
224 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350_U_OM48E90U 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. ●
If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is disp layed on the meters while the engine is
not running, the engine switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the engine
switch off. ●
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.

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 )

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 )

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.

2394-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350_U_OM48E90U Turns the brake hold system on The brake hold standby indicator
(green) comes on. While the system is
holding the brake, the brake hold oper-
ated indicator (yellow) comes on.
■
Brake hold system operating conditions
The brake hold system cannot be turn ed on in the following conditions:●
The driver’s door is not closed. ●
The driver is not wearing the seat belt.
If any of the conditions above are detected when the brake hold system is enabled, the
system will turn off and the brake hold standby in dicator light will go of f. In addition, if any
of the conditions are detected while the sy stem is holding the brake, a warning buzzer
will sound and a message will be shown on th e multi-information display. The parking
brake will then be set automatically.Brake Hold
Vehicles without paddle shift switches
The brake hold system keeps the brake applied when the shift lever is in D, S or
N with the system on and the brake pedal has been depressed to stop the vehi-
cle. The system releases the brake when the accelerator pedal is depressed
with the shift lever in D or S to allow smooth start off.
Vehicles with paddle shift switches
The brake hold system keeps the brake applied when the shift lever is in D, M
or N with the system on and the brake pedal has been depressed to stop the
vehicle. The system releases the brake when the accelerator pedal is
depressed with the shift lever in D or M to allow smooth start off.

240 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350_U_OM48E90U ■
Brake hold function ●
If the brake pedal is left released for a period of about 3 minutes after the system has
started holding the brake, the parking brake w ill be set automatically. In this case, a
warning buzzer sounds and a message is shown on the multi-information display.●
To turn the system off while the system is holding the brake, firmly depress the brake
pedal and press the button again. ●
The brake hold function may not hold the vehicle when the vehicle is on a steep incline.
In this situation, it may be necessary fo r the driver to apply the brakes. A warning
buzzer will sound and the multi-information di splay will inform the dr iver of this situa-
tion. If a warning message is shown on the multi-information displa y, re a d t h e m e s s a g e
and follow the instructions. ■
When the parking brake is set automatically while the system is holding the brakes
The parking brake will not be released automatically. With the brake pedal depressed,
release the parking brake by operating the parking brake switch, making sure that the
parking brake indicator light goes off. ( P. 2 3 5 )■
If “Brake Hold Fault Depress Brake to Deacti vate Visit Your Dealer” is displayed on the
multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately. ■
Warning messages and buzzers
Warning messages and buzzers are used to indicate a system malfunction or to inform
the driver of the need for caution. If a warn ing message is shown on the multi-information
display, read the message and follow the instructions.■
If the brake hold operated indicator flashes
P. 6 3 4
WA R N I N G ■
When the vehicle is on a steep incline
When using the brake hold system on a stee p incline exercise caution. The brake hold
function may not hold the vehicle in such a situation. ■
When stopped on a slippery road
The system cannot stop the vehicle when the gripping ability of the tires has been
exceeded. Do not use the system when stopped on a slippery road.
NOTICE ■
When parking the vehicle
The brake hold system is not designed for use when parking the vehicle for a long
period of time. Turning the engine switch of f while the system is holding the brake may
release the brake, which would cause the vehicle to move. When operating the engine
switch, depress the brake pedal, shift the shift lever to P and set the parking brake.

3054-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX350_U_OM48E90U This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehicles up to
approximately 400 ft. (120 m) ahead, determines the current vehicle-to-vehicle
following distance, and operates to main tain a suitable following distance from
the vehicle ahead. Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close in when traveling on long downhill
slopes.
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no vehicles ahead The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver. The desired vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance can also be set by operating th e vehicle-to-vehicle distance button.
Example of deceleration cruising and follow-up cruising
When a preceding vehicle driving slower than the set speed appears When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automatically deceler-
ates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in vehicle speed is necessary, the system
applies the brakes (the stop lights will come on at this time). The system will respond to
changes in the speed of the vehicle ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle
distance set by the driver. Approach wa rning warns you when the system cannot
decelerate sufficiently to prevent your ve hicle from closing in on the vehicle ahead.
When the vehicle ahead of you stops, your ve hicle will also stop (vehicle is stopped by
system control). After the vehicle ahead starts off, pushing the cruise control lever up
or depressing the accelerator peda l will resume follow-up cruising.
Example of acceleration
When there are no longer any preceding vehicles driving slower than the set
speed The system accelerates until the set speed is reached. The system then returns to con-
stant speed cruising.Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
1
2
3

308 4-5. Using the driving support systems
RX350_U_OM48E90U Pressing the button changes the vehi-
cle-to-vehicle distance as follows:
Long
Medium
Short The vehicle-to-vehicle distance is set
automatically to long mode when the
engine switch is turned to IGNITION
ON mode.
If a vehicle is running ahead of you, the preceding vehicle mark will also be displayed.
Select a distance from the table below. Note that the distances shown corre-
spond to a vehicle speed of 50 mph (8 0 km/h). Vehicle-to-vehicle distance
increases/decreases in accordance with vehicle speed. When the vehicle is
stopped by system control, the vehicle-to-vehicle distance will be about 16 ft. (5
m) to 23 ft. (7 m) regardless of the vehicle-to-vehicle distance setting.
After the vehicle ahead of you starts off,
push the lever up.
Your vehicle will also resume follow-up
cruising if the accelerator pedal is
depressed after the vehicle ahead of
you starts off.Changing the vehicle-to-vehicle distance (vehicle-to-vehicle distance
control mode) Preceding
vehicle mark1
2
3
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance settings (vehicle-to-vehicle distance con-
trol mode)
Distance options Vehicle-to-vehicle distance
Long Approximately 160 ft. (50 m)
Medium Approximately 130 ft. (40 m)
Short Approximately 100 ft. (30 m)
Resuming follow-up cruising when th e vehicle has been stopped by sys-
tem control (vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode)