
115
RC350AWD_RC350_RC300AWD_RC30
0_OM_(U)_1810
4
4
Driving
Driving
.4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle ...................... 116
Cargo and luggage .................... 121
Vehicle load limits ...................... 123
Trailer towing ............................... 124
Dinghy towing ............................. 124
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch ........... 125
Automatic transmission........... 128
Turn signal lever.......................... 133
Parking brake .............................. 134
ASC (Active Sound Control) ......................................................... 134
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers Headlight switch ......................... 136
Automatic High Beam ............. 138
Windshield wipers and washer .......................................................... 141
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap...... 148
4-5. Using the driving support sys- tems
Lexus Safety System + .............. 151
PCS (Pre-Collision System) ......................................................... 154
LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control) ....................... 161
Dynamic radar cruise control ......................................................... 168
Intuitive parking assist .............. 176BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) .....
182
Driving mode select switch ... 190
Driving assist systems............... 192
4-6. Driving tips Winter driving tips ..................... 196

1254-2. Driving procedures
RC350AWD_RC350_RC300AWD_RC30
0_OM_(U)_1810
4
Driving
4-2.Driving procedures
1 Check that the parking brake is set.
2 Check that the shift lever is in P.
3 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.
4 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 the
switch.
The engine will crank until 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.
■If the engine does not start
●The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (
P.57)
Contact your Lexus dealer.
●Check that the shift leve r is securely set in
P. The engine may not start if the shift
lever is displaced out of P. “To Start Vehi-
cle. Put Shift Lever into P” will be dis-
played on the multi-information display.
■Electronic key battery depletion
P.82
■Conditions affecting operation
P.94
■Notes for the entry function
P.95
■Steering lock function
●After turning the engine switch off and
opening and closing the doors, the steer-
ing wheel will be lock ed due to the steer-
ing lock function. Operating the engine
switch again automatically cancels the
steering lock.
●When the steering lock cannot be
released, “Steering Wheel Lock Press
Engine Switch while Turning Wheel” will
be displayed on the multi-information dis-
play.
Check that the shift lever is in P. Press the
engine switch while turning the steering
wheel left and right.
●To prevent the steering lock motor from
overheating, operation of 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 switch. After about 10 sec-
onds, the steering lock motor will resume
functioning.
Engine (ignition) switch
Performing the following opera-
tions when carryin g the electronic
key on your person starts the
engine or changes engine switch
modes.
Starting the engine

1274-2. Driving procedures
RC350AWD_RC350_RC300AWD_RC30
0_OM_(U)_1810
4
Driving1Off*
The emergency flashers can be used.
2ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as the
audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed on the
meters.
3IGNITION 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.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode
for more than 20 minutes or IGNITION
ON mode (with the engine not running) for
more than an hour with the shift lever in P,
the engine switch will automatically turn off.
However, this function cannot entirely pre-
vent battery discharge. Do not leave the
vehicle with the engine switch in ACCES- SORY or IGNITION ON mode for long
periods of time when the engine is not run-
ning.
If the engine is stopped with the shift
lever in a position other than P, the
engine switch will not be turned off but
instead be turned
to ACCESSORY
mode. Perform the following proce-
dure to turn the switch off:
1
Check that the parking brake is set.
2
Shift the shift lever to P.
3
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” is
displayed on the multi-information
display and then press the engine
switch once.
4
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” on
the multi-information display is off.
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 “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION
ON” is displayed on the meters while
the engine is not running, the engine
switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after
turning the engine switch off.
When stopping the engine with
the shift lever in a position other
than P

1294-2. Driving procedures
RC350AWD_RC350_RC300AWD_RC30
0_OM_(U)_1810
4
Driving
position, downshifting to 5 or 4.
( P.130)
●8-speed models: While driving in the D
position, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4.
( P.130)
●When switching the driving mode to
sport mode while driving in the D posi-
tion. ( P.190)
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start
Control)
P.117
■AI-SHIFT
●The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the
suitable gear accordin g to driver perfor-
mance and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates
when the shift lever is in D. (Shifting the
shift lever to the M position cancels the
function.)
●8-speed models: G AI-SHIFT automati-
cally selects a suitable gear for sporty
driving according to driver’s input and
driving conditions. G AI-SHIFT operates
automatically when the shift lever is in D
and sport mode is sele cted for the driving
mode. (Selecting normal mode with the
driving mode select switch or shifting the
shift lever to the M po sition cancels this
function.)
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.
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent
accidental operation of the shift lever in
starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only
when the engine swit ch is in IGNITION
ON mode and the brake pedal is being
depressed.
■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
problem with the shift lock system. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
The following steps may be used as an
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road sur-
faces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden
acceleration, as this could result in the
vehicle skidding to the side or spinning.
Shifting the shift lever

1334-2. Driving procedures
RC350AWD_RC350_RC300AWD_RC30
0_OM_(U)_1810
4
Driving
The lever will return to its original posi-
tion immediately after operation.
1 Right turn
2 Lane change to the right (move the
lever partway and release it)
The right hand signals will flash 3 times.
3Lane change to the left (move the
lever partway and release it)
The left hand signals will flash 3 times.
4Left turn
■If the turn signals do not stop flash-
ing after turning left or right, or if
you want to stop them flashing
Operate the lever in the opposite
direction to either position 2 or 3 . If
you move the lever to either position 1
or 4, the selected turn signals will flash.
■Turn signals can be operated when
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON
mode.
■If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear
turn signal lights has not burned out.
■If the turn signals stop flashing before a
lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again.
■Customization
Some functions can be customized.
( P.339)
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions

