2016 LEXUS RX350 manual transmission

2134-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RX350_U_OM48E90U ●
To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system performance
when using engine braking, do not put th e transmission in D. If in the M or S
mode, the transmission shift range position must be in 6 or lower. (  P. 2 2 9 )●
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 fre-
quently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking
efficiency. ●
Due to the added load of the trailer, yo ur 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 engine coolant temperat ure gauge indicates overheating, imme-
diately turn off the air cond itioning (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and
stop in a safe spot. (  P. 668)●
Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s wheels
when parking. Put the transmission in P and apply the parking brake. Avoid
parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do so only after performing the follow-
ing:
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 place, release the brakes slowly until the
blocks absorb the load.
Shift into P and apply the parking brake.
Turn off the engine.●
When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep the brake pedal
depressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
If the parking brake is in manual mode, release the parking brake.
(  P. 2 3 6 )
Release the brake pedal, and slowly pull or back away from the wheel
blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks. 1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5

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.

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.

386 4-6. Driving tips
RX350_U_OM48E90U WA R N I N G ■
Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death, serious injury
or damage to your vehicle: ●
Drive carefully when off the road. Do not ta ke unnecessary risks by driving in danger-
ous places. ●
Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when 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 effectivenes s immediately after driving in sand, mud,
water or snow. ●
After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc., check that there is no
grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped on the underbody.
Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the vehicle is used with these materi-
als trapped or adhering to the underb ody, a breakdown or fire could occur.●
When driving off-road or in rugged terrai n, do not drive at excessive speeds, jump,
make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or vehicle rollover
causing death or serious injury. You are also risking expensive damage to your vehi-
cle’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 accompan ied by vibration, and ultimately damage.●
Water can wash the grease from wheel be arings, causing rusting and premature fail-
ure, and may also enter the differential, tr ansmission and transfer (AWD models only)
case, reducing the gear o il’s lubricating qualities.■
When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check the depth of
the water and the bottom of the riverbed for firmness. Drive slowly and avoid deep
water. ■
Inspection after off-road driving ●
Sand and mud that has accumulated around brake discs may affect braking efficiency
and may damage brake system components. ●
Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driving that has
taken you through rough terr ain, sand, mud, or water. For scheduled maintenance
information, refer to the “Warranty and Services Guide/Owner’s Manual Supple-
ment/Scheduled Maintenance”.

642 8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX350_U_OM48E90U * : A buzzer sounds the first time a message is shown on the multi-information display.
●
If the following messages are shown, there may be a malfunction.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus dealer.
Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
• “Braking Power Low Stop in a Safe Place See Owner’s Manual”
• “Oil Pressure Low Stop in a Safe Place See Owner’s Manual”
• “Charging System Malfunction See Owner's Manual” ●
If the following message is shown, there may be a malfunction.
Immediately have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
• “Access System with Elec. Key Malfunction See Owner’s Manual” ●
If “Engine Coolant Temp High Stop in a Safe Place See Owner’s Manual” is
shown, following the instructions, accordingly. (  P. 668)●
If “Transmission Fluid Temp High See Owner’s Manual” is shown, the auto-
matic transmission fluid temperature may be too high.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place, shift the shift lever to P with the
engine running and wait until the message is cleared.
If the message is not cleared, contact your Lexus dealer. Flashes  Sounds Indicates a situation, such as when
damage to the vehicle or danger may
result
Comes
on  Does not sound Indicates a condition, such as malfunc-
tion of electrical components, their
condition, or indicates the need for
maintenance
Flashes  Does not sound Indicates a situation, such as when an
operation has been performed incor-
rectly, or indicates how to perform an
operation correctly
If a message instructing to refer to the Owner’s Manual is displayed System
warning
light Wa r n i n g b u z z e r
* Wa r n i n g

733Alphabetical index
RX350_U_OM48E90U Audio system (with Lexus
Display Audio System) ................... 390
Antenna ................................................... 419
Audio input........................................... 399
AUX port.............................................. 399
Bluetooth ®
audio ............................. 448
CD player .............................................. 422
iPod ...........................................................429
MP3/WMA disc ............................... 422
Optimal use ......................................... 409
Portable music player ...................... 437
Radio ......................................................... 416
Setup menu ...........................................402
Steering wheel audio
switches .............................................. 396
USB memory .......................................433
Audio system
(with navigation system)
*Automatic air conditioning
system .................................................... 495
Air conditioning filter....................... 598
S-FLOW mode ................................. 496
Automatic headlight leveling
system .................................................... 243
Automatic High Beam ....................... 245
Automatic light control system.........241
Automatic transmission .......... 225, 229
If the shift lever cannot be
shifted from P .................................. 660
M mode ....................................................231
Paddle shift switches ............. 230, 231
S mode .................................................... 226
AUX port................................................. 399
Auxiliary boxes ..............................517, 521 Back door
Power back door ............................... 130
Touchless power back door.......... 132
Wireless remote control................. 130
Back-up lights
Replacing light bulbs ........................ 610
Wattage ................................................. 682
Battery
Battery checking ................................. 581
If the battery is discharged............665
Preparing and checking before
winter................................................... 380
Warning light ....................................... 634
Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) ............... 355
Blind Spot Monitor function.........359
Rear Cross Traffic
Alert function.................................... 363
Bluetooth ®
............................................... 471
Audio system ....................................... 448
Hands-free system
(for cellular phone) .......................450
Bottle holders .......................................... 515
Brake
Brake Hold ........................................... 239
Fluid ......................................................... 680
Parking brake ...................................... 235
Warning light ....................................... 634
Brake assist ..............................................374
Brake Hold.............................................. 239
Warning light .......................................635
Break-in tips ............................................. 194
Brightness control
Instrument panel light control ........ 87 B
* : Refer to the “NAVIGATION SYSTEM OWNER’S MANUAL”.