So I have been trying different things and I want to know the BEST way to downshift in the IS350 from a dead stop to drive as well as while already in drive. Do you put the car in Manual mode leave it at the 4th gear, run it to 4th, then downshift to 3 and upshift all the way to 6 right away? Do you take your foot off the gas when you downshift and upshift backor leave your foot on gas without ever removing it? Do you leave your car in auto and then just switch it to manual when it hit's 4th? You get the idea...just interested in finding out the real correct way to do it on this car. MUCH appreciated!

 

Put it in "D", and forget it, and quit obsessing!

 

Depends, on downhills of course I left go of my accelerator and downshift.
But during switching lanes, keep it on the accelerator and downshift.
During city driving (If I do go manual), I accelerate, shift, (about .5 seconds later) I let go of accelerator, let it shift, then stomp on the accelerator again.
Sometimes I downshift to get ready then stomp on it.

 

And now we know why you never see the far side of 20 mpg...

 

QFT.

 

I keep it in drive and ETCPWR. The IS350 does an excellent job of downshifting perfectly when brake at just about the prefect time. I tend to brake like I’m on a track, not long sustained braking but short and hard. The ETCPWR setting will pop down in gear perfectly and raise up the RPM's. I've been nothing but impressed with the Auto in this car. I almost don’t miss the 6 speeds in my S2000 and Sti.


On the flip side, when I turn ETCPWR off… its real damn bad, I would shift manually if that were our only choice.

 

Man... there goes aaaaaaaalllllll the gas!

 

I typically let the car downshift for me. It's quicker and more accurate for whatever you need.

Otherwise, upshifting is more of a concern. I like pushing it a little harder when it comes to acceleration. Not too much, but I definately prefer the control of it...

 

If I am at speed and I have to brake harder then average, I like to use the trans to help shed some speed. I move the selector into manual and the trans drops to 4th causing the engine RPMs to rise and help slow the vehicle. I continue to drop gears until I'm down to a speed that I do not have to apply allot of brake force and pop it back into full auto. By keeping it in full auto you will get the best mileage. This car is amazing, in that you are in 5th gear almost idling around town, at low speeds. With the 4.08 gearing, there is no chugging. I find this trans to be very SLICK!

Koz