LEXUS RX350 2016 Owners Manual

2214-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350_U_OM48E90U Modes can be changed by pressing the engine switch with brake pedal released.
(The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
Off
* The emergency flashers can be used.
ACCESSORY mode Some electrical components such as the
audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed on the
meters.
IGNITION ON mode All electrical components can be used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on
the meters.
* : If the shift lever is in a position other than
P when turning off the engine, the
engine switch will be turned to ACCES-
SORY mode, not to off.
If the engine is stopped with the shift le ver in a position other than P, the engine
switch will not be turned off but inst ead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. Per-
form the following procedure to turn the switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” is displayed on the multi-information display
and then press the engine switch once.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” on the multi-information display is off.Changing engine switch modes 1
2
3
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other than P1
2
3
4

222 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350_U_OM48E90U ■
Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or IGNITION ON
mode (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with the shift lever in P, the engine
switch will automatically turn off. However, this function cannot en tirely prevent battery
discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNI-
TION ON mode for long periods of ti me when the engine is not running.■
Electronic key battery depletion
 P. 1 2 2 ■
Conditions affe cting operation
 P. 1 4 8 ■
Note for the entry function
 P. 1 4 9 ■
If the engine does not start ●
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (  P. 74 )
Contact your Lexus dealer. ●
Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The engine may not start if the shift lever is
displaced out of P. “To Start Vehicle, Put Shift Lever into P” will be displayed on the
multi-information display. ■
Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the steering wheel
will be locked due to the stee ring lock function. Operating the engine switch again auto-
matically cancels the steering lock. ■
When the steering lock cannot be released
■
Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from over heating, operation of the motor may be sus-
pended if the engine is turned on and off repeat edly in a short period of time. In this case,
refrain from operating the engine switch. After about 10 seconds, the steering lock
motor will resume functioning. ■
When “Access System with Elec. Key Malfunction See Owner’s Manual” is displayed
on the multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.“Steering Wheel Lock Press Engine Switch
while Turning Wheel” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is in P. Press the
engine switch while turning the steering wheel
left and right.

2234-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350_U_OM48E90U ■
If the electronic key battery is depleted
 P. 6 0 3 ■
Operation of the engine switch ●
When operating the engine switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the switch is
pressed improperly, the engine may not start or the engine switch mode may not
change. It is not necessary to press and hold the switch. ●
If attempting to restart the engine immediat ely after turning the engine switch off, the
engine may not start in some cases. After tu rning the engine switch off, please wait a
few seconds before re starting the engine.■
If the smart access system with push-butto n start has been deactivated by a customized
setting
 P. 6 6 1
WA R N I N G ■
When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the accelerator
pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resu lting in death or serious injury.■
Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the doors until
the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering lock in this cir-
cumstance may lead to an accident, re sulting in death or serious injury.■
Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle, press and hold
the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly 3 times or more in succes-
sion. (  P. 6 2 5 )
However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emergency. Turning
the engine off while driving will not cause lo ss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. Th is will make it more difficult to steer and
brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

224 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350_U_OM48E90U NOTICE ■
To prevent battery discharge ●
Do not leave the engine switch in AC CESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for long
periods of time without the engine running. ●
If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is disp layed on the meters while the engine is
not running, the engine switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the engine
switch off. ●
Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If the engine is
stopped in another shift lever position, the engine switch will not be turned off but
instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY
mode, battery discharge may occur. ■
When starting the engine ●
Do not race a cold engine. ●
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehicle checked
by your Lexus dealer immediately. ■
Symptoms indicating a malfun ction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, there may be a malf unction. Contact your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.

2254-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350_U_OM48E90U While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, move the shift lever
with the brake pedal depressed. When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is
completely stopped.
* 1
: Shifting to the D position allows the system to select a gear suitable for the driving
conditions. Setting the shift lever to the D position is recommended for normal driv-
ing.
* 2
: Selecting shift ranges using S mode rest ricts the upper limit of the possible gear
ranges, controls engine braking forces, and prevents unnecessary upshifting.Automatic transmission (vehicles without paddle
shift switches) Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose Shift position Objective or function
P Parking the vehicle/starting the engine
R Reversing
N Condition in which the power is not transmission
D Normal driving
* 1
S S mode driving
* 2
(  P. 2 2 6 )

226 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350_U_OM48E90U  P. 3 6 9
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to the S position. The shift range can then be
selected by operating the shift lever. Changing the shift range allows restriction
of the upper limit of the gears to be us ed, preventing unnecessary upshifting and
enabling the level of engine br aking force to be selected.
Upshifting
Downshifting The initial shift range in S mode is set
automatically between 3 and 7 accord-
ing to vehicle speed and driving condi-
tions.
■
Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engi ne braking forces than a higher shift
range.Selecting the driving mode
Selecting shift ranges in S mode 1
2
Meter display Function
S2 - S8 A gear in the range between 1 and the selected gear is auto-
matically chosen depending on vehicle speed and driving
conditions
S1 Setting the gear at 1

2274-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350_U_OM48E90U ■
S mode ●
When the shift range is 6 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the shift range
to 8. ●
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. ■
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 restrictions 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 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 or S mode, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4. (  P. 302, 314, 326)●
When switching the driving mode to spor t 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 S)
with the accelerator pedal depressed, a wa rning message appears on the multi-infor-
mation display. If a warning message is show n 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.

228 4-2. Driving procedures
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 the sh ift lever is in D. (Shifting the shift lever
to the S position cancels the 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.

2294-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350_U_OM48E90U While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, move the shift lever
with the brake pedal depressed. When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.
* 1
: Shifting to the D position allows the system to select a gear suitable for the driving
conditions.
Setting the shift lever to the D positi on is recommended for normal driving.
* 2
: Selecting gears using M mode fixes the gear step, controls engine braking force, and
prevents unnecessary upshifting.Automatic transmission (veh icles with paddle shift
switches) Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose Shift position Objective or function
P Parking the vehicle/starting the engine
R Reversing
N Condition in which the power is not transmission
D Normal driving
* 1
M M mode driving
* 2
(  P. 2 3 1 )

230 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350_U_OM48E90U  P. 3 6 9
To drive using temporary shift range select ion, operate the “-” or “+” paddle shift
switch.
When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated, the shift range will be downshifted
to a range that enables engine braking forc e that is suitable to driving conditions.
When the “+” paddle shift switch is operated, the shift range will be one gear
higher than the gear in use during normal D position driving.
Changing the shift range allows restriction of the highest gear, preventing unnec-
essary upshifting and enabling the level of engine braking force to be selected.
Upshifting
Downshifting The selected shift range, from D1 to D8,
will be displayed on the meters.
■
Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engi ne braking forces than a higher shift
range.Selecting the driving mode
Selecting shift ranges in the D position 1
2
Meter display Function
D2 - D8 A gear in the range between 1 and the selected gear is auto-
matically chosen depending on vehicle speed and driving
conditions
D1 Setting the gear at 1