Lexus ES350 2011 Owner's Manuals

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
ES350_U
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION
ON mode for long periods without the engine running.
■When starting the engine
●Do not race a cold engine.
●If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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Automatic Transmission
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
While the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch is
in IGNITION ON
mode, depress the brake
pedal and move the shift
l e v e r.
■ Shift position uses
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle or starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 (→ P. 131)

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When driving
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Changing shift ranges in S modeShift the shift lever to the S mode driving position and operate the shift
l e v e r. Upshifting
Downshifting
The initial shift range in S mode is automatically set to 5 or 4 according to
vehicle speed. However, the initial shift range may be set to 3 if AI-SHIFT
has operated while the shift lever was in the D position. ( →P. 1 3 2 )
■ Shift ranges and their functions
●Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 6 according to vehicle
speed and driving conditions. However, the gear is limited accord-
ing to selected shift range.
● You can choose from 6 levels of engine braking force.
● A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking force than a
higher shift range, and the engine speed will also increase.
*1: Shifting to the D position allows the system to select a gear suitable for the
driving conditions. Setting the shift le ver 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 brak ing forces, and prevents unnecessary
upshifting.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer (in the 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 warning buzzer will sound twice.)
■When driving with the cruise control system or dynamic radar cruise control sys-
tem
The engine brake will not operate in the S mode, even when downshifting to 5 or 4.
( → P. 155, 158)
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
→P. 4 7 8
■If the indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to S
mode driving position
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.)
■S mode
●When the shift range is 5 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the shift
range to 6.
●To prevent excessive engine speed, a function was adopted that automatically
selects a higher shift range before engine speed becomes too high.
●To protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that automatically
selects a higher shift range when the fluid temperature is high.
■AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable 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 mode driving position cancels the function.)

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
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Turn signal lever
■Turn signals can be operated when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■If the indicators flash faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned out.
Right turn
Left turn
Move and hold the lever part-
way to signal a lane change
The right hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.
Move and hold the lever part-
way to signal a lane change
The left hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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Parking brake
■Usage in winter time
See “Winter driving tips” for parking brake usage in winter time. (→P. 1 9 1 )
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components over-
heating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake wear.
Sets the parking brake*
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
*: Fully depress the parking brake
pedal with your left foot while
depressing the brake pedal with
your right foot.
Canada USA

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
ES350_U
Horn
To sound the horn, press on or
close to the mark.

136
ES350_U
2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters
The units used on the speedometer and the tachometer gauge display may
differ depending on the model/type.

The following gauges, meters and display illuminate when the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.Tachometer
Displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute.
Multi-information display
→ P. 1 4 2
Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed.
Odometer/trip meter and trip meter reset button
Switches between odometer and trip meter displays. Pushing and holding
the button will reset the trip meter when the trip meter is being displayed.
Fuel gauge
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.

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2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
ES350_U
Instrument panel light controlThe brightness of the instrument panel lights can be adjusted. Brighter
Darker
When the headlight switch is
turned to ON, the brightness will
be reduced slightly unless the con-
trol dial is turned fully up.
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 differ-
ent distances independently.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which indi-
cates the maximum engine speed.
●The engine may be overheating if the temperature gauge is in the red zone (H). In
this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place, and check the engine after
it has cooled completely. ( →P. 4 8 6 )

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2-2. Instrument cluster
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Indicators and warning lights
The indicator and warning lights on the instrument cluster and center
panel inform the driver of the status of the vehicle’s various systems.
Instrument cluster
The units used on the speedometer and the tachometer gauge display may
differ depending on the model/type.