2013 Lexus IS300h eco drive

2014-1. Before driving
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
Weight limits
Check the allowable towing capacity, GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass),
MPAC (Maximum Permissible Axle Capacity), and permissible draw
bar load before towing. (P. 562)
Towing hitch/bracket
Lexus recommends the use of the Lexus hitch/bracket for your vehicle.
Other products of a suitable nature and comparable quality may also be
used.
To prevent an accident
The handling of the vehicle will feel different when towing a trailer.
Beware of the 3 most common causes of towing-related accidents:
driver error, excessive speed, and overloading.
Trailer towing (vehicles with a towing package)
The strain of towing a trailer will have a negative impact on the running
performance, handling, fuel consumption and endurance of your vehicle.
Use the vehicle features in the correct manner and operate the vehicle
with care for safer driving and optimal comfort. Damage and/or malfunc-
tions that occur as a result of towing performed for commercial purposes
are not covered by the Lexus warranty.
Ask your local authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qual-
ified and equipped professional for further details before towing, as there
are additional legal requirements in some countries.

2024-1. Before driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
Total trailer weight and permissible drawbar load
Total trailer weight
Weight of the trailer itself plus the
trailer load should be within the
maximum towing capacity.
Exceeding this weight is danger-
ous. (P. 562)
When the total trailer weight is
greater than the vehicle weight,
we recommend the use of a fric-
tion stabilizer (sway control
device).
Permissible drawbar load
Allocate the trailer load so that the drawbar load is greater than 25 kg (55.1
lb.) or 4% of the towing capacity. Do not let the drawbar load exceed the
indicated weight. (P. 562)
Information tag (manufacturer’s label)
Gross vehicle mass
The combined weight of the driver, passengers, towing hitch, total curb
mass and drawbar load should not exceed the gross vehicle mass by more
than 100 kg (220.5 lb.). Exceeding this weight is dangerous.
Maximum permissible rear axle capacity
The weight borne by the rear axle should not exceed the maximum permis-
sible axle capacity by 15% or more. Exceeding this weight is dangerous.
The values for towing capacity were derived from testing conducted at sea
level. Take note that engine output and towing capacity will be reduced at
high altitudes.
Important points regarding trailer loads
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Ty p e ATy p e B
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2134-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
CAUTION
When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress
the accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
Caution while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open
the doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the
steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in death or
serious injury.
Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the vehi-
cle, press and hold the power switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly
3 times or more in succession. (P. 499)
However, do not touch the power switch while driving except in an emergency.
Turning the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of steering or
braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. This will
make it more difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
NOTICE
To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods
of time without the hybrid system on.
If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the meters while the
hybrid system is not operating, the power switch is not off. Exit the vehicle
after turning the power switch off.
Do not stop the hybrid system when the shift lever is in a position other than
P. If the hybrid system is stopped in another shift lever position, the power
switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If
the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode, 12-volt battery discharge may
occur.
When starting the hybrid system
Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked by
any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional immediately.
Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped
professional immediately.

2154-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline
engine will start automatically after a short period of time in order to warm up. In
this case, you will become unable to switch to EV drive mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illuminated,
press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to switch to EV
drive mode.
Automatic cancelation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically restart in
the following situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer will sound
and the EV drive mode indicator will flash and go off.
The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy monitor” display is low.
(P. 123)
Vehicle speed becomes more than about 45 km/h (28 mph).
The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill, etc.
When it is possible to inform the driver of automatic cancelation in advance, a
prior notice screen will appear on the multi-information display.
Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distance ranges from a few hundred meters to
approximately 2 km (1.2 mile). Driving is possible at speeds of less than approx-
imately 45 km/h (28 mph). However, depending on vehicle conditions, there are
situations when EV drive mode cannot be used.
(The distance that is possible depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery]
level and driving conditions.)
Fuel economy
Your Lexus is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during normal
driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction motor]). Driving
in EV drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel economy.
CAUTION
Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode, pay special attention to the area around the
vehicle. Because there is no engine noise, pedestrians, people riding bicycles or
other people and vehicles in the area may not be aware of the vehicle starting
off or approaching them, so take extra care while driving.

2174-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, shift the shift lever to D for nor-
mal driving.
*2: By selecting shift ranges using S mode, you can control accelerating force and
engine braking force.
Sport mode/Eco drive mode
P. 2 8 3
Snow mode
Snow mode can be selected to suit the conditions when driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, such as snow.
Press the switch.
Press the switch again to return to
normal mode.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 (P. 219)
Selecting the driving mode

2274-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
This system allows the headlights and front position lights to be turned on
for 30 seconds when the power switch is off.
Pull the lever toward you and
release it with the light switch is in
or after turning the power
switch off.
Pull the lever toward you and release
it again to turn off the lights.
Daytime running light system
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the front position lights turn
on automatically (at an increased intensity) whenever the hybrid system is started
and the parking brake is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for
use at night.
Headlight control sensor
Automatic light off system
When the light switch is in or : The headlights and front fog lights turn
off automatically if the power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned
off.
When the light switch is in : The headlights and all lights turn off automati-
cally if the power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off.
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to ON mode, or turn the light
switch off once and then back to or .
If any of the doors or trunk lid is left open, the lights automatically turn off after
20 minutes.
Follow me home system
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the wind-
shield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detect-
ing the level of ambient light and may cause
the automatic headlight system to malfunc-
tion.

2284-3. Operating the lights and wipers
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the power switch is turned off or turned to ACCESSORY
mode and the driver’s door is opened while the lights are turned on.
Automatic headlight leveling system
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number of
passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights
do not interfere with other road users.
Operation guide display (vehicles with rain-sensing windshield wipers only)
When the headlight switch is operated to and from the “AUTO” position, the cur-
rent status is displayed on the meters for a few seconds to show that AUTO mode
is activated/deactivated. (P. 1 1 9 )
Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 581)
NOTICE
To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is off.

2544-5. Using the driving support systems
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)The system accelerates until the set speed is reached. The system then returns
to constant speed cruising.
When your vehicle is too close to a vehicle ahead, and sufficient auto-
matic deceleration via the cruise control is not possible, the display will
flash and the buzzer will sound to alert the driver. An example of this
would be if another driver cuts in front of you while you are following a
vehicle. Apply the brakes to ensure an appropriate vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance.
Warnings may not occur when
In the following instances, there is a possibility that the warnings will
not occur:
When the speed of the vehicle ahead matches or exceeds your vehi-
cle speed
When the vehicle ahead is traveling at an extremely slow speed
Immediately after the cruise control speed was set
At the instant the accelerator is applied
When constant speed control mode is selected, your vehicle will maintain
a set speed without controlling the vehicle-to-vehicle distance. Select this
mode only when vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode does not func-
tion correctly due to dirt etc.
Press the “ON/OFF” button to
activate the cruise control.
Press the button again to deactivate
the cruise control.
Switch to constant speed control
mode.
(Push the lever forward and hold
for approximately 1 second.)
Constant speed control mode indicator will come on.
When in constant speed control mode, to return to vehicle-to-vehicle distance
control mode, push the lever forward again and hold for approximately 1 sec-
ond.
After the desired speed has been set, it is not possible to return to vehicle-to-
vehicle distance control mode.
Approach warning
Selecting conventional constant speed control mode
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