Page 193 of 684
193
4
Driving
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)4-2. Driving procedures
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and a message will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the engine cannot be started.
Press the engine switch.
The engine will crank until it starts or for
up to 30 seconds, whichever is less.
Continue depressing the brake pedal
until the engine is completely started.
The engine can be started from any
engine switch mode.
Stop the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 2 0 5 )
Press the engine switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that the display on the meters is off.
Engine (ignition) switch
Performing the following op erations when carrying the electronic key on your
person starts the engine or changes engine switch modes.
Starting the engine
1
2
3
4
Stopping the engine
1
2
3
4
5
Page 194 of 684
1944-2. Driving procedures
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
Modes can be changed by pressing the engine switch with brake pedal released.
(The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
RC350
Off
*
The emergency flashers can be used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as the
audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed on the
meters.
IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on
the meters.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the engine, the
engine switch will be turned to ACCES-
SORY mode, not to off.
Changing engine switch modes
1
2
3
Page 195 of 684

1954-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
RC F
Off
*
The emergency flashers can be used.
The analog speedometer and the
tachometer will not be illuminated.
However, if the welcome illumination is
operating, the analog speedometer will
illuminate.
(Welcome illumination: P. 1 0 1 )
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as the
audio system can be used.
The analog speedometer is illuminated.
IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be used.
The analog speedometer and the
tachometer will be illuminated.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than
P when turning off the engine, the
engine switch will be turned to ACCES-
SORY mode, not to off.
If the engine is stopped with the shift le ver in a position other than P, the engine
switch will not be turned off but inst ead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. Per-
form the following procedure to turn the switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Power OFF” is displa yed on the multi-information display
and then press the engine switch once.
Check that “Turn Power OFF” on th e multi-information display is off.
1
2
3
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other than P
1
2
3
4
Page 196 of 684

1964-2. Driving procedures
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or IGNITION ON
mode (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with the shift lever in P, the engine
switch will automatically turn off. However, this function cannot entirely prevent battery
discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNI-
TION ON mode for long periods of ti me when the engine is not running.
■Electronic key battery depletion
P. 1 3 3
■Conditions affe cting operation
P. 1 4 8
■Notes for the entry function
P. 1 4 9
■If the engine does not start
●Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The engine may not start if the shift lever is
displaced out of P.
●The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 76 )
Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the steering wheel
will be locked due to the stee ring lock function. 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 over heating, 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 “Check Access System with Elec. Key” is displayed on the multi-information dis-
play
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 5 0 7
“Steering Lock active” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is in P. Press the
engine switch while turning the steering wheel
left and right.
Page 197 of 684

1974-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
■Operation of the engine switch
●When operating the engine switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the switch is
pressed improperly, the engine may not start or the engine switch mode may not
change. It is not necessary to press and hold the switch.
●If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the engine switch off, the
engine may not start in some cases. After tu rning the engine switch off, please wait a
few seconds before re starting the engine.
■If the smart access system with push-butto n start has been deactivated by a customized
setting
P. 5 9 0
WA R N I N G
■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. 5 2 3 )
However, do not touch the engine switch while driving 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.
Page 198 of 684

1984-2. Driving procedures
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
●Do not leave the engine switch in AC CESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for long
periods of time without the engine running.
●RC350: If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the meters while the
engine is not running, the engine switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the
engine switch off.
●RC F: If the analog speedometer is illum inated and the engine is not running, the
engine switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the engine switch off.
However, if the welcome illumination is operating, the analog speedometer will be
illuminated even though the engine sw itch is off. (Welcome illumination: P. 1 0 1 )
●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 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 your Lexus dealer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfun ction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, there may be a malf unction. Contact your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
Page 199 of 684
1994-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
While the 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 com-
pletely stopped.
Automatic transmission
Shifting the shift lever
Page 200 of 684
2004-2. Driving procedures
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, shift the shift lever to D for normal driv-
ing.
*2: Any gear range can be fixed when driving in M mode.
■Sport mode/Eco drive mode
P. 2 7 8
■Snow mode
Snow mode can be selected to suit th e conditions when driving on slippery
road surfaces, such as snow.
Press the switch.
Press the switch again to return to
normal mode.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
(Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
MM mode driving*2 ( P. 2 0 2 )
Selecting the driving mode