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RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
4-1. Before driving
P. 215
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D. (P. 222)
Release the parking brake. ( P. 230)
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal
to accelerate the vehicle.
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
If the vehicle is to be stopped for an extended period of time, shift the shift lever to P. ( P. 222)
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake ( P. 230), and shift the shift lever to P (P. 222).
Press the power switch to stop the hybrid system.
Lock the door, making sure that you ha ve the electronic key on your person.
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.
Make sure that the parking brake is set and shift the shift lever to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driving:
Starting the hybrid system
Driving
Stopping
Parking the vehicle
Starting off on a steep uphill
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2074-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■When starting off on an uphill
The hill-start assist co ntrol will activate. (P. 304)
■For fuel-efficient driving
Keep in mind that hybrid vehicles are similar to conventional vehicles, and it is necessary
to refrain from activities such as sudden acceleration. ( P. 334)
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the windows may
become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
●Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be especially slip- pery.
●Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain, because there maybe a layer of water between the tires and the road surface, preventing the steering andbrakes from operating properly.
■Restraining the hybrid system output (brake override system)
●When the accelerator and brake pedals are de pressed at the same time, the hybrid sys- tem output may be restrained.
●A warning message is displayed on the multi-information display while the system is operating. ( P. 552)
■Breaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recommended:
●For the first 300 km (186 miles): Avoid sudden stops.
●For the first 1000 km (621 miles):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds. • Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears. • Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
■Drum-in-disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum-in-disc type parkin g brake system. This type of brake system needs bedding-down of the brake shoes periodically or whenever the parking brakeshoes and/or drum are replaced. Have any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional, perform the bedding down operation.
■Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability of the cor-
rect fuel. ( P. 598)
2084-1. Before driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the “READY” indicator is illuminated. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accelerator ped-als to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal will
result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident. • When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a difficulty in oper- ating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly. This allows you to depress the brake and accelerator pedals properly.• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using
your left foot may delay response in an emergency, resulting in an accident.
●The driver should pay extra attention to pedestrians when the vehicle is powered only
by the electric motor (traction motor). As there is no engine noise, the pedestrians may misjudge the vehicle’s movement.
●Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot parts may cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
●During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. Turning the hybrid system off
while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, however, power assist to the steering 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.
In the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the vehicle in the normal way: P. 529
●Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a steep
hill. Using the brakes continuously may cause th e brakes to overheat and lose effective- ness. ( P. 222)
●Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or outside rear view mirrors while driving.Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body are notoutside the vehicle.
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.
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Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
4-2. Driving procedures
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and a message will be displayed on the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the hybrid system cannot be started.
Press the power switch shortly and
firmly.
When operating the power switch, one short, firm press is enough.
It is not necessary to press and hold the switch.
If the “READY” indicator turns on, the
hybrid system will operate normally.
Continue depressing the brake pedal until the “READY” indicator is illumi-
nated.
The hybrid system can be started from any power switch mode.
Check that the “READY” indicator is illuminated.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake ( P. 230), and shift the shift lever to P.
Press the power switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that the display on the meters is off.
Power (ignition) switch
Performing the following operations when carrying the electronic key on your
person starts the hybrid system or changes power switch modes.
Starting the hybrid system
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Stopping the hybrid system
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2184-2. Driving procedures
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■When “Check Entry & Start System” is displayed on the multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qua lified and equipped professional 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 dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional immediately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 543
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 511
■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. 578
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 hybrid system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resu lting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the ve hicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and c omplete stop. Activation of the steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accide nt, 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 seconds, or press it briefly 3 times or morein succession. ( P. 529)
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 steering 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.
2194-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
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 displayed on the meters while the hybridsystem is not operating, the power switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after turning thepower switch off.
●Do not stop the hybrid system when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If thehybrid 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 battery discharge may occur.
■When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked by any autho-
rized Lexus dealer or repairer, or anothe r duly qualified and equipped professional immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfun ction with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating s omewhat differently than usual, such as the switch sticking slightly, th ere may be a malfunction. Contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualif ied and equipped professional immediately.
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.