transmission LEXUS RX350 2011 Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
2
1-1.Key information
Keys ...................................................... 26
1-2. Opening, closing and
locking the doors
Smart access system with
push-button start ........................... 31
Wireless remote control .............. 43
Side doors .......................................... 47
Back door .......................................... 50
1-3. Adjustable components
(seats, mirrors,
steering wheel)
Front seats ........................................... 61
Rear seats ........................................... 66
Driving position memory ............. 70
Head restraints................................. 73
Seat belts ............................................ 75
Steering wheel................................. 83
Anti-glare inside rear view
mirror ............................................... 85
Outside rear view mirrors ........... 87
1-4. Opening and closing the
windows and moon roof
Power windows............................... 90
Moon roof .......................................... 93
1-5. Refueling
Opening the fuel tank cap........... 97
1-6. Theft deterrent system
Engine immobilizer system ........ 101
Alarm.................................................. 103
Theft prevention labels
(for U.S.A.) .................................... 106
1-7. Safety information
Correct driving posture ............. 107
SRS airbags ..................................... 109
Front passenger occupant
classification system .................. 122
Child restraint systems ................ 127
Installing child restraints ............... 131
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle ........................ 144
Engine (ignition) switch .............. 153
Automatic transmission.............. 159
Turn signal lever............................. 163
Parking brake ................................. 164
Horn.................................................... 165
1Before driving
2When driving

14
Pictorial indexInterior
C
Cup holders P. 402
Remote Touch ∗, *2
All-wheel drive lock switch ∗ P. 237
VSC off switch P. 233
Seat heater switches ∗ /
Seat heater and ventilator switches ∗ P. 416
Automatic transmission shift lever P. 159
Shift lock override button P. 579
∗: If equipped
*2: Refer to “Navigation System Owner's Manual”.

159
2-1. Driving procedures
2

When driving
Automatic transmission
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
nShifting the shift lever
While the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION
ON mode, depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever.
nShift position purpose
*1:Shifting to the D position allows the system to select a gear suitable for the
driving conditions. Setting the shift lever to the D position is recommended
for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possible
gear ranges, controls engine braking forces, and prevents unnecessary
upshifting.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 (→P. 161)

162
2-1. Driving procedures
nSnow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is
turned off after driving in snow mode.
nS mode
lWhen the shift range is “5” or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the
shift range to “6”.
lTo prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automatically occur.
lTo protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that automatically
selects a higher shift range when the fluid temperature is high.
nAI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically selects the optimal gear according to driver performance
and driving conditions.
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position. (Shifting
the shift lever to the S position cancels the function.)
nWhen driving with the cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control
Engine braking will not occur in S mode, even when downshifting to “5” or “4”.
(→P. 204, 208)
nIf the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
→P. 5 7 9
nIf S does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same as manner as when the
shift lever is in D.)
nDownshift restriction warning buzzer (S mode)
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even
when the shift lever is operated. (The buzzer will sound twice.)

166
2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters
Tachometer
Displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute
Multi-information display
→P. 1 7 3
Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed
Fuel gauge
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank
Odometer and trip meter
Odometer: Displays the total distance the vehicle has been driven
Trip meter: Displays the distance the vehicle has been driven since the
meter was last reset. Trip meters “A” and “B” can be used to
record and display different distances independently.
Automatic transmission shift position indicator
→P. 1 5 9
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature

247
2-5. Driving information
2

When driving
CAUTION
nOff-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death or serious
injury or damage to your vehicle:
lDrive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving in
dangerous places.
lDo not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump could
jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and especially your
thumbs on the outside of the rim.
lAlways check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in sand,
mud, water or snow.
lAfter driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, water, etc., check that there is no
grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped to the underbody.
Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the vehicle is used with these
materials trapped or adhering to the underbody, a breakdown or fire could occur.
lWhen driving off-road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive speeds,
jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or vehi-
cle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also risking expensive dam-
age to your vehicle’s suspension and chassis.
NOTICE
nTo prevent water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the engine or
other components does not occur.
lWater entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.
lWater entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift quality,
locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ultimately dam-
age.
lWater can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and premature
failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and transfer case, reduc-
ing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.

265
2-5. Driving information
2

When driving
lCrosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling of your
vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Periodically check the rear to prepare
for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may cause your vehi-
cle and trailer to sway. If swaying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel,
reduce speed immediately but gradually, and steer straight ahead.
Never increase speed. If you make no extreme correction with the
steering or brakes, your vehicle and trailer will stabilize.
lTake care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires considerable
distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your
trailer, and be sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
lIn order to maintain engine braking efficiency when driving on a long
steep downgrade, do not use overdrive. Transmission shift range posi-
tion must be in 4 in S mode.
lDue to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's engine may over-
heat on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when driving up
a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in use),
pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. (→P. 587)
lAlways place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and the trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do so
only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and
trailer wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in place, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5

266
2-5. Driving information
lWhen restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in the P position, start the engine. Be sure
to keep the brake pedal depressed.
Shift into 3, 2, 1, or the R position (if reversing).
Release the parking brake and brake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
nBefore towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
lThe vehicle's tires are properly inflated. (→P. 4 8 7 )
lTrailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer's recommendation.
lAll trailer lights work.
lAll lights work each time you connect them.
lThe trailer ball is set up at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.
lThe vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is hitched. Do not
drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper tongue load, overloading,
worn suspension, or other possible causes.
lThe trailer cargo is securely loaded.
lThe rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or local
regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for towing pur-
poses.
nBreak-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components (such as
an engine, transmission, differential and wheel bearing), Lexus recommends that
you do not tow a trailer until it has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km).
However, avoid full throttle acceleration.
nMaintenance
lIf you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. (See “Warranty and Services Guide”, “Owner's Manual Sup-
plement” or “Scheduled Maintenance”.)
lRetighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately 600
miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

270
2-5. Driving information
Dinghy towing
NOTICE
nTo avoid serious damage to your vehicle
nTo prevent causing serious damage to the transmission and Active Torque Con-
trol 4WD system (AWD models)
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the
ground) behind a motor home.
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on
the ground.
2WD models: Never tow this vehicle from
the rear with the front wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious damage to the trans-
mission.
AW D m o d e l s : N e v e r t ow this vehicle with
any of the wheels on the ground. This may
cause serious damage to the transmission
and Active Torque Control 4WD system.

506
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6ECU-IG1 NO. 310 A
Outside rear view mirror, windshield
wipers and washer, seat heaters,
starter system, power outlet, moon
roof, Automatic High Beam
7ECU-IG1 NO. 110 A
Multiplex communication system,
electric power steering system, shift
lock control system, tilt and telescopic
steering, starter system, automatic
transmission system, power back
door, tire pressure warning system
8S/ROOF30 AMoon roof
9FUEL OPN7. 5 AFuel filler door opener
10PSB30 APre-collision seat belt
11TI & TE30 ATilt and telescopic steering system
12DR LOCK10 APower door lock system
13FR FOG15 AFront fog lights
14P-S E AT L H30 APo w e r s e a t ( l e f t - s i d e )
154WD7. 5 AAW D s y s t e m
16INVERTER20 A
17RR FOG7. 5 A
18D/L ALT B25 AMultiplex communication system
19HEATER10 AAir conditioning system
20ECU-IG1 NO. 210 A
Air conditioning system, multiport fuel
injection system/sequential multiport
fuel injection system, SRS airbag sys-
tem, multi-information display
FuseAmpereCircuit