2020 LEXUS NX300 stop start

1664-2. Driving procedures
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
■If “Smart Access System Malfunction
See Owner’s Manual” is displayed on
the multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■Electronic key battery
 P.356
■Operation of the engine switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and
firmly, the engine switch mode may not
change or the engine may not start.
●If attempting to restart the engine imme-
diately after turning the engine switch off,
the engine may not start in some cases.
After turning the engine switch off, please
wait a few seconds before restarting the
engine.
■If the smart access system with push-
button start has been deactivated by a
customized setting
 P.427
1Stop the vehicle completely.
2
Set the parking brake ( P.173),
and shift the shift lever to P
( P.168).
3
Press the engine switch.
4
Release the brake pedal and check
that the display on the instrument
cluster is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing
the engine switch with brake pedal
WARNING
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in
the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the
engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident result-
ing in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle
is moving, do not lock or open the doors
until the vehicle reaches a safe and com-
plete stop. The steering lock function will
activate and this may lead to an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■When starting the engine
●Do not race a cold engine.
●If the engine becomes difficult to start
or stalls frequently, have your vehicle
checked by your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction
with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operat-
ing somewhat differently than usual, such
as the switch sticking slightly, there may
be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus
dealer immediately.
Stopping the engine
WARNING
■Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop th e engine in an emer-
gency while driving the vehicle, press
and hold the engine switch for more than
2 seconds, or press it briefly 3 times or
more in succession. ( P.366)
However, do not touch the engine switch
while driving except in an emergency.
Turning the engine off while driving will
not cause loss of steering or braking con-
trol, but the power assist to these systems
will be lost. This will make it more difficult
to steer and brake, so you should pull
over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is
safe to do so.
Changing engine switch modes

1694-2. Driving procedures
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
4
Driving
in the M position.)
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent
accidental operation of the shift lever in
starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only
when the engine switch is in IGNITION
ON mode and the brake pedal is being
depressed.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is
being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your
foot on the brake pedal, there may be a
problem with the shift lock system. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
The following steps may be used as an
emergency measure to ensure that the shift
lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
1
Set the parking brake.
2
Turn the engine switch off.
3
Depress the brake pedal.
4
Pry the cover up with a flathead screw-
driver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover the
tip of the screwdriver with a rag.
5
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the but-
ton is pressed
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road sur-
faces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden
acceleration, as this could result in the
vehicle skidding to the side or spinning.
Shifting the shift lever
While the engine switch is in IGNI-
TION ON mode, move the shift lever
with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P
and D, make sure that the vehicle is
completely stopped.

1704-2. Driving procedures
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
P.258
To drive using temporary shift range
selection, operate the “-” paddle shift
switch while the shift lever in D. Chang-
ing the shift range enables the level of
engine braking force to be selected.
The shift range can then be selected by
operating the “-” and “+” paddle shift
switches.
1
Upshifting
2
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from 1 to 6,
will be displayed on the multi-informa- tion display.
The initial shift range when the “-” paddle
shift switch is operated is automatically set
to 2, 3, 4 or 5 according to the vehicle
speed.
To return to normal D position driving, the
“+” paddle shift switch
must be held down
for a period of time.
A lower shift range will provide greater
engine braking forces than a higher shift
range.
■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 pe dal is depressed for
more than a certai n period of time
●When the shift lever is shifted to a posi-
tion other than D
To enter M mode, shift the shift lever to
M. Gears can then be selected by
operating the shift lever or paddle shift
switches, allowing you to drive in the
gear of your choice. The gear can be
selected by operating the shift lever or
the “-” and “+” paddle shift switches.
WARNING
■To prevent an accident when releas-
ing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override
button, make sure to set the parking
brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pe dal is accidentally
depressed instead of the brake pedal
when the shift lock override button is
pressed and the shift lever is shifted out
of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, pos-
sibly leading to an accident resulting in
death or serious injury.
Selecting the driving mode
Selecting shift ranges in the D
position
Meter dis-
playFunction
D2 - D6
A gear in the range between 1 and the selected gear is auto- matically chosen depending
on vehicle speed and driving conditions
D11st gear is set
Selecting gears in the M position

