titomang

To be honest, I didn't even know that when in sport mode it won't go back to gear 1 since I have never used the feature. Have to try it out sometimes.

corradoMR2

Do you use Manual shifting option on your RX?

Yes, every time I drive the RX and it's via the paddle shifters. Fun, fun fun...!

raylor4

In our '11 RX350, I have to be stopped, creeping, or going very slowly to get into gear 1. If I'm going too fast, like 20 mph or so, the best I can do is gear 2, with three beeps from the instrument panel.
Low gear is fun on very steep hills. Think Steve McQueen in the movie Bullet in San Francisco. That would be Taylor Street for the trivia fans.
Ray A.

RXinNJ

I agree, but with a caveat: I would only do this with FWD/AWD cars. My other car is an Infiniti G37x, which (although marketed as "AWD") is actually a RWD car until wheel slippage is detected. The reason I bring this up, is that if I engine-brake in the snow in my G, the rear end wants to fishtail. Long story short, be cautious (or better yet avoid) engine-braking in slick conditions with RWD cars.

vlad_a

Unless you have a real manual with a clutch.

LeoDLion

Sometimes during stop and go rush traffic, I use the manual shift.

nipponbird

In this country we have looong uphill and downhill sweeps with bends and curves thrown in (biker's dream roads). On my non-hybrid RX 350 the "S" mode is from heaven, because you can come barreling downhill, just to see a big truck around a bend. No good idea to use the brakes all the time. Have seen wise ...ses with Audi Q7's at the bottom of mountain passes with smoke billowing from pads and rotors. They can also use their version of our "S" mode, but then it was so nice to overtake the guy in the Lexus!

I'm aware that the AWD RX350 is not a pukka off-roader, but should you approach a particularly sandy or muddy patch on a dirt road, it's a good idea to select "s" mode and to tap to #1, before endeavouring the tricky patch. Just because the vehicle hasn't got a clutch like a manaul which burns easily when it has a lot of work to do, doesn't mean the auto box doesn't have to endure the same stresses. ATF (I know the RX uses fancy stuff from Japland) overheats quickly, so if you can keep it in first, the less it slips.

RXinNJ

I would still use caution. Downshifting a RWD car will change the power at the wheels and could cause the rear to lose traction. Yes, the clutch helps as you have much better control in executing the downshift...or in an emergency you can clutch-in to remove the power altogether. But I would still use caution.

My previous 2 cars were FWD manuals. Never had the traction loss in downshifting that I get with the RWD G37. The G has a pretty torquey engine too so that probably has something to do with it.

waapples

I do use the manual mode, wish the HUD had displayed the gear selection though...

nipponbird

Goes without saying that you should not downshift any vehicle indiscriminately and in anyway well in advance of the intended purpose.

raylor4

Trivia question...What gear should be used for engine braking when going downhill? Answer: The same gear you would use going up. This has been your thought for the day.
Ray A.

vlad_a

Not necessarily. I take a steep uphill next to my house going up in 3rd gear, but will downshift to 2nd when going downhill. I then use the throttle to control how much engine brake force is applied, staying on the brakes at the same time. That is in my IS. I don't bother with any of it in the RXh and let it do its thing.

User 41924

The "manual" shifting in a Lexus is about either downshifting/engine braking or entertainment. I will occasionally force a downshift to help save the brakes, and I do like the immediate throttle response for passing, even though it's probably not needed. Overall, I still think the computer does a better job of balancing demand (throttle position) and gear ratio, to optimize torque and acceleration. Particularly with a CVT, because it's so much more responsive. Even though it makes the car sound weird (it's the only negative in having a 450h!).

Manual upshifting is useless. You can't force it into a higher gear, and it makes me crazy to tell it to upshift and wait for the computer to agree with me. Worse, if it actually upshifts when I want it to, I know I left in in the lower gear too long! It's like my car is telling me that it's smarter than I am! OK, it probably is, but I don't want to be reminded all the time!

waapples

I even use "N" when I'm stopped at the red light.

Tom558

I write automation software and go to a lot of trouble both in the hardware configuration and in software to keep folks from doing something stupid and damaging something or operating the equipment improperly. It certainly makes my life more interesting.