2015 LEXUS NX300h Owners Manual

3054-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
NX300h_U_OM78007UDriving assist systems ◆ ECB (Electronically Controlled Brake System)
The electronically controlled system generates braking force corresponding
to the brake operation
◆ ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if the
brakes are applied while drivin g on a slippery road surface
◆ Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation
◆ VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces
◆ Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional stability when swerving on slippery road sur-
faces by controlling steering performance.
◆ TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spinning
when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
◆ Hill-start assist control
Helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when starting on an
incline.
◆ EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn the
steering wheelTo help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems oper-
ate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be aware, however,
that these systems are supplementary and should not be relied upon too
heavily when operating the vehicle.

306 4-5. Using the driving support systems
NX300h_U_OM78007U ◆ E-Four (if equipped)
Electronic On-Demand AWD system. Automatically switches from front-
wheel drive to all-wheel drive (AWD) according to the driving conditions,
helping to ensure reliable handling and stability. Examples of conditions where
the system will switch to AWD are when cornering, going uphill, starting off or
accelerating, and when the road surface is slippery due to snow, rain, etc.
◆ PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)
 P. 3 1 0
◆ BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) (if equipped)
 P. 3 1 6
The slip indicator light will flash while
the TRAC/VSC/ABS systems are
operating.When the TRAC/VSC/ABS systems are operating

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Driving
NX300h_U_OM78007U If the vehicle gets stuck in mud, dirt or snow, the TRAC system may reduce
power from the hybrid system to the wheels. Pressing to turn the system
off may make it easier for you to rock the vehicle in order to free it.
To turn the TRAC system off, quickly
press and release . The “Traction Control Turned Off”
will be shown on the multi-informa-
tion display. Press again to
turn the system back on.
■
Turning off both TRAC and VSC systems
To turn the TRAC and VSC systems off, press and hold for more than 3 seconds
while the vehicle is stopped.
The VSC OFF indicator will come on and th e “Traction Control Turned Off” will be
shown on the multi- information display.
*Press again to turn the systems back on.
* : On vehicles with pre-collision system, pre-collision brake assist and pre-collision
braking will also be disabled. The PCS warn ing light will come on and the message will
be shown on the multi-information display. (  P. 313) ■
When the message is displayed on the mu lti-information display showing that TRAC
has been disabled even if the has not been pressed
TRAC cannot be operated. Contact your Lexus dealer. ■
Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, TRAC, VSC and hill-start assist
control systems
Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are operating. None
of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred. ●
Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.●
A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop. ●
The brake pedal may pulsate slight ly after the ABS is activated.●
The brake pedal may move down slig htly after the ABS is activated.Disabling the TRAC system

308 4-5. Using the driving support systems
NX300h_U_OM78007U ■
ECB operating sound
ECB operating sound may be hear d in the following cases, but it does not indicate that a
malfunction has occurred. ●
Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal is oper-
ated. ●
Motor sound of the brake system heard from the front part of the vehicle when the
driver’s door is opened. ●
Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when 1 or 2 minutes passed
after the stop of the hybrid system. ■
EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction. ■
Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from overheating
when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The steering
wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from excessive steering input
or stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid system off. The EPS system should return to nor-
mal within 10 minutes. ■
Automatic reactivation of TRAC and VSC systems
After turning the TRAC and VSC systems off, the systems will be automatically
re-enabled in the following situations: ●
When the power switch is turned off ●
If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC will turn on when vehicle speed
increases
If both the TRAC and VSC systems are turn ed off, automatic re-enabling will not
occur when vehicl e speed increases.■
Operating conditions of hill-start assist control
When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start assist control will operate:●
The shift lever is in a position other than P or N (when starting off forward/backward on
an upward incline). ●
The vehicle is stopped. ●
The accelerator pedal is not depressed. ●
The parking brake is not engaged. ■
Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control
The hill-start assist control will turn off in any of the following situations: ●
The shift lever is moved to P or N. ●
The accelerator pedal is depressed. ●
The parking brake is engaged. ●
Approximately 2 seconds elapse after the brake pedal is released.

