2164-1. Before driving
IS300h_EE(OM53D89E)
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. In order to avoid acci-
dent, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind when towing:
■Checking connections between trailer and lights
Stop the vehicle and check the operation of the connection between the
trailer and lights after driving for a brief period as well as before starting off.
■Practicing driving with a coupled trailer
●Get the feel for turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer coupled by
practicing in an area with no or light traffic.
●When reversing with a coupled traile r, hold the section of the steering
wheel nearest to you and rotate clockwis e to turn the trailer left or counter-
clockwise to turn it right. Always rotate a little at a time to prevent steering
error. Have someone guide you when reversing to lessen the risk of an
accident.
■Increasing vehicle-to-vehicle distance
At a speed of 10 km/h (6 mph), the di stance to the vehicle running ahead of
you should be equivalent to or greater than the combined length of your vehi-
cle and trailer. Avoid sudden braking th at may cause skidding. Otherwise, the
vehicle may spin out of control. This is especially true when driving on wet or
slippery road surfaces.
■Sudden acceleration/steering input/cornering
Executing sharp turns when towing may re sult in the trailer colliding with your
vehicle. Decelerate well in advance when approaching turns and take them
slowly and carefully to avoid sudden braking.
■Important points regarding turning
The wheels of the trailer will travel closer to the inside of the curve than the
wheels of the vehicle. To make allowance for this, take the turns wider than you
would normally do.
Guidance
2224-2. Driving procedures
IS300h_EE(OM53D89E)
■Steering lock
After turning the power switch off and openin g and closing the doors, the steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock func tion. Operating the power switch again auto-
matically cancels the steering lock.
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, operation of the motor may be sus-
pended if the hybrid system is turned on an d off repeatedly in a short period of time. In this case, refrain from operating the hybrid system. After about 10 seconds, the steering
lock motor will resume functioning.
■When “Smart Entry & Start System Malfunction See Owner's Manual” is displayed on the multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus
retailer or Lexus authoriz ed repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately.
■If the “READY” indicator does not come on
In the event that the “READY” indicator does not come on even after performing the
proper procedures for starting the vehicle, contact any authorized Lexus retailer or
Lexus authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 585
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 549
■Operation of the power switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the power switch mode may not change or the hybrid system may not start.
●If attempting to restart the hybrid system immediately after turning the power switch off,
the hybrid system may not start in some cases. After turning the power switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the hybrid system.
■If the smart entry & start system has been deactivated by a customized setting
P. 628
“Steering Wheel Lock Pr ess Power Switch while
Turning Wheel” will be displayed on the multi- information display.
Check that the shift lever is in P. Press the power
switch while turning the steering wheel left and right.
2234-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53D89E)
WARNING
■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 occu rs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering lock in this circumstance 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. 567)
However, do not touch the power switch while 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 stee ring 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 di splayed on the meters 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 ba ttery discharge may occur.
■When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to st art, have your vehicle checked by any autho-
rized Lexus retailer or Lexus authorized repa irer, or any reliable repairer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, th ere may be a malfunction. Contact any authorized Lexus
retailer or Lexus authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately.
2304-2. Driving procedures
IS300h_EE(OM53D89E)
■When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated with the shift lever in the D position
The shift range is downshifted to a range that enables engine braking force that is suit-
able to driving conditions.
■Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D position
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situations:
●When the vehicle comes to a stop
●If the accelerator pedal is depressed for more than a certain period of time
●When the shift lever is shifted to a position other than D
■Downshifting restriction warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circum stances, downshifting may not be possible even when the
shift lever or paddle shif t switch is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if th e power switch is turned off after driving in
snow mode.
■When driving with cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking,
engine braking will not activate because crui se control or dynamic radar cruise control will not be canceled.
●While driving in D or S mode, downshifting to 5 or 4. ( P. 293, 305)
●When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position. (P. 348)
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
When the following unusual operation is performed, 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 shown on the multi-information display, read the message and follow the instructions.
●When the accelerator pedal is depressed too while the vehicle is in reverse.
