sport mode LEXUS RC350 2017 Owner's Manual

2144-2. Driving procedures
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, shift the shift lever to D for normal driv-
ing.
*2: Any gear range can be fixed when driving in M mode.
■Sport mode/Eco drive mode
→ P. 294
■Snow mode
Snow mode can be selected to suit th e conditions when driving on slippery
road surfaces, such as snow.
Press the switch.
Press the switch again to return to
normal mode.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
(Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
MM mode driving*2 ( → P. 216)
Selecting the driving mode

2174-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D position
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situations:
●When the vehicle comes to a stop
●If the accelerator pedal is depressed fo r 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 High Tem-
perature” will be displayed on the multi-info rmation 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 performance, downshif ting operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circum stances, downshifting may not be possible even when the
shift lever or paddle shif t switch is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if the engine switch is turn ed off after driving in
snow mode.
■When driving with cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking,
engine braking will not activate because crui se control or dynamic radar cruise control
will not be canceled.
●8-speed models: While driving in the D posi tion, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4.
( → P. 245, 249)
●6-speed models: While driving in the D position, downshifting to 5 or 4.
(→ P. 245, 249)
●When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position.
(→ P. 294)
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent ac cidental operation of the shift lever in start-
ing.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the engine switch is in IGNITION ON
mode and the brake pedal is being depressed.

2184-2. Driving procedures
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake pedal, there may be a prob-
lem with the shift lock system. Have the vehi cle inspected by your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that the shift lever
can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Set the parking brake.
Turn the engine switch to off.
Depress the brake pedal.
■AI-SHIFT
●The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitab le gear according to driver performance
and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the sh ift lever is in D. (Shifting the shift lever
to the M position cancels the function.)
●8-speed models: G AI-SHIFT automatically selects a suitable gear for sporty driving
according to driver’s input and driving co nditions. G AI-SHIFT 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 sw itch or shifting the shift lever to the M
position cancels this function.)
1
2
3
Pry the cover up with a flathead screwdriver
or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover the tip
of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the button
is pressed.4
5

2224-2. Driving procedures
Louder
Lower
The indicator comes on when the ASC
system is on.
When the dial is turned to the lowest
volume, the ASC system will be turned
off and the indicator will go off.
■The ASC system can be operated when
The driving mode select switch is in normal mode or sport mode. (→P. 294)
■Temporary cancelation of the ASC system functions
The ASC system may be temporarily cancel ed depending on the driving conditions,
such as when the tires slip due to sudden acceleration.
ASC (Active Sound Control)∗ (RC350/RC300/
RC200t)
∗: If equipped
The ASC system is an electronic sound system that generates engine sound,
conveying the kinetic situations of the vehicle’s acceleration and deceleration
to the driver through the speake rs inside the instrument panel.
The vehicle’s response to the driver’s acceleration behavior and shift opera-
tions are also conveyed in sound.
When sport mode is selected, the sound conveyed to the driver will be louder.
Controlling volume
1
2

2234-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■The ASC system can be operated when
The driving mode select switch is in SPORT S+ mode. (→P. 294)
ASC (Active Sound Control)∗ (RC F)
∗: If equipped
The ASC system sonically emphasizes the vehicle’s response to the driver’s
operation of the accelerator pedal and sh ift lever or paddle shift switches. The
dynamic engine sound enabled by this system helps the driver further enjoy
the feeling of unity with the vehicle, particularly when driving in M mode.
( → P. 216)

2944-5. Using the driving support systems
RC350/RC300/RC200t (vehicles without Adaptive Variable Suspension
System)
Normal mode
Provides an optimal balance of fuel ec onomy, quietness, and dynamic perfor-
mance. Suitable for city driving.
Press the switch to change the driving mode to normal mode when Eco drive mode or
sport mode is selected.
Eco drive mode
Helps the driver accelerate in an eco-fr iendly manner and improve fuel econ-
omy through moderate throttle charact eristics and by controlling the opera-
tion of the air conditioning system (heating/cooling).
When not in Eco drive mode, if the driving mode select switch is turned to the left, the
Eco drive mode indicator will come on.
Sport mode
Controls the transmission and engine to provide quick, powerful acceleration.
This mode also changes the steering feel, making it suitable for when agile
driving response is desired, such as wh en driving on roads with many curves.
When not in sport mode, if the driving mode select switch is turned to the right, the
“SPORT” indicator will comes on.
Driving mode select switch
The driving modes can be selected to suit driving condition.
1
2
3

