2015 LEXUS NX300h Owners Manual

2094-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
NX300h_U_OM78007U  P. 3 0 3
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to S. Shift ranges can be selected by operat-
ing the shift lever, allowing you to drive in the shift range of your choice. The shift
range can be selected by operating the shift lever.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from 1 to 6, will
be displayed. The initial shift range in S mode is 4.
■
Shift ranges and their functions ●
You can choose from 6 levels of acce lerating force and engine braking
force. ●
A lower shift range will provide greater accelerating force and engine
braking force than a higher shift rang e, and the engine revolutions will also
increase.Selecting the driving mode
Selecting shift ranges in the S position 1
2

210 4-2. Driving procedures
NX300h_U_OM78007U ■
S mode ●
When the shift range is 4 or lower, holding th e shift lever toward “+” sets the shift range
to 6. ●
Automatically selects a higher shift range before the engine speed becomes too high. ■
Downshifting restriction warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performa nce, downshifting operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even when the
shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.) ■
When driving with cruise control (if equipped), dynamic radar cruise control (if
equipped) or dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range (if equipped) acti-
vated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking,
engine braking will not activate because cruise control, dynamic radar cruise control or
dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range will not be canceled.●
While driving in S mode, downshifting to 5 or 4. (  P. 2 0 9 )●
When switching the driving mode to sp ort mode while driving in D position.
(  P. 303)■
Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
When the following unusual operation is pe rformed, the hybrid system output may be
restrained. ●
When the shift lever is shifted from R to D, D to R, N to R, P to D, or P to R (D includes S)
with the accelerator pedal depressed, a wa rning message appears on the multi-infor-
mation display. If a warning message is show n on the multi-information display, read the
message and follow the instructions.●
When the accelerator pedal is depresse d too while the vehicle is in reverse.■
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
 P. 5 9 1

2114-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
NX300h_U_OM78007U WA R N I N G ■
When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden accele ration, as this could result in the vehicle
skidding to the side or spinning.
NOTICE ■
Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) w ill not be charging, even
when the engine is running. Therefore, if the ve hicle is left with the shift lever in N for a
long period of time, the hybrid battery (tr action battery) will discharge, and this may
result in the vehicle not being able to start.

212 4-2. Driving procedures
NX300h_U_OM78007UTurn signal lever Right turn
Lane change to the right (move the
lever partway and release it) The right hand signals will flash 3 times.
Lane change to the left (move the
lever partway and release it) The left hand signals will flash 3 times.
Left turn
■
Turn signals can be operated when
The power switch is in ON mode. ■
If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned out.Operating instructions 1
2
3
4

2134-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
NX300h_U_OM78007UParking brake The parking brake is set or released automatically according to shift lever opera-
tion.
Even when in automatic mode, the parkin g brake can be set and released manu-
ally. (  P. 2 1 4 )
Turns automatic mode on (while the
vehicle is stopped, pull and hold the
parking brake switch until the auto-
matic mode lamp turns on) • When the shift lever is moved out of
P, the parking brake will be released,
and the parking brake indicator light
and parking brake lamp turn off.
• When the shift lever is moved into P,
the parking brake will be set, and the
parking brake indicator light and
parking brake lamp turn on.
Operate the shift lever with the brake
pedal depressed.
Turns automatic mode off (while the
vehicle is stopped, press and hold
the parking brake switch until the
automatic mode lamp turns off)A selections can be made as de sired from the following modes.
Automatic mode
Automatic
mode lamp Automatic
mode lamp
Pa r k i n g
brake lamp Pa r k i n g
brake lampU.S.A. Canada1
2

