2015 LEXUS NX300h engine

2074-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
NX300h_U_OM78007U ■
Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is starte d 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 en gine 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 fol-
lowing situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer will sound, the EV drive
mode indicator will go off after flashing, an d a message is displaye d on the multi-informa-
tion display. ●
The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is low. (  P. 112)●
Vehicle speed is high. ●
The accelerator pedal is depressed firm ly or the vehicle is on a hill, etc.■
Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distance ra nges from a few hundred meters to approxi-
mately 0.6 mile (1 km). However, dependin g 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
The hybrid system is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during normal
driving (using the gasoline engine and electr ic motor [traction motor]). Driving in EV
drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel economy.
WA R N I N G ■
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.

208 4-2. Driving procedures
NX300h_U_OM78007UHybrid transmission
While the power switch is in ON mode, move the shift lever with the brake
pedal depressed. When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.
* 1
: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, shift the shift lever to D for normal driv-
ing.
* 2
: By selecting shift ranges using S mode, yo u can control accelerating force and engine
braking force.Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose Shift position Objective or function
P Parking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
R Reversing
N Neutral
D Normal driving
* 1
S S mode driving
* 2
(  P. 2 0 9 )

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.

218 4-2. Driving procedures
NX300h_U_OM78007UASC (Active Sound Control) 
Louder
Lower The indicator comes on when the ASC
system is on.
When the dial is turned to the lowest
volume, the ASC system will be turned
off and the indicator will go off. ■
The ASC system can be operated when
The driving mode select switch is in normal mode or sport mode.■
Temporary cancelation of the ASC system functions
The ASC system may be temporarily cancele d depending on the driving conditions,
such as when the tires slip due to sudden acceleration.
 : If equippedThe ASC system is an electronic sound system that generates engine sound,
conveying the kinetic situations of the vehicle’s accelerati on and deceleration
to the driver through the speake rs inside the instrument panel.
The vehicle’s response to the driver’s acceleration behavior and shift opera-
tions are also conveyed in sound.
When sport mode is selected, the sound co nveyed to the driver will be louder.
Controlling volume 1
2

284 4-5. Using the driving support systems
NX300h_U_OM78007U ■
The intuitive parking assist can be operated when ●
Front corner sensors:
• The power switch is in ON mode.
• The shift lever is in other than P.
• The vehicle speed is less than about 6 mph (10 km/h).
(At any speed when the shift lever is in R) ●
Front center sensors:
• The power switch is in ON mode.
• The shift lever is in other than P or R.
• The vehicle speed is less than about 6 mph (10 km/h). ●
Rear corner and rear center sensors:
• The power switch is in ON mode.
• The shift lever is in R. ■
Intuitive parking assist display
When an obstacle is detected while the Lexus parking assist monitor is in use, the warn-
ing indicator will appear in the upper corner of the screen ev en if the display setting has
been set to off. ■
Sensor detectio n information●
The sensor’s detection areas are limited to the areas around the vehicle’s bumper. ●
Certain vehicle conditions and the surround ing environment may affect the ability of a
sensor to correctly detect an obstacle. Particular instances where this may occur are
listed below.
• There is dirt, snow or ice on the sensor . (Wiping the sensors will resolve this prob-
lem.)
• The sensor is frozen. (Thawing th e area will resolve this problem.)
In especially cold weather, if a sensor is frozen the screen may show an abnormal
display, or obstacles may not be detected.
• The sensor is covered in any way.
• The vehicle is leaning co nsiderably to one side.
• On an extremely bumpy road, on an incline, on gravel, or on grass.
• The vicinity of the vehicle is noisy due to vehicle horns, motorcycle engines, air
brakes of large vehicles, or other loud noises producing ultrasonic waves.
• There is another vehicle equipped with parking assist sensors in the vicinity.
• The sensor is coated with a sheet of spray or heavy rain.
• The vehicle is equipped with a fender pole or wireless antenna.
• Towing eyelets are installed.
• The bumper or sensor receives a strong impact.
• The vehicle is approaching a tall or curved curb.
• In harsh sunlight or intense cold weather.
• The area directly under the bumpers is not detected.
• If obstacles draw too close to the sensor.
• A non-genuine Lexus suspension (low ered suspension etc.) is installed.
• People may not be detected if they are wearing certain types of clothing.
In addition to the examples above, there are instances in which, because of their shape,
signs and other objects may be judged by a sensor to be closer than they are.

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.