2021 LEXUS RC350 sport mode

1324-2. Driving procedures
position, downshifting to 5 or 4.
( P.133)
●8-speed models: While driving in the D
position, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4.
( P.133)
●When switching the driving mode to
sport mode while driving in the D posi-
tion. ( P.199)
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start
Control)
 P.119
■AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatica lly selects the suit-
able gear according to driver performance
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.)
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 th e side or spinning.
Shifting the shift lever

1334-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
emergency measure to ensure that the shift
lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
1Turn the engine switch to IGNITION
ON mode and check that the parking
brake is set. ( P.129, 137)
2 Turn the engine switch to 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.
■Sport mode/Eco drive mode
 P.199
■Snow mode
Snow mode can be se lected to suit the
conditions when driving on slippery
road surfaces, such as snow.
Press the switch.
Press the switch again to return to normal
mode.
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if
the engine switch is turned off after driving
in snow mode.
To drive using temporary shift range
selection, operate the “-” or “+” paddle
shift switch.
When the “-” paddle shift switch is
operated, the shift range will be down-
shifted to a range that enables engine
braking force that is suitable to driving
conditions. When the “+” paddle shift
switch is operated, the shift range will
be one gear higher than the gear in use
during normal D position driving.
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 resulting in
death or serious injury.
Selecting the driving mode
Selecting shift ranges in the D
position

1414-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
*:If equipped
1Louder
2 Lower
The indicator comes on when the ASC
system is on.
When the dial is turned to the lowest
volume, the ASC system will be turned
off and the indicator will go off.
■The ASC system can be operated when
The driving mode select switch is in normal
mode or sport mode. ( P.199)
■Temporary cancelation of the ASC sys-
tem functions
The ASC system may be temporarily can-
celed depending on the driving conditions,
such as when the tires slip due to sudden
acceleration.
ASC (Active Sound Con-
trol)*
The ASC system is an electronic
sound system that generates
engine sound, conveying the
kinetic situations of the vehicle’s
acceleration and deceleration to
the driver throug h the speakers
inside the instrument panel.
The vehicle’s response to the
driver’s accelerati on behavior and
shift operations are also conveyed
in sound.
When sport mode is selected, the
sound conveyed to the driver will be
louder.
Controlling volume

1644-5. Using the driving support systems
■Enabling/disabling the pre-colli-
sion system
The pre-collision system can be
enabled/disabled on ( P.71) of
the multi-information display.
The system is automatically enabled each
time the engine switch is turned to IGNI-
TION ON mode.
If the system is disabled, the PCS warn-
ing light will turn on and a message will
be displayed on the multi-information
display.
■Changing the pre-collision warn-
ing timing
The pre-collision warning timing can
be changed on ( P.71) of the
multi-information display.
The operation timing setting is retained
when the engine switch is turned off.
1 Far
The warning will begin to operate earlier
than with the default timing.
2Middle
This is the default setting.
3Near
WARNING
●When inspecting the vehicle using a
drum tester such as a chassis dyna-
mometer or speedometer tester, or
when using an on vehicle wheel bal-
ancer
●When a strong impact is applied to the
front bumper or front grille, due to an
accident or other reasons
●If the vehicle cannot be driven in a sta-
ble manner, such as when the vehicle
has been in an accident or is malfunc-
tioning
●When the vehicle is driven in a sporty
manner or off-road
●When the tires are not properly
inflated
●When the tires are very worn
●When tires of a size other than speci-
fied are installed
●When tire chains are installed
●When a compact spare tire or an
emergency tire puncture repair kit is
used
●If equipment (snow plow, etc.) that may
obstruct the radar sensor or front cam-
era is temporarily installed to the vehi-
cle
Changing settings of the pre-col-
lision system

