LEXUS RX350 2016 Owners Manual

2314-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350_U_OM48E90U To enter M mode, shift the shift lever to M. Gears can then be selected by oper-
ating the shift lever or paddle shift switches, allowing you to drive in the gear of
your choosing.
Upshifting
Downshifting The gear changes once every time the
shift lever or paddle shift switch is oper-
ated.
The selected gear, from M1 to M8, will
be fixed and displayed on the meters.
When in the M position, the gear will no t change unless the shift lever or pad-
dle shift switches are operated.
However, even when in the M position, the gears will be automatically
changed in the following situation: ●
When vehicle speed drops (downshift only). ●
When the automatic transmission flui d or engine coolant temperature is
low. ●
When automatic transmission fluid temperature is high (upshift only). ●
When the needle of the tachometer is in the red zone (the range which
exceeds the allowable revs of the engine).
In the following situations, the gear will not shift even if the shift lever or paddle
shift switches are operated. ●
The vehicle speed is low (upshift only).Selecting gears in the M position 1
2

232 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350_U_OM48E90U ■
Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D position
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situations:●
The “+” paddle shift switch is held down for a period of time●
When the vehicle comes to a stop ●
If the accelerator pedal is depressed for more than a certain period of time ●
When the shift lever is shifted to a position other than D ■
To protect the automatic transmission
If the automatic transmission fluid temperat ure is high, “Transmission Fluid Temp High
See Owner’s Manual” will be displayed on th e multi-information display and the vehicle
will go into transmission protection mode automatically. Have the vehicle inspected by
your Lexus dealer. ■
Downshifting restriction warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performa nce, downshifting operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even when the
shift lever or paddle shift switch is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)■
When driving with cruise control, dynamic radar cruise control or dynamic radar
cruise control with full -speed range activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking,
engine braking will not activate because cruise control, dynamic radar cruise control or
dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range will not be canceled.●
While driving in D position, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4. (  P. 302, 314, 326)●
When switching the driving mode to sp ort mode while driving in D position.
(  P. 3 6 9 )■
Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
When the following unusual operation is performed, the engine output may be
restrained. ●
When the shift lever is shifted from R to D, D to R, N to R, P to D, or P to R (D includes
M) with the accelerator pedal depressed, a warning message appears on the multi-
information display. If a warning message is shown on the multi-information display,
read the message and follow the instructions. ●
When the accelerator pedal is depresse d too while the vehicle is in reverse.

2334-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350_U_OM48E90U ■
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
 P. 660 ■
AI-SHIFT ●
The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitab le gear according to driver performance
and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when th e shift lever is in D. (Shifting the shift
lever to the M position cancels the function.) ●
G AI-SHIFT automatically selects a suitab le gear for sporty driving according to
driver’s input and driving conditions. G AI-S HIFT operates automatically when the shift
lever is in D and sport mode is selected for the driving mode. (Selecting normal mode
with the driving mode select switch or shifting the shift lever to the M position cancels
this function.)
WA R N I N G ■
When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden accele ration, as this could result in the vehicle
skidding to the side or spinning.

234 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350_U_OM48E90U Right turn
Lane change to the right (move the
lever partway and release it) The right hand signals will flash 3 times.
Lane change to the left (move the
lever partway and release it) The left hand signals will flash 3 times.
Left turn
■
Turn signals can be operated when
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode. ■
If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned out. ■
If the turn signals stop flashing befo re a lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again. ■
Customization
Some functions can be customized. (  P. 6 9 9 )Turn signal lever Operating instructions 1
2
3
4

2354-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350_U_OM48E90U The parking brake is set or released automatically according to shift lever opera-
tion.
Even when in automatic mode, the parkin g brake can be set and released manu-
ally. (  P. 2 3 6 )
Turns automatic mode on (while the
vehicle is stopped, pull and hold the
parking brake switch until the auto-
matic mode lamp turns on) • When the shift lever is moved out of
P, the parking brake will be released,
and the parking brake indicator light
and parking brake lamp turn off.
• When the shift lever is moved into P,
the parking brake will be set, and the
parking brake indicator light and
parking brake lamp turn on.
Operate the shift lever with the brake
pedal depressed.
Turns automatic mode off (while the
vehicle is stopped, press and hold
the parking brake switch until the
automatic mode lamp turns off)Parking brake A selections can be made as de sired from the following modes.
Automatic mode
Automatic
mode lamp U.S.A. Canada
Pa r k i n g
brake lamp1
2

236 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350_U_OM48E90U The parking brake can be set and released manually.
Sets the parking brake The parking brake indicator light and
parking brake lamp will turn on.
Pull and hold the parking brake switch if
an emergency occurs and it is necessary
to operate the parking brake while driv-
ing.
Releases the parking brake Operate the parking brake switch while
depressing the brake pedal. Make sure
that the parking brake indicator light
and parking brake lamp turn off.
If the parking brake indicator light and
parking brake lamp flashes, operate the
switch again. (  P. 6 3 4 )■
Parking brake operation ●
When the engine switch is not in IGNITION ON mode, the parking brake cannot be
released using the pa rking brake switch.●
When the engine switch is not in IGNI TION ON mode, automatic mode (automatic
brake setting and releas ing) is not available.■
If “Parking Brake Overheated Parking Brake Unavailable” is displayed on the multi-
information display
If the parking brake is operated repeatedly over a short period of time, the system may
restrict operation to prevent overheating. If this happens, refrain from operating the
parking brake. Normal operation will return after about 1 minute. ■
If “EPB Activation Stopped In completely” or “Parking Brake Unavailable” is displayed
on the multi-information display
Operate the parking brake switch. If the mess age does not disappear after operating the
switch several times, the sy stem may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by
your Lexus dealer immediately.Manual mode U.S.A. Canada
Pa r k i n g
brake lamp1
2

