
1504-1. Before driving
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire 
and loading information label. ( P.337)
Vehicle load limits
Vehicle load limits include total 
load capacity, seating capacity, 
towing capacity and cargo capac-
ity.
 Total load capacity (vehicle 
capacity weight):
P.390
Total load capacity means the com-
bined weight of occupants, cargo 
and luggage.
 Seating capacity: 5 occupants 
(Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maxi-
mum number of occupants whose 
estimated average weight is 150 lb. 
(68 kg) per person.
 Towing capacity
Lexus does not recommend towing 
a trailer with your vehicle.
 Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or 
decrease depending on the weight 
and the number of occupants.
WARNING
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires, 
but also degrade steering and braking 
ability, resulting in an accident.
Trailer towing
Lexus does not recommend towing 
a trailer with your vehicle. Lexus 
also does not recommend the 
installation of a tow hitch or the use 
of a tow hitch carrier for a wheel-
chair, scooter, bicycle, etc. Your 
vehicle is not designed for trailer 
towing or for the use of tow hitch 
mounted carriers. 

1534-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
●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 running the 
engine. After about 10 seconds, the 
steering lock motor will resume function-
ing.
■Electronic key battery
 P.341
■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 imme-
diately 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.
■Customization
If the smart access sy stem with push-button 
start has been deactivated in a customized 
setting, refer to P.380.1Stop the vehicle completely.
2
Set the parking brake ( P.160), 
and shift the shift lever to P 
( P.155).
3
Press the engine switch.
4
Release the brake pedal and check 
that “ACCESSORY” or “IGNI-
TION ON” is not shown on the 
meter.
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 result-
ing 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 com-
plete stop. The steering lock function will 
activate and this may lead to an accident, 
resulting in death  or serious injury.
NOTICE
■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 immedi-
ately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction 
with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operat-
ing somewhat differently than usual, such 
as the switch sticking slightly, there may 
be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus 
dealer immediately.
Stopping the engine 

1544-2. Driving procedures
Modes can be changed by pressing 
the engine switch with the brake pedal 
released. (The mode changes each 
time the switch is pressed.)1
OFF*
The emergency flashers can be used.
2ACC
Some electrical components such as the 
audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed on the 
meter.
3ON
All electrical components can be used. 
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on the 
meter.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than 
P when turning off the engine, the 
engine switch will be  turned to ACC, not 
to OFF.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACC for more than 
20 minutes or ON (the engine is not run-
ning) for more than an hour with the shift 
lever in P, the engine switch will automati-
cally turn off. However, this function cannot 
entirely prevent battery discharge. Do not 
leave the vehicle with the engine switch in 
ACC or ON for long periods of time when 
the engine is not running.
WARNING
■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 succession. 
(  P.350)
However, do not touch the engine 
switch while driving  except in an emer-
gency. 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. This 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.
●If the engine switch is operated while 
the vehicle is running, a warning mes-
sage will be shown on the multi-infor-
mation display and a buzzer sounds.
●When restarting the engine after an 
emergency shutdown, shift the shift 
lever to N and press the engine switch 
shortly and firmly.
Changing engine switch modes 

1554-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
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 ACC. Perform the 
following procedure to turn the switch 
off:
1
Check that the parking brake is set.
2
Shift the shift lever to P.
3
Check that “Turn Power Off” is dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play and then press the engine 
switch shortly and firmly once.
4
Check that “Turn Power Off” on the 
multi-information display is off.
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce  noise, shift the shift lever to D for normal 
driving.
*2: Selecting gear steps using the M posi-tion achieves suitable engine braking 
forces by operating the shift lever or 
paddle shift switch es (if equipped).
■Reverse warning buzzer
When shifting into R, a buzzer will sound to 
inform the driver that the shift lever is in R.
■To protect the transmission
If the automatic transmission fluid tempera-
ture is high, “Transmission Oil Temp. High 
Stop in a safe place and See owner’s man-
ual” will be displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display and the vehicle will go into 
transmission protection mode automati-
cally. Have the vehicle inspected by your 
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
●Do not leave the engine switch in ACC 
or ON for long periods of time without 
the engine running.
●If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION 
ON” is displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display while the engine is not run-
ning, 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 
ACC. If the vehicle is left in ACC, bat-
tery discharge may occur.
When stopping the engine with 
the shift lever in a position other 
than P
Continuously variable trans-
mission
Select the shift position depending 
on your purpose and situation.
Shift position purpose and func-
tions
Shift posi-
tionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting  the engine
RReversing
NNeutral (Condition in which 
the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
M
10-speed sport sequential 
shiftmatic mode driving
*2 
(  P.158) 

