Page 185 of 660
1854-1. Before driving
4
Driving
IS350 AWD/IS350/IS300 AWD/IS300_U
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the ground)
behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four wheels on the ground.
Page 186 of 660

186
IS350 AWD/IS350/IS300 AWD/IS300_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 nec-
essary 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.
Set the parking brake ( P. 200), 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
1
2
3
4
Stopping the engine
1
2
3
4
Page 187 of 660

1874-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
IS350 AWD/IS350/IS300 AWD/IS300_U
Modes can be changed by pressing the engine switch with brake pedal released.
(The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
Off
*
The emergency flashers can be used.
The multi-information display will not be
displayed.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as the
audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed on the
meters.
IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on
the meters.
*: If the shift le ver 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.
If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P, the engine
switch will not be turned off but inst ead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. Per-
form the following procedure to turn the switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” is disp layed on the multi-information display
and then press the engine switch once.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” on th e multi-information display is off.
Changing engine switch modes
1
2
3
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other than P
1
2
3
4
Page 188 of 660

1884-2. Driving procedures
IS350 AWD/IS350/IS300 AWD/IS300_U
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or IGNITION ON
mode (the engine is 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 prevent battery
discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNI-
TION ON mode for long periods of ti me when the engine is not running.
■Automatic engine shut off feature
●The vehicle is equipped with a feature that automatically shuts off the engine when the
shift lever is in P with the engine running for an extended period.
●The engine will automatically shut off after ap proximately 1 hour if it has been left run-
ning while the shift lever is in P.
●The timer for the automatic engine shut off feature will reset if the brake pedal is
depressed or if the sh ift lever is in a position other than P.
●After the vehicle is parked, if the door is locked with the door lock switch (P. 126)
from the inside or the mechanical key from the outside, the automatic engine shut off
feature will be disabled. The ti mer for the automatic engine sh ut off feature will be re-
enabled if the driver’s door is opened.
■Electronic key battery depletion
P. 121
■Conditions affe cting operation
P. 137
■Notes for the entry function
P. 138
■If the engine does not start
●Check that the shift lever is se curely set in P. The engine may not start if the shift lever is
displaced out of P.
●The engine immobilizer system ma y not have been deactivated. (P. 76)
Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the steering wheel
will be locked due to the steering lock func tion. Operating the engine switch again auto-
matically cancels the steering lock.
■When the steering lock cannot be released
“Steering Wheel Lock Press Engine Switch
while Turning Wheel” w ill be displayed on the
multi-information display.
Check that the shift leve r is in P. Press the
engine switch while turn ing the steering wheel
left and right.
Page 189 of 660

1894-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
IS350 AWD/IS350/IS300 AWD/IS300_U
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, operation of the motor may be sus-
pended 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 seconds, the steering lock
motor will resume functioning.
■When “Access System with Elec. Key Malf unction See Owner’s Manual” is displayed
on the multi-information display
The system may be malfunctio ning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 502
■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. 572
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 resulting 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. 515)
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.
Page 190 of 660

1904-2. Driving procedures
IS350 AWD/IS350/IS300 AWD/IS300_U
WARNING
■When parking
Exhaust gases include harmfu l carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and odor-
less.
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause exhaust gases to enter the vehicle and may lead to an acci-
dent caused by light-headedness, or may le ad to death or a serious health hazard.
●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area or a closed area, such as a garage, stop the
engine.
●Do not leave the vehicle with the engine ru nning for a long time. If such a situation
cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and ensure that exhaust fumes
do not enter the vehicle interior.
●Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build-up, or where it is snowing.
If snowbanks build up around the vehicle wh ile the engine is running, exhaust gases
may collect and enter the vehicle.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
●Do not leave the engine switch in AC CESSORY 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 no t 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, there may be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
Page 191 of 660
1914-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
IS350 AWD/IS350/IS300 AWD/IS300_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.
Automatic transmission
Shifting the shift lever
Page 192 of 660
1924-2. Driving procedures
IS350 AWD/IS350/IS300 AWD/IS300_U
*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. 297
■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. 194)
Selecting the driving mode