2016 LEXUS RX350 Owners Manual

2254-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350_U_OM48E90U 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
completely stopped.
* 1
: Shifting to the D position allows the system to select a gear suitable for the driving
conditions. Setting the shift lever to the D position is recommended for normal driv-
ing.
* 2
: Selecting shift ranges using S mode rest ricts the upper limit of the possible gear
ranges, controls engine braking forces, and prevents unnecessary upshifting.Automatic transmission (vehicles without paddle
shift switches) Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose Shift position Objective or function
P Parking the vehicle/starting the engine
R Reversing
N Condition in which the power is not transmission
D Normal driving
* 1
S S mode driving
* 2
(  P. 2 2 6 )

226 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350_U_OM48E90U  P. 3 6 9
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to the S position. The shift range can then be
selected by operating the shift lever. Changing the shift range allows restriction
of the upper limit of the gears to be us ed, preventing unnecessary upshifting and
enabling the level of engine br aking force to be selected.
Upshifting
Downshifting The initial shift range in S mode is set
automatically between 3 and 7 accord-
ing to vehicle speed and driving condi-
tions.
■
Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engi ne braking forces than a higher shift
range.Selecting the driving mode
Selecting shift ranges in S mode 1
2
Meter display Function
S2 - S8 A gear in the range between 1 and the selected gear is auto-
matically chosen depending on vehicle speed and driving
conditions
S1 Setting the gear at 1

2274-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350_U_OM48E90U ■
S mode ●
When the shift range is 6 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the shift range
to 8. ●
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. ■
To protect the automatic transmission
If the automatic transmission fluid temperat ure is high, “Transmission Fluid Temp High
See Owner’s Manual” will be displayed on th e multi-information display and the vehicle
will go into transmission protection mode automatically. Have the vehicle inspected by
your Lexus dealer. ■
Downshifting restrictions 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 is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.) ■
When driving with cruise control, dynamic radar cruise control or dynamic radar
cruise control with full -speed range activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking,
engine braking will not activate because cruise control, dynamic radar cruise control or
dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range will not be canceled.●
While driving in D or S mode, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4. (  P. 302, 314, 326)●
When switching the driving mode to spor t mode while driving in D position. (  P. 3 6 9 )■
Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
When the following unusual operation is performed, the engine output may be
restrained. ●
When the shift lever is shifted from R to D, D to R, N to R, P to D, or P to R (D includes S)
with the accelerator pedal depressed, a wa rning message appears on the multi-infor-
mation display. If a warning message is show n on the multi-information display, read the
message and follow the instructions.●
When the accelerator pedal is depresse d too while the vehicle is in reverse.

228 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350_U_OM48E90U ■
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
 P. 660 ■
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 S position cancels the 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.

2294-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350_U_OM48E90U 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.
* 1
: Shifting to the D position allows the system to select a gear suitable for the driving
conditions.
Setting the shift lever to the D positi on is recommended for normal driving.
* 2
: Selecting gears using M mode fixes the gear step, controls engine braking force, and
prevents unnecessary upshifting.Automatic transmission (veh icles with paddle shift
switches) Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose Shift position Objective or function
P Parking the vehicle/starting the engine
R Reversing
N Condition in which the power is not transmission
D Normal driving
* 1
M M mode driving
* 2
(  P. 2 3 1 )

230 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350_U_OM48E90U  P. 3 6 9
To drive using temporary shift range select ion, 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 The selected shift range, from D1 to D8,
will be displayed on the meters.
■
Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engi ne braking forces than a higher shift
range.Selecting the driving mode
Selecting shift ranges in the D position 1
2
Meter display Function
D2 - D8 A gear in the range between 1 and the selected gear is auto-
matically chosen depending on vehicle speed and driving
conditions
D1 Setting the gear at 1

2314-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350_U_OM48E90U 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.
The selected gear, from M1 to M8, will
be fixed and displayed on the meters.
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 the automatic transmission flui d or engine coolant temperature is
low. ●
When automatic transmission fluid temperature is high (upshift only). ●
When the needle of the tachometer is in the red zone (the range which
exceeds the allowable revs of the engine).
In the following situations, the gear will not shift even if the shift lever or paddle
shift switches are operated. ●
The vehicle speed is low (upshift only).Selecting gears in the M position 1
2

232 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350_U_OM48E90U ■
Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D position
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situations:●
The “+” paddle shift switch is held down for a period of time●
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 temperat ure is high, “Transmission Fluid Temp High
See Owner’s Manual” will be displayed on th e multi-information display and the vehicle
will go into transmission 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.)■
When driving with cruise control, dynamic radar cruise control or dynamic radar
cruise control with full -speed range activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking,
engine braking will not activate because cruise control, dynamic radar cruise control or
dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range will not be canceled.●
While driving in D position, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4. (  P. 302, 314, 326)●
When switching the driving mode to sp ort mode while driving in D position.
(  P. 3 6 9 )■
Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
When the following unusual operation is performed, the engine output may be
restrained. ●
When the shift lever is shifted from R to D, D to R, N to R, P to D, or P to R (D includes
M) with the accelerator pedal depressed, a warning message appears on the multi-
information display. If a warning message is shown on the multi-information display,
read the message and follow the instructions. ●
When the accelerator pedal is depresse d too while the vehicle is in reverse.