2018 LEXUS NX300h power steering

2534-5. Using the driving support systems
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manu-
al_USA_OM78212U 4
Driving WARNING■
Stopping distance when the ABS is
operating may exceed that of normal
conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the
vehicle’s stopping di stance. Always main-
tain 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■
TRAC/VSC may not operate effec-
tively when
Directional control and power may not
be achievable while driving on slippery
road surfaces, even if the TRAC/VSC
system is operating.
Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions
where stability and power may be lost. ■
Hill-start assist control does not oper-
ate effectively when●
Do not overly rely on the 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 control is not intended to hold
the vehicle stationary for an extended
period of time. Do not attempt to use
hill-start assist control to hold the vehi-
cle on an incline, as doing so may lead
to an accident.
■
When the TRAC/ABS/VSC/Trailer
Sway Control is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always
drive carefully. Re ckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular
care when the indicator light flashes. ■
When the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway
Control 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 TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Con-
trol systems off unless necessary.
Trailer Sway Control is part of the VSC
system and will not operate if VSC is
turned off or experiences a malfunction. ■
Replacing tires
Make sure that all ti res are of the speci-
fied size, brand, tread pattern and total
load capacity. In addition, make sure that
the tires are inflated to the recom-
mended tire inflation pressure level.
The ABS, TRAC, Trailer Sway Control
and VSC systems will not function cor-
rectly if different tire s are installed on the
vehicle.
Contact your Lexus dealer for further
information when replacing tires or
wheels. ■
Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or
modifying the suspensi on will affect the
driving assist systems, and may cause a
system to malfunction.
■
Trailer Sway Control precaution
The Trailer Sway Control system is not
able to reduce trailer sway in all situa-
tions. Depending on many factors such
as the conditions of the vehicle, trailer,
road surface and driving environment,
the Trailer Sway Control system may not
be effective. Refer to your trailer owner’s
manual for information on how to tow
your trailer properly.
■
If trailer sway occurs
Observe the following precautions.
Failing to do so may cause death or seri-
ous injury.
●
Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer
straight ahead. Do not try to control
trailer sway by turning the steering
wheel.

2574-6. Driving tips
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manu-
al_USA_OM78212U 4
Driving  Use fluids that are appropriate to
the prevailing outside temperatures. •Engine oil
• Engine/power control unit coolant
•Washer fluid
 Have a service technician inspect
the condition of the 12-volt battery.
 Have the vehicle fitted with four
snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the front tires *
.Ensure that all tires are the same size and
brand, and that chains match the size of the
tires. *
: Tire chains cannot be mounted on the
225/60R18 tires.
Perform the following according to the
driving conditions:
 Do not try to forcibly open a window
or move a wiper that is frozen. Pour
warm water over the frozen area to
melt the ice. Wipe away the water Winter driving tips Carry out the necessary prepara-
tions and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive
the vehicle in a manner appropriate
to the prevailing weather condi-
tions.
Preparation for winter
WARNING
■
Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to
reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of
vehicle control and cause death or seri-
ous injury.
●
Use tires of the specified size.
●
Maintain the recommended level of air
pressure. ●
Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120
km/h), regardless of the type of snow
tires being used. ●
Use snow tires on all, not just some
wheels. ■
Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to
reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle
being unable to be driven safely, and may
cause death or serious injury. ●
Do not drive in excess of the speed
limit specified for the tire chains being
used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), which-
ever is lower. ●
Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces
or over potholes. ●
Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt
steering, sudden br aking and shifting
operations that cause sudden engine
braking. ●
Slow down sufficiently before entering
a curve to ensure that vehicle control is
maintained.
NOTICE■
Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow
tires from Lexus dealers or legitimate tire
retailers.
This is because the removal and attach-
ment of snow tires affects the operation
of the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters.
Before driving the vehicle

276 5-2. Using the air conditio ning system and defogger
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manu-
al_USA_OM78212U Turns the heated steering wheel on/off The indicator light comes on when the
heated steering wheel is operating.
■
Operation condition
The power switch is in ON mode. ■
Timer function
The heated steering wheel will automati-
cally turn off after about 30 minutes.
■
Front 
Vehicles without seat ventilators
Each time the switch is pressed, the
operation condition changes as fol-
lows.
Hi (3 segments lit) → Mid (2 segments
lit) → Lo (1 segment lit) → OffThe level indicator (amber) light up
during operation. 
Vehicles with seat ventilators
Each time the switch is pressed, the
operation condition changes as fol-
lows.
Hi (3 segments lit) → Mid (2 segments
lit) → Lo (1 segment lit) → OffThe indicator (amber) and level indicator
(green) light up during operation.
■
Rear (if equipped)
Each time the switch is pressed, the
operation condition changes as fol-
lows.
Hi (3 segments lit) → Mid (2 segments
lit) → Lo (1 segment lit) → Off
The level indicator (amber) lights up
during operation.Heated steering wheel
Seat heaters
A A
A

3597-1. Essential information
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manu-
al_USA_OM78212U 7
When trouble arises press it briefly 3 times or more in
succession.
5 Stop the vehicle in a safe place by
the road. WARNING■
If the hybrid system has to be turned
off while driving
Power assist for the steering wheel will
be lost, making th e steering wheel
heavier to turn. Decelerate as much as
possible before turning off the hybrid sys-
tem.

