
2994-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
WARNING
■When using the Lexus parking assist monitor system
The parking assist monitor is a supplemental device intended to assist the driver when backing up. When backing up, be sure to check visually behind and all around the vehi-
cle before proceeding.
Observe the following precautions to avoid an accident that could result in death or serious injuries.
●Never depend on the parking assist monitor entirely when backing up. The imageand the position of the guide lines displayed on the screen may differ from the actualstate.
Use caution, just as you would when backing up any vehicle.
●Be sure to back up slowly, depressing the brake pedal to control vehicle speed.
●If you seem likely to hit nearby vehicles , obstacles, people or mount the shoulder,
depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle.
●The instructions given are only guidelines.
When and how much to turn the steering wheel will vary according to traffic condi-
tions, road surface conditions, vehicle condition, etc. when parking. It is necessary to be fully aware of this before using the parking assist system.
●When parking, be sure to check that th e parking space will accommodate your vehi-
cle before maneuvering into it.
●Do not use the parking assist monitor in the following cases:
• On icy or slick road surfaces, or in snow
• When using tire chains or emergency tires • When the trunk is not closed completely• On roads that are not flat or straight, such as curves or slopes.
●In low temperatures, the screen may darken or the image may become faint. Theimage could distort when the vehicle is moving, or you may become unable to see the
image on the screen. Be sure to check direct visually and with the mirrors all around the vehicle before proceeding.
●If the tire sizes are changed, the position of the guide lines displayed on the screen
may change.
●The camera uses a special lens. The distances between objects and pedestrians that appear in the image displayed on the screen will differ from the actual distances.
( P. 294)
●Estimated course line display mode: If the steering wheel is straight and the vehicle width guide lines and the estimated course lin es are not in alignment, have the vehicle
inspected by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.

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.

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.

3084-5. Using the driving support systems
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, TRC, VSC and hill-start assist control systems
Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are operating. None
of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
●Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
●A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
■ECB operating sound
ECB operating sound may be heard in the follow ing cases, but it does not indicate that a malfunction has occurred.
●Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal is oper-ated.
●Motor sound of the brake system heard from the front part of the vehicle when the
driver’s door is opened.
●Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when one or two minutes passed after the stop of the hybrid system.
■EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound may be heard. This does not indi- cate a malfunction.
■Reactivation of the TRC/VSC systems
Even after the TRC/VSC systems have been turned off, turning the hybrid system off and then on again will automatically reactivate the TRC/VSC systems.
■Reactivation of the TRC system linked to vehicle speed
When only the TRC system is turned off, th e TRC system will turn on when vehicle speed increases. However, when both TRC and VSC systems are turned off, the systems will
not turn on even when vehicle speed increases.
■Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is redu ced to prevent the system from overheating when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The steeringwheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from excessive steering input
or stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid system off. The EPS system should return to nor- mal within 10 minutes.
■Operating conditions of hill-start assist control
When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start assist control will operate:
●The shift lever is in a position other than P or N (when starting off forward/backward on an upward incline).
●The vehicle is stopped.
●The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
●The parking brake is not engaged.
■Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control
The hill-start assist control will turn off in any of the following situations:
●The shift lever is moved to P or N.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed.
●The parking brake is engaged.
●Approximately 2 seconds elapse after the brake pedal is released.

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.

3114-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
◆Pre-crash warning
When a high possibility of a frontal
collision is detected, the pre-crash
safety system warning light flashes, a
buzzer sounds and a message is
shown on the multi-information dis-
play to urge the driver to take eva-
sive action.
◆Pre-crash brake assist
When there is a high possibility of a frontal collision, the system applies
greater braking force in relation to how strongly the brake pedal is depressed.
The system may not warn the driver using a warning light, warning display and
buzzer when the system detects and judges braking operations.
◆Pre-crash braking
When there is a high possibility of a frontal collision, the system warns the
driver using a warning ligh t, warning display and buzzer. If the system deter-
mines that a collision is unavoidable, the brakes are automatically applied to
reduce the collision speed.
◆Suspension control (if equipped)
When the system determines that there is a high possibility of a frontal colli-
sion, the operation of Adaptive Variable Suspension System ( P. 305) opti-
mally controls the damping force of the shock absorber.
PCS (Pre-Crash Safety system)
: If equipped
When the radar sensor detects the possibil ity of a frontal collision, brakes are
automatically engaged to lessen im pact as well as vehicle damage.
The pre-crash safety system can be turn ed on and off as necessary by operat-
ing the switch. ( P. 312)

3134-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■The pre-crash safety system is operational when
The pre-crash safety system is enable d and the following conditions are met:
●Pre-crash warning:
• Vehicle speed is greater than about 15 km/h (10 mph).
• The speed at which your vehicle is approaching the obstacle or the vehicle running ahead of you is greater than about 15 km/h (10 mph).
●Pre-crash brake assist:
• The VSC system is not disabled. • Vehicle speed is greater than about 30 km/h (19 mph).
• The speed at which your vehicle is approaching the obstacle or the vehicle running ahead of you is greater than about 30 km/h (19 mph).• The brake pedal is depressed.
●Pre-crash braking:
• The VSC system is not disabled.
• Vehicle speed is greater than about 15 km/h (10 mph). • The speed at which your vehicle is approaching the obstacle or the vehicle runningahead of you is greater than about 15 km/h (10 mph).
●Suspension control:
• Vehicle speed is greater than about 5 km/h (4 mph).
• The speed at which your vehicle is approaching the obstacle or the vehicle running ahead of you is greater than about 30 km/h (19 mph).
■Conditions that may trigger the system even if there is no danger of a collision
In any of the following situations where the frontal area of the radar sensor is interrupted, the radar sensor may detect possibility of a frontal collision and the system may be acti- vated.
●When passing by an oncoming vehicle in a curve or a turn to the right or the left
●When rapidly approaching an obstacle ahead (e.g. preceding vehicle, toll gate barrier, etc.)
●When there is a structural object (billboard, low ceiling, fluorescent light, etc.) above the uphill road ahead
●When driving on a narrow road or throug h under a low overhead structure (bridge,
tunnel, fly-under, etc.)
●When driving on an uneven road surface
●When there is a metal object, bump, or protrusion on the road surface
●When vehicle’s front part is raised or lowered depending on loading conditions
●When the direction of radar sensor is misaligned by strong impact applied on an area
around the radar sensor, etc.
●When there is an obstacle (guard rail, etc.) by the roadside at the entrance to a curve
●When the front of your vehicle is pointing upwards (caused by putting a heavy load in
the trunk etc.)
When the system is activated in the situations described above, there is also a possibility that the brakes may be applied with a force greater than normal.