2019 LEXUS RX350 automatic transmission

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RX350/RX350L_U 64-1. Before driving
Driving the vehicle .................... 202
Cargo and luggage ................... 210
Vehicle load limits .......................213
Trailer towing (vehicles
with towing package)..............215
Trailer towing (vehicles
without towing
package)..................................... 229
Dinghy towing ............................. 230
4-2. Driving procedures
Engine (ign ition) switch .............231
Automatic transmission
(vehicles without paddle
shift switches) ........................... 236
Automatic transmission
(vehicles with paddle
shift switches) ........................... 240
Turn signal lever ......................... 246
Parking brake ...............................247
Brake Hold ................................... 250
4-3. Operating the lights and
wipers
Headlight switch ........................ 252
Automatic High Beam............. 256
Fog light switch ........................... 260
Windshield wipers and
washer ...........................................261
Rear window wiper and
washer ......................................... 267 4-4. Refueling
Opening the fuel tank
cap ................................................ 269
4-5. Using the driving support
systems
Lexus Safety System+ ...............274
PCS
(Pre-Collision System) .......... 281
LKA
(Lane-Keeping A ssist)............291
Dynamic radar cruise
control  with full-speed
range ............................................300
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor).......313
• BSM function........................... 317
• RCTA function........................321
Intuitive parking assist.............. 326
Intelligent Clearance Sonar
(ICS)............................................. 336
Lexus parking assist
monitor........................................ 357
Driving mode select
switch ........................................... 373
All-wheel drive lock
switch ............................................377
Driving assist systems .............. 378
4-6. Driving tips
Winter driving tips..................... 384
Utility vehicle
precautions ...............................3884
Driving

200
RX350/RX350L_U 4-1. Before driving
Driving the vehicle..................... 202
Cargo and luggage.................... 210
Vehicle load limits....................... 213
Trailer towing (vehicles
with towing package) ............. 215
Trailer towing (vehicles
without towing
package)..................................... 229
Dinghy towing .............................230
4-2. Driving procedures
Engine (ignition) switch ............ 231
Automatic transmission
(vehicles without paddle
shift switches)............................ 236
Automatic transmission
(vehicles with paddle
shift switches)............................ 240
Turn signal lever ......................... 246
Parking brake .............................. 247
Brake Hold ...................................2504 Driving

236 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350/RX350L_U 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
completely 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 driv-
ing.
* 2
: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possible gear
ranges, controls engine braking forces , and prevents unne cessary upshifting.Automatic transmission (vehicles without paddle
shift switches) Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose Shift position Objective or function
P Parking the vehicle/starting the engine
R Reversing
N Condition in which the power is not transmission
D Normal driving
* 1
S S mode driving
* 2
(  P. 237)

238 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350/RX350L_U ■
S mode ●
When the shift range is 6 or lower, holding th e 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 functi on is adopted that au tomatically 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 the multi-information display and the vehicle
will go into transmission protection mode automatically. Have th e vehicle inspected by
your Lexus dealer. ■
Downshifting restrictions 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 is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.) ■
When driving with 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 occur because 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. 300)●
When switching the driving mode to spor t mode while driving in the D position
(  P. 373)■
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 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 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.

240 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350/RX350L_U 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 gears using M mode fixes the gear step, controls engine braking force, and
prevents unnecessa ry upshifting.Automatic transmission (ve hicles with paddle shift
switches) Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose Shift position Objective or function
P Parking the vehicle/starting the engine
R Reversing
N Condition in which the power is not transmission
D Normal driving
* 1
M M mode driving
* 2
(  P. 242)

242 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350/RX350L_U To enter M mode, shift the shift lever to M. Gears can then be selected by oper-
ating the shift lever or paddle shift switch es, allowing you to drive in the gear of
your choosing.
Upshifting
Downshifting The gear changes once every time the
shift lever or paddle shift switch is oper-
ated.
The selected gear, fr om M1 to M8, will
be fixed and displayed on the meters.
When in the M position, the gear will not change unless the shift lever or pad-
dle shift switches are operated.
However, even when in the M positi on, the gears will be automatically
changed in the following situation: ●
When vehicle speed drops (downshift only). ●
When the automatic transmission fluid or engine coolant temperature is
low. ●
When automatic transmission fluid temperature is high (upshift only). ●
When the needle of the tachometer is in the red zone (the range which
exceeds the allowable revs of the engine).
In the following situations, the gear will no t shift even if the shift lever or paddle
shift switches are operated. ●
The vehicle speed is low (upshift only).Selecting gears in the M position 1
2

2434-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350/RX350L_U ■
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 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 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 th e 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.)■
When driving with 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 occur because 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. 300)●
When switching the driving mode to spor t mode while driving in the D position
(  P. 373)■
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 wa rning 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 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.

390 4-6. Driving tips
RX350/RX350L_U WARNING ■
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 effectiveness 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 underbody, a breakdown or fire could occur. ●
When driving off-road or in rugged terrain , do not drive at excessive speeds, jump,
make sharp turns, strike obje cts, 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, transmission and transfer (AWD models only)
case, reducing the gear oi l’s lubricating qualities.■
When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when cro ssing 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 afte r each day of off-road driving that has
taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For scheduled maintenance
information, refer to the “Warranty and Services Guide/Owner’s Manual Supple-
ment/Scheduled Maintenance”.