2023 LEXUS RX Owners Manual

24
RX500h/RX350h_QG_U
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, set the shift position in D for normal driving.
You can choose gear range suitable for your driving situation by operating the paddle
shift switches.
*2: Any gear range can be fixed when driving in M mode.
■Driving mode
 P.48
Shift position purpose and functions
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
(Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
MM mode driving*2
Selecting the driving mode

25
RX500h/RX350h_QG_U
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” or “ +” paddle shift switch.
When the “ -” paddle shift switch is operated, the shift range switches to a range that enables
engine braking force that is suitable to driving conditions. When the “+” paddle shift switch is
operated, the shift range switches to a range that is one range higher than the current range.
Changing the shift range allo ws restriction of the highest gear, preventing unnecessary
upshifting and enabling the level of engine braking force to be selected.
1Upshifting
2Downshifting
The selected shift range, from D1 to D6, will
be displayed on the meter.
To return to normal D position driving, the
“ + ” paddle shift switch must be held down
for a period of time.
■Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provid e greater engine braking forces than a higher shift range.
Selecting shift ranges in the D position
Meter displayFunction
D2 - D6A gear in the range between 1 and the selected gear is automati-
cally chosen depending on vehi cle speed and driving conditions
D11st gear is set

26
RX500h/RX350h_QG_U
To enter M mode, shift the shift position to M. Gears can be selected by operating the pad-
dle shift switches, allowing you to drive in the gear of your choosing.
1Upshifting
2Downshifting
The gear changes once every time the pad-
dle shift switch is operated.
The selected gear, from M1 to M6, will be
fixed and displayed on the meter.
Selecting gears in the M position
When in the M position, the gear will not change unless the paddle shift switches are oper-
ated. Also, the gear will not shif t when the vehicle speed is low, even if an upshift operation is
performed.
However, even when in the M position, the gears will be automatically changed in the fol-
lowing situations:
● When vehicle speed drops (downshift only).
● When vehicle speed increases (upshift only).
● When the accelerator pedal is firmly depressed.
● When it is necessary to protect the transm ission when the transmission fluid tempera-
ture is high or low, or other reasons.

27
RX500h/RX350h_QG_U
Shift lever
Operate the shift lever gently and
securely in the direction of the arrow
on the shift position indicator.
To shift to N, slide the shift lever in the
direction of the arrow and hold it.
Release the shift leve r after each shift-
ing operation to allow it to return to its
regular position ( ).
Shifting to S is only possible when the
shift position is in D.
When shifting from P to N, D or R,
from N, D, S or R to P, from D or S to R,
or from R to D, ensure that the brake
pedal is being depressed and the vehi-
cle is stationary.
Shift position indicator
Meter display:
The current shift posi tion is illuminated.
Shift lever display:
The current shift posi tion is illuminated.
When selecting the shift position, make
sure that the shif t position has been
changed to the desired position by
checking the shift position indicator
provided on the instrument cluster.
P position switch
Fully stop the vehicle and set the park-
ing brake, and then press the P position
switch.
When the shift position is changed to P,
the switch illuminates.
Check that the shift position indicator
shows P.
Hybrid transmission (RX350h)
Shift position display and how to change the shift position
A
B
C

28
RX500h/RX350h_QG_U
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, set the shift position in D for normal driving.
You can choose gear range suitable for your driving situation by operating the paddle
shift switches.
*2: By selecting shift ranges using S mode, yo u can control accelerating force and engine
braking force.
■Driving mode
 P.48
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” paddle shift switch. Changing
the shift range enables the level of engine brak ing force to be selected. The shift range can
then be selected by operating the “-” and “+” paddle shift switches.
1Upshifting
2Downshifting
The selected shift range, from D1 to D5, will
be displayed on the meter.
The initial shift range when the “-” paddle
shift switch is operated is automatically set
to D4.
To return to normal D position driving, hold
the “+” puddle shift switch for a period of
time or operate the “+” puddle shift switch
in the D5 range.
■Shift ranges and their functions
● You can choose from 5 levels of engine braking force.
● A lower shift range will provid e greater engine braking force than a higher shift range,
and the engine revolutions will also increase.
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral (Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2
Selecting the driving mode
Selecting shift ranges in the D position

29
RX500h/RX350h_QG_U
To enter S mode, shift the shift position to S. Gears can be selected by operating the paddle
shift switches, allowing you to drive in the gear of your choosing. The shift range can then be
selected by operating the “-” and “+” paddle shift switches.
1Upshifting
2Downshifting
The selected shift range, from S1 to S6, will
be displayed on the meter.
The initial shift range in S mode is automati-
cally set to S4.
■Shift ranges and their functions
● You can choose from 6 levels of accele rating force and engine braking force.
● A lower shift range will provide greater accelerating force and engine braking force than
a higher shift range, and the engi ne revolutions will also increase.
Selecting gears in the S position

30
RX500h/RX350h_QG_U
1Right turn
2Lane 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 Signal Lever

31
RX500h/RX350h_QG_U
The parking brake can be set and released manually.Parking brake indicator (U.S.A.)
Parking brake indicator (Canada)
1Pull the switch to set the parking brake.
The parking brake indicator light will
turn on.
Pull and hold the parking brake switch
if an emergency occurs and it is neces-
sary to operate the parking brake while
driving.
2Press the switch to release the parking
brake.
• Operate the parking brake switch while depressing the brake pedal.
• Using the parking brake automatic release function, the parking brake can be
released by depressing the accelerator
pedal. When using this function, slowly
depress the accelerator pedal.
Make sure that the parking brake indicator
light turn off.
If the parking brake indicator light flash,
operate the switch again.
Parking Brake
The parking brake can be set or released automatically or manually.
In automatic mode, the parking brake can be set or released automatically according to
the shift lever operation.
Also, even in automatic mode, the parking brake can be set or released manually.
Using the manual mode
A
B