2015 LEXUS RX350 transmission

1832-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving Selecting gears in the M position
To enter M mode, shift the shift lever to the M position. Gears can then be
selected by operating 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 operated.
When in the M position, the gear will not change unless the shift lever or
paddle shift switches are operated.
However, even when in the M positio n, the gears will be automatically
changed in the following situations:
● When vehicle speed drops (downshift only).
● When the automatic transmission flu id or engine coolant temperature
is low.
● When engine speed is higher than necessary. (upshift only)

1852-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving ■
Downshift 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 or paddle shift switch is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)■
When driving with cruise control activated
Even when performing the following acti ons with the intent of enabling engine
braking, engine braking will not activate while driving in M mode and downshifting
to 7, 6, 5 or 4 because cruise control will not be canceled. (  P. 2 2 7 )■
Automatic deactivation of snow mode
If the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turn ed off after driving in snow mode, the
mode is automatically deactivated.■
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
 P. 7 9 1■
Automatic gear selection when the vehicle is stopped
When the vehicle comes to a stop, the tran smission will automatically downshift to
allow you to start off in 1 st
gear.■
If the automatic transmissi on fluid temperature warn ing message is displayed
If the automatic transmission fluid tempera-
ture warning message is displayed while
driving, make sure you return to normal D
position driving and reduce speed by eas-
ing off the accelerator pedal. Stop the vehi-
cle in a safe place, shift the shift lever to the
P position and let the engine idle until the
warning message goes out.
When the warning message goes out, the
vehicle can be driven again.
If the warning message does not go out
after waiting a while, have your vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer.

2942-5. Driving information
CAUTION■
Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death or serious
injury or damage to your vehicle: ●
Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving in
dangerous places.●
Do not grip the steering wheel spokes wh en driving off-road. A bad bump could
jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and especially your
thumbs on the outside of the rim.●
Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in sand,
mud, water or snow.●
After driving through tall grass, mud, rock , sand, water, etc., check that there is no
grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped to the underbody.
Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the vehicle is used with these
materials trapped or adhering to the underbody, a breakdown or fire could occur.●
When driving off-road or in rugged te rrain, do not drive at excessive speeds,
jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or vehi-
cle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also risking expensive dam-
age to your vehicle’s suspension and chassis.
NOTICE■
To prevent water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the engine or
other components does not occur. ●
Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage. ●
Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift quality,
locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ultimately dam-
age.
●
Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and premature
failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and transfer case, reduc-
ing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.

3172-5. Driving information
2
When driving ● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before making a
turn.
● Note that when making a turn, the tr ailer wheels will be closer than the
vehicle wheels to the inside of th e turn. Compensate by making a
wider than normal turning radius.
● Slow down before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slippery sur-
faces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.
● Take care when passing other vehi cles. Passing requires considerable
distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your
trailer, and be sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
● To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not put the transmission in D.
● Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do not
make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long downhill
grades.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes
too frequently. This could cause th e brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may overheat
on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when driving up a
long or steep grade. If the eng ine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, immediately turn off th e air conditioning (if in use), pull
your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. (  P. 799)

3182-5. Driving information
● Always place wheel bloc ks under both the vehi cle’s and the trailer’s
wheels when parking. Apply the pa rking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do so
only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and
trailer’s wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start th e engine. Be sure to keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake and br ake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4

3202-5. Driving information
■
Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components (such as
an engine, transmission, differential or wheel bearing), Lexus recommends that you
do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km), you can start tow-
ing. However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the vehicle at a speed of less
than 50 mph (80 km/h) when towing a trailer, and avoid full throttle acceleration.■
Maintenance ●
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. (See “Warranty and Services Guide”, “Owner's Manual
Supplement” or “Scheduled Maintenance”.)●
Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.■
If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can adversely
affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability. ●
If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer sway ing by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator peda l immediately but very gradually to
reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle and
trailer should stabilize. ●
After the trailer swaying has stopped:
• Stop in a safe place. Get all occupants out of the vehicle.
• Check the tires of the vehicle and the trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer.
Make sure the load has not shifted.
Make sure the tongue weight is appropriate, if possible.
• Check the load in the vehicle.
Make sure the vehicle is not ov erloaded after occupants get in.
If you cannot find any problems, the speed at which trailer swaying occurred is
beyond the limit of your particular vehicle-trailer combination.
Drive at a lower speed to prevent instability. Remember that swaying of the towing
vehicle-trailer increases as speed increases.

3232-5. Driving information
2
When driving Dinghy towing NOTICE■
To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
■
To prevent causing serious damage to th e transmission and Active Torque Con-
trol 4WD system (AWD models)Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the
ground) behind a motor home.
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on
the ground.
2WD models: Never tow this vehicle from
the rear with the front wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious damage to the trans-
mission.
AW D m o d e l s : N e v e r t o w this vehicle with
any of the wheels on the ground. This may
cause serious damage to the transmission
and Active Torque Control 4WD system.

6604-2. Maintenance
Vehicle interior Items Check points
Accelerator pedal • The accelerator pedal should move
smoothly (without uneven pedal
effort or catching).
Automatic transmission “Park”
mechanism • When parked on a slope and the
shift lever is in P, is the vehicle
securely stopped?
Brake pedal • Does the brake pedal move
smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appro-
priate clearance from the floor?
(  P. 8 1 4 )
• Does the brake pedal have the cor-
rect amount of free play?
(  P. 8 1 4 )
Brakes • The vehicle should not pull to one
side when the brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel
spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too
close to the floor when the brakes
are applied.
Head restraints • Do the head restraints move
smoothly and lock securely?