2374-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350_U_OM48E90U ■
Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard. This
does not indicate a malfunction. ■
Parking brake indicator light and parking brake lamp ●
Depending on the engine switch mode, the parking brake indicator light and parking
brake lamp will turn on and stay on as described below:
IGNITION ON mode: Comes on until the parking brake is released.
Not in IGNITION ON mode: Stays on for approximately 15 seconds. ●
When the engine switch is turned off with the parking brake set, the parking brake indi-
cator light and parking brake lamp will stay on for about 15 seconds. This does not indi-
cate a malfunction. ■
Changing the mode
When changing the automatic mode on/off , the message will be shown on the multi-
information display and the buzzer sounds. ■
Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven with the parking brake engaged. “Release
Parking Brake” is displayed on the multi-information display. ■
Warning messages and buzzers
Warning messages and buzzers are used to indicate a system malfunction or to inform
the driver of the need for caution. If a warn ing message is shown on the multi-information
display, read the message and follow the instructions.■
If the brake system warning light comes on
 P. 6 3 4 ■
Usage in winter time
 P. 3 8 1

238 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350_U_OM48E90U WA R N I N G ■
When parking the vehicle
Do not leave a child in the vehicle alone. The parking brake may be released uninten-
tionally and there is the danger of the vehicle moving that may lead to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE ■
When parking the vehicle
Before you leave the vehicle, shift the shif t lever to P, set the parking brake and make
sure that the vehicle does not move. ■
When the system malfunctions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and check the warning messages. ■
When the parking brake cannot be released due to a malfunction
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components overheat-
ing, which may affect braking performance and increase brake wear. Contact your
Lexus dealer immediately if this occurs.

2394-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350_U_OM48E90U Turns the brake hold system on The brake hold standby indicator
(green) comes on. While the system is
holding the brake, the brake hold oper-
ated indicator (yellow) comes on.
■
Brake hold system operating conditions
The brake hold system cannot be turn ed on in the following conditions:●
The driver’s door is not closed. ●
The driver is not wearing the seat belt.
If any of the conditions above are detected when the brake hold system is enabled, the
system will turn off and the brake hold standby in dicator light will go of f. In addition, if any
of the conditions are detected while the sy stem is holding the brake, a warning buzzer
will sound and a message will be shown on th e multi-information display. The parking
brake will then be set automatically.Brake Hold 
Vehicles without paddle shift switches
The brake hold system keeps the brake applied when the shift lever is in D, S or
N with the system on and the brake pedal has been depressed to stop the vehi-
cle. The system releases the brake when the accelerator pedal is depressed
with the shift lever in D or S to allow smooth start off. 
Vehicles with paddle shift switches
The brake hold system keeps the brake applied when the shift lever is in D, M
or N with the system on and the brake pedal has been depressed to stop the
vehicle. The system releases the brake when the accelerator pedal is
depressed with the shift lever in D or M to allow smooth start off.

240 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350_U_OM48E90U ■
Brake hold function ●
If the brake pedal is left released for a period of about 3 minutes after the system has
started holding the brake, the parking brake w ill be set automatically. In this case, a
warning buzzer sounds and a message is shown on the multi-information display.●
To turn the system off while the system is holding the brake, firmly depress the brake
pedal and press the button again. ●
The brake hold function may not hold the vehicle when the vehicle is on a steep incline.
In this situation, it may be necessary fo r the driver to apply the brakes. A warning
buzzer will sound and the multi-information di splay will inform the dr iver of this situa-
tion. If a warning message is shown on the multi-information displa y, re a d t h e m e s s a g e
and follow the instructions. ■
When the parking brake is set automatically while the system is holding the brakes
The parking brake will not be released automatically. With the brake pedal depressed,
release the parking brake by operating the parking brake switch, making sure that the
parking brake indicator light goes off. (  P. 2 3 5 )■
If “Brake Hold Fault Depress Brake to Deacti vate Visit Your Dealer” is displayed on the
multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately. ■
Warning messages and buzzers
Warning messages and buzzers are used to indicate a system malfunction or to inform
the driver of the need for caution. If a warn ing message is shown on the multi-information
display, read the message and follow the instructions.■
If the brake hold operated indicator flashes
 P. 6 3 4
WA R N I N G ■
When the vehicle is on a steep incline
When using the brake hold system on a stee p incline exercise caution. The brake hold
function may not hold the vehicle in such a situation. ■
When stopped on a slippery road
The system cannot stop the vehicle when the gripping ability of the tires has been
exceeded. Do not use the system when stopped on a slippery road.
NOTICE ■
When parking the vehicle
The brake hold system is not designed for use when parking the vehicle for a long
period of time. Turning the engine switch of f while the system is holding the brake may
release the brake, which would cause the vehicle to move. When operating the engine
switch, depress the brake pedal, shift the shift lever to P and set the parking brake.