1994-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
Vehicles without Adaptive Variable
Suspension System
1 Normal mode
Provides an optimal ba lance of fuel econ-
omy, quietness, and dynamic performance.
Suitable for city driving.
Press the switch to change the driving
mode to normal mode when Eco drive
mode or sport mode is selected.
2 Eco drive mode
Helps the driver accelerate in an
eco-friendly manner and improve fuel
economy through moderate throttle char-
acteristics and by controlling the operation
of the air conditioning system (heat-
ing/cooling).
When not in Eco drive mode, if the driving
mode select switch is turned to the left, the
Eco drive mode indicator will come on.
3Sport mode
Controls the transmission and engine to
provide quick, powerful acceleration. This
mode also changes the steering feel, mak-
ing it suitable for when agile driving
response is desired, such as when driving
on roads with many curves.
When not in sport mode, if the driving
mode select switch is turned to the right,
the “SPORT” indicator will comes on.
Vehicles with Adaptive Variable
Suspension System
1 Normal mode/Custom mode
Normal mode and custom mode are
selected by pressing the driving mode
select switch. Each time the switch is
pressed, the driving mode changes
between normal mode and custom mode.
When custom mode is selected, the “CUS-
TOM” indicator will be illuminated.
When Eco drive mode or sport mode is
selected, pressing th e switch changes the
driving mode to normal mode.
• Normal mode
Provides an optimal ba lance of fuel econ-
omy, quietness, and dynamic performance.
Suitable for city driving.
• Custom mode
Allows you to drive with the following func-
tions set to your preferred settings.
Driving mode select switch
The driving modes can be selected
to suit driving condition.
Selecting a drive mode

2004-5. Using the driving support systems
Custom mode settings can only be
changed on the drive mode customization
display of the Center Display. (P.212)
2 Eco drive mode
Helps the driver accelerate in an
eco-friendly manner and improve fuel
economy through moderate throttle char-
acteristics and by controlling the operation
of the air conditioning system (heat-
ing/cooling).
When not in Eco drive mode, if the driving
mode select switch is turned to the left, the
Eco drive mode indicator will come on.
3Sport mode
•SPORT S mode
Controls the transmission and engine to
provide quick, powerful acceleration. Also,
gear shift timing is co ntrolled to suit sporty
driving, making this mode is suitable for
when agile driving response is desired,
such as when driving on roads with many
curves.
When not in SPORT S mode, if the driving
mode select switch is turned to the right,
the “SPORT S” indicator will come on.
•SPORT S+ mode
Provides earlier down shift timing than
SPORT S mode in order to maintain a high
engine speed and provides faster gear
changes. This mode also changes the steering feel, susp
ension control and
VDIM control, making it suitable for pow-
erful sporty driving.
When in SPORT S mode, if the driving
mode select switch is turned to the right,
the “SPORT S+” indicator will come on.
■Operation of the air conditioning sys-
tem in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cool-
ing operations and fan speed of the air con-
ditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency
(  P.215). To improve air conditioning per-
formance, adjust the fan speed or turn off
Eco drive mode.
■Automatic deactivation of sport mode
and custom mode
If the engine switch is turned off after driv-
ing in sport mode or custom mode, the
drive mode will be changed to normal
mode.
■Driving mode pop-up display (vehicles
with a 10.3-inch display)
When the driving mode is changed, the
selected driving mode will be temporarily
displayed on the side display. ( P.212)
FunctionSetting
Powertrain
Normal
Power
Eco
ChassisNormal
Sport
Air conditioning sys-
temNormal
Eco