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent ac cidental operation of the shift lever in start-
ing.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only wh en the power switch is in ON mode and the brake pedal is being depressed.
2314-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53D89E)
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake pedal, there may be a prob-
lem with the shift lock syst em. Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus
retailer or Lexus authoriz ed repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately. The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that the shift lever
can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Set the parking brake.
Turn the power switch off.
Depress the brake pedal.
Pry the cover up with a flathead screwdriver
or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover the tip
of the screwdri ver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the button
is pressed.
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting an d sudden acceleration, as this could result in the vehicle skidding to the side or spinning.
■To prevent an accident wh en releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override button, make sure to set the parking brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed instead of the brake pedal when the
shift lock override button is pressed and the shift lever is shifted out of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, possibly leading to an a ccident resulting in death or serious injury.
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2384-3. Operating the lights and wipers
IS300h_EE(OM53D89E)
This system allows the headlights and front position lights to be turned on for 30
seconds when the power switch is off.
Pull the lever toward you and release it
with the light switch is in or
after turning the power switch off.
Pull the lever toward you and release it again to turn off the lights.
■Daytime running light system
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime driving, the daytime
running lights turn on automatically whenever the hybrid system is started with the head-
light switch off or in the “AUTO” position and the parking brake is released. (Illuminate brighter than the front position lights.) Da ytime running lights are not designed for use at
night.
■Headlight control sensor
■Automatic light off system
●When the light switch is in the or position: The headlights turn off auto-
matically if the power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or off.
●When the light switch is in the position: The headlights and all lights turn off auto-
matically if the power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or off.
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to ON mode, or turn the light switch to
the position once and then back to the or position.
Follow me home system
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything that blocks the sensor is affixed to the windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detecting
the level of ambient li ght and may cause the automatic headlight syst em to malfunction.
2514-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53D89E)
■The windshield wiper and washer can be operated when
The power switch is in ON mode.
■Dripping prevention wiper sweep
After performing a washing and wiping operat ion several times, the wipers operate one
more time after a short delay to prevent dripping.
However, this final wiper operation will not be performed while driving.
■Effects of vehicle speed on wiper operation (vehicles with rain-sensing windshield wip-
ers)
Vehicle speed affects the following even when the wipers are not in AUTO mode.
●Intermittent wiper interval
●Wiper operation when the washer is being used (delay until drip prevention wiper
sweep occurs)
With low speed windshield wiper operation selected, wiper operation will be switched
from low speed to intermitte nt wiper operation only when the vehicle is stationary.
■Raindrop sensor (vehicles with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
●If the wiper is turned to AUTO mode while the power switch is in ON mode, the wipers
will operate once to show th at AUTO mode is activated.
●If the temperature of the raindrop sensor is 85°C (185°F) or higher, or -30°C (-22°F)
or lower, automatic operation may not occur. In this case, operate the wipers in any
mode other than AUTO mode.
■When the windshield wipers are in tempor ary operation (vehicles with rain-sensing
windshield wipers)
AUTO mode cannot be activated even if is pressed.
■If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washer fluid in the windshield
washer fluid reservoir.
●The raindrop sensor judges the amount of
raindrops.
An optical sensor is ad opted. It may not oper-
ate properly when sunlight from the rising or
setting of the sun inte rmittently strikes the windshield, or if bugs etc. are present on the
windshield.
2524-3. Operating the lights and wipers
IS300h_EE(OM53D89E)
WARNING
■Caution regarding the use of windshield wipers in AUTO mode
The windshield wipers may operate unexpectedly if the sensor is touched or the wind-
shield is subject to vibratio n in AUTO mode. Take care that your fingers or anything
else do not become caught in the windshield wipers.
■Caution regarding the use of washer fluid
When it is cold, do not use the washer fluid until the windshield becomes warm. The
fluid may freeze on the windshield and cause lo w visibility. This may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.
■When there is no washer fluid spray from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may be cau sed if the lever is pulled toward you and held continually.
■When a nozzle becomes blocked
In this case, contact any authorized Lexus re tailer or Lexus authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.