2017 LEXUS RC300H Owners Manual

2254-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to S. Shift ranges can be selected by operat-
ing the shift lever or paddle shift switches, allowing you to drive in the shift range
of your choice. The shift range can be sele cted by operating the shift lever or the
“-” and “+” paddle shift switches.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from S1 to S6, will be displayed in the meter.
The initial shift range in S mode is auto- matically set to S2, S3, S4 or S5according to the vehicle speed.
■Shift ranges and their functions
●You can choose from 6 levels of accelerating force and engine braking
force.
●A lower shift range will provide greater accelerating force and engine
braking force than a higher shift range, and the engine revolutions will also
increase.
●If you accelerate while in ranges 1 to 4, the shift range may automatically
increase in accordance with the vehicle speed.
Selecting shift ranges in the S position
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2

2264-2. Driving procedures
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■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 performa nce, downshifting operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circumstances, down shifting may not be possible even when the shift lever or paddle shift switch is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if the 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 the D or S position, downshifting to 5 or 4. ( P. 253, 257)
●When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position. (P. 301)
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift lever in start- ing.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the power switch is in IGNITION ON
mode and the brake pedal is being depressed.

2274-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■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 system. Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualifie d and equipped professional immediately. The following steps may be used as an emerge ncy 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 screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the button is pressed.
1
2
3
4
5
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceler ation, 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 butt on, 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 accident resulting in death or serious injury.

2284-2. Driving procedures
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid batte ry (traction battery) will not be charged even when the engine is running. Therefore, if the vehicle is left with the shift lever in N for a
long period of time, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge, and this may result in the vehicle not being able to start.

2294-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
The lever will return to its original position immediately after operation.
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
■If the turn signals do not stop flashing after turning left or right, or if you want
to stop them flashing
Operate the lever in the opposite direction to either position or . If you
move the lever to either position or , the selected turn signals will flash.
■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.
■If the turn signals stop flashing before a lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again.
■Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be changed.
(Customizable feature P. 607)
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4
23
14

2304-2. Driving procedures
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
To set the parking brake, fully depress
the parking brake pedal with your left
foot while depressing the brake pedal
with your right foot.
(Depressing the pedal again releases
the parking brake.)
■Parking the vehicle
 P. 206
■Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
 P. 547
■Usage in winter time
 P. 338
Parking brake
Operating instructions
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake. Driving the vehicle with the parking brake se t will lead to brake components overheat-
ing, which may affect braking performance and increase brake wear.

2314-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
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 turnedoff 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. (P. 301)
■Temporary cancelation of the ASC system functions
The ASC system may be temporarily cancel ed depending on the driving conditions, such as when the tires slip due to sudden acceleration.
ASC (Active Sound Control)
: If equipped
The ASC system is an electronic soun d system that generates engine sound,
conveying the kinetic situations of the vehicle’s acceleration and deceleration
to the driver through the speakers 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 conveyed to the driver will be louder.
Controlling volume
1
2

232
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Turning the end of the lever turns on the lights as follows:
The front position, tail, license
plate and instrument panel
lights turn on.
The headlights and all lights
listed above turn on.
The headlights, daytime run-
ning lights ( P. 233) and all
the lights listed above turn on
and off automatically.
(When the power switch is in
ON mode.)
With the headlights on, push the
lever away from you to turn on the
high beams.
Pull the lever toward you to the center position to turn the high beams off.
Pull the lever toward you and release
it to flash the high beams once.
You can flash the high beams with the
headlights on or off.
Headlight switch
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
Operating instructions
1
2
3
Turning on the high beam headlights
1
2