1954-1. Before driving
4
Driving
NX300h_U_OM78007U ■
Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler height
■
Before towing
Check that the followin g conditions are met:●
Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. ( P. 6 1 5 )●
Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recommendation. ●
All trailer lights work as required by law. ●
All lights work each time you connect them. ●
The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.●
The trailer is level when it is hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not level, an d check for improper to ngue weight, overload-
ing, worn suspension, or other possible causes. ●
The trailer cargo is securely loaded. ●
The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or local regula-
tions. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes.No matter which class of tow hitch
applies, for a more safe trailer hookup,
the trailer ball setup must be the proper
height for the coupler on the trailer.
Coupler
Trailer ball 1
2
198 4-1. Before driving
NX300h_U_OM78007U WA R N I N G ■
When towing a trailer
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable federal and
state/provincial regulations. ●
If the gross trailer weight exceeds unbraked TWR, trailer brakes are required. Lexus
recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all applicable federal and state/pro-
vincial regulations. ●
Never tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehicle’s braking
effectiveness. ●
Never tow a trailer without using a safety ch ain securely attached to both the trailer
and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, there is danger of
the trailer wandering into another lane.
NOTICE ■
When installing a trailer hitch
Use only the position recommended by your Lexus dealer. Do not install the trailer
hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage. ■
Do not directly splice trailer lights
Do not directly splice trailer lights. Dire ctly splicing trailer lights may damage your
vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction.
2054-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
NX300h_U_OM78007U WA R N I N G ■
When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sittin g in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the hy brid system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resu lting 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 comp lete stop. The steering lock function will
activate and this 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 vehicle, press
and hold the power switch for more than 2 se conds, or press it briefly 3 times or more
in succession. ( P. 5 5 7 )
However, do not touch the power switch whil e driving except in an emergency. Turning
the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control,
however, power assist to the steering will be lost. This will make it more difficult to steer
smoothly, 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 disp layed on the multi-information display
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
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus
dealer immediately. ■
Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating so mewhat differently than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, there may be a malf unction. Contact your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
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.