2017 LEXUS RC300H cooling

881-2. Hybrid system
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■After the 12-volt battery has discharged or when the terminal has been removed and installed during exchange, etc.
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is being driven by the hybrid battery
(traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qua lified and equipped professional.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sound or vibration ev en though the vehicle is able to move with the “READY” indicator is illuminated. For sa fety, apply the parking brake and make sure to shift the shift lever to P when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occu r when the hybrid system is operating and are not a malfunction:
●Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
●Sounds may be heard from the hybrid batter y (traction battery) under the rear seats when the hybrid system starts or stops.
●Relay operating sounds such as a snap or so ft clank will be emitted from the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery), under the rear seat s, when the hybrid system is started or stopped.
●Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the trunk lid is open.
●Sounds may be heard from the transmission when the gasoline engine starts or stops, when driving at low speeds, or during idling.
●Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
●Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake pedal is depressed or as the accelerator pedal is released.
●Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
●Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vent on the side of the rear seat back.
■Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional regarding maintenance, repair, re cycling and disposal. Do not dispose of the
vehicle yourself.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. on/off operation of the EV indicator) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 607)

901-2. Hybrid system
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
There is an air intake vent on the right
side of the rear seat back for the pur-
pose of cooling the hybrid battery
(traction battery). If the vent becomes
blocked, the hybrid battery may over-
heat, leading to a reduction in hybrid
battery output.
When a certain level of impact is detected by the impact sensor, the emergency
shut off system blocks the high voltage current and stops the fuel pump to mini-
mize the risk of electrocution and fuel leakage. If the emergency shut off system
activates, your vehicle will not restart. To restart the hybrid system, contact any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped pro-
fessional.
A message is automatically displayed when a malfunction occurs in the hybrid
system or an improper operation is attempted.
If a warning message is shown on the
multi-information display, read the
message and follow the instructions.
( P. 542)
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air intake vent
Emergency shut off system
Hybrid warning message

3014-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
Vehicles without 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
Controls the hybrid system to provide quick, powerful acceleration. This
mode also changes the steering feel, making it suitable for when agile driving
response is desired, such as when driving on roads with many curves.
When not in sport mode, if the driving mode select switch is turned to the right, the
“SPORT” indicator will comes on.
Driving mode select switch
The driving modes can be select ed to suit driving condition.
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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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3034-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■Operation of the air conditioning system in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed of the air condi- tioning system to enhance fuel efficiency ( P. 432). To improve air conditioning perfor- mance, adjust the fan speed or turn off Eco drive mode.
■Sport mode automatic deactivation
Sport mode is automatically deactivated if the power switch is turned off after driving in sport mode.

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RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
4-6. Driving tips
◆Using Eco drive mode
When using Eco drive mode, the torque 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 (heating/
cooling) will be minimized, improving the fuel economy. ( P. 301)
◆Use of Hybrid System Indicator
The Eco-friendly driving is possible by keeping the needle of Hybrid System
Indicator within Eco area. ( P. 119)
◆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, when using the air conditioning system,
etc., the hybrid battery (traction battery) power is consumed.
◆Accelerator pedal/brake pedal operation
●Drive your vehicle smoothly. Avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleration.
Gradual acceleration and deceleration will make more effective use of the
electric motor (traction motor) without 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.
Hybrid vehicle driving tips
For economical and ecological driving, pay attention to the following points:

4366-1. Using the air conditioning system
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
With a navigation or multimedia system
Adjust the left-hand side tempera-
ture setting
Adjust the fan speed setting
Changing the fan speed setting
during the automatic mode opera-
tion ( P. 439)
Select the air flow mode
Adjust the right-hand side tempera-
ture setting
Display the option control screen ( P. 436)
Turn the fan off
Select to set automatic mode on/off
Using the Remote Touch, select the button on the screen and activate it by press-
ing on or double tapping the Remote Touch Pad.
■Option control screen
The functions can be switched on and off.
Cooling and dehumidification
function
Adjusting the temperature for
driver and passenger seats sepa-
rately (“DUAL” mode) ( P. 437)
Removing pollen from the air
(Pollen removal mode)
( P. 438)
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4416-1. Using the air conditioning system
6
Interior features
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■Registering air conditioning settings to electronic keys (vehicles with driving position
memory)
●Unlocking the vehicle using an electronic key and turning the power switch to ON
mode will recall that key's registered air conditioning settings.
●When the power switch is turned off, the cu rrent air conditioning settings will automati-
cally be registered to the electronic key that was used to unlock the vehicle.
●The system may not operate correctly if more than one electronic key is in the vicinity or
if the smart entry & start system is used to unlock a passenger door.
●The doors that can recall the air conditioning setting* when unlocked using the smart
entry & start system can be changed. For details, contact any authorized Lexus dealer
or repairer, or another duly qu alified and equipped professional.
*: The doors that can recall the driving position memory are changed at the same time.
■Using automatic mode
Fan speed is adjusted automatically according to the temperature setting and the ambi-
ent conditions.
Therefore, the fan may stop for a while until wa rm or cool air is ready to flow immediately
after is pressed or “AUTO” is selected.
■Fogging up of the windows
The windows will easily fog up when the hu midity in the vehicle is high. Turning
(“A/C”) on will dehumidify the air from the ou tlets and defog the windshield effectively.
●If you turn (“A/C”) off, the windows may fog up more easily.
●The windows may fog up if the recirculated air mode is used.
■Outside/recirculated air mode
●When driving on dusty roads such as tunnels or in heavy traffic, set the outside/recircu-
lated air mode button to the recirculated air mode. This is effective in preventing out-
side air from entering the vehicle interior . During cooling operation, setting the
recirculated air mode will also cool the vehicle interior effectively.
●Outside/recirculated air mode may automati cally switch depending on the tempera-
ture setting or the inside temperature.
■Automatic mode for air intake control
In automatic mode, the system detects exhaust gas and other pollutants and automati-
cally switches between outside air and recirculated air modes.
When the dehumidification function is off, and the fan is operating, turning automatic
mode on will activate the dehumidification function.
■Operation of the air conditioning system in Eco drive mode
In Eco drive mode, the air conditioning system is controlled as follows to prioritize fuel
efficiency:
●Engine speed and compressor operation controlled to restrict heating/cooling capac-
ity
●Fan speed restricted when automatic mode is selected
To improve air conditioning performanc e, perform the following operations:
●Adjust the fan speed
●Turn off Eco drive mode