power steering LEXUS RX350 2019 User Guide

2094-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RX350/RX350L_U NOTICE ■
When driving the vehicle ●
Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during driving, as
this may restrain driving torque. ●
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depre ss the accelerator and brake pedals at the
same time to hold the vehicle on a hill. ■
When parking the vehicle
Always set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may cause the
vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is acci-
dentally depressed. ■
Avoiding damage to vehicle parts ●
Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for an
extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor. ●
When driving over bumps on the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damaging
the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc. ■
If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations . Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle. ●
It may be difficult to control your vehicle. ●
The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations. ●
The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire (  P. 666)■
When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain, etc. Doing so may cause the
following serious damage to the vehicle: ●
Engine stalling ●
Short in electrical components ●
Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to have
your Lexus dealer check the following: ●
Brake function ●
Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, transaxle, transfer
(AWD models), rear differential (AWD models), etc. ●
Lubricant condition for the propeller shaf t (AWD models), bearings and suspension
joints (where possible), and the func tion of all joints, bearings, etc.

226 4-1. Before driving
RX350/RX350L_U ■
Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components (such as an
engine, transaxle, transfer (AWD models), rear differential (AWD models) or wheel
bearing), Lexus recommends that you do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has been
driven for over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km), you can start towing.
However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the vehicle at a speed of less than
50 mph (80 km/h) when towing a trailer, and avoid full throttle acceleration.■
Maintenance ●
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will requir e more frequent maintenance due to the addi-
tional load. (See “Warranty and Services Guide”, “Owner’s Manual Supplement” or
“Scheduled Maintenance”.) ●
Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ba ll and bracket after approximately 600 miles
(1000 km) of trailer towing. ■
If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing ve hicles, rough roads, etc.) can adversely
affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability. ●
If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wh eel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer sway ing by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal im mediately but very gradually to reduce
speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the st eering or brakes, your vehicle and trailer
should stabilize. (if enabled, Trailer Sway Control can also he lp to stabilize the vehicle and
trailer.) ●
After the trailer sw aying has stopped:
• Stop in a safe place. Get all occupants out of the vehicle.
• Check the tires of the vehicle and the trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer.
Make sure the load has not shifted.
Make sure the tongue weight is appropriate, if possible.
• Check the load in the vehicle.
Make sure the vehicle is not ov erloaded after occupants get in.
If you cannot find any problems, the speed at which trailer swaying occurred is beyond
the limit of your particular vehicle-trailer combination.
Drive at a lower speed to prevent instability. Remember that swaying of the towing vehi-
cle-trailer increases as speed increases.

2334-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350/RX350L_U ■
Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or IGNITION ON
mode (with the engine not running) for more than an hour with the shift lever in P, the
engine switch will automatically turn off. Ho wever, this function cannot entirely prevent
battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or
IGNITION ON mode for long periods of time when the engine is not running.■
Electronic key battery depletion
 P. 122 ■
Conditions affe cting operation
 P. 148 ■
Note for the entry function
 P. 149 ■
If the engine does not start ●
The engine immobilizer system ma y not have been deactivated. (  P. 74)
Contact your Lexus dealer. ●
Check that the shift lever is se curely set in P. The engine ma y not start if the shift lever is
displaced out of P. “To Start Vehicle, Put Sh ift 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 steering lock func tion. 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 overheating, 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 Malf unction See Owner’s Manual” is displayed
on the multi-information display
The system may be malfunctio ning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.“Steering Wheel Lock Press Engine Switch
while Turning Wheel” w ill be displayed on the
multi-information display.
Check that the shift leve r is in P. Press the
engine switch shortly an d firmly while turning
the steering wheel left and right.

234 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350/RX350L_U ■
If the electronic key battery is depleted
 P. 623 ■
Operation of the engine switch ●
If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the engine switch mode may not change
or the engine may not start. ●
If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the engine switch off, the
engine may not start in some cases. After turning the engine switch off, please wait a
few seconds before restarting the engine. ■
If the smart access system wi th push-button start has been deactivated by a customized
setting
 P. 684
WARNING ■
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. 645)
However, do not touch the engi ne switch while driv ing 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.

