752-1. Instrument cluster
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
2
Vehicle status information and indicators
Warning lights inform the driver of mal-
functions in any of the vehicle’s sys-
tems.
*1: These lights turn on when the engine
switch is turned to IGNITION ON
mode to indicate that a system check is
being performed. They will turn off after
Warning lights
(U.S.A.)
Brake system warning light*1
( P.375)
(Red)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light*1
( P.375)
Charging system warning
light
*2 ( P.375)
Low engine oil pressure warn-
ing light
*2 ( P.375)
High coolant temperature
warning light
*2 ( P.376)
(Yellow)
Brake system warning light*1
( P.376)
(U.S.A.)
Malfunction indicator lamp*1
( P.376)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp*1
( P.376)
SRS warning light
*1 ( P.376)
(U.S.A.)
ABS warning light*1 ( P.377)
(Canada)
ABS warning light*1 ( P.377)
(Yellow)
Electric power steering sys-
tem warning light
*1 ( P.377)
(Red)
Electric power steering sys-
tem warning light
*1 ( P.377)
PCS warning light
*1 ( P.377)
(Orange)
LTA indicator*2 (if equipped)
( P.378)
LDA indicator
*2 (if equipped)
( P.378)
PKSB OFF indicator
*1, 3 (if
equipped) ( P.378)
Slip indicator light
*1 ( P.378)
Brake hold operated indica-
tor
*1, 3 ( P.379)
(U.S.A.)
Parking brake indicator*3
( P.379)
(Canada)
Parking brake indicator*3
( P.379)
Low fuel level warning light
( P.379)
Driver’s and front passenger’s
seat belt reminder light
( P.379)
Rear passengers’ seat belt
reminder light
*4 ( P.380)
Master warning light
*1
( P.380)
Tire pressure warning light
*1
( P.380)
Brake Override Sys-
tem/Drive-Start Control warn-
ing light
*2 ( P.381)
792-1. Instrument cluster
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
2
Vehicle status information and indicators
The units used on the meters and some indicators may differ depending on the target
region.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature
Tachometer
Displays the engine speed in revolution per minute
Outside temperature
Displays the outside temperature within the range of -40°F (-40°C) to 122°F (50°C). Low
outside temperature indicator comes on when the ambient temperature is 37°F (3°C) or
lower.
Background color of driving mode
Background color changes acco rding to the driving mode. (P.258)
•Sport mode: Red
•Eco mode: Blue
When in Normal mode/Custom mode , the background color is black.
Clock
Time displayed is linked to the analog clock on the instrument panel. (P.299)
Multi-information display
Presents the driver with a variety of vehicle data ( P.82)
Gauges and meters
The meters display various drive information.
Meter display
A
B
C
D
E
F
812-1. Instrument cluster
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
2
Vehicle status information and indicators
Switches between odometer, trip
meter and maintenance required infor-
mation displays. When the trip meter is
displayed, pressing and holding the
button will reset the trip meter. The brightness of the instrument panel
lights can be adjusted.
1
Darker
2
Brighter
■Instrument panel brightness adjustment
The instrument panel brightness levels
when the tail lights are on and off can be
adjusted individually. However, when the
surroundings are bright (daytime, etc.),
turning on the tail lights will not change the
instrument panel brightness. At this time,
any adjustments made to the instrument
panel brightness levels will be applied to
both settings at once.
WARNING
■The information display at low tem-
peratures
Allow the interior of the vehicle to warm
up before using the liquid crystal infor-
mation display. At extremely low tem-
peratures, the information display
monitor may respond slowly, and display
changes may be delayed.
For example, there is a lag between the
driver’s shifting and the new gear number
appearing on the display. This lag could
cause the driver to downshift again,
causing rapid and excessive engine brak-
ing and possibly an accident resulting in
personal death or injury.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and
its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the
tachometer enter the red zone, which
indicates the maximum engine speed.
●The engine may be overheating if the
engine coolant temperature gauge is
in the red zone (H); or “Engine Cool-
ant Temp High” is shown on the multi-
information display. In this case, imme-
diately stop the vehicle in a safe place,
and check the engine after it has
cooled completely. ( P.403)
Changing between the odome-
ter, trip meter and maintenance
required information
Changing the Instrument panel
light brightness
1624-1. Before driving
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
prolonged turning. Have someone
guide you when reversing to reduce
the risk of an accident.