1754-2. Driving procedures
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
4
Driving
Turns the brake hold system on
The brake hold standby indicator
(green) comes on. While the system is
holding the brake, the brake hold operated
indicator (yellow) comes on.
■Brake hold system operating conditions
The brake hold system cannot be turned on
in the following conditions:
●The driver’s door is not closed.
●The driver is not wearing the seat belt.
If any of the conditions above are detected
when the brake hold system is enabled, the
system will turn off and the brake hold
standby indicator light will go off. In addi-
tion, if any of the co nditions are detected
while the system is holding the brake, a
warning buzzer will sound and a message
NOTICE
■When the parking brake cannot be
released due to a malfunction
Driving the vehicle with the parking
brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking
performance and increase brake wear.
Have the vehicle inspected by contact
your Lexus dealer immediately if this
occurs.
Brake Hold
The brake hold system keeps the
brake applied when the shift lever is
in D, M or N with the system on and
the brake pedal has been
depressed to stop the vehicle. The
system releases the brake when the
accelerator pedal is depressed with
the shift lever in D or M to allow
smooth start off.
Enabling the system
A
B

1764-2. Driving procedures
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
will be shown on the multi-information dis-
play. The parking brake will then be set
automatically.
■Brake hold function
●If the brake pedal is left released for a
period of about 3 minutes after the sys-
tem has started holding the brake, the
parking brake will be set automatically. In
this case, a warning buzzer sounds and a
message is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display.
●To turn the system off while the system is
holding the brake, firmly depress the
brake pedal and press the button again.
●The brake hold function may not hold the
vehicle when the vehicle is on a steep
incline. In this situation, it may be neces-
sary for the driver to apply the brakes. A
warning buzzer will sound and the multi-
information display will inform the driver
of this situation. If a warning message is
shown on the multi-information display,
read the message and follow the instruc-
tions.
■When the parking brake is set automati-
cally while the system is holding the
brakes
With the brake pedal depressed, release
the parking brake by operating the parking
brake switch, making sure that the parking
brake indicator light goes off. ( P.172)
■When an inspection at your Lexus
dealer is necessary
When the brake hold standby indicator
(green) does not illuminate even when the
brake hold switch is pressed with the brake
hold system operating conditions met, the
system may be malfun ctioning. Have the
vehicle inspected at your Lexus dealer.
■If “Brake Hold Fault Depress Brake to
Deactivate Visit Your Dealer” is dis-
played on the multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
■Warning messages and buzzers
Warning messages and buzzers are used to
indicate a system malfunction or to inform
the driver of the need for caution. If a warn-
ing message is shown on the multi-informa- tion display, read the message and follow
the instructions.
■If the brake hold operated indicator
flashes
 P.379
WARNING
■When the vehicle is on a steep incline
When using the brake hold system on a
steep incline, exercise caution. The brake
hold function may not hold the vehicle in
such a situation.
■When stopped on a slippery road
The system cannot stop the vehicle when
the gripping ability of the tires has been
exceeded. Do not use the system when
stopped on a slippery road.
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
The brake hold system is not designed
for use when parking the vehicle for a
long period of time. Turning the engine
switch off while the system is holding the
brake may release the brake, which
would cause the vehicle to move. When
operating the engine switch, depress the
brake pedal, shift the shift lever to P and
set the parking brake.

2284-5. Using the driving support systems
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
This mode employs a radar to detect the pr esence of vehicles up to approximately
328 ft. (100 m) ahead, determines the cu rrent vehicle-to-vehicle following dis-
tance, and operates to maintain a suitab le following distance from the vehicle
ahead. The desired vehicle-to-vehicle distance can also be set by operating the
vehicle-to-vehicle distance switch.
When driving on downhill slopes, the vehicl e-to-vehicle distance may become shorter.
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver.
Example of deceleration cruising and follow-up cruising
When a preceding vehicle driving slower than the set speed appears
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automatically decelerates
your vehicle. When a greater reduction in vehicle speed is necessary, the system applies
the brakes (the stop lights will come on at this time). The sy stem will respond to changes in
the speed of the vehicle ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle distance set by
the driver. Approach warning warns you when th e system cannot decelerate sufficiently to
prevent your vehicle from closing in on the vehicle ahead.
When the vehicle ahead of you stops, your vehi cle will also stop (vehicle is stopped by sys-
tem control). After the vehicle ahead starts off, pushing the cruise control lever up or
depressing the accelerator pedal (start-off operation) will resume follow-up cruising. If the
start-off operation is not performed, system control continues to keep your vehicle
stopped.
When the turn signal lever is operated and your vehicle moves to a left lane while driving at
50 mph (80 km/h) or more, the vehicle will quickly accelerate to help to overtake a pass-
ing vehicle.
Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
A
B

