2018 LEXUS RC350 sport mode

2144-2. Driving procedures
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, shift the shift lever to D for normal driv-
ing.
*2: Any gear range can be fixed when driving in M mode.
■Sport mode/Eco drive mode
 P. 301
■Snow mode
Snow mode can be selected to suit th e conditions when driving on slippery
road surfaces, such as snow.
Press the switch.
Press the switch again to return to
normal mode.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
(Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
MM mode driving*2 (  P. 216)
Selecting the driving mode

2184-2. Driving procedures
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)
■Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D position
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situations:
●When the vehicle comes to a stop
●If the accelerator pedal is depressed fo r 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 temperature 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
your Lexus dealer.
■Downshifting restriction warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifti ng operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circum stances, downshifting may not be possible even when the
shift lever or paddle shif t switch is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if the engine switch is turn ed off after driving in
snow mode.
■When driving with dynamic radar cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking,
engine braking will not activate because dy namic radar cruise control will not be can-
celed.
●8-speed models: While driving in the D posi tion, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4.
(  P. 268)
●6-speed models: While driving in the D position, downshifting to 5 or 4.
( P. 268)
●When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position.
( P. 301)
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent ac cidental 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 M) with the accelerator pedal depressed, a warning message appears on
the multi-information display. ( P. 465)
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed t oo much while the vehicle is in reverse.

2194-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC300_RC F_U(OM24748U)
■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 vehi cle inspected by your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that the shift lever
can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Set the parking brake.
Turn the engine switch to off.
Depress the brake pedal.
■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 M position cancels the function.)
●8-speed models: G AI-SHIFT automatically selects a suitable gear for sporty driving
according to driver’s input and driving co nditions. 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 shifting the shift lever to the M
position cancels this function.)
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Pry the cover up with a flathead screwdriver
or 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.4
5

2234-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC300_RC F_U(OM24748U)
Louder
Lower
The indicator comes on when the ASC
system is on.
When the dial is turned to the lowest
volume, the ASC system will be turned
off and the indicator will go off.
■The ASC system can be operated when
The driving mode select switch is in normal mode or sport mode. ( P. 301)
■Temporary cancelation of the ASC system functions
The ASC system may be temporarily cancel ed depending on the driving conditions,
such as when the tires slip due to sudden acceleration.
ASC (Active Sound Control) (RC350/RC300)
: If equipped
The ASC system is an electronic sound system that generates engine sound,
conveying the kinetic situations of the vehicle’s acceleration and deceleration
to the driver through the speake rs inside the instrument panel.
The vehicle’s response to the driver’s acceleration behavior and shift opera-
tions are also conveyed in sound.
When sport mode is selected, the sound conveyed to the driver will be louder.
Controlling volume
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2244-2. Driving procedures
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)
■The ASC system can be operated when
The driving mode select switch is in SPORT S+ mode. ( P. 301)
ASC (Active Sound Control) (RC F)
: If equipped
The ASC system sonically emphasizes the vehicle’s response to the driver’s
operation of the accelerator pedal and sh ift lever or paddle shift switches. The
dynamic engine sound enabled by this system helps the driver further enjoy
the feeling of unity with the vehicle, particularly when driving in M mode.
(  P. 216)

3014-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC300_RC F_U(OM24748U)
RC350/RC300 (vehicles without Adapti ve Variable Suspension System)
Normal mode
Provides an optimal balance of fuel ec onomy, quietness, and dynamic perfor-
mance. Suitable for city driving.
Press the switch to change the driving mode to normal mode when Eco drive mode or
sport mode is selected.
Eco drive mode
Helps the driver accelerate in an eco-fr iendly manner and improve fuel econ-
omy through moderate throttle charact eristics and by controlling the opera-
tion of the air conditioning system (heating/cooling).
When not in Eco drive mode, if the driving mode select switch is turned to the left, the
Eco drive mode indicator will come on.
Sport mode
Controls the transmission and engine to provide quick, powerful acceleration.
This mode also changes the steering feel, making it suitable for when agile
driving response is desired, such as wh en driving on roads with many curves.
When not in sport mode, if the driving mode select switch is turned to the right, the
“SPORT” indicator will comes on.
Driving mode select switch
The driving modes can be selected to suit driving condition.
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3024-5. Using the driving support systems
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)
RC350/RC300 (vehicles with Adaptive Variable Suspension System)
Normal mode/Custom mode
Normal mode and custom mode are se lected by pressing the driving mode
select switch. Each time the switch is pressed, the driving mode changes
between normal mode and custom mode . When custom mode is selected,
the “CUSTOM” indicator will be illuminated.
When Eco drive mode or sport mode is se lected, pressing the switch changes the
driving mode to normal mode.
• Normal mode
Provides an optimal balance of fuel economy, quietness, and dynamic per-
formance. Suitable for city driving.
• Custom mode Allows you to drive with the following functions set to your preferred set-
tings.
Custom mode settings can only be ch anged on the drive mode customiza-
tion display of the Center Display.
(Displaying the drive mode customization display: P. 575)
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3034-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC300_RC F_U(OM24748U)
Eco drive mode
Helps the driver accelerate in an eco-fr iendly manner and improve fuel econ-
omy through moderate throttle charact eristics and by controlling the opera-
tion of the air conditioning system (heating/cooling).
When not in Eco drive mode, if the driving mode select switch is turned to the left, the
Eco drive mode indicator will come on.
Sport mode
•SPORT S mode
Controls the transmission and engine to provide quick, powerful accelera-
tion. This mode is suitable for when agile driving response is desired, such
as when driving on roads with many curves.
When not in SPORT S mode, if the driving mode select switch is turned to the
right, the “SPORT S” indicator will come on.
•SPORT S+ mode
Helps to ensure steering performanc e and driving stability by simultane-
ously controlling the steeri ng and suspension in addition to the transmis-
sion and engine. Suitable for sportier driving.
When in SPORT S mode, if the driving mode select switch is turned to the right,
the “SPORT S+” indicator will come on.
FunctionSetting
Powertrain
Normal
Power
Eco
ChassisNormal
Sport
Air conditioning systemNormal
Eco
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