2014 LEXUS RX270 engine

187
2-1. Driving procedures
2
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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189
2-1. Driving procedures
2
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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190
2-1. Driving procedures
RX350/270_EE
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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191
2-1. Driving procedures
2
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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192
2-1. Driving procedures
RX350/270_EE
■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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193
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
RX350/270_EE
Turn signal lever
■Turn signals can be operated when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■If the indicators flash faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned out.
■If the turn signals stop flashing before a lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again.
■To discontinue flashing of the turn signals during a lane change
Operate the lever in the opposite direction.
■Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 6 2 2 )
The turn signal lever can be used to show the following intention of the
driver:
Right turn
Left turn
Lane change to the right
(move the lever partway and
release it)
The right hand signals will flash
3 times.
Lane change to the left (move
the lever partway and release
it)
The left hand signals will flash 3
times.
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196
RX350/270_EE
2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters
Tachometer
Displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute
Multi-information display
Presents the driver with a variety of driving-related data (→P. 2 0 3 )
Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed
Fuel gauge
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank
Odometer and trip meter
Odometer: Displays the total distance the vehicle has been driven
Trip meter: Displays the distance the vehicle has been driven since the
meter was last reset. Trip meters “A” and “B” can be used to
record and display different distances independently.
Shift position and shift range display
Displays the selected shift position or selected shift range (→P. 1 8 6 )
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature
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197
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
RX350/270_EE
Changing the display
Switches between odometer and
trip meter displays. When the trip
meter is displayed, pressing and
holding the button will reset the
trip meter.
Instrument panel light control
The brightness of the instrument panel lights can be adjusted.
Darker
Brighter
■The meters and display illuminate when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which indi-
cates the maximum engine speed.
●The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is in the
red zone (H). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place, and check
the engine after it has cooled completely. (
→P. 5 9 8 )
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