2015 LEXUS RC350 Owners Manual

2014-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” or “+” paddle shift
switch.
When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated, the shift range will be downshifted
to a range that enables engine braking forc e that is suitable to driving conditions.
When the “+” paddle shift switch is operated, the shift range will be one gear
higher than the gear in use during normal D position driving.
Changing the shift range allows restriction of the highest gear, preventing unnec-
essary upshifting and enabling the level of engine braking force to be selected.
Upshifting
Downshifting
8-speed models: Th e selected shift
range, from D1 to D8, will be displayed
in the meter.
6-speed models: The selected shift
range, from D1 to D6, will be displayed
in the meter.
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
A lower shift range will provide greater engi ne braking forces than a higher shift
range.
Selecting shift ranges in the D position
1
2
Meter displayFunction
D2 - D8
(8-speed models)A gear in the range between 1 and the selected gear is auto- matically chosen depending on vehicle speed and driving conditions
D2 - D6
(6-speed models)
D1Setting the gear at 1

2024-2. Driving procedures
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
To enter M mode, shift the shift lever to M. Gears can then be selected by oper-
ating the shift lever or paddle shift switches, allowing you to drive in the gear of
your choosing.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The gear changes once every time the
shift lever or paddle shift switch is oper-
ated.
8-speed models: Th e selected gear,
from M1 to M8, will be fixed and dis-
played in the meter.
6-speed models: The selected gear,
from M1 to M6, will be fixed and dis-
played in the meter.
When in the M position, the gear will no t change unless the shift lever or pad-
dle shift switches are operated.
However, even when in the M position, the gears will be automatically
changed in the following situation:
●When vehicle speed drops (downshift only).
●When a gear change is necessary to protect the engine or automatic trans-
mission when the engine coolant temperature or automatic transmission
fluid temperature is low, or other reasons.
In the following situations, the gear will not shift even if the shift lever or paddle
shift switches are operated.
●“1st Gear not available due to slippe ry road surface” is displayed on the
multi-information display.
●The vehicle speed is low (upshift only).
Selecting gears in the M position
1
2

2034-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
■Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D position
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situations:
●When the vehicle comes to a stop
●If the accelerator pedal is depressed for more than a certain period of time
●When the shift lever is shifted to a position other than D
■To protect the automatic transmission
If the automatic transmission fluid temperatur e is high, “Transmission Fluid High Temper-
ature” will be displayed on th e multi-information display and the vehicle will go into trans-
mission protection mode automatically. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
■Downshifting restriction warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performa nce, downshifting operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even when the
shift lever or paddle shift switch is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if the engine switch is turned off after driving in
snow mode.
■When driving with cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking,
engine braking will not activate because cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control
will not be canceled.
●8-speed models: While driving in the D posi tion, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4.
(  P. 229, 233)
●6-speed models: While driving in the D position, downshifting to 5 or 4.
( P. 229, 233)
●When switching the driving mode to sp ort mode while driving in D position.
(  P. 2 7 8 )
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 5 8 9
■AI-SHIFT
●The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitab le gear according to driver performance
and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the sh ift lever is in D. (Shifting the shift lever
to the M position cancels the function.)
●8-speed models: G AI-SHIFT automatically se lects a suitable gear for sporty driving
according to driver’s input and driving co nditions. G AI-SHIFT operates automatically
when the shift lever is in D and sport mode is selected for the driving mode. (Selecting
normal mode with the driving mode select sw itch or shifting the shift lever to the M
position cancels this function.)
WA R N I N G
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden accele ration, as this could result in the vehicle
skidding to the side or spinning.

2044-2. Driving procedures
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
The lever will return to its original position immediately after operation.
Right 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.
Left turn
■If the turn signals do not stop flashing af ter turning left or right, or if you want
to stop them flashing
Operate the lever in the opposite direction to either position or . If you
move the lever to either position or , the selected turn signals will flash.
■Turn signals can be operated when
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■If the indicator flashes 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 befo re a lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again.
■Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be changed.
(Customizable feature P. 6 3 5 )
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4
23
14

2054-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
To set the parking brake, fully depress the parking brake pedal with your left foot
while depressing the brake pedal with your right foot.
(Depressing the pedal again releases the parking brake.)
■Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
P. 5 4 3
■Usage in winter time
P. 3 1 6
Parking brake
Operating instructions
RC350RC F
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components overheat-
ing, which may affect braking perf ormance and increase brake wear.
U.S.A. CanadaU.S.A. Canada

2064-2. Driving procedures
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
Louder
Lower
The indicator comes on when the ASC
system is on.
When the dial is turned to the lowest
volume, the ASC system will be turned
off and the indicator will go off.
■The ASC system can be operated when
The driving mode select switch is in normal mode or sport mode. (P. 2 7 8 )
■Temporary cancelation of the ASC system functions
The ASC system may be temporarily cancele d depending on the driving conditions,
such as when the tires slip due to sudden acceleration.
ASC (Active Sound Control) (RC350)
: If equipped
The ASC system is an electronic sound system that generates engine sound,
conveying the kinetic situations of the vehicle’s acceleration and deceleration
to the driver through the speake rs inside the instrument panel.
The vehicle’s response to the driver’s acceleration behavior and shift opera-
tions are also conveyed in sound.
When sport mode is selected, the sound co nveyed to the driver will be louder.
Controlling volume
1
2

2074-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
■The ASC system can be operated when
The driving mode select switch is in SPORT S+ mode. (P. 2 7 8 )
ASC (Active Sound Control) (RC F)
: If equipped
The ASC system sonically emphasizes the vehicle’s response to the driver’s
operation of the accelerator pedal and shift lever or paddle shift switches. The
dynamic engine sound enabled by this system helps the driver further enjoy
the feeling of unity with the vehicle, particularly when driving in M mode.
( P. 202)

208
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Turning the end of the lever turns on the lights as follows:
Headlight switch
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
Operating instructions
U.S.A. Canada
The side marker, tail, license
plate and instrument panel
lights turn on.
The headlights and all lights
listed above turn on.
The headlights, daytime run-
ning lights and all the lights
listed above turn on and off
automatically.
(When the engine switch is in
IGNITION ON mode.)
Off
The daytime running lights
turn on.1
2
3
4
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)