2021 LEXUS RCF power steering

1304-2. Driving procedures
2Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise.
3 Pull out the mechanical key and close
the door.
Modes can be changed by pressing
the engine switch with brake pedal
released. (The mode changes each
time the switch is pressed.)
WARNING
■Stopping the engine in an emergency
●If you want to stop the engine in an
emergency 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.294)
However, do not touch the engine switch
while driving except in an emergency.
Turning the engine of f 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.
●If the engine switch is operated while
the vehicle is running, a warning mes-
sage will be shown on the multi-infor-
mation display and a buzzer sounds.
●To restart the engine after performing
an emergency shutdown, shift the shift
lever to N and then press the engine
switch.
■When parking
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon
monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Observe the following precau-
tions.
Failure to do so may cause exhaust gases
to enter the vehicle and may lead to an
accident caused by light-headedness, or
may lead to death or a serious health
hazard.
●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated
area or a closed area, such as a
garage, stop the engine.
●Do not leave the vehicle with the
engine running for a long time. If such
a situation cannot be avoided, park the
vehicle in an open space and ensure
that exhaust fumes do not enter the
vehicle interior.
●Do not leave the engine running in an
area with snow build-up, or where it is
snowing. If snowbanks build up around
the vehicle while the engine is running,
exhaust gases may collect and enter
the vehicle.
Changing engine switch modes

1934-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
2Eco drive mode
Helps the driver accelerate in an
eco-friendly manner and improve fuel
economy through moderate throttle char-
acteristics and by controlling the operation
of the air conditioning system (heat-
ing/cooling).
When not in Eco drive mode, if the driving
mode select switch is turned to the left, the
Eco drive mode indicator will come on.
3Sport mode
•SPORT S mode
Controls the transmission and engine to
provide quick, powerful acceleration. Also,
gear shift timing is co ntrolled to suit sporty
driving, making this mode is suitable for
when agile driving response is desired,
such as when driving on roads with many
curves.
When not in SPORT S mode, if the driving
mode select switch is turned to the right,
the “SPORT S” indicator will come on.
•SPORT S+ mode
Provides earlier down shift timing than
SPORT S mode in order to maintain a high
engine speed and provides faster gear
changes. This mode also changes the
steering feel, suspension control and
VDIM control, making it suitable for pow-
erful sporty driving. When in SPORT S mode, if the driving
mode select switch is turned to the right,
the “SPORT S+” indicator will come on.
■Operation of the air conditioning sys-
tem in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cool-
ing operations and fan speed of the air con-
ditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency
(  P.213). To improve air conditioning per-
formance, adjust the fan speed or turn off
Eco drive mode.
■Automatic deactivation of sport mode
and custom mode
If the engine switch is turned off after driv-
ing in sport mode or custom mode, the
drive mode will be changed to normal
mode.
■Driving mode pop-up display (vehicles
with a 10.3-inch display)
When the driving mode is changed, the
selected driving mode will be temporarily
displayed on the side display. ( P.210)
FunctionSetting
Powertrain
Normal
Power
Eco
ChassisNormal
Sport
Air conditioning sys-
temNormal
Eco

1994-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■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 brak-
ing 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 sudden ly or turning on
slippery road surfaces
■Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehi-
cle Stability Control)
Provides cooperative control of the
ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional stability
when swerving on slippery road sur-
faces by controlling steering perfor-
mance.
■TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and pre-
vent the drive wheels from spinning
when starting the vehicle or accelerat-
ing on slippery roads
■Hill-start assist control
Helps to reduce the backward move-
ment of the vehicle when starting on an
uphill
■EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce
the amount of effort needed to turn the
steering wheel
■Adaptive Variable Suspension Sys-
tem
By independently controlling the
damping force of th e shock absorbers
for each of the 4 wheels according to
the road and driving conditions, this
system combines riding comfort with
superior vehicle stability, and helps
good vehicle posture.
■VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Inte-
grated Management)
Provides integrated control of the
ABS, brake assist, TRAC, VSC,
hill-start assist control and EPS systems
Helps to maintain vehicle stability when
swerving on slippery road surfaces by
controlling the brakes, engine output
and steering assist.
■When the TRAC/VSC systems are
operating
The slip indicator light will flash while the
TRAC/VSC systems are operating.
Driving assist systems
To keep enhance driving safety and
performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response
to various driving situations. Be
aware, however, that these systems
are supplementary and should not
be relied upon too heavily when
operating the vehicle.
Summary of the driving assist
systems

