2094-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and reduce your ability to control the vehicle.
●Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes in engine speed
could cause the vehicle to skid.
●After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brak e pads may prevent the brakes from func-
tioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected.
■When shifting the shift lever
●Do not let the vehicle roll backward while the shift lever is in a driving position, or roll forward while the shift lever is in R.Doing so may result in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
●Do not shift the shift lever to P while the vehicle is moving. Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the shift lever to a driving position while the vehicle is moving backward. Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Shifting the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the hybrid sys- tem. Engine braking is not available when N is selected.
●Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed. Shifting the
shift lever to any position other than P or N may lead to unexpected rapid accelera- tion of the vehicle that may cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear indicators)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equi pped professional as soon as possible. Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
Moderate levels of the brake pad and disc wear allow enhanced braking power. As a result, the discs may wear more quickly than conventional brake discs. Therefore, when replacing the brake pads, Lexus recommends that you also have the thickness of the
discs measured. It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when th e wear limits of the brake pads and/or those of the brake discs are exceeded.
2104-1. Before driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.If the shift lever is in any position other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate sud-denly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
●In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep depressingthe brake pedal while stopped with the “READY” indicator is illuminated, and applythe parking brake as necessary.
●If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused by thevehicle rolling forward or backward, alwa ys depress the brake pedal and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
●Avoid revving or racing the engine. Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause the exhaustsystem to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible material is nearby.
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a fire. • The temperature inside the vehicle may cau se the plastic lenses and plastic mate-
rial of glasses to deform or crack. • Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of thevehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s electrical components.
●Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a place such as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when luggage is loaded or the
seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
●Do not attach adhesive discs to the windshield or windows. Do not place containers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard. Adhesive discs or con-
tainers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehicle.
●Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause the glass to act as a
lens, causing a fire.
●Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, stop the hybrid system and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the “READY” indicator is illuminated. If the vehicle is parked with the shift lever in P but the parking brake is not set, thevehicle may start to move, possibly leading to an accident.
●Do not touch the exhaust pipes while the “READY” indicator is illuminated or imme-diately after turning the hybrid system off.Doing so may cause burns.
2334-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
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 after turn-
ing 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 and the park- ing brake is released with the headlight switch in the “AUTO” position. (Illuminatebrighter than the front position lights.) Daytime running lights are not designed for use
at night.
●Vehicles with LED front turn signal lights: If a turn signal light is in use, the daytime run- ning light, on the same side, is turned off. For emergency flashers, both are turned off.
■Headlight control sensor
■Automatic light off system
●When the light switch is in or : The headlights turn off automatically if the
power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off.
●When the light switch is in : The headlights and all lights turn off automatically if the
power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off.
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to ON mode, or turn the light switch off
once and then back to or .
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 light and may cause the automatic headlight system to malfunction.
2584-5. Using the driving support systems
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehicles up to
approximately 120 m (400 ft.) ahead, determines the current vehicle-to-vehicle
following distance, and operates to maintain a suitable following distance from
the vehicle ahead.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close in when traveling on long downhill slopes.
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver. The desired vehicle-to-vehicle dis- tance can also be set by operating the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control.
Example of deceleration cruising
When a preceding vehicle driving slower than the set speed appears
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automatically deceler- ates your vehicle. When a greater reductio n in vehicle speed is necessary, the system applies the brakes (the stop lights will come on at this time). A warning tone warns you
when the system cannot decelerate sufficiently to prevent your vehicle from closing in on the vehicle ahead.
Example of follow-up cruising
When following a preceding vehicle driving slower than the set speed
The system continues follow-up cruising wh ile adjusting for changes in the speed of
the vehicle ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle distance set by the driver.
Example of acceleration
When there are no longer any preceding vehicles driving slower than the set
speed
The system accelerates until the set speed is reached. The system then returns to con- stant speed cruising.
Driving in vehicle-to-veh icle distance control mode
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2844-5. Using the driving support systems
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■If a message is displayed on the multi-information display
P. 545
WARNING
■When using the Lexus parking assist-sensor
Observe the following precautions.
Failing to do so may result in the vehicle be ing unable to be driven safely and possibly cause an accident.
●Do not use the sensor at speeds in excess of 10 km/h (6 mph).
●The sensors’ detection areas and reaction times are limited. When moving forward or reversing, check the areas surrounding the vehicle (especially the sides of the vehi-cle) for safety, and drive slowly, using the brake to control the vehicle’s speed.
●Do not install accessories within the sensors’ detection areas.
■Limitations of the sensors
●The detection areas of the sensors are limited to the areas around the vehicle’s front
and rear bumpers.
●Certain vehicle conditions and surrounding environments, such as the following, may affect the ability of the sensors to correctly detect objects. Pay particular attention in
the following situations. Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being driven unsafely, possibly leading to an accident.
• When there is dirt, snow or ice on a sens or (Cleaning the sensor will resolve this
problem.) • When the sensor is frozen (Thawing the area will resolve this problem.)In especially cold weather, if a sensor is frozen the screen may show an abnormal
display, or objects may not be detected • When a sensor is covered in any way• When the vehicle is leaning considerably to one side
• When driving on an extremely bumpy road, incline, gravel, or grass • When the vicinity of the vehicle is noisy due to vehicle horns, motorcycle engines,air brakes of large vehicles, or other loud noises producing ultrasonic waves
• When there is another vehicle equipped with parking assist sensor in the vicinity • When the sensor is coated with a sheet of spray or heavy rain• When the vehicle is equipped with a fender pole or wireless antenna
• When a towing eyelet is installed • When a bumper or sensor receives a strong impact• When the vehicle is approaching a tall or curved curb
• When driving in harsh sunlight or intense cold weather • When an object is directly under a bumper• When objects become too close to the sensors
• When a non-genuine Lexus suspension (l owered suspension, etc.) is installed In addition to the situations above, there are instances in which, because of theirshape, signs and other objects may be judged by the sensor to be closer than they
are.
3054-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
◆Adaptive Variable Suspension System (if equipped)
By independently controlling the damp ing force of the shock absorbers for
each of the 4 wheels according to the road and driving conditions, this system
helps riding comfort with superior stee ring stability, and helps good vehicle
posture ( P. 302)
◆VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the ABS, brake assist, TRC, VSC, hill-start
assist control and EPS systems
Helps to maintain vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road surfaces by
controlling the brakes, hybrid system output
◆PCS (Pre-Crash Safety system) (if equipped)
P. 311
◆Emergency brake signal
When the brakes are applie d suddenly, the stop lights automatically flash to
alert the vehicle behind
◆BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) (if equipped)
P. 319
The slip indicator light will flash while
the TRC/VSC systems are operating.
When the TRC/VSC systems are operating
3074-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■Turning off both TRC and VSC systems
To turn the TRC and VSC systems off, press and hold for more than 3 seconds
while the vehicle is stopped.
The VSC OFF indicator light will come on and the “TRC OFF” will be shown on the
multi-information display.
*
Press again to turn the systems back on.
*: On vehicles with PCS (Pre-Crash Safety system), pre-crash brake assist and pre-
crash braking will also be disabled. The pr e-crash safety system warning light will
come on and a message will be displaye d on the multi-information display. (P. 554)
■When the message is displayed on the mult i-information display showing that TRC has
been disabled even if has not been pressed
TRC and hill-start assist control cannot be operated. Contact any authorized Lexus
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
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.