ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)
1574-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be suspended if the
engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time. In this case, refrain from
operating the engine. After about 10 seconds, the steering lock motor will resume func-
tioning.
■When “Check Access System with Elec. Key” is displayed on the multi-information dis-
play
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
→ P. 4 5 7
■Operation of the engine switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the engine switch mode may not change
or the engine may not start.
●If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the engine switch off, the
engine may not start in some cases. After turning the engine switch off, please wait a
few seconds before restarting the engine.
■If the smart access system with push-button start has been deactivated in a customized
setting
→ P. 5 0 4
■Odometer and trip meter display
When the engine switch is turned off, the odometer or trip meter display will extinguish
after approximately 30 seconds. “Steering Lock active” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press the
engine switch while turning the steering wheel
left and right.
158
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
WA R N I N G
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the accelerator
pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resu
lting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the doors until
the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering lock in this cir-
cumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
■Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle, press and hold
the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly 3 times or more in succes-
sion. ( →P. 4 7 5 )
However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emergency. Turning
the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. Th is will make it more difficult to steer and
brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
●Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for long
periods of time without the engine running.
●If “POWER ON” is displayed on the multi- information display, 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 malfunction 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.
159
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Automatic transmission
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 shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possible gear
ranges, controls engine braking force, and prevents unnecessary upshifting.
Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 ( → P. 1 6 0 )
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)
1614-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■S mode
●When the shift range is 4 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the shift range
to 6.
●To prevent excessive engine speed, a function was adopted that automatically selects a
higher shift range before the engine speed becomes too high.
●To protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that automatically selects a
higher shift range when the fluid temperature is high.
■When driving with cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking,
the engine brake will not operate in the S mode, even when downshifting to 5 or 4.
( → P. 2 0 8 , 2 2 0 )
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performa nce, downshifting operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circumstances, downsh ifting may not be possible even when the
shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■If the S indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to the S position
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same manner as when the shift lever
is in the D position.)
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift lever in start-
ing.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the engine switch is in IGNITION ON
mode and the brake pedal is being depressed.
■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 warning message appears on
the multi-information display. If a warnin g message is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display, read the message and follow the instructions.
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed t oo much while the vehicle is in reverse.
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)
1674-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
■Automatic light off system
When the light switch is in , or : The headlights and tail lights turn off 30
seconds after the engine switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off and a
door is opened and all of th e doors and trunk are closed. (The lights turn off immediately
if on the key is pressed twice after all the doors are closed.)
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to IGNITION ON mode, or turn the
light switch off once and then back to or .
If any of the doors or trunk lid is kept open, the lights automatically turn off after 20 min-
utes.
■Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the engine switch is turned off or turned to ACCESSORY mode
and the driver’s door is opened while the lights are turned on.
■Automatic headlight leveling system (if equipped)
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number of passen-
gers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do not inter-
fere with other road users.
■If “Headlight System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer” is displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features: →P. 5 3 8 )
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than ne cessary when the engine is not running.
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)
1714-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
■Temporarily lowering sensor sensitivity
The sensitivity of the sensor can be temporarily lowered.Turn the engine switch off while the following conditions are met.
• The headlight switch is in or .
• The headlight switch lever is in high beam position.
• Automatic High Beam switch is on. Turn the engine switch to IGNITION ON mode.
Within 30 seconds after , repeat pulling the headlight switch lever to the original
position then pushing it to the high beam position quickly 10 times, then leave the
lever in high beam position.
If the sensitivity is changed, the Automati c High Beam indicator is turn on and off
three times.
Automatic High Beam (headlights) may turn on even the vehicle is stopped.
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4
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)
1754-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
■The windshield wiper and washer can be operated when
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■Raindrop sensor (vehicles with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
●If the wiper switch is turned to AUTO position while the engine switch is in IGNITION
ON mode, the wipers will operate once to show that AUTO mode is activated.
●When the sensor sensitivity ring is turned toward high while in AUTO mode, the wipers
will operate once to indicate that th e sensor sensitivity is enhanced.
●If the temperature of the raindrop sensor is 185°F (85°C) or higher, or -22°F
(-30°C) or lower, automatic operation may not occur. In this case, operate the
wipers in any mode other than AUTO mode.
■If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washer fluid in the windshield
washer fluid reservoir.
●The raindrop sensor judges the amount of
raindrops.
An optical sensor is ad opted. It may not oper-
ate properly when sunlight from the rising or
setting of the sun intermittently strikes the
windshield, or if bugs etc. are present on the
windshield.
WA R N I N G
■Caution regarding the use of windshield wi pers in AUTO mode (vehicles with rain-
sensing windshield wipers)
The windshield wipers may operate unexpectedly if the sensor is touched or the wind-
shield is subject to vibration in AUTO mo de. Take care that your fingers or anything
else do not become caught in the windshield wipers.
■Caution regarding the use of washer fluid
When it is cold, do not use the washer fl uid until the windshield becomes warm. The
fluid may freeze on the windshield and cause lo w visibility. This may lead to an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.
212
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
Press the “ON/OFF” button to acti-
vate the cruise control.
Radar cruise control indicator will come
on and a message will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
Press the button again to deactivate the
cruise control.
If the “ON/OFF” button is pressed and
held for 1.5 seconds or more, the system
turns on in constant speed control
mode. (
→P. 2 1 6 )
Accelerate or decelerate, with
accelerator pedal operation, to the
desired vehicle speed (above
approximately 30 mph [50 km/h])
and push the lever down to set the
speed.
Cruise control “SET” indicator will come
on.
The vehicle speed at the moment the
lever is released becomes the set speed.
Setting the vehicle speed (vehicle -to-vehicle distance control mode)
1
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