automatic transmission LEXUS RX350 2015 Owners Manual

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32-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle ........................ 154
Engine (ignition) switch .............. 165
Automatic transmission
(6-speed models) ........................ 171
Automatic transmission
(8-speed models) ...................... 178
Turn signal lever ............................ 187
Parking brake ................................. 189
Horn.................................................... 190
2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters ....................... 191
Indicators and warning
lights................................................. 194
Multi-information display......... 200
Head-up display ........................... 206
2-3. Operating the lights and
windshield wipers
Headlight switch .............................. 211
Fog light switch .............................. 215
Windshield wipers and
washer.............................................. 217
Rear window wiper and
washer............................................ 224
Headlight cleaner switch .......... 226 2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control ............................... 227
Dynamic radar cruise
control............................................ 232
Intuitive parking assist ................ 245
Rear view monitor system
(rear view mirror-attached
type) ................................................ 255
Rear view monitor system
(vehicles with the Lexus
Display Audio system) ............ 264
Driving assist systems................. 269
All-wheel drive lock switch ...... 275
Hill-start assist control ............... 276
Pre-Collision System.................. 278
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) ....... 286
2-5. Driving information
Utility vehicle pre cautions ........ 292
Cargo and luggage ..................... 296
Vehicle load limits ......................... 301
Winter driving tips ....................... 302
Trailer towing ................................ 306
Dinghy towing ............................... 3232
When driving

When driving
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1532-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle.................. 154
Engine (ignition) switch ......... 165
Automatic transmission
(6-speed models) .................. 171
Automatic transmission
(8-speed models) ................. 178
Turn signal lever ....................... 187
Parking brake ........................... 189
Horn ............................................ 190
2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters ................. 191
Indicators and warning
lights ......................................... 194
Multi-information
display .................................... 200
Head-up display ..................... 206
2-3. Operating the lights and
windshield wipers
Headlight switch....................... 211
Fog light switch ........................ 215
Windshield wipers and
washer ..................................... 217
Rear window wiper and
washer .................................... 224
Headlight cleaner switch..... 226 2-4. Using other driving
systems
Cruise control......................... 227
Dynamic radar cruise
control .................................... 232
Intuitive parking assist .......... 245
Rear view monitor system
(rear view mirror-attached
type) ........................................ 255
Rear view monitor system
(vehicles with the Lexus
Display Audio system) ....... 264
Driving assist systems ........... 269
All-wheel drive lock
switch ....................................... 275
Hill-start assist control .......... 276
Pre-Collision System ............ 278
BSM
(Blind Spot Monitor) .......... 286
2-5. Driving information
Utility vehicle
precautions ........................... 292
Cargo and luggage ............... 296
Vehicle load limits ................... 301
Winter driving tips ................. 302
Trailer towing .......................... 306
Dinghy towing ......................... 323

1712-1. Driving procedures
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When driving Automatic transmission (6-speed models) 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 lever. When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped.

1762-1. Driving procedures
■
When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated in the D position (vehicles with pad-
dle shift switches)
When the “-” paddle shift switch is operat ed 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.■
Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D position (vehicles with
paddle shift switches)
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situations: ●
When the vehicle comes to a stop●
When range 6 is selected and the accelerator pedal is depressed●
If the accelerator pedal is depressed for more than a certain period of time■
Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is
turned off after driving in snow mode. ■
S mode ●
When the shift range is “5” or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the
shift range to “6”.●
To prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automatically occur.●
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.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when th e shift lever is in the D position. (Shift-
ing the shift lever to the S position cancels the function.)

1772-1. Driving procedures
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When driving ■
When driving with cruise control or radar 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 S mode and downshifting
to 5 or 4 because cruise control or radar cruise control will not be canceled.
(  P. 227, 232)■
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
 P. 7 9 1■
If S does not come on or D comes 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.)■
Downshift restriction warning buzzer (S mode)
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. (The warning buzzer will
sound twice.)
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.

1782-1. Driving procedures
Automatic transmission (8-speed models) 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 lever. When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped.
■ Shift position purpose
* : To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in the D
position for normal driving. Shift position Function
P Parking the vehicle/starting the engine
R Reversing
N Neutral
D Normal driving
*M M mode driving (  P. 1 8 3 )

1832-1. Driving procedures
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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)

1852-1. Driving procedures
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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.

2942-5. Driving information
CAUTION■
Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death or serious
injury or damage to your vehicle: ●
Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving in
dangerous places.●
Do not grip the steering wheel spokes wh en 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.●
Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in sand,
mud, water or snow.●
After 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.●
When driving off-road or in rugged te rrain, 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■
To prevent water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the engine or
other components does not occur. ●
Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage. ●
Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift quality,
locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ultimately dam-
age.
●
Water 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.

6604-2. Maintenance
Vehicle interior Items Check points
Accelerator pedal • The accelerator pedal should move
smoothly (without uneven pedal
effort or catching).
Automatic transmission “Park”
mechanism • When parked on a slope and the
shift lever is in P, is the vehicle
securely stopped?
Brake pedal • Does the brake pedal move
smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appro-
priate clearance from the floor?
(  P. 8 1 4 )
• Does the brake pedal have the cor-
rect amount of free play?
(  P. 8 1 4 )
Brakes • The vehicle should not pull to one
side when the brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel
spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too
close to the floor when the brakes
are applied.
Head restraints • Do the head restraints move
smoothly and lock securely?