370 4-5. Using the driving support systems
RX350/RX350L_U  The estimated course lines move even though the steering wheel is straight
There is a malfunction in the signals being
output by the steering sensor. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer.
 Guide lines are not displayed
The back door is open. Close the back door.
If this does not resolve the symptom, have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer.
 The estimated course lines are not displayed
• The steering wheel has been moved
while the battery was being reinstalled.
• Battery power is low.
• The steering sensor has been rein-
stalled.
• There is a malfunction in the signals
being output by the steering sensor. Stop the vehicle, and turn the steering
wheel as far as it will go to the left and
right.
If this does not resolve the symptom, have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer.Likely cause Solution

3734-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX350/RX350L_U 
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 tu rned 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 conditions.
1
2
3

3754-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX350/RX350L_U 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 tu rned 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. Function Setting
Powertrain Normal
Power
Eco
Chassis Normal
Sport
Air conditioning system Normal
Eco2
3

378 4-5. Using the driving support systems
RX350/RX350L_U ◆ ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the br akes are applied suddenly, or if the
brakes are applied while drivin g on a slippery road surface
◆ Brake assist
Generates an increased level of br aking force after the brake pedal is
depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation
◆ VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to contro l skidding when swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces.
◆ Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional stability when swerving on slippery road sur-
faces by controlling steering performance.
◆ Trailer Sway Control
Helps the driver to control trailer sway by selectively applying brake pressure
for individual wheels and reducing dr iving torque when trailer sway is
detected.
◆ TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and pr event the drive wheels from spinning
when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
◆ Hill-start assist control
Helps to reduce the backward movement of the vehicle when starting on an
uphill
◆ EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn the
steering wheelDriving assist systems To keep driving safety and performance, the following systems operate auto-
matically in response to various drivin g situations. Be aware, however, that
these systems are supplementary and shou ld not be relied upon too heavily
when operating the vehicle.

382 4-5. Using the driving support systems
RX350/RX350L_U ■
Automatic reactivation of TRAC, Tr ailer Sway Control and VSC systems
After turning the TRAC, Trailer Sway Contro l and VSC systems off, the systems will be
automatically re-enabled in the following situations: ●
When the engine swit ch is turned off●
If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC will turn on when vehicle speed
increases
If both the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, au tomatic re-enabling will not
occur when vehicle speed increases. ■
Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from overheating
when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The steering
wheel may feel heavy as a result . Should this occur, refrain from excessive steering input
or stop the vehicle and turn the engine off. The EPS system should return to normal
within 10 minutes.
WARNING ■
The ABS does not operate effectively when ●
The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (such as excessively
worn tires on a snow covered road). ●
The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick roads.■
Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of normal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehi cle’s stopping distance . Always maintain a
safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, especially in the following situations: ●
When driving on dirt, grav el or snow-covered roads●
When driving with tire chains ●
When driving over bumps on the road ●
When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces■
TRAC/VSC may not operate effectively when
Directional control an d power may not be achievable wh ile driving on slippery road
surfaces, even if the TRAC/VSC system is op erating. Drive the vehi cle carefully in con-
ditions where stability and power may be lost.

400 5-1. Basic Operations
RX350/RX350L_U Volume switch
• Increases/decreases volume
• Press and hold: Continuously
increases/decreases volume
Radio mode:
• Press: Select a radio station
• Press and hold: Seek up/down
CD, MP3/WMA/AAC disc, Bluetooth ®
, iPod or USB mode:
• Press: Select a track/file/video
• Press and hold: Quickly move up/d own through tracks/files/videos.
“MODE” switch
• Turns the power on, selects audio source
• Press and hold this switch to mute or pause the current operation. To can-
cel the mute or pause, press and hold.Steering wheel audio switches Some audio features can be controlled using the switches on the steering
wheel.
Operation may differ depending on th e type of audio system or navigation
system. For details, refer to the manual provided with the audio system or nav-
igation system.
Operating the audio system us ing the steering wheel switches1
2
WARNING ■
To reduce the risk of an accident
Exercise care when operating the audio switches on the steering wheel. 3