3024-5. Using the driving support systems
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
Vehicles with Adaptive Variable Suspension System
Normal mode
Provides an optimal balance of fuel ec onomy, quietness, and dynamic perfor-
mance. Suitable for city driving.
Press the switch to change the driving mode to normal mode when Eco drive mode or sport mode is selected.
Eco drive mode
Helps the driver accelerate in an eco-friendly manner and improve fuel econ-
omy through moderate throttle characteristics and by controlling the opera-
tion of the air conditioning system (heating/cooling).
When not in Eco drive mode, if the driving mode select switch is turned to the left, the Eco drive mode indicator will come on.
Sport mode
•SPORT S mode
Controls the hybrid system to provide quick, powerful acceleration. This
mode is suitable for when agile driving response is desired, such as when
driving on roads with many curves.
When not in SPORT S mode, if the drivin g mode select switch is turned to the right, the “SPORT S” indicator will come on.
•SPORT S+ mode
Helps to ensure steering performanc e and driving stability by simultane-
ously controlling the steering and suspen sion in addition to the hybrid sys-
tem. Suitable for sportier driving.
When in SPORT S mode, if th e driving mode select switch is turned to the right, the “SPORT S+” indicator will come on.
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3044-5. Using the driving support systems
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
◆ECB (Electronically Controlled Brake System)
The electronically controlled system generates braking force corresponding
to the brake operation
◆ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if the
brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface
◆Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation
◆VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces
◆VSC+ (Vehicle Stability Control+)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional stability when swerving on slippery road sur-
faces by controlling steering performance.
◆TRC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spinning
when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
◆Hill-start assist control
Helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when starting on an incline
or slippery slope
◆EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn the
steering wheel
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems oper-
ate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be aware, however,
that these systems are suppl ementary and should not be relied upon too heav-
ily when operating the vehicle.
3094-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■Operating conditions of emergency brake signal
When the following three conditions are me t, the emergency brake signal will operate:
●The emergency flashers are off.
●Actual vehicle speed is over 55 km/h (35 mph).
●The brake pedal is depressed in a manner that cause the system to judge from the vehi- cle deceleration that this is a sudden braking operation.
■Automatic system cancelation of emergency brake signal
The emergency brake signal will turn of f in any of the following situations:
●The emergency flashers are turned on.
●The brake pedal is released.
●The system judges from the vehicle deceleration that is not a sudden braking operation.
WARNING
■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 roads.
■Stopping distance when the ABS is operating 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
■TRC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slippery road surfaces, even if the TRC 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 hill-start assist control. Hill-start assist control may not operate
effectively on steep inclines and roads covered with ice.
●Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist co ntrol 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 VSC is 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 TRC/VSC systems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road conditions. As these
are the systems to help ensure vehicle stability and driving force, do not turn the TRC/ VSC systems off unless necessary.
3174-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
WARNING
■Limitations of the pre-crash safety system
●The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking care to observe your surroundings.
Do not use the pre-crash safety system in stead of normal braking operations under any circumstances. This system will not pr event collisions or lessen damage or inju- ries in all cases. Do not overly rely on this system. Failure to do so may cause an acci-
dent, resulting in death or serious injury.
●This system has been designed to help avoid and reduce the impact of collisions. However, the system operates differe ntly depending on the situation (P. 313). As a
result, the same level of performance may no t be expected in all cases. Also, the pre- crash safety brakes may not operate if th e driver is depressing the brake pedal or turning the steering wheel, as the system will determine such conditions as collision
avoidance operations.
●As the pre-crash safety system is designed to assist the driver in safe driving, it may operate under sporty driving conditions, which may cause an accident. For this rea-
son under sporty driving conditions, it is recommended that this system be disabled by using the PCS OFF switch.
■Handling the radar sensor
Observe the following to ensure the pre-crash safety system can function effectively. Otherwise, the system may not function correctly and could result in an accident.
●Keep the sensor and grille cover clean at all times.
Clean the sensor and grille cover with a soft cloth so you do not mark or damage them.
●Do not subject the sensor or surrounding area to a strong impact.
If the sensor moves even slightly off po sition, the system may become inaccurate or malfunction. If the sensor or surrounding area is subject to a strong impact, alwayshave the area inspected and adjusted by an y authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified an d equipped professional.
●Do not disassemble the sensor.
●Do not attach accessories or stickers to the sensor, grille cover or surrounding area.
●Do not modify or paint the sensor and grille cover.
●If the radar sensor needs to be replaced, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
3244-5. Using the driving support systems
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
WARNING
■Handling the radar sensor
Blind Spot Monitor sensors are installed be hind the left and right sides of the rear bumper respectively. Observe the following to ensure the Blind Spot Monitor can
function correctly.
●Do not subject a sensor or its surrounding area on the rear bumper to a strong impact. If a sensor is moved even slightly off po sition, the system may malfunction and vehi-
cles may not be detected correctly. In the following situations, have your ve hicle inspected by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
• A sensor or its surrounding area is subject to a strong impact. • If the surrounding area of a sensor is scratched or dented, or part of them hasbecome disconnected.
●Do not disassemble the sensor.
●Do not attach stickers to the sensor or surrounding area on the rear bumper.
●Do not modify the sensor or surrounding area on the rear bumper.
●Do not paint the rear bumper any color other than an official Lexus color.
●Keep the sensors and the surrounding areas
on the rear bumper clean at all times. If a sensor or its surrounding area on the rearbumper is dirty or covered with snow, the
Blind Spot Monitor may not operate and a warning message ( P. 548, 549) will be dis- played. In this situation, clear off the dirt or
snow and drive the vehicle with the operation conditions of the BSM function ( P. 327) satisfied for approximately 10 minutes. If the
warning message does not disappear, have the vehicle inspected by any authorizedLexus dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped professional.
3264-5. Using the driving support systems
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.
The range of each detection area is:
Approximately 0.5 m (1.6 ft.) to 3.5 m (11.5 ft.) from either side of the vehicle*
*: The area between the side of the vehicle and 0.5 m (1.6 ft.) from the side of the vehicle
cannot be detected.
Approximately 1 m (3.3 ft.) forward of the rear bumper
Approximately 3 m (9.8 ft.) from the rear bumper
Approximately 3 m (9.8 ft.) to 60 m (197 ft.) from the rear bumper*
*: The greater the difference in speed between your vehicle and the detected vehicle is,
the farther away the vehicle will be detect ed, causing the outside rear view mirror
indicator to illuminate or flash.
BSM function detection areas
WARNING
■Cautions regarding the use of the function
The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking care to observe your surroundings.
The BSM function is a supplementary function which alerts the driver that a vehicle is in a blind spot of the outside rear view mirrors or is approaching rapidly from behind intoa blind spot. Do not overly rely on the BSM function. As the function cannot judge if it is
safe to change lanes, over reliance could lead to an accident resulting in death or seri- ous injury.
As the system may not function correctly under certain conditions, the driver’s own
visual confirmation of safety is necessary.
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3294-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
The RCTA function uses radar sensors to detect vehicles approaching from the
right or left at the rear of the vehicle and alerts the driver of the presence of such
vehicles by flashing the outside rear view mirror indicators and sounding a
buzzer.
Approaching vehicles
Detection areas of approaching vehicles
RCTA function
WARNING
■Cautions regarding the use of the function
The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking care to observe your surroundings.
The RCTA function is only a supplementary fu nction which alerts the driver that a vehi- cle is approaching from the right or left at th e rear of the vehicle. As the RCTA function may not function correctly under certain conditions, the driver’s own visual confirma-
tion of safety is necessary. Over reliance on this function may lead to an accident resulting death or serious injury.
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3304-5. Using the driving support systems
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.
The buzzer can alert the driver of faster vehicles approaching from farther away.
Example:
■The RCTA function is operational when
The RCTA function operates when all of the following conditions are met:
●The BSM main switch is on.
●The shift lever is in R.
●The vehicle speed is less than approximately 8 km/h (5 mph).
●The approaching vehicle speed is between approximately 8 km/h (5 mph) and 28 km/h (18 mph).
RCTA function detection areas
Approaching vehicleSpeedApproximate
alert distance
Fast28 km/h (18 mph)20 m (65 ft.)
Slow8 km/h (5 mph)5.5 m (18 ft.)
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