As stopping distance is increased
when towing a trailer, vehicle-to
vehicle distance should be
increased. For each 10 mph (16
km/h) of speed, allow at least one
vehicle and trailer length.
Avoid sudden braking as you may
skid, resulting in the trailer jackknif-
ing and a loss of vehicle control. This
is especially true on wet or slippery
surfaces.
Avoid jerky starts or sudden accel-
eration.
Avoid jerky steering and sharp
turns, and slow down before making
turn.
Note that when making a turn, the
trailer wheels will be closer than the
vehicle wheels to the inside of the
turn. Compensate by making a
wider than normal turning radius.
Slow down before making a turn, in
cross winds, on wet or slippery sur-
faces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can desta-
bilize the trailer.
Take care when passing other vehi-
cles. Passing requires considerable
distance. After passing a vehicle, do
not forget the length of your trailer,
and be sure you have plenty of room
before changing lanes.
To maintain engine braking effi-
ciency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not put the transmission in D. If in
the M mode, the transmission shift
range position must be in 4 or lower.
(
P.168)
Instability happens more frequently
when descending steep or long
downhill grades. Before descend-
ing, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts while
descending steep or long downhill
grades.
Avoid holding the brake pedal down
too long or applying the brakes too
frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.
Due to the added load of the trailer,
your vehicle’s engine may overheat
on hot days (at temperatures over
85°F [30°C]) when driving up a
long or steep grade. If the engine
coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates overheating, immediately turn
off the air conditioning (if in use),
pull your vehicle off the road and
stop in a safe spot. ( P.403)
Always place wheel blocks under
both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s
wheels when parking. Put the trans-
mission in P and apply the parking
brake. Avoid parking on a slope, but
if unavoidable, do so only after per-
forming the following:
1 Apply the brakes and keep them
applied.
2 Have someone place wheel blocks
under both the vehicle’s and trailer’s
wheels.
2664-6. Driving tips
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
4-6.Driving tips
Use fluids that are appropriate to
the prevailing outside temperatures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
Have a service technician inspect
the condition of the 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.
Snow tires should be used instead.
Perform the following according to the
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.
●Do not use LDA (Lane Departure
Alert with steering control) (if
equipped).
●Do not use LTA (Lane Tracing Assist)
(if equipped).
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
3396-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
6
Maintenance and care
■Intercooler coolant reservoir
Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
If the level is on or below the “LOW” line,
add coolant up to the “FULL” line.
■Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or a similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite,
and non-borate coolant with long-life
hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mix-
ture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized
water.
(Minimum temperature: -31°F [-35°C])
Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mix-
ture of 55% coolant and 45% deionized
water.
(Minimum temperature: -44°F [-42°C])
For more details about coolant, contact
your Lexus dealer.
■If the coolant level drops within a short
time of replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine
coolant reservoir cap, drain cock and water
pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Lexus
dealer test the cap and check for leaks in
the cooling system.
Check the radiator and condenser and
clear away any foreign objects.
If either of the above parts is extremely
dirty or you are not sure of their condi-
tion, have your vehicle inspected by
your Lexus dealer.
A
B
C
WARNING
■When the engine is hot
Do not remove the engine coolant reser-
voir and the intercooler coolant reservoir
cap.
The cooling system may be under pres-
sure and may spray hot coolant if the cap
is removed, causing serious injuries, such
as burns.
NOTICE
■When adding coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor
straight antifreeze. The correct mixture
of water and antifreeze must be used to
provide proper lubrication, corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read
the antifreeze or coolant label.
■If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to pre-
vent it from damaging parts or paint.
Checking the radiator and con-
denser
WARNING
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser
as they may be hot and cause serious
injuries, such as burns.
3737-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
7
When trouble arises
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 engine
Engine misfire or misses, stumbling
or running roughly
Appreciable loss of power
Vehicle pulls heavily to one side
when braking
Vehicle pulls heavily to one side
when driving on a level road
Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy
feeling, pedal almost touches the
floor
If 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
3767-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
■High coolant temperature warning light* (warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
■Brake system warning light
■Malfunction indicator lamp
■SRS warning light
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates that the engine is overheating
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place. Continu-
ing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
Handling method ( P.403)
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(Yellow)
Indicates a malfunction in the electric parking brake
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Indicates a malfunction in:
The electronic engine control system;
The electronic throttle control system; or
The electronic automatic transmission control system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates a malfunction in:
The SRS airbag system;
The front passenger occupant classification system; or
The seat belt pretensioner system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.