of the time, the ride is significantly less floaty and remains quite flat without being bumpy, etc. etc.).