360 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manu-
al_USA_OM78212U 7-2.Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be
towed If towing is ne cessary, we recom-
mend having your vehicle towed by
your Lexus dealer or commercial
towing service, using a wheel-lift
type truck or flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all
towing, and abide by all state/pro-
vincial and local laws.
If towing your vehicle with a wheel-
lift type truck, use a towing dolly.
( → P.361, 360) WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury. ■
When towing the vehicle
Be sure to transport the vehicle with all
four wheels raised off the ground. If the
vehicle is towed with the tires contacting
the ground, the drivetrain or related
parts may be damaged, the vehicle may
fly off the truck, or electricity generated
by the operation of the motor may cause
a fire to occur depending on the nature
of the damage or malfunction. ■
While towing ●
When towing using a cables or chains,
avoid sudden starts, etc. which place
excessive stress on the towing eyelets,
cables or chains. The towing eyelets,
cables or chains may become dam-
aged, broken debris may hit people,
and cause serious damage. ●
Do not turn the power switch off.
There is a possibility that the steering
wheel is locked and cannot be oper-
ated. ■
Installing towing eyelets to the vehi-
cle
Make sure that towing eyelets are
installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelets
may come loose during towing.
NOTICE■
To prevent damage to the vehicle
when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck ●
Do not tow the vehicle from the rear
when the power switch is off. The
steering lock mechanism is not strong
enough to hold the front wheels
straight.
●
When raising the vehicle, ensure ade-
quate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle.
Without adequate clearance, the vehi-
cle could be damaged while being
towed.
■
To prevent damage to the vehicle
when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either
from the front or rear.

3637-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manu-
al_USA_OM78212U 7
When trouble arises 3 Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by hand.
4 Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut wrench.
5 Securely attach cables or chains to
the towing eyelet.Take care not to damage the vehicle body.
6 Enter the vehicle being towed and
start the hybrid system.If the hybrid system does not start, turn the
power switch to ON mode.
7 Shift the shift lever to N and release
the parking brake.When the shift lever cannot be shifted:
→ P.174
■
While towing
If the hybrid system is off, the power assist
for the brakes and steering will not function,
marking steering and braking more difficult.
■
Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installed in luggage
compartment. ( → P.378)  Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air condi-
tioning after use is normal.)
 Flat-looking tires or uneven tire
wear
 Engine coolant temperature gauge
needle continually points higher
than normal
 Changes in exhaust sound
 Excessive tire squeal when corner-
ing
 Strange noises related to the sus-
pension system
 Pinging or other noises related to
the hybrid system
 Engine misfire or misses, stumbling
or running roughly
 Appreciable loss of power
 Vehicle pulls heavily to one side
when brakingIf you think something is
wrong If you notice any of the following
symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Con-
tact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms

3677-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manu-
al_USA_OM78212U 7
When trouble arises ■
ABS warning light
■
Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
■
PCS warning light Warning light Details/Actions(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Indicates a malfunction in:
 The ABS; or
 The brake assist system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
Warning light Details/Actions(Yellow)
(Red) Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steer-
ing) system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
Warning light Details/Actions
(Flashes or
illuminates) Indicates a malfunction in th e PCS (Pre-Collision System)
or that the system is temporarily unavailable due to the
vehicle being extremely hot/cold, or dirt around a front sen-
sor, etc. ( → P.209, 376)
→ Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display. ( → P.209, 376)
If the PCS (Pre-Collision System) or VSC (Vehicle Stability
Control) system is disabled, the PCS warning light will illu-
minate.
→ P.210

3717-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manu-
al_USA_OM78212U 7
When trouble arises ■
Brake Override System/Drive-S tart Control warning light *
*
: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
■
SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the air-
bag sensor assembly, fr ont impact sensors,
side impact sensors (front door), side
impact sensors (rear), driver’s seat position
sensor, driver’s seat be lt buckle switch, front
passenger occupant cl assification system
(ECU and sensors), “AIR BAG ON” indi-
cator light, “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light,
front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch,
driver’s seat belt pretensioner, front passen-
ger’s seat belt pretensioner and force lim-
iter, airbags, interconnecting wiring and
power sources. ( → P.32)
■
Front passenger detection sensor, seat
belt reminder and warning buzzer
●
If luggage is placed on the front passen-
ger seat, the front passenger detection
sensor may cause th e warning light to
flash and the warning buzzer to sound even if a passenger is not sitting in the
seat. ●
If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sen-
sor may not detect a passenger, and the
warning light may no t operate properly.■
Electric power steering system warning
light (warning buzzer)
When the 12-volt battery charge becomes
insufficient of the voltage temporarily drops,
the electric power steering system warning
light may come on and the warning buzzer
may sound.
■
If the malfunction indicator lamp comes
on while driving
First check the following:
●
Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.
●
Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.Warning light Details/Actions
Brake Override System
Indicates that the accelerato r and brake pedals are being
depressed simultaneously, and the Brake Override System
is operating.
→ Release the accelerator pedal and depress the brake
pedal.
Indicates a malfunction in the Brake Override System (with
warning buzzer)
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
Drive-Start Control
Indicates that the shift position was changed and Drive-
Start Control was operated wh ile depressing the accelera-
tor pedal. (with warning buzzer)
→ Momentarily release th e accelerator pedal.
Indicates a malfunction in th e Drive-Start Control system
(with warning buzzer)
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.