2020 LEXUS NX300 engine

1654-2. Driving procedures
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
4
Driving
4-2.Driving procedures
1Check that the parking brake is set.
2 Check that the shift lever is in P.
3 Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and a message will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the engine cannot be
started.
4 Press the engine switch shortly and
firmly.
When operating the engine switch, one
short, firm press is enough.
It is not necessary to press and hold the
switch.
The engine will crank until it starts or for up
to 30 seconds, whichever is less.
Continue depressing the brake pedal until
the engine is completely started.
The engine can be started from any engine
switch mode.
■If the engine does not start
●The engine immobilizer system may not
have been deactivated. ( P.68) Contact your Lexus dealer.
●Check that the shift leve
r is securely set in
P. The engine may not start if the shift
lever is displaced out of P. “To Start Vehi-
cle, Put Shift Lever into P” will be dis-
played on the multi-information display.
●The smart access system with push-but-
ton start may not be operating properly.
(  P.398)
■Electronic key battery depletion
 P.96
■Conditions affecting operation
 P.118
■Note for the entry function
 P.118
■Steering lock function
●After turning the engine switch off and
opening and closing the doors, the steer-
ing wheel will be lock ed due to the steer-
ing lock function. Operating the engine
switch again automatically cancels the
steering lock.
●When the steering lock cannot be
released, “Steering Wheel Lock Press
Engine Switch while Turning Wheel” will
be displayed on the multi-information dis-
play.
Check that the shift lever is in P. Press the
engine switch while turning the steering
wheel left and right.
●To prevent the steering lock motor from
overheating, operation of the motor may
be suspended if the engine is turned on
and off repeatedly in a short period of
time. In this case, refrain from running the
engine. After about 10 seconds, the
steering lock motor will resume function-
ing.
Engine (ignition) switch
Performing the following opera-
tions when carryin g the electronic
key on your person starts the
engine or changes engine switch
modes.
Starting the engine

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

1674-2. Driving procedures
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
4
Driving
released. (The mode changes each
time the switch is pressed.)
1
Off*
The emergency flashers can be used.
2ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as the
audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
3IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than
P when turning off the engine, the
engine switch will be turned to ACCES-
SORY mode, not to off.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode
for more than 20 minutes or IGNITION
ON mode (the engine is not running) for
more than an hour with the shift lever in P,
the engine switch will automatically turn off.
However, this function cannot entirely pre- vent battery discharge. Do not leave the
vehicle with the engine switch in ACCES-
SORY or IGNITION ON mode for long
periods of time when the engine is not run-
ning.
■When stopping the engine with the shift
lever in a position other than P
If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in
a position other than P, the engine switch
will not be turned off but instead be turned
to ACCESSORY mode. Perform the fol-
lowing procedure to turn the switch off:
1
Check that the parking brake is set.
2
Shift the shift lever to P.
3
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” is dis-
played on the multi-information display
and then press the engine switch once.
4
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” on the
multi-information display is off.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
●Do not leave the engine switch in
ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON
mode for long periods of time without
the engine running.
●If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION
ON” is displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display while the engine is not run-
ning, the engine switch is not off. Exit
the vehicle after turning the engine
switch off.
●Do not stop the engine when the shift
lever is in a position other than P. If the
engine is stopped in another shift lever
position, the engine switch will not be
turned off but instead be turned to
ACCESSORY mode. If the vehicle is
left in ACCESSORY mode, battery
discharge may occur.

1684-2. Driving procedures
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce
noise, shift the shift lever to D for normal
driving.
You can choose gear range suitable for
your driving situation by operating the
paddle shift switches.
*2: Any gear range can be fixed when driv-ing in M mode.
■To protect the automatic transmission
“Transmission Fluid Temp High See
Owner’s Manual” is di splayed on the multi-
information display and a function is
adopted that automatically selects a higher
shift range when the fluid temperature is
high. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Lexus dealer.
■When driving with dynamic radar cruise
control with full-speed range activated
Even when performing the following
actions with the intent of enabling engine
braking, engine braking will not activate
because dynamic radar cruise control with
full-speed range will not be canceled.
●While driving in D position, downshifting
to 5 or 4. ( P.170)
●When switching the driving mode to
Sport mode while driving in D position.
( P.258)
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start
Control)
When the following unusual operation is
performed, the engine output may be
restrained.
●When the shift lever is shifted from R to D,
D to R, N to R, P to D, or P to R (D
includes M) with the accelerator pedal
depressed, a warning message appears
on the multi-information display. If a
warning message is shown on the multi-
information display, read the message
and follow the instructions.
●When the accelerator pedal is depressed
too much while the vehicle is in reverse.
■If the “M” indicator do es not come on or
the “D” indicator is displayed even after
shifting the shift lever to M
This may indicate a malfunction in the auto-
matic transmission system. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer. (In this situ-
ation, the transmission will operate in the
same)
■AI-SHIFT
●The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the
suitable gear according to driver perfor-
mance and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates
when the driving mode select switch is
set to Normal mode with the shift lever in
the D position. (The function will be can-
celed, if the driving mo de select switch is
set to Sport mode or shift lever is put in
the M position.)
●The G AI-SHIFT is automatically
changed to a suitable gear step while
running in Sport mode according to the
driving operations and running condi-
tions.
The G AI-SHIFT automatically operates
when the driving mode select switch is
set to Sport mode with the shift lever in
the D position. (The function will be can-
celed, if the driving mo de is select switch
is set to Normal mode or shift lever is put
Automatic transmission
Select the shift position depending
on your purpose and situation.
Shift position purpose and func-
tions
Shift posi-
tionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
MM mode driving*2 ( P.170)

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

1714-2. Driving procedures
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
4
Driving1Upshifting
2 Downshifting
The gear changes once every time the shift
lever or paddle shift switch is operated.
The selected gear, from 1 to 6, will be fixed
and displayed on the multi-information dis-
play.
When in the M position, the gear will
not change unless the shift lever or
paddle shift switch es are operated.
However, even when in the M position,
the gears will be automatically
changed in the following situation:
 When vehicle speed drops (down-
shift only).
 When the accelerator pedal is
depressed further, while driving
(downshift only).
 When the needle of the tachometer
is in the red zone (the range which
exceeds the allowable revs of the
engine).
■Downshifting restriction warning
buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving perfor-
mance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstances,
downshifting may not be possible even
when the shift lever is operated. (A buzzer
will sound twice.)

1724-2. Driving procedures
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
1Right turn
2 Lane change to the right (move the
lever partway and release it)
The right hand signals will flash 3
times.
3 Lane change to the left (move the
lever partway and release it)
The left hand signals will flash 3
times.
4 Left turn
■Turn signals can be operated when
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON
mode.
■If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear
turn signal lights has not burned out.
■Customization
 P.427
■Turns automatic mode on
While the vehicle is stopped, pull and
hold the parking brake switch until the
automatic mode lamp turns on.
Parking brake indicator (U.S.A.)
Parking brake indicator (Canada)
Parking brake lamp
Automatic mode lamp
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions
Parking brake
The parking brake can be set or
released automatically or manually.
In automatic mode, the parking
brake can be set or released auto-
matically according to shift lever
operation. Also, even in automatic
mode, the parking brake can be set
or released manually.
Operating instructions
A
B
C
D