2957-1. Essential information
7
When trouble arises
seconds or more, or press it briefly
3 times or more in succession.
5 Stop the vehicle in a safe place by
the road. 
Remove the seat belt first.
 If the door can be opened, open the
door and exit the vehicle.
 If the door can not be opened, open
the window using the power window
switch and exit the vehicle through
the window.
 If the window can not be opened
using the power window switch,
remain calm, wait until the water
level inside the vehicle rises to the
point that the water pressure inside
of the vehicle equals the water pres-
sure outside of the vehicle, and then
open the door and exit the vehicle.
WARNING
■If the engine has to be turned off while
driving
Power assist for the brakes and steering
wheel will be lost, making the brake
pedal harder to depress and the steering
wheel heavier to turn. Decelerate as
much as possible before turning off the
engine.
If the vehicle is trapped in
rising water
In the event the vehicle is sub-
merged in water, remain calm and
perform the following.
WARNING
■Using an emergency hammer* for
emergency escape
The front side window s and rear window
of this vehicle can be shattered by an
emergency hammer
* used for emer-
gency escape. However, an emergency
hammer
* can not shatter the windshield
as it is laminated glass.
*: Contact your Lexus dealer or after-
market accessory manufacturerfor
further information about an emer-
gency hammer.

2997-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
To have your vehicle towed by another
vehicle, the towing eyelet must be
installed to your vehicle. Install the tow-
ing eyelet using the following proce-
dure.
1Take out the towing eyelet.
(P.314, 320)
2 Remove the eyelet cover using a
flathead screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a rag
between the screwdriver and the vehicle
body as shown in the illustration.
3Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by hand. 4
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a phillips-head
screwdriver or hard metal bar.
5 Securely attach cables or chains to
the towing eyelet.
Take care not to damage the vehi-
cle body.
6 Enter the vehicle being towed and
start the engine.
If the engine does not start, turn the
engine switch to IGNITION ON
mode.
7 Shift the shift lever to N and release
the parking brake.
When the shift lever cannot be
shifted: P.133
■While towing
If the engine is not running, the power assist
for the brakes and steering will not function,
making steering and braking more difficult.
■Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installed in trunk.
(  P.314, 320)
Emergency towing procedure

3047-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■Brake Override System warning light/Drive-Start Control warning light*
(warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
■Parking brake warning light (warning buzzer*)
*: A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven with the parking brake engaged.
■Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
Warning lightDetails/Actions
When a buzzer sounds:
 Brake Override System is malfunctioning;
 Drive-Start Control is operating; or
 Drive-Start Control is malfunctioning
 Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-information display.
When a buzzer does not sound:
Brake Override System is operating
 Release the accelerator pedal and depress the brake pedal.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
or
(Canada)
Indicates that the parking brake is engaged
Release the parking brake.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steering) system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.

3087-2. Steps to take in an emergency
interconnecting wiring and power sources.
(  P.29)
■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 not operate properly.
■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.
The light will go off after several driving
trips.
If the light does not go off even after several
trips, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
■Electric power steering system warning
light (warning buzzer)
When the battery charge becomes insuffi-
cient or the voltage temporarily drops, the
electric power steeri ng system warning
light may come on and the warning buzzer
may sound.
■When the tire pressure warning light
comes on
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust
to the appropriate level. Pushing the tire
pressure warning reset switch will not turn
off the tire pressure warning light.
■The tire pressure warning light may
come on due to natural causes
The tire pressure wa rning light may come
on due to natural causes such as natural air
leaks and tire inflation pressure changes
caused by temperature. In this case, adjust-
ing the tire inflation pressure will turn off the
warning light (after a few minutes).
■When a tire is replaced with a spare tire
The spare tire is not equipped with a tire
pressure warning valve and transmitter. If a
tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning light
will not turn off even though the flat tire has
been replaced with the spare tire.
■Conditions that the tire pressure warn-
ing system may not function properly
 P.276
■If the tire pressure warning light fre-
quently comes on after blinking for 1
minute
If the tire pressure wa rning light frequently
comes on after blinking for 1 minute when
the engine switch is turned to IGNITION
ON mode, have it checked by