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Driving
NX300h_U_OM78007U WA R N I N G ■
The ABS does not operate effectively when ●
The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (such as excessively
worn tires on a snow covered road). ●
The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick road. ■
Stopping distance when the ABS is operat ing may exceed that of normal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always maintain a
safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, especially in the following situations:●
When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads ●
When driving with tire chains ●
When driving over bumps in the road ●
When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces ■
TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while drivin g on slippery road
surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating.
Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and power may be lost. ■
Hill-start assist control does not operate effectively when ●
Do not overly rely on the hill-start assist control. The hill-start assist control may not
operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered with ice. ●
Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not intended to hold the vehicle
stationary for an extended period of time. Do not attempt to use hill-start assist con-
trol to hold the vehicle on an incline, as doing so may lead to an accident. ■
When the TRAC, VSC and/or ABS are activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may cause an
accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes. ■
When the TRAC/VSC system are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed ap propriate to the road conditions. As these
are the systems to help ensure vehicle st ability and driving force, do not turn the
TRAC/VSC systems off unless necessary. ■
Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, tread pattern and total load
capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the recommended tire infla-
tion pressure level.
The ABS, TRAC and VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires are
installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Lexus dealer for further information when replacing tires or wheels. ■
Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modi fying the suspension will affect the driving
assist systems, and may caus e a system to malfunction.

310 4-5. Using the driving support systems
NX300h_U_OM78007UPCS (Pre-Collision System) 
◆ Pre-collision warning
When a high possibility of a frontal
collision is detected, a buzzer
sounds and a message is shown on
the multi-information display to urge
the driver to take evasive action.
◆ Pre-collision brake assist
When there is a high possibility of a frontal collision, the system applies
greater braking force in relation to ho w strongly the brake pedal is depressed.
◆ Pre-collision braking
When there is a high possibility of a frontal collision, the system warns the
driver using warning display and buzzer. If the system determines that a colli-
sion is unavoidable, the brakes are automatically applied to reduce the colli-
sion speed.
 : If equippedWhen the radar sensor detects possibilit y of a frontal collision, brakes are
automatically engaged to lessen im pact as well as vehicle damage.
The alert timing for the pre-collision system can be changed or turned ON/
OFF, as necessary, by operating the switch. (  P. 311)

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Driving
NX300h_U_OM78007U ■
Changing the alert timing of the pre-collision system
Each time the PCS switch is pressed,
the response to the distance
changes as follows.
Far
Middle
* Near
*: Default setting
■
Turning off the pre-collision system
Press the PCS switch for 3 seconds
or more seconds. The PCS warning light turns on and a
message is shown on the multi-infor-
mation display.
To turn on the system, press the PCS
switch again. The system is set to ON
each time the power switch is turned
to ON mode.
The radar sensor detects vehicles or
other obstacles on or near the road
ahead and determines whether a colli-
sion is imminent based on the position,
speed, and heading of the obstacles.Changing the pre-collision system 1
2
3
Radar sensor

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NX300h_U_OM78007U ■
The pre-collision system is operational when
The pre-collision system is on (  P. 311) and the following conditions are met:●
Pre-collision warning:
• Vehicle speed is greater th an about 10 mph (15 km/h).
• The speed at which your vehicle is approaching the obstacle or the vehicle running
ahead of you is greater than about 7 mph (10 km/h). ●
Pre-collision brake assist:
• The VSC is not turned off.
• Vehicle speed is greater than about 19 mph (30 km/h).
• The speed at which your vehicle is approaching the obstacle or the vehicle running
ahead of you is greater than about 19 mph (30 km/h).
• The brake pedal is depressed. ●
Pre-collision braking:
• The VSC is not turned off.
• Vehicle speed is greater th an about 10 mph (15 km/h).
• The speed at which your vehicle is approaching the obstacle or the vehicle running
ahead of you is greater than about 7 mph (10 km/h).■
Conditions that may trigger the system even if there is no possibility of a collision
If the following obstructs the front of the sens or, the system judges that a collision may be
possible and operates. ●
When passing by a vehicle while making left or right turns or passing a vehicle in an
opposite lane. ●
When the vehicle rapidly approaches an object in front of it (such as another vehicle,
toll gate, etc.) ●
When climbing a steep hill, etc., and there are structures in the upper region of the road
(billboards, low ceilings , street lamps, etc.)●
When driving through narrow passages or places with low ceilings (bridges, tunnels,
overhead passes, etc.) ●
When driving on an uneven road surface ●
When metal objects are on the road surface causing level differences or protrusions in
the road ●
When an extreme change in vehicle height occurs ●
When the radar sensor moves off position du e to its surrounding area being subjected
to a strong impact. ●
When there is an obstacle on the side of an entrance of a curb for road (guardrails, etc.) ●
When your vehicle is tilted upwards (due to towing a trailer or during emergency tow-
ing, heavy loads in the lu ggage compartment, etc.).
When the system is activated in the situations described above, ther e is also a possibility
that the brakes will be applied wi th a force greater than normal.■
Obstacles not detected
The sensor cannot detect plasti c obstacles such as traffic co nes. There may also be occa-
sions when the sensor cannot detect pedestrians, animals, bicycles, motorcycles, trees,
or snowdrifts.