LEXUS RX350 2015 Owners Manual

1812-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving Selecting shift ranges in the D position
To drive using temporary shift range sele ction, operate the “-” paddle shift
switch. The shift range can then be selected by operating the “-” and “+”
paddle shift switches. Changing the sh ift range allows restriction of the
highest gear, preventing unnecessary upshifting and enabling the level of
engine braking force to be selected.
Higher shift range
Lower shift range
The selected shift range, from 1 to
8, will be displayed in the meter
cluster.
To return to normal D position
driving, the “+” paddle shift switch
must be held down for a period of
time.

1822-1. Driving procedures
■ Shift ranges and their functions
* : “D” is also displayed to indicate the shift position.
A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking force than a higher shift
range. Meter cluster dis-
play
* Function
8 Gears between 1 and 8 are automatically selected
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions
7 Gears between 1 and 7 are automatically selected
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions
6 Gears between 1 and 6 are automatically selected
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions
5 Gears between 1 and 5 are automatically selected
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions
4 Gears between 1 and 4 are automatically selected
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions
3 Gears between 1 and 3 are automatically selected
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions
2 Gears between 1 and 2 are automatically selected
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions
1 The gear is set at 1

1832-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving Selecting gears in the M position
To enter M mode, shift the shift lever to the M position. Gears can then be
selected by operating 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 operated.
When in the M position, the gear will not change unless the shift lever or
paddle shift switches are operated.
However, even when in the M positio n, the gears will be automatically
changed in the following situations:
● When vehicle speed drops (downshift only).
● When the automatic transmission flu id or engine coolant temperature
is low.
● When engine speed is higher than necessary. (upshift only)

1842-1. Driving procedures
■ Gear functions
* : “M” is also displayed to indicate the shift position.■
When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated in the D position ●
When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated in the D position, a shift range will
be automatically selected. The highest gear of the first shift range will be one
gear lower than the gear in use during normal D position driving.●
If the “-” paddle shift switch is operated when a shift range is selected while in
the D position, the shift range may be lowered by two ranges or more in accor-
dance with the driving conditions.■
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 for more than a certain period of time in
one shift range Meter cluster
display
* Function
8 The gear is fixed at 8 th
gear
7 The gear is fixed at 7 th
gear
6 The gear is fixed at 6 th
gear
5 The gear is fixed at 5 th
gear
4 The gear is fixed at 4 th
gear
3 The gear is fixed at 3 rd
gear
2 The gear is fixed at 2 nd
gear
1 The gear is fixed at 1 st
gear

1852-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving ■
Downshift restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving perfor mance, downshifting operation may some-
times 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 activated
Even when performing the following acti ons with the intent of enabling engine
braking, engine braking will not activate while driving in M mode and downshifting
to 7, 6, 5 or 4 because cruise control will not be canceled. (  P. 2 2 7 )■
Automatic deactivation of snow mode
If the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turn ed off after driving in snow mode, the
mode is automatically deactivated.■
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
 P. 7 9 1■
Automatic gear selection when the vehicle is stopped
When the vehicle comes to a stop, the tran smission will automatically downshift to
allow you to start off in 1 st
gear.■
If the automatic transmissi on fluid temperature warn ing message is displayed
If the automatic transmission fluid tempera-
ture warning message is displayed while
driving, make sure you return to normal D
position driving and reduce speed by eas-
ing off the accelerator pedal. Stop the vehi-
cle in a safe place, shift the shift lever to the
P position and let the engine idle until the
warning message goes out.
When the warning message goes out, the
vehicle can be driven again.
If the warning message does not go out
after waiting a while, have your vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer.

1862-1. Driving procedures
■
AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suit able gear according to driver perfor-
mance and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position. How-
ever, operating the “-” paddle shift switch will restrict the function’s operation. (Shift-
ing the shift lever to the M po sition cancels the function.)
CAUTION■
When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden accele ration, as this could result in the vehi-
cle skidding to the side or spinning.

1872-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving Turn signal lever The turn signal lever can be used to show the following intention of the
driver:
Type A
Right turn
Left 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.

1882-1. Driving procedures
■
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 re ar turn signal lights has not burned out.■
If the turn signals stop flashing before a lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again.
■
To discontinue flashing of the tu rn signals during a lane change
Operate the lever in the opposite direction.
■
Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be changed.
(Customizable features  P. 8 3 4 )Type B
Right turn
Left 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.

1892-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving Parking brake ■
Usage in winter time
 P. 3 0 2
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. To set the parking brake, fully
depress the parking brake pedal
with your left foot while
depressing the brake pedal with
your right foot.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.) Canada
U.S.A.

1902-1. Driving procedures
Horn To sound the horn, press on or
close to the mark.