While driving my 2012 RX350 in the desert, I wanted to let my daughter try driving on a nice big open playa. We switched places, got everything set to go, and ... could not move out of park. I switched back, and voila - no problem. I know the passenger side can sense when the passenger is heavy enough to enable the air bags. Does the driver side need to detect some minimum weight to allow shifting out of park? If so, what weight? And can it be modified?

 

You couldn't use the "shift lock override" button? That is what we first generation LS 400 drivers do . . . .
Was she pressing on the brake pedal when she tried to shift out of park?
Colin

 

Hi Colin,
I'm not sure if my model has an override button. I'll check though. After talking with her again, it may have been that although her foot was on the brake pedal, she wasn't holding it down. We'll try again!
Thanks!

 

It will be a surprise if the shift lever is tied to weight/air_bag_enable switch. The vehicle has to be towed [without driver] and it can't be done with transmission in Park.

The brake pedal must be depressed (fully/enough) to allow the shift lever to be moved out of "P". This is the safety interlock. Small blocking relay is activated, when the brake pedal is pressed (this lights up the brake lights too) the moving part of the relay opens up the channel for the shift lever.

In case the brake switch goes bad, there is small square plug by the shift lever that you pop off with a flat screw driver and press down the moving part of the interlock relay. All this is explained in the owner's manual.

Salim
[PS. When the battery is dead and the vehicle needs to be pushed, once again you pop up the interlock cover and push the really arm.]