2012 Lexus ES350 ECT

133
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
ES350_U
Changing shift ranges in S modeShift the shift lever to the S mode driving position and operate the shift
lever. Upshifting
Downshifting
The initial shift range in S mode is automatically set to 5 or 4 according to
vehicle speed. However, the initial shift range may be set to 3 if AI-SHIFT
has operated while the shift lever was in the D position. ( →P. 1 3 4 )
■ Shift ranges and their functions
●Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 6 according to vehicle
speed and driving conditions. However, the gear is limited accord-
ing to selected shift range.
● You can choose from 6 levels of engine braking force.
● A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking force than a
higher shift range, and the engine speed will also increase.
*1: Shifting to the D position allows the system to select a gear suitable for the
driving conditions. Setting the shift le ver to the D position is recommended
for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possible gear ranges, controls engine brak ing forces, and prevents unnecessary
upshifting.

134
2-1. Driving procedures
ES350_U
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer (in the S mode)
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even
when the shift lever is operated. (The warning buzzer will sound twice.)
■When driving with the cruise control system or dynamic radar cruise control sys-
tem
The engine brake will not operate in the S mode, even when downshifting to 5 or 4.
( → P. 160, 164)
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
→P. 4 7 2
■If the indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to S
mode driving position
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.)
■S mode
●When the shift range is 5 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the shift
range to 6.
●To prevent excessive engine speed, a function was adopted that automatically
selects a higher shift range before engine speed becomes too high.
●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.
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position. (Shifting
the shift lever to the S mode driving position cancels the function.)
The engine speed may remain high after releasing the accelerator pedal. This does
not indicate a malfunction.

136
2-1. Driving procedures
ES350_U
Parking brake
■Usage in winter time
See “Winter driving tips” for parking brake usage in winter time. (→P. 1 9 6 )
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.
Sets the parking brake*
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
*: Fully depress the parking brake
pedal with your left foot while
depressing the brake pedal with
your right foot.
Canada USA

143
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
ES350_U
CAUTION
■If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should a safety system light such as the ABS and SRS airbag warning lights not
come on when you start the engine, this could mean that these systems are not
available to help protect you in an accident, which could result in death or serious
injury. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately if this occurs.
■Warning lights
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions or suspected prob-
lem in any of the vehicle’s systems. ( →P. 4 3 9 )
*: These lights turn on when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned
to IGNITION ON mode to indicate that a system check is being per-
formed. They will turn off after the engine is started, or after a few sec-
onds. There may be a malfunction in a system if a light does not come on,
or if the lights do not turn off. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer.
(USA)(Canada)(USA)(Canada)
(USA)(Canada)(if equipped)(without
navigation system)(with naviga-
tion system)
******
*****

148
2-2. Instrument cluster
ES350_U
■Eco Driving Indicator
■Outside temperature display
In the following situations, the correct outside temperature may not be displayed, or
the display may take longer than normal to change.
●When stopped, or driving at low speeds (less than 12 mph [20 km/h])
●When the outside temperature has changed suddenly (at the entrance/exit of a
garage, tunnel, etc.)
NOTICE
■The multi-information display at low temperatures
Allow the interior of the vehicle to warm up before using the liquid crystal informa-
tion display. At extremely low temperatures, the information display monitor may
respond slowly, and display changes may be delayed.
Eco Driving Indicator Light
During Eco-friendly acceleration (Eco
driving), Eco Driving Indicator Light will
turn on.
Eco Driving Indicator Zone Display
Suggests Zone of Eco driving with current
Eco driving ratio based on acceleration.
Zone of Eco driving
Eco driving ratio based on acceleration
Vehicle to exceed Zone of Eco driving, the
right of Eco Driving Indicator Zone Dis-
play will blink and Eco Driving Indicator
Light will turn off.
Eco Driving Indicator Light will not operate in
the following conditions:
●The shift lever is in anything other than D.
●The vehicle speed is approximately 80
mph (130 km/h) or higher.

151
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
ES350_U
Turning on the high beam headlightsWith the headlights on, push the
lever forward to turn on the high
beams.
Pull the lever back to the center
position to turn the high beams off.
Pull the lever toward you to turn
on the high beams.
Release to turn them off. You can
flash the high beams with the head-
lights on or off.
AFS (vehicles with discharge headlights)AFS (Adaptive Front lighting System) improves visibility at intersections
and on curves by automatically adjusting the direction of light axis of the
headlights according to vehicle speed and the degree of the tire angle
that are controlled by steering input.
Operates at speeds of 6 mph (10 km/h) or higher.
■ Deactivating AFS
Turn the switch OFF to deactivate
AFS.
OFF
ON

152
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
ES350_U
■Daytime running light system
●To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights turn on auto-
matically (at a reduced intensity) whenever the engine is started and the parking
brake is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.
●Compared to turning on the headlights, the daytime running light system offers
greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help improve fuel
economy.
■Headlight control sensor
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights come on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds
after all doors are closed with the “ENGINE START STOP” switch switched to
ACCESSORY mode or turned OFF. (The light turns off immediately if
the button on the key is pressed after all doors are locked.)
●When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch is switched to ACCESSORY mode or turned
OFF and driver’s door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, switch to IGNITION ON mode, or turn the light switch
OFF once and then back to the
or position.
■Automatic headlight leveling system (vehicles with discharge headlights)
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number of
passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do
not interfere with other road users.
■If the indicator flashes... (veh icles with discharge headlights)
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Lexus dealer. The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the wind-
shield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detecting
the level of ambient light and may cause the
automatic headlight control system to mal-
function.

156
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
ES350_U
Windshield wipers and washer
With “AUTO” selected, the wipers will operate automatically when the
sensor detects falling rain. The system automatically adjusts wiper timing in
accordance with rain volume and vehicle speed.
Ty p e A
Rain-sensing wind-
shield wiper operation
Low speed windshield
wiper operation
High speed wind-
shield wiper operation
Temporary operation
Sensor sensitivity (high)
Sensor sensitivity (low)