3094-5. Using the driving support systems
4
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.
324 4-6. Driving tips
NX300h_U_OM78007UHybrid vehicle driving tips ◆ Using Eco drive mode
When using Eco drive mode, the torq ue corresponding to the accelerator
pedal depression amount can be generate d more smoothly than it is in normal
conditions. In addition, the operation of the air conditioning system (heat-
ing/cooling) will be minimized, improving the fuel economy. ( P. 3 0 3 )
◆ Use of Hybrid System Indicator
The Eco-friendly driving is possible by keeping the indicator needle of Hybrid
System Indicator within Eco area. ( P. 100)
◆ Shift lever operation
Shift the shift lever to D when stopped at a traffic light, or driving in heavy traf-
fic, etc. Shift the shift lever to P when parking. When using the N, there is no
positive effect on fuel consumption. In the N, the gasoline engine operates but
electricity cannot be generated. Also, wh en using the air conditioning system,
etc., the hybrid battery (traction battery) power is consumed.
◆ Accelerator pedal/brake pedal operation ●
Drive your vehicle smoothly. Avoid ab rupt acceleration and deceleration.
Gradual acceleration and deceleration will make more effective use of the
electric motor (traction motor) wi thout having to use gasoline engine
power. ●
Avoid repeated acceleration. Repeated acceleration consumes hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) power, resulting in poor fuel consumption. Battery
power can be restored by driving with the accelerator pedal slightly
released.
◆ When braking
Make sure to operate the brakes gently and in a timely manner. A greater
amount of electrical energy can be regenerated when slowing down.For economical and ecological driving, pay attention to the following points:
3274-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
NX300h_U_OM78007U Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle
ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to road conditions.●
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P and block the wheel under the
vehicle without setting the parking brake. The parking brake may freeze up,
preventing it from being released. When the parking brake is in automatic mode, release the parking brake after shifting
the shift lever to P. ( P. 2 1 3 )●
If the vehicle is left parked with the br akes damp in cold temperatures, there is
a possibility of the brakes freezing.
Use the correct tire chain size when mounting the tire chains. Chain size is regu-
lated for each tire size.
Vehicles with 225/65R17 tires
Side chain:
3 mm (0.12 in.) in diameter
10 mm (0.39 in.) in width
25 mm (0.98 in.) in length
Cross chain:
4 mm (0.16 in.) in diameter
14 mm (0.55 in.) in width
25 mm (0.98 in.) in length
Vehicles with 225/60R18 tires
Tire chains cannot be mounted on the 225/60R18 tires. Snow tires should be
use instead.
Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary depending on location and type
of road. Always check local regulations before installing chains.When driving the vehicle
When parking the vehicle
Selecting tire chains 1
2
3
4
5
6
Regulations on the use of tire chains
328 4-6. Driving tips
NX300h_U_OM78007U ■
Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions wh en installing and removing chains:●
Install and remove tire chains in a safe location. ●
Install tire chains on the front tires only. Do not install tire chains on the rear tires. ●
Install tire chains on front tires as tightl y as possible. Retighten chains after driving
1/4 -1/2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km). ●
Install tire chains following the instru ctions provided with the tire chains.
WA R N I N G ■
Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of ve hicle control and cause death or serious injury.●
Use tires of the specified size. ●
Maintain the recommended level of air pressure. ●
Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of snow tires
being used. ●
Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.■
Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely, and may
cause death or serious injury. ●
Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being used, or
30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower. ●
Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes. ●
Avoid sudden acceleration, ab rupt steering, sudden bra king and shifting operations
that cause sudden engine braking. ●
Slow down sufficiently before entering a cu rve to ensure that vehicle control is main-
tained. ●
Do not use LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control) (if equipped). ■
When parking the vehicle
When parking the vehicle without applying the parking brake, make sure to chock the
wheels. If you do not chock the wheels, the vehicle may move unexpectedly, possibly
resulting in an accident.
4957-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
NX300h_U_OM78007U Vehicle interior Items Check points
Accelerator pedal • The accelerator pedal should move smoothly (with-
out uneven pedal effort or catching).
Brake pedal • Does the brake pedal move smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clearance
from the floor? ( P. 6 1 4 )
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of
free play? ( P. 6 1 4 )
Brakes • The vehicle should not pull to one side when the
brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor
when the brakes are applied.
Head restraints • Do the head restraints move smoothly and lock
securely?
Hybrid transmission “Park”
mechanism • When parked on a slope and the shift lever is in P, is
the vehicle securely stopped?
Indicators/buzzers • Do the indicators and buzzers function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake • Does the parking brake switch operate normally?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on,
is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts •Do the seat belt s operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats • Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel • Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correct amount of
free play?
• There should not be an y strange sounds coming
from the steering wheel.
5598-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
NX300h_U_OM78007U Towing with a wheel-lift type truck
From the front (2WD models)
From the front (AWD models)
Release the parking brake. Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.
From the rear
Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.
5618-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
NX300h_U_OM78007U Take out the towing eyelet. ( P. 5 76 )
Remove the eyelet cover using a flat-
head screwdriver. To protect the bodywork, place a rag
between the screwdriver and the vehi-
cle body as shown in the illustration.
Insert the towing eyelet into the hole
and tighten partially by hand.
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut wrench.
Securely attach a cable or chain to the towing eyelet. Take care not to damage the vehicle body.
Enter the vehicle being towed and start the hybrid system. If the hybrid system does not start, turn the power switch to ON mode.
Shift the shift lever to N and release the parking brake. When the shift lever cannot be shifted: P. 5 9 1■
While towing
If the hybrid system is off, the power assist for the brakes and steering will not function,
marking steering and braking more difficult. ■
Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installed in luggage compartment. ( P. 5 76 )Installing towing eyelets 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
565
8
When trouble arises 8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
NX300h_U_OM78007UIf a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights comes on or
flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, bu t then goes off, this does not necessar-
ily indicate a malfunction in the system. However, if this continues to occur,
have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Warning light and warning buzzer list Warning light Warning light/Details/Actions(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light
Indicates that:
• The brake fluid level is low; or
• The brake system is malfunctioning
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
* 1
Charging system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
* 1
Low engine oil pressure warning light (warning buzzer)
Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
* 1
High coolant temperature warning light (warning buzzer)
Indicates that the engine is overheating
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place. Continuing to drive
the vehicle may be dangerous.
Handling method ( P. 600)
Brake system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The regenerative braking system;
• The electronically controlled brake system; or
• The electric parking brake
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately. (U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The hybrid system;
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The emission control system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.