2013 Lexus ES350 engine

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4-2. Driving procedures
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Driving
EV drive mode (hybrid vehicles)
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on,
“EV MODE” will be displayed on the
multi-information display. Pressing the
switch when in EV drive mode will
return the vehicle to normal driving
(using the gasoline engine and electric
motor [traction motor]).
■Situations in which EV drive mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situations. If it cannot
be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the multi-informa-
tion display.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driv en on a hill, driven at high speeds, etc.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 68 F (20C) for a long
period of time etc.
●The gasoline engine is warming up.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” screen or the multi-
information display is low. ( P. 1 1 0 )
●Vehicle speed is about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly.
●The windshield defogger is in use.
In EV drive mode the electric moto r (traction motor), powered by the
hybrid battery (traction battery), is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in re sidential areas early in the morning
and late at night, or in indoor pa rking lots etc. without concern for
noises and gas emissions.
However, when the vehicle proximity notification system is active, the
vehicle may produce sound.

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■Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline engine
will start automatically in order to warm up. In this case, you will become unable to
switch to EV drive mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illuminated,
press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to switch to EV
drive mode.
■Automatic cancelation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically restart in the
following situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer will sound and the
EV indicator will flash 3 times and go off.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” screen or the multi-
information display is low. ( P. 1 1 0 )
●Vehicle speed becomes more than about 25 mph (40 km/h).
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly.
When it is possible to inform the driver of automatic cancelation in advance, a prior
notice screen will appear on the multi-information display.
■Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distan ce ranges from a few hundred meters to
approximately 1.3 mile (2 km). Driving is possible at speeds of less than approxi-
mately 25 mph (40 km/h). However, depend ing on vehicle conditions, there are sit-
uations when EV drive mode cannot be used.
(The distance that is possible depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level
and driving conditions.)
■Fuel economy
Your Lexus is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during normal
driving (using the gasoline en gine and electric motor [traction motor]). Driving in EV
drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel economy.

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2134-2. Driving procedures
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Driving
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode no engine noise is made. As such, pedestrians,
people riding bicycl es or other people and vehicles in the surrounding area may
not be aware of the vehicle starting off or approaching them. Therefore, take extra
care while driving even if the vehicle proximity notification system is active.

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4-2. Driving procedures
Automatic transmission (gasoline vehicles)
While the “START STOP 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 the shift lever to D allows the system to select a gear suitable for the driv- ing conditions.
Setting the shift lever to D is recommended for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode rest ricts the upper limit of the possible gear
ranges, controls engine braking force, and prevents unnecessary upshifting.
Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 ( P. 2 1 5 )

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Driving
When the shift lever is in S, the shift lever can be operated as follows:Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from S1 to
S6, will be displayed in the meter.
The initial shift range in S mode is set
automatically to S5 or S4 according
to vehicle speed. However, the initial
shift range may be set to S3 if AI-
SHIFT has operated while the shift
lever was in D. ( P. 2 1 6 )
■Shift ranges and their functions
●Automatically selecting gears betw een S1 and S6 according to vehi-
cle speed and driving conditions. Bu t the gear is limited according to
selected shift range.
●You can choose from 6 levels of engine braking force.
●A lower shift range will provide gr eater engine braking force than a
higher shift range, and the en gine speed will also increase.
Selecting gears in the S position
1
2

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4-2. Driving procedures
■S mode
●When the shift range is S4 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the shift
range to S6.
●To prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automatically occur.
●To protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that automatically
shifts to the top range when the temperature is too hot.
■When driving with cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine brak-
ing, engine braking will not activate while driving in S mode and downshifting to 5 or
4 because cruise control will not be canceled. ( P. 2 4 4 )
■Downshifting 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 is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■If the S indicator does not come on or the D indicator is displayed even after shift-
ing the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in the auto matic transmission system. Have the vehi-
cle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same manner as when the shift
lever is in D.)
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
 P. 8 0 1
■AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver perfor-
mance and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in D. (Shifting the shift
lever to S cancels the function.)
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid, resulting
in an accident.

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Driving
Hybrid transmission (hybrid vehicles)
While the “POWER” switch is in 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: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in D for normal driving.
*2: By selecting shift ranges using S mode, you can control engine braking forces.
Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 (  P. 2 1 8 )

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To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to S. Shift ranges can then be selected
by operating the shift lever, allowing you to drive in the shift range of your
choosing.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from S1 to
S6, will be displayed in the meter.
The initial shift range in S mode is
automatically set to S4 or S5 accord-
ing to vehicle speed.
■Shift ranges and their functions
●You can choose from 6 levels of engine braking force.
●A lower shift range will provide gr eater engine braking force than a
higher shift range, and the engine revolutions will also increase.
●If you accelerate while in ranges S1 to S4, the shift range may auto-
matically range up in accordance with the vehicle’s speed.
Selecting shift ranges in the S position
1
2