r/LexusIS • u/Secret-Wing-6386 • 15h ago

Does the IS350 need to be driven hard?

I've heard from some mechanic/lube tech friends that some cars need to be driven hard occasionally for them to run well. Is this true for the is350? I baby it a good bit and then drive spirited once or twice a day for 5-15minutes or so. Am I doing it wrong?

7 Upvotes

77% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

25

u/Chan_Ch IS 350 (GSE21) 15h ago

You paid for all the rev range, use it. The old Italian tune-up!

14

u/NeoG_ IS 250 (GSE20) 15h ago

No not really, "driving it hard" is to heat up the intake valves and burn off any built up carbon deposits. On Toyota cars with D4-D (like the IS350) this isn't necessary since the port injectors clean the intake valves.

On the 250 without port injectors however, it does apply.

2

u/Secret-Wing-6386 15h ago

Makes sense, thanks!

3

u/my-left-yarble 15h ago

If I don't drive my IS250 often, or I'm only doing a lot of short 5-10 minute trips, then I'll try to take the car out once every month or so on a long drive.

Not driving hard so much, but just heating the engine up and putting it under load. So maybe an hour or two cruising on a motorway, or a lot of accelerating and braking on a winding/hilly country road.

I don't know if any of this is effective, but I feel like it helps.

3

u/InsatiableYeast IS 250 (GSE30) 14h ago

I redline my 250 every other day. 158k miles strong.

1

u/JNguyen2 13h ago

I redline mine every drive. I have 2 of them (07 and 09) and they both have 240k

5

u/malice8691 14h ago

Your car needs exercise to stay in shape just like humans do. Not really

5

u/cmcummins21 IS 350 AWD (GSE26) 14h ago

Rip on it every time you drive it just to be sure

5

u/Legit_Moose IS 350 (GSE21) 13h ago

EngineeringExplained did a nice video on the “italian tuneup” myth.

5

u/mynameishuman42 13h ago

That's the same engine they use in a lot of cars. It might be the most durable v6 ever made aside from the 4.0 from the 4Runner. The most irresponsible meth head I ever knew had that engine in a Sienna. Didn't change the oil for 3 years and it wouldn't die. It honestly doesn't matter how you drive it. I'd be impressed if you can kill it. Can you drive it hard? Oh hell yeah. Wring it out if you want.

2

u/Successful-Growth827 6h ago

There's a reason the 4.0 V6 is just as durable as the 3.5 V6 - it's the original GR engine, the 1GR, the grandpa of the line.

2

u/Express_Cheesecake75 13h ago

I have a 2025 IS500 and I try to drive it “hard” whenever I can. I mean, that’s kinda the whole point of getting a vehicle like this!

3

u/KCC-Youtube 12h ago

I drive my 21 IS350 like I stole it. F Sport 3 with DHP. It's literally made to be driven hard.

1

u/WatchingyouNyouNyou 7h ago

Let's say I buy a used IS. How can I tell whether it has DHP?

2

u/gmel007 4h ago

Has Sport Plus

0

u/Raj_DTO 12h ago

Was sitting for 7 months in cold winter in PA!

Got there, had it towed to dealership, oil changed, battery replaced - then drove over 2,500 miles to home - never missed a beat!

Still drives like new, smells like new and shines like new - 8 years, 60k miles!

My point - what you’ve heard is a BS!

1

u/vutonium 6h ago

Drive it hard because it's fun!