UPDATED: The Lexus IS secret cheat code?

Lexus IS Has Secret Cheat Code

This makes sense when you think about it. Cars have computers and computers have always had hidden Easter eggs and cheat codes, so it was inevitable that someone would find a cheat code hidden inside a car. Case in point: here’s way to disable the traction/skid control systems called VDIM on the Lexus IS:

***“start the car with the parking brake on ….then foot brake twice….(keep the foot brake down)….then parking brake twice (keep it down )and repeat till skid light is on the dash…..it will reset when you restart the car”

Source: Realtechnews.com via VW Vortex forum post

Here's an update from one of the forum members over at IS350forums.com

I just got back from an attempt to confirm it and I think I was successful. Here is what I did:

1. (VDIM ON) As stated above, I set the parking brake and started the car. Pumped the brakes twice, set and reset the parking brake twice. I pumped the brakes twice more and the TRAC-OFF light came on the dash.

2. (VDIM OFF) From a stop, I turned right. I started slow but went to full throttle before I was fully into the turn. The RPMs went way up when it shifted to second and I felt I could hear the rear wheels losing traction, but it was not a "squeel".

3. (VDIM OFF) I found an emtpy parking lot. Stopped the car and turned the wheel all the way left. Went right to full throttle. The back end slid out and I did doughnuts. The wheels didnt "squeel", but the RPMs where up and the rear-end had 0 traction.

4. (VDIM ON/TRAC-OFF) Shut down the car to reset. Set TRAC-OFF. Did the same as #3. The back end never lost traction but there was a LOT of "squeel".

5. (VDIM OFF) From a red light, I made a left turn. I immediately went to full throttle and completely lost the rear end and had to counter steer. Some "squeeling".

6. (VDIM ON/TRAC-OFF) I did the same as #5 at the same light. The rear end started to slip. I Heard 4 beeps in quick succession and the rear end got traction and was back on track.

I didnt bother doing VDIM-ON/TRAC-ON as I think #5 and #6 prove it.

The key here are the 4 beeps. Using this method to disable VDIM will let you completely lose the rear-end and smoke the tires. You'll NEVER hear the beeps.

***not a recommendation by AutoSpies.com for safety reasons

DiamondJim - 11/19/2005 7:15:32 AM

+1 Boost

i had to look for info on disabling these annoying beeps in my car and it took forever. printing this makes the world a better place. if you don't like it, run along and play in your little sandbox ;-)

LuvSpies - 11/22/2005 1:37:47 AM

+1 Boost

Unfortunately, while you may both be responsible and quite mature with your sandbox and handholding references, you've missed the point of the post.

Quite frankly, I could not care less if you choose to turn off VDIM. I would only hope that you prove your responsibility by doing so when you won't risk the well being of innocent parties. We all have the right to wrap our cars around a tree but not to harm others.

That point being made, I was mainly pointing out that it was disingenuous of the producers of this site to provide such information and then tag it with a lame disclaimer.

If they believe it's important information for the public to have, information that Lexus is not providing for the automobile THEY manufacture and sell, then they should have the fortitude to print it without a disclaimer. After all, no one is going to be harmed by this information, are they? As you've pointed out to me, IS owners are responsible enough to make decisions and therefore will be responsible enough to make sure no one is harmed by the use of this information.

Matthew1 - 11/23/2005 11:16:08 PM

+1 Boost

First, when you say: "Just shows how serious Lexus is getting about the full driving experience"

Do you think Lexus intended for the traction control to be turned off? No. I mean, look at the compliacated procedure you have to go through just to turn it off. ...BMW has a button.

And If you think a GS430 is cut out for track work, you are seriously misguided.

Smoking BMWs around a track in a GS?

Yeah, right.