1364-3. Operating the lights and wipers
RC350AWD_RC350_RC300AWD_RC30
0_OM_(U)_1810
4-3.Operating the lights and wipers
Operating the switch turns on
the lights as follows:U.S.A.
Canada
1 The side marker, parking, tail,
license plate, instrument panel
lights, and daytime running lights
( P.136) turn on.
2 The headlights and all lights
listed above (except daytime run-
ning lights) turn on.
3 The headlights, daytime run-
ning lights ( P.136) and all the lights listed above turn on and off
automatically. (When the engine
switch is in IGNITION ON mode.)
4 (U.S.A.) Off / (Canada)
The daytime running lights turn on.
( P.136)■Daytime running light system
●The daytime running lights illuminate
using the same lights as the parking lights
and illuminate brighter than the parking
lights.
●To make your vehicle more visible to
other drivers during daytime driving, the
daytime running lights turn on automati-
cally when all of the following conditions
are met. (The daytime running lights are
not designed for use at night.)
• The engine is running
• The parking brake is released
• The headlight switch is in the (Can-
ada only), or
* position
*: When the surroundings are bright
The daytime running lights remain on after
they illuminate, even if the parking brake is
set again.
●For the U.S.A.: Daytime running lights
can be turned off by operating the switch.
●Compared to turning on the headlights,
the daytime running light system offers
greater durability and consumes less
electricity, so it can help improve fuel
economy.
■Headlight control sensor
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
Headlight switch
The headlights can be operated
manually or automatically.
Operating instructions
A
B

1374-3. Operating the lights and wipers
RC350AWD_RC350_RC300AWD_RC30
0_OM_(U)_1810
4
Driving
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the wind-
shield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detect-
ing the level of ambient light and may cause
the automatic headlight system to malfunc-
tion.
■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 the doors
and trunk are closed. (The lights turn off
immediately if on the key is pressed
twice after both side 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 left open,
the lights automatically turn off after 20
minutes.
■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
The level of the headlights is automatically
adjusted according to the number of pas-
sengers and the loading condition of the
vehicle to ensure that the headlights do not
interfere with other road users.
■Customization
Some functions can be customized.
( P.339)
1With the headlights on, push the
lever away from you to turn on the
high beams.
Pull the lever toward you to the center
position to turn the high beams off.
2Pull the lever toward you and
release it to flash the high beams
once.
You can flash the high beams with the
headlights on or off.
When the steering wheel or turn
signal lever is operated while the
headlights are on (low beam) and
the vehicle speed is 19 mph (30
km/h) or lower, a cornering light will
turn on and light up the direction of
movement of the vehicle. The cor-
nering lights are designed to ensure
excellent visibility when making a
turn at an intersection.
When the shift position is in R while
the headlights are on (low beam),
both cornering lights will turn on.
This is designed to enhance visibility
when parking.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than
necessary when the engine is not run-
ning.
Turning on the high beam head-
lights
Cornering lights

1404-3. Operating the lights and wipers
RC350AWD_RC350_RC300AWD_RC30
0_OM_(U)_1810mittently changing brightness and dark-
ness
• When frequently and repeatedly driving
ascending/descending roads, or roads
with rough, bumpy or uneven surfaces
(such as stone-paved ro ads, gravel roads,
etc.)
• When frequently and repeatedly taking curves or driving on a winding road
• When there is a highly reflective object ahead of the vehicle, such as a sign or
mirror
• When the back of a preceding vehicle is highly reflective, such as a container on a
truck
• When the vehicle's headlights are dam- aged or dirty, or are not aimed properly
• When the vehicle is listing or titling due to
a flat tire, a trailer being towed, etc.
• When the headlights are changed between the high beams and low beams
repeatedly in an abnormal manner
• When the driver believes that the high beams may be flashing or dazzling
pedestrians or other drivers
■Temporarily lowering sensor sensitivity
The sensitivity of the sensor can be tempo-
rarily lowered.
1 Turn the engine switch off while the fol-
lowing conditions are met.
●The headlight switch is in or .
●The headlight sw itch lever is in high beam
position.
●Automatic High Beam switch is on.
2 Turn the engine switch to IGNITION
ON mode.
3 Within 30 seconds after 2, repeat pull-
ing 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 posi-
tion.
4 If the sensitivity is changed, the Auto-
matic High Beam indicator is turn on
and off 3 times.
Automatic High Beam (headlights) may
turn on even when the vehicle is stopped.
■Switching to the low beams
Pull the lever to its original position.
The Automatic High Beam indicator will
turn off.
Push the lever away from you to activate
the Automatic High Beam system again.
■Switching to the high beams
Press the Automatic High Beam
switch.
The Automatic High Beam indicator will
turn off and the high beam indicator will
turn on.
Press the switch to activate the Automatic
High Beam system again.
Turning the high beams on/off
manually