2014 LEXUS RX270 Owners Manual

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
RX350/270_EE
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
●Do not leave the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in ACCESSORY or IGNI-
TION ON mode for long periods of time without the engine running.
●If the indicator on the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is illuminated, the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch is not off. When exiting the vehicle, always
check that the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is 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 START STOP”
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 any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified
and equipped professional immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
If the “ENGINE START STOP” seems to be operating somewhat differently than
usual, such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped profes-
sional immediately.
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2-1. Driving procedures
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Automatic transmission
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.
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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
RX350/270_EE
■Shift position purpose
*1: Shifting to the D position allows the system to select a gear suitable for the
driving condition. Setting the shift lever to the D position is recommended
for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possi-
ble gear ranges, controls engine braking forces, and prevents unneces-
sary upshifting.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 (→P. 1 8 9 )
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2-1. Driving procedures
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■Selecting snow mode
Use snow mode for accelerating and driving on slippery road sur-
faces such as snow.
Press the menu switch.
The multi-information display
will change modes to electronic
features control mode.
Press the “∧” or “∨” switch
until “ECT SNOW” appears.
Press the “ENTER” switch to
change to “ON”.
The “ECT SNOW” indicator will
be displayed.
Each pressing of the switch
turns snow mode on and off.
Press the menu switch to
change to the normal display.
STEP1
STEP2
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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
RX350/270_EE
Changing shift ranges in S mode
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to the S position. The shift range can
then be selected by operating the “-” and “+” paddle shift switches (if
equipped) or the shift lever. Changing the shift range allows restriction of
the upper limit of the gears to be used, preventing unnecessary upshifting
and enabling the level of engine braking force to be selected.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to “5” or “4” accord-
ing 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 9 1 )
■Shift ranges and their functions
●Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 6 according to vehicle
speed and driving conditions. But 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 greater engine braking force than a
higher shift range, and the engine speed will also increase.
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2-1. Driving procedures
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Selecting shift ranges in the D position (vehicles with paddle shift switches)
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” paddle shift
switch. The shift range can then be selected by operating the “-” and “+”
paddle shift switches. Changing the shift range allows restriction of the
upper limit of the gears to be used, preventing unnecessary upshifting
and enabling the level of engine braking force to be selected.
Upshifting
Downshifting
To return to normal D position
driving, the “+” paddle shift switch
must be held down for a period of
time.
■Shift ranges and their functions
→P. 1 8 9
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When driving
RX350/270_EE
■When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated in the D position (vehicles with pad-
dle shift switches)
When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated 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 the shift lever is in the D position. (Shift-
ing the shift lever to the S position cancels the function.)
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2-1. Driving procedures
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■When driving with cruise control or radar cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions 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. 230, 234)
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
→P. 5 8 9
■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 any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly quali-
fied and equipped professional 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
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 or paddle shift switch is operated. (The warning buzzer will
sound twice.)
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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