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Lexus: Why Won't My Lexus Go Into Gear?

Did the battery die over night and now you can't get into any gears? Are the cranks and turns on but you can't physically move it out of it's spot? Read on for information about the various reason why this may be happening.

By Piyush Kayastha - December 5, 2014

This article applies to the IS, ES, GS, and RX (2005-2013).

Occasionally, the shifter in a Lexus (or any other vehicle for that matter) can become stuck or unresponsive. Lexus vehicles don't experience this issue frequently, but it's scary when it does happen. Luckily, the likelihood of the problem being something wrong with the transmission is unlikely. Lexus has built their transmissions to be pretty bulletproof under normal use. Electronics, however, can make things that are not broken seem like they are.

Step 1 - Disengage shift-interlock system

Sometimes, the shift-interlock system can be accidentially engaged as a safety feature. This commonly occurs when a battery has been reset on some Lexus models. Follow these steps to disengage the system:

  1. Engage parking brake.
  2. Turn ignition to LOCK or ACC.
  3. Using a flat head screwdriver, pry up on small square tab next to shifter.
  4. Insert screw driver into hole and push to disengage shift-interlock.
  • Figure 1. Pry up tab with screwdriver.
  • Figure 2. Insert screwdriver to disengage shift-lock.

Pro Tip

The Lexus key is designed to be inserted in to the hole and can be used in alternative to a flat head screw driver.

If your vehicle doesn't have a shift-interlock system, skip to Step 2.

Step 2 - Switch the paddle shifter mode

Some of newer Lexus models come with a "Paddle-Shift" system. It enables the driver to feel as if they are driving in a "sport" mode and the vehicle feels like it is "shifting" through gears like a manual transmission. In actuality, the system is limiting the gears and not changing the gears of the transmission as you paddle up or down. If you notice the mode is "stuck" on gear 4, for example, this indicates you are at the maximum gears allowed in this setting.

  • Switch the shifter mode back to "D" to get out of the sport mode.
  • Figure 3. Pull on the + paddle shifter to increase the limiting gear.
  • Figure 4. Lexus' without paddle shifters have the same function on the shift lever.

Pro Tip

Sport mode can be engaged by moving the shifter to the left while in "D" or Drive to the "S" slot. Vice versa when you want to get out of sport mode.

If your problem doesn't have to do with shift-interlock or paddle shifting, skip to Step 3.

Step 3 - Stuck in 5th gear when it's cold out?

On some Lexus models, when the temperatures are cold out in the morning, the vehicle appears to be "stuck" in 5th gear when driving. This is actually normal and by design it operates this way until the engine reaches normal operating temperature.

  • Drive the car until it reaches normal operating temperature.
Figure 5. Lexus temperature gauge.

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