2012 Lexus RX 350 Owners Manual - Page 166

168

2-1. Driving procedures

■

Snow mode automatic deactivation

Snow mode is automatically deactivated if the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is

turned off after driving in snow mode.

■

S mode

●

When the shift range is “5” or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the

shift range to “6”.

●

To prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automatically occur.

●

To protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that automatically

selects a higher shift range when the fluid temperature is high.

■

AI-SHIFT

AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver performance

and driving conditions.

AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position. (Shifting

the shift lever to the S position cancels the function.)

■

Driving on a downhill

On declines, there may be case where the vehicle shifts down automatically to

obtain engine braking. As a result of the downshifting, the engine speed may

increase.

■

When driving with the cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control

Engine braking will not occur in S mode, even when downshifting to “5” or “4”.

(

→

P. 217, 222)

■

If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P

→

P. 603

■

If

S does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to S

This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have the

vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.

(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same as manner as when the

shift lever is in D.)

■

Downshift restriction warning buzzer (S mode)

To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may some-

times be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even

when the shift lever is operated. (The buzzer will sound twice.)