2314-5. Using the driving support systems
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
4
DrivingAfter the vehicle ahead of you starts
off, push the lever up.
Your vehicle will also resume follow-up
cruising if the accelerator pedal is
depressed after the vehicle ahead of
you starts off. 1
Pulling the lever toward you can-
cels the speed control.
The speed control is also canceled when
the brake pedal is depressed.
(When the vehicle has been stopped by
system control, depressing the brake pedal
does not cancel the setting.)
2Pushing the lever up resumes the
cruise control and returns vehicle
speed to the set speed.
When your vehicle is too close to a
vehicle ahead, and sufficient automatic
deceleration via the cruise control is
not possible, the display will flash and
the buzzer will sound to alert the driver.
An example of this would be if another
driver cuts in front of you while you are
following a vehicle. Depress the brake
pedal to ensure an appropriate vehi-
cle-to-vehicle distance.
Distance optionsVehicle-to-vehicle distance
LongApproximately 160 ft. (50 m)
MediumApproximately 130 ft. (40 m)
ShortApproximately 100 ft. (30 m)
Resuming follow-up cruising
when the vehicle has been
stopped by system control (vehi-
cle-to-vehicle distance control
mode)
Canceling and resuming the
speed control
Approach warning (vehicle-to-
vehicle distance control mode)

2334-5. Using the driving support systems
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
4
Driving
below approximately 20 mph [30 km/h],
the set speed will be set to approximately
20 mph [30 km/h].)
■Accelerating after setting the vehicle
speed
The vehicle can accelerate by operating the
accelerator pedal. After accelerating, the
set speed resumes. However, during vehi-
cle-to-vehicle distance control mode, the
vehicle speed may decrease below the set
speed in order to maintain the distance to
the preceding vehicle.
■When the vehicle stops while follow-up
cruising
●Pushing the lever up while the vehicle
ahead stops will resume follow-up cruis-
ing if the vehicle ahead starts off within
approximately 3 seconds after the lever
is pushed up.
●If the vehicle ahead starts off within 3 sec-
onds after your vehicle stops, follow-up
cruising will be resumed.
■Automatic cancelation of vehicle-to-
vehicle distance control mode
Vehicle-to-vehicle dist ance control mode is
automatically canceled in the following situ-
ations.
●VSC is activated.
●TRAC is activated for a period of time.
●When the VSC or TRAC system is
turned off.
●The sensor cannot detect correctly
because it is covered in some way.
●Pre-collision braking is activated.
●The parking brake is operated.
●The vehicle is stopped by system control
on a steep incline.
●The following are detected when the
vehicle has been stopped by system con-
trol:
• The driver is not wearing a seat belt.
• The driver’s door is opened.
• The vehicle has been stopped for about 3 minutes
If vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
is automatically canceled for any reasons
other than the above, there may be a mal- function in the system. Contact your Lexus
dealer.
■Automatic cancelation of constant
speed control mode
Constant speed control mode is automati-
cally canceled in the following situations:
●Actual vehicle speed is more than
approximately 10 mph (16 km/h) below
the set vehicle speed.
●Actual vehicle speed falls below approxi-
mately 20 mph (30 km/h).
●VSC is activated.
●TRAC is activated for a period of time.
●When the VSC or TRAC system is
turned off.
●Pre-collision braking is activated.
If constant speed control mode is automati-
cally canceled for any reasons other than
the above, there may be a malfunction in the
system. Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Brake operation
A brake operation sound may be heard and
the brake pedal response may change, but
these are not malfunctions.
■Warning messages and buzzers for
dynamic radar cruise control with full-
speed range
Warning messages and buzzers are used to
indicate a system malfunction or to inform
the driver of the need for caution while driv-
ing. If a warning messa ge is shown on the
multi-information displa y, read the message
and follow the instructions. ( P.197, 384)
■When the sensor may not be correctly
detecting the vehicle ahead
In the case of the fo llowing and depending
on the conditions, operate the brake pedal
when deceleration of the system is insuffi-
cient or operate the accelerator pedal
when acceleration is required.
As the sensor may not be able to correctly
detect these types of vehicles, the approach
warning ( P.231) may not be activated.
●Vehicles that cut in suddenly
●Vehicles traveling at low speeds
●Vehicles that are not moving in the same