2444-1. Before driving
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
■Important points regarding stability
Vehicle movement resulting from unev en road surfaces and strong cross-
winds will affect handling. The vehicle may also be rocked by passing buses or
large trucks. Frequently check behind when moving alongside such vehicles.
As soon as such vehicle movement occurs, immediately start to decelerate
smoothly by slowly applying the brakes. Always steer the vehicle straight
ahead while braking.
■Passing other vehicles
Consider the total combined length of your vehicle and trailer and ensure that
the vehicle-to-vehicle distance is sufficient before executing lane changes.
■Transmission information
To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system performance,
when using engine braking, do not use the transmission in D. If in the M mode,
the transmission shift range position must be in 4 or lower. ( P. 251)
■If the engine overheats
Towing a loaded trailer up a long, steep incline in temperatures exceeding
30 C (85F) may result in the engine overheating. If the engine coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is overheating, turn the air condition-
ing off immediately, leave the road and stop the vehicle in a safe place.
( P. 718)
■When parking the vehicle
Always place wheel chocks under the wheels of both the vehicle and trailer.
Set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to P.
2454-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
WARNING
Follow all the instructions described in this section. Failure to do so could cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Trailer towing precautions
When towing, make sure that none of the weight limits are exceeded. ( P. 239)
■To avoid accident or injury
●Vehicles with a compact spare tire: Do not tow a trailer when the compact spare tire is installed on your vehicle.
●Vehicles with the emergency tire puncture repair kit:
Do not tow a trailer when the tire installed is repaired with the emergency tire punc- ture repair kit.
●Do not use the following systems when trailer towing.
• Cruise control*• Dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range*• LKA (Lane-Keeping Assist)*
• PCS (Pre-Crash Safety system)*• BSM (Blind Spot Monitor)*
*: If equipped
■Vehicle speed in towing
Observe the legal maximum sp eeds for trailer towing.
■Before descending hills or long declines
Reduce speed and downshift. However, never downshift suddenly while descending
steep or long downhill grades.
■Operation of the brake pedal
Do not hold the brake pedal depressed often or for long periods of time.
Doing so may result in the brake ov erheating or reduce braking effects.
NOTICE
■Do not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing trailer lights may damage yo ur vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction.
246
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
4-2. Driving procedures
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and a message will be displayed on the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the engine cannot be started.
Press the engine switch shortly and
firmly.
When operating the engine switch, one
short, firm press is enough. It is not necessary to press and hold theswitch.
The engine will crank un til it starts or for up to 30 seconds, whichever is less.
Continue depressing the brake pedal until the engine is completely started.
The engine can be started from any
engine switch mode.
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake ( P. 259), and shift the shift lever to P.
Press the engine switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that the display on the meters is off.
Engine (ignition) switch
Performing the following operations when carrying the electronic key on your
person starts the engine or changes engine switch modes.
Starting the engine
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2
3
4
Stopping the engine
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2
3
4
2474-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
Modes can be changed by pressing the engine switch with brake pedal released.
(The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
Off*
The emergency flashers can be used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as the
audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed on the meters.
IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on the meters.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than
P when turning off the engine, the
engine switch will be turned to ACCES-
SORY mode, not to off.
If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P, the engine
switch will not be turned off but inst ead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. Per-
form the following procedure to turn the switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” is displayed on the multi-information display
and then press the engine switch once.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” on the multi-information display is off.
Changing engine switch modes
1
2
3
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other than P
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2
3
4
2494-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 638
■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 entry & start system has been deactivated by a customized setting
P. 710
WARNING
■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 emer gency 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. 657)
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.
2514-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
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 position 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
Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NCondition in which the power is not transmission
DNormal driving*1
MM mode driving*2 ( P. 253)
2554-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
■Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D position (vehicles with paddle
shift switches)
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 the multi-information display and the vehicle
will go into transmission protection mode automatically. Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped profes-sional.
■Downshifting restri ction warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performa nce, downshifting operation may sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, down shifting may not be possible even when the
shift lever or paddle shift switch (if equipp ed) is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■When driving with 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 crui se control or dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range will not be canceled.
●Vehicles with paddle shift switches (8-sp eed models): While driving in D position, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4. ( P. 329, 341)
●Vehicles with paddle shift switches (6-speed models): While driving in D position,
downshifting to 5 or 4. ( P. 329, 341)
●When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position. (P. 417)
■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 depressed too while the vehicle is in reverse.
■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 shifte d from P only when the engine switch is in IGNITION ON
mode and the brake pedal is being depressed.
2564-2. Driving procedures
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake pedal, there may be a prob-
lem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualifie d and equipped professional immediately. The following steps may be used as an emerge ncy measure to ensure that the shift lever
can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Turn the engine switch to IGNITION ON mode and check that the parking brake is
set. ( P. 247, 259)
Turn the engine switch to off.
Depress the brake pedal.
■AI-SHIFT
●The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver performance
and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when th e shift lever is in D. (Shifting the shift lever to the M position cancels the function.)
●G AI-SHIFT automatically selects a suitab le gear for sporty driving according to driver’s input and driving cond itions. G AI-SHIFT operates automatically when the shift lever is in D and sport mode is selected for the driving mode. (Selecting normal mode
with the driving mode select switch or shifti ng the shift lever to the M position cancels this function.)
1
2
3
Pry the cover up with a flathead screwdriveror equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover the tip of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button. The shift lever can be shifted while the button
is pressed.
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