2426-1. Maintenance and care
6-1.Maintenance and care
Working from top to bottom, liber-
ally apply water to the vehicle body,
wheel wells and underside of the
vehicle to remove any dirt and dust.
 Wash the vehicle body using a
sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
 For hard-to-remove marks, use car
wash soap and rinse thoroughly with
water.
 Wipe away any water.
 Wax the vehicle when the water-
proof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface,
apply wax when the vehicle body is cool.
■Black stainless steel window moldings (F
SPORT models)
The stainless steel window moldings are
made of black oxide coated stainless steel.
When cleaning the vehicle, do not scrub the
moldings with an abrasive cleaner as their
finish may be damaged or the color may
change.
■Self-restoring coat
The vehicle body has a self-restoring coat-
ing that is resistant to small surface
scratches caused in a car wash etc.
●The coating lasts for 5 to 8 years from
when the vehicle is delivered from the
plant.
●The restoration time differs depending on
the depth of the scratch and outside tem-
perature.
The restoration time may become shorter
when the coating is warmed by applying
warm water.
●Deep scratches caused by keys, coins,
etc. cannot be restored.
●Do not use wax that contains abrasives.
■Automatic car washes
●Fold the mirrors befo re washing the vehi-
cle. Start washing from the front of the
vehicle. Make sure to extend the mirrors
before driving.
●Brushes used in automatic car washes
may scratch the vehicle surface, parts
(wheel, etc.) and damage the paint.
■High pressure car washes
As water may enter the cabin, do not bring
the nozzle tip near the gaps around the
doors or perimeter of the windows, or spray
these areas continuously.
■When using a car wash
If the door handle becomes wet while the
electronic key is within the effective range,
the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. In
that case, follow the following correction
procedures to wash the vehicle:
●Place the key in a position 6 ft. (2 m) or
more separate from the vehicle while the
vehicle is being wash ed. (Take care to
ensure that the key is not stolen.)
●Set the electronic key to battery-saving
mode to disable the smart access system
with push-button start. ( P.95)
■Wheels and wheel ornaments
●Remove any dirt immediately by using a
neutral detergent.
●Wash detergent off with water immedi-
Cleaning and protecting the
vehicle exterior
Perform cleaning in a manner
appropriate to each component
and its material.
Cleaning instructions

2436-1. Maintenance and care
6
Maintenance and care
ately after use.
●To protect the paint from damage, make
sure to observe the following precau-
tions.
• Do not use acidic, a lkaline or abrasive
detergent
• Do not use hard brushes
• Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, such as after driving or park-
ing in hot weather
■Brake caliper coating (F SPORT mod-
els)
●When using detergent, use neutral deter-
gent. Do not use hard brushes or abra-
sive cleaners, as they will damage the
paint.
●Do not use detergent on the brake cali-
pers when they are hot.
●Wash detergent off immediately after
use.
■Bumpers
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
■Side windows water- repellent coating
(if equipped)
●The following precautions can extend the
effectiveness of the water-repellent coat-
ing.
• Remove any dirt, etc. from the side win- dows regularly.
• Do not allow dirt and dust to accumulate
on the windows for a long period.
Clean the windows with a soft, damp
cloth as soon as possible.
• Do not use wax or glass cleaners that contain abrasives when cleaning the win-
dows.
• Do not use any metallic objects to remove condensation build up.
●When the water-repellent performance
has become insufficie nt, the coating can
be repaired. Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Plated portions
If dirt cannot be removed, clean the parts as
follows:
●Use a soft cloth dampened with an
approximately 5% solution of neutral
detergent and water to clean the dirt off.
●Wipe the surface with a dry, soft cloth to remove any remaining moisture.
●To remove oily deposits, use alcohol wet
wipes or a similar product.
WARNING
■When washing the vehicle
Do not apply water to the inside of the
engine compartment. Doing so may
cause the electrical components, etc. to
catch fire.
■When cleaning the windshield (vehi-
cles with rain-sensing windshield wip-
ers)
Set the wipers to the intermittent wind-
shield wipers. (
P.147)
If AUTO mode is selected, the wipers
may operate unexpectedly in the follow-
ing situations, and may result in hands
being caught or other serious injuries
and cause damage to the wiper blades.
●When the upper part of the windshield
where the raindrop sensor is located is
touched by hand
●When a wet rag or similar is held close
to the raindrop sensor
●If something bumps against the wind-
shield
●If you directly touch the raindrop sen-
sor body or if something bumps into
the raindrop sensor