2954-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC350/RC300/RC200t (vehicles with Adaptive Variable Suspension Sys-
tem)
Normal mode
Provides an optimal balance of fuel economy, quietness, and dynamic perfor-
mance. Suitable for city driving.
Press the switch to change the driving mode to normal mode when Eco drive mode or
sport mode is selected.
Eco drive mode
Helps the driver accelerate in an eco-fr iendly manner and improve fuel econ-
omy through moderate throttle charact eristics and by controlling the opera-
tion of the air conditioning system (heating/cooling).
When not in Eco drive mode, if the driving mode select switch is turned to the left, the
Eco drive mode indicator will come on.
Sport mode
•SPORT S mode
Controls the transmission and engine to provide quick, powerful accelera-
tion. This mode is suitable for when agile driving response is desired, such
as when driving on roads with many curves.
When not in SPORT S mode, if the driving mode select switch is turned to the
right, the “SPORT S” indicator will come on.
•SPORT S+ mode
Helps to ensure steering performanc e and driving stability by simultane-
ously controlling the steeri ng and suspension in addition to the transmis-
sion and engine. Suitable for sportier driving.
When in SPORT S mode, if the driving mode select switch is turned to the right,
the “SPORT S+” indicator will come on.
1
2
3

2964-5. Using the driving support systems
RC F
Normal mode
Provides an optimal balance of fuel economy, quietness, and dynamic perfor-
mance. Suitable for city driving.
Press the switch to change the driving mode to normal mode when Eco drive mode or
sport mode is selected. The normal mode indicator will come on.
Eco drive mode
Helps the driver accelerate in an eco-fr iendly manner and improve fuel econ-
omy through moderate throttle charact eristics and by controlling the opera-
tion of the air conditioning system (heating/cooling).
When not in Eco drive mode, if the driving mode select switch is turned to the left, the
Eco drive mode indicator will come on.
Sport mode
•SPORT S mode
Controls the transmission and engine to provide quick, powerful accelera-
tion. Also, gear shift timing is controlled to suit sporty driving, making this
mode is suitable for when agile drivin g response is desired, such as when
driving on roads with many curves.
When not in SPORT S mode, if the driving mode select switch is turned to the
right, the “SPORT S” indicator will come on.
•SPORT S+ mode
Provides earlier downshift timing than SPORT S mode in order to maintain
a high engine speed and provides faster gear changes. This mode also
changes the steering feel, suspension control and VDIM control, making it
suitable for powerful sporty driving.
When in SPORT S mode, if the driving mode select switch is turned to the right,
the “SPORT S+” indicator will come on.
1
2
3

2974-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Operation of the air conditioning system in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed of the air condi-
tioning system to enhance fuel efficiency (→P. 434). To improve air conditioning perfor-
mance, adjust the fan speed or turn off Eco drive mode.
■Sport mode automatic deactivation
Sport mode is automatically deactivated if the engine switch is turned off after driving in
sport mode.

3024-5. Using the driving support systems
■Expert mode (RC F)
When expert mode is selected, it is possible to drive in a more sp orty manner than other
drive modes. Expert mode disables the TRAC and VSC systems but the engine and
brakes may be controlled depending on the vehicle behavior.
■When the message is displayed on the mu lti-information display showing that TRAC
has been disabled even if has not been pressed (RC350/RC300/RC200t)
TRAC and hill-start assist control cannot be operated. Contact your Lexus dealer.
■When the “TRAC OFF” indicator light comes on even if ( ) has not been
pressed (RC F)
TRAC and hill-start assist control cannot be operated. Contact your Lexus dealer.
■VGRS is disabled when
VGRS may stop operating in the following situations.
In this event, the steering wheel may move from its straight forward position, but it will
return when the system restarts.
●When the steering wheel is operated for an extended period of time while the vehicle is
stopped or is moving very slowly
(on vehicles with LDH, DRS is disabled together with VGRS)
●When the steering wheel has been held fully to the left or right
The center position of the steering wheel may change when VGRS is disabled. However,
the position will return to normal after VGRS is reactivated.
■When the battery is disconnected (vehicles with VGRS)
The steering wheel may move from its straight forward position, but this will be corrected
automatically when driving. To select expert mode, press
()
when in SPORT S+ mode.
The “EXPERT” indicator will come on together
with the TRAC OFF and VSC OFF indicators.
To cancel expert mode, press
() or
use the driving mode sele ct switch to select a
driving mode other than SPORT S+ mode.