214 4-2. Driving procedures
NX300h_U_OM78007U The parking brake can be set and released manually.
Sets the parking brake The parking brake indicator light and
parking brake lamp will turn on.
Pull and hold the parking brake switch if
an emergency occurs and it is necessary
to operate the parking brake while driv-
ing.
Releases the parking brake Operate the parking brake switch while
depressing the brake pedal. Make sure
that the parking brake indicator light
and parking brake lamp turn off.
If the parking brake indicator light and
parking brake lamp flashes, operate the
switch again. (  P. 5 6 6 )■
Parking brake operation ●
When the power switch is not in ON mode, the parking brake cannot be released using
the parking brake switch. ●
When the power switch is not in ON mode, automatic mode (automatic brake setting
and releasing) is not available. ■
If “Parking Brake Overheated Parking Brake Unavailable” is displayed on the multi-
information display
If the parking brake is operated repeatedly over a short period of time, the system may
restrict operation to prevent overheating. If this happens, refrain from operating the
parking brake. Normal operation will return after about 1 minute. ■
Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard. This
does not indicate a malfunction. ■
Parking brake indicator light and parking brake lamp ●
Depending on the power switch mode, the parking brake indicator light and parking
brake lamp will turn on and stay on as described below:
ON mode: Comes on until the parking brake is released.
Not in ON mode: Stays on for approximately 15 seconds. ●
When the power switch is turned off with th e parking brake set, the parking brake indi-
cator light and parking brake lamp will stay on for about 15 seconds. This does not indi-
cate a malfunction.Manual mode U.S.A. Canada
Pa r k i n g
brake lamp Pa r k i n g
brake lamp1
2

2154-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
NX300h_U_OM78007U ■
Changing the mode
When changing the automatic mode on/off , the message will be shown on the multi-
information display and the buzzer sounds. ■
Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven with the parking brake engaged. “Release
Parking Brake” is displayed on the multi-information display. ■
Warning messages and buzzers
Warning messages and buzzers are used to indicate a system malfunction or to inform
the driver of the need for caution. If a warn ing message is shown on the multi-information
display, read the message and follow the instructions.■
If the brake system warning light comes on
 P. 5 6 5 ■
Usage in winter time
 P. 3 2 7
WA R N I N G ■
When parking the vehicle
Do not leave a child in the vehicle alone. The parking brake may be released uninten-
tionally and there is the danger of the vehicle moving that may lead to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE ■
When parking the vehicle
Before you leave the vehicle, shift the shif t lever to P, set the parking brake and make
sure that the vehicle does not move. ■
When the system malfunctions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and check the warning messages. ■
When the parking brake cannot be released due to a malfunction
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components overheat-
ing, which may affect braking performance and increase brake wear. Have the vehicle
inspected by contact your Lexus de aler immediately if this occurs.

216 4-2. Driving procedures
NX300h_U_OM78007UBrake Hold Turns the brake hold system on The brake hold standby indicator
(green) comes on. While the system is
holding the brake, the brake hold oper-
ated indicator (yellow) comes on. ■
Brake hold system operating conditions
The brake hold system cannot be turn ed on in the following conditions:●
The back door or hood is not closed. ●
The driver’s door is not closed. ●
The driver is not wearing the seat belt.
If any of the conditions above are detected when the brake hold system is enabled, the
system will turn off and the brake hold standby in dicator light will go of f. In addition, if any
of the conditions are detected while the sy stem is holding the brake, a warning buzzer
will sound and a message will be shown on th e multi-information display. The parking
brake will then be set automatically. ■
Brake hold function ●
If the brake pedal is left released for a period of about 3 minutes after the system has
started holding the brake, the parking brake w ill be set automatically. In this case, a
warning buzzer sounds and a message is shown on the multi-information display.●
To turn the system off while the system is holding the brake, firmly depress the brake
pedal and press the button again. ●
The brake hold function may not hold the vehicle when the vehicle is on a steep incline.
In this situation, it may be necessary fo r the driver to apply the brakes. A warning
buzzer will sound and the multi-information di splay will inform the dr iver of this situa-
tion. If a warning message is shown on the multi-information displa y, re a d t h e m e s s a g e
and follow the instructions. ■
When the parking brake is set automatically while the system is holding the brakes
The parking brake will not be released automatically. With the brake pedal depressed,
release the parking brake by operating the parking brake switch, making sure that the
parking brake indicator light goes off. (  P. 2 1 3 )The brake hold system keeps the brake applied when the shift lever is in D, S or
N with the system on and the brake pedal has been depressed to stop the vehi-
cle. The system releases the brake when the accelerator pedal is depressed
with the shift lever in D or S to allow smooth start off.