Compass Is Off

[bwhitley]

I have a 2008 IS250 AWD with 5,500 miles. Recently I noticed the rear view mirror compass is off by about 90 degrees. For example, when I am driving due west it says south. There is nothing new in my car that is metallic. Any ideas on what is up with this? Anyone else have this problem?

[IS.Canadian]

Hi, have you checked that you have calibrated your compass? I wouldn't think that it would be that far off even if you haven't, but it doesn't hurt to try. The info is in your owner's manual.

Good luck.

[bartkat]

There's an adjustment for your region and if that doesn't do it there's a "drive around in a circle" method in the owners' manual.

[bwhitley]

There's an adjustment for your region and if that doesn't do it there's a "drive around in a circle" method in the owners' manual.

It won't show me "CAL". How do you force calibration? Would disconnecting the battery work?

[bartkat]

Go here and scroll down for the calibration instructions. Is this what you're doing?

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...ost&id=3783

The direction display deviates from the true direction determined by the

earth’s magnetic field. The amount of deviation varies according to the

geographic position of the vehicle.

If you cross over a map boundary shown in illustration, the compass will deviate.

To obtain higher precision or perfect calibration, refer to the following.

nDeviation calibration

Stop the vehicle where it is safe to drive in a circle.

Press AUTO until a number (1 to

15) appears on the compass display.

Press AUTO, and referring to the map above, select the number

of the zone where you are.

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

244

3-5. Other interior features

Press AUTO again.

If the direction is displayed several seconds after adjustment, the calibration

is complete.

nCircling calibration

If CAL appears on the display,

drive the vehicle at 5 mph (8 km/

h) or less in a circle until a direction

is displayed.

If there is not enough space to

drive in a circle, drive around the

block until the direction is displayed.

STEP 4

nConditions unfavorable to correct operation

The compass may not show the correct direction in the following conditions:

lThe vehicle is stopped immediately after turning.

lThe vehicle is on an inclined surface.

lThe vehicle is in a place where the earth's magnetic field is subject to interference

by artificial magnetic fields (underground car park/parking lot, under a

steel tower, between buildings, roof car park/parking lot, near an intersection,

near a large vehicle, etc.).

lThe vehicle has become magnetized.

(There is a magnet or metal object near the inside rear view mirror.)

lThe battery has been disconnected.

lA door is open.

I don't think CAL will come up unless the system thinks it needs to CAL.