1564-2. Driving procedures
Lexus dealer.
■Continuously variable transmission fail-
safe control
The system detects ma lfunctioning parts 
targeted (all of the so lenoids that perform 
the shifting function) by the On-Board 
Diagnostics, and performs fail-safe mecha-
nisms, such as restrict ing the shifting func-
tion or transmission ratio control. In this 
event, the malfunction indicator lamp turns 
on.
■When driving with dynamic radar cruise 
control with full-speed range activated
Even when switching the driving mode to 
Sport mode while driving in D position 
(  P.243) with the intent  of enabling engine 
braking, engine braking will not activate 
because radar cruise control with full-
speed range will not be canceled.
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start 
Control)
 P.143
■AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically  selects the suitable 
gear step according to driver performance 
and driving conditions.
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the 
driving mode is set to Normal mode with 
the shift lever in the D position. (Shifting the 
shift lever to the M position cancels the 
function.)
■G AI-SHIFT
G AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suit-
able gear step according to driver’s input 
and driving conditions. G AI-SHIFT oper-
ates automatically when  the shift lever is in 
the D position and Sport mode is selected 
for the driving mode. (Selecting normal 
mode or shifting the shift lever to the M 
position cancels the function.)
 While the engine switch is in 
ON and the brake pedal depressed*, 
shift the shift lever while pushing the 
shift release button on the shift knob.
 Shift the shift lever while push-
ing the shift release button on the shift 
knob.
 Shift the shift lever normally.
When shifting the shift lever between P 
and D, make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped and the brake pedal is 
depressed.
*: For the vehicle be able to be shifted from P, the brake pedal must be depressed 
before the shift releas e button is pushed. 
If the shift release button is pushed first, 
the shift lock will not be released.
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent 
accidental operation of  the shift lever in 
starting.
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 

1574-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
The shift lever can be shifted from P only 
when the engine switch is in ON, the brake 
pedal is depressed and the shift release but-
ton is pushed.
■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 even 
though the brake pedal is depressed and 
the shift release button is pushed, 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 
emergency measure to ensure that the shift 
lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
1
Press the parking brake switch to check 
that the parking brake is set. ( P.160)
2
Turn the engine switch off.
3
Depress the brake pedal.
4
Pry the cover up with a flathead screw-
driver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover the 
tip of the screwd river with a rag.
5
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the but-
ton is pressed.
 P.243
To drive using temporary gear step 
selection, operate the “-” or “+” paddle 
shift switch when driving with the shift 
lever in D.
Changing the gear step allows restric-
tion of the highest gear, preventing 
unnecessary upshifting and enabling 
the level of engine braking force to be 
selected.
1
Upshifting
2
Downshifting
WARNING
■To prevent an accident when releas-
ing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override 
button, make sure to set the parking 
brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pe dal is accidentally 
depressed instead of the brake pedal 
when the shift lock override button is 
pressed and the shift  lever is shifted out 
of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, pos-
sibly leading to an accident which may 
result in death or  serious injury.
Selecting the driving mode
Selecting gear steps in the D 
position (vehicles with paddle 
shift switches) 

1584-2. Driving procedures
The selected gear step, from D1 to D10, will 
be displayed in the meter.
To return to normal D position driving, the 
“+” paddle shift switch must be held down 
for a period of time.
■Gear step functions
●10 levels of accelerating force and engine 
braking can be  selected.
●A lower gear step will provide greater 
accelerating force and engine braking 
force than a higher gear step, and the 
engine revolutions will also increase.
■Automatic deactivation of gear step 
selection in the D position
Gear step 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 for 
more than a certain period of time
●When the shift lever is  shifted to a posi-
tion other than D
●When the “+” paddle shift switch is 
pressed and held
■Downshifting restriction warning 
buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving perfor-
mance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In  some circumstances, 
downshifting may not be possible even 
when the shift lever or paddle shift switch is 
operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
To enter 10-speed sport sequential 
shiftmatic mode, shift the shift lever to 
M. Gear steps can be selected by 
operating the shift lever or paddle shift 
switches (if equipped). 1
Upshifting
2 Downshifting
The gear step changes once every time the 
shift lever or paddle shift switch (if 
equipped) is operated.
The selected gear step , from M1 to M10, 
will be displayed in the meter.
However, even when in the M position, 
the gear steps will be automatically 
changed if the engine speed is too 
high, or too low.
■Gear step functions
●10 levels of accelerating force and engine 
braking can be selected.
●A lower gear step will provide greater 
accelerating force and engine braking 
force than a higher gear step, and the 
engine revolutions will also increase.
■When the vehicle comes to a stop with 
the shift lever in the M position
●The transmission will automatically down-
shift to M1 once the vehicle is stopped.
●After a stop, the vehicle will start off in 
M1.
Changing gear steps in the M 
position 

1594-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
●When the vehicle is stopped, the trans-
mission is set at M1.
■Downshifting restriction warning 
buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving perfor-
mance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In  some circumstances, 
downshifting may not be possible even 
when the shift lever or paddle shift switch (if 
equipped) is operated. (A buzzer will sound 
twice.)
■If the “M” indicator does not come on or 
the “D” indicator is displayed even after 
shifting the shift lever to M
This may indicate a malfunction in the auto-
matic transmission system. Have the vehicle 
inspected by your Lexus dealer.
(In this situation, the transmission will oper-
ate in the same manner as when the shift 
lever is in D.)
The turn signal lever can be used to 
show the following intentions of the 
driver.
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
■Turn signals can be operated when
The engine switch is in ON.
■If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb  in the front or rear 
turn signal lights has not burned out.
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions