Pedal - Kickdown switch
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From: New York
Pedal - Kickdown switch
Has anyone else noticed the kickdown switch on the RX? I have had it for almost 3 years and just realized after all this time it has kickdown switch built into gas pedal.
Really don't know how I never noticed it prior as I really get on it. Then last week I felt it and sure enough it down shifts.
This is on RX 350F handling PKG ICE, I need check my NX and RX450H to see if it has it too.
Really don't know how I never noticed it prior as I really get on it. Then last week I felt it and sure enough it down shifts.
This is on RX 350F handling PKG ICE, I need check my NX and RX450H to see if it has it too.
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From: FL
There's no actual mechanical kick down switch on the gas pedal the way there was when we were young and dinosaurs roamed the earth 
There's an electronic Accelerator Pedal Sensor that tells the ECU how much power is needed based on how much you give it the beans. This will downshift based on the power needs from your pedal depression. If you really mash on it, it will downshift just like the old mechanical kickdown sensors.
There's an electronic Accelerator Pedal Sensor that tells the ECU how much power is needed based on how much you give it the beans. This will downshift based on the power needs from your pedal depression. If you really mash on it, it will downshift just like the old mechanical kickdown sensors.
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There is, floor it and you feel the click in the pedal which triggers it. My GS use to have it as well. It feels like click but you need to push down with a lot force.
Unless maybe it just on F-Sport handling, but I can tell you it clicks just like my prior GSF. I got try in on my 450Hs to see if it does as there both Luxury ones, will try later tonight.
Unless maybe it just on F-Sport handling, but I can tell you it clicks just like my prior GSF. I got try in on my 450Hs to see if it does as there both Luxury ones, will try later tonight.
Last edited by John89; Jan 7, 2026 at 12:29 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 280
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From: FL
There is, floor it and you feel the click in the pedal which triggers it. My GS use to have it as well. It feels like click but you need to push down with a lot force.
Unless maybe it just on F-Sport handling, but I can tell you it clicks just like my prior GSF. I got try in on my 450Hs to see if it does as there both Luxury ones, will try later tonight.
Unless maybe it just on F-Sport handling, but I can tell you it clicks just like my prior GSF. I got try in on my 450Hs to see if it does as there both Luxury ones, will try later tonight.
No, a Lexus RX 350 doesn't have a physical "kick-down switch" on the accelerator pedal itself, but it does have an electronic "kick-down function" in the transmission for quick acceleration
Accelerator Kick-Down (Transmission)
- How it works: When you press the gas pedal quickly and firmly (a "kick-down" action), the transmission bypasses some gears (e.g., shifting from 6th to 3rd) for immediate power, providing faster acceleration.
- Purpose: To get quick responsiveness when merging or overtaking, without needing to manually shift.
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From: FL
I think we are both talking the same language now
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Haha but you do feel that click so there is something there to detect it and send message to throttle/transmission. The one on GSF was a bit more of harder feeling to activate, but this one is there.
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Joined: Mar 2023
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From: New York
I confirmed on my NX450H it doesn't have that kickdown switch on pedal. I got drive my wife RX450H to see if it does. Then I wonder if its only F sport thing handling thing as it on 500H as I drove one this last weekend.
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