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Driving
RX350/RX350L_U4-2. 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, th e 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 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.
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake ( P. 247), 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 wh en carrying the electronic key on your
person starts the engine or changes engine switch modes.
Starting the engine
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Stopping the engine
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2344-2. Driving procedures
RX350/RX350L_U
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 623
■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 wi th push-button start has been deactivated by a customized
setting
P. 684
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, re sulting 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. 645)
However, do not touch the engi ne switch while driving except in an emergency. Turning
the engine off while driving will not cause lo ss 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.
2354-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX350/RX350L_U
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 displa yed on the meters while the engine is
not running, 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 malfun ction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differen tly than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, ther e may be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
2364-2. 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 unnecessary upshifting.
Automatic transmission (vehicles without paddle
shift switches)
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
SS mode driving*2 ( P. 237)
2404-2. 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 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. 242)
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 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.)
■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.
2504-2. Driving procedures
RX350/RX350L_U
Turns the brake hold system on
The brake hold standby indicator
(green) comes on. Wh ile the system is
holding the brakes, the brake hold oper-
ated indicator (yellow) will illuminate.
■Brake hold system operating conditions
The brake hold system cannot be turn ed on in the following conditions:
●The driver’s door is not closed.
●The driver’s seat seat belt is not buckled.
If either of the conditions above are detected when the brake hold system is enabled, the
system will turn off and the brake hold standby in dicator light will go off. In addition, if any
of the conditions are detected while the sy stem is holding the brakes, a warning buzzer
will sound and a message will be shown on th e multi-information display. The parking
brake will then be set automatically.
■Brake hold function
●If the brake pedal is left released for a pe riod of about 3 minutes after the system has
started holding the brakes, the parking brake will be set automatically. In this case, a
warning buzzer sounds and a message is shown on the multi-information display.
●To turn the system off while the system is holding the brakes, firmly depress the brake
pedal and press the switch again.
●The brake hold function may not hold the vehicle when the vehicle is on a steep incline.
In this situation, it may be necessary for the driver to apply the brakes. A warning
buzzer will sound and the mult i-information display will inform the driver of this situa-
tion. If a warning message is shown on the multi-information display, read the message
and follow the instructions.
Brake Hold
Vehicles without paddle shift switches
The brake hold system keeps the brake appl ied when the shift lever is in D, S or
N with the system on and the brake peda l has been depressed to stop the vehi-
cle. The system releases the brake wh en the accelerator pedal is depressed
with the shift lever in D or S to allow smooth start off.
Vehicles with paddle shift switches
The brake hold system keeps the brake a pplied when the shift lever is in D, M
or N with the system on and the brake pedal has been depressed to stop the
vehicle. The system releases the brake when the accelerator pedal is
depressed with the shif t lever in D or M to allow smooth start off.
3034-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX350/RX350L_U
This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehicles up to
approximately 328 ft. (100 m) ahead, determines the current vehicle-to-vehicle
following distance, and operates to main tain a suitable following distance from
the vehicle ahead.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will cl ose in when traveling on downhill slopes.
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver. The desired vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance can also be set by operating the vehicle-to-vehicle distance switch.
Example of deceleration cruising and follow-up cruising
When a preceding vehicle driving slower than the set speed appears
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automatically deceler-
ates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in vehicle speed is necessary, the system
applies the brakes (the stop lights will come on at this time). The system will respond to
changes in the speed of the vehicle ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle
distance set by the driver. Approach warning warns you when the system cannot
decelerate sufficie ntly to prevent your vehicle from closing in on the vehicle ahead.
When the vehicle ahead of you stops, your vehicle will also stop (vehicle is stopped by
system control). After the vehicle ahead starts off, pushing the cruise control lever up
or depressing the accelerator pedal will resume follow-up cruising.
Example of acceleration
When there are no longer any preceding vehicles driving slower than the set
speed
The system accelerates until the set speed is reached. The system then returns to con-
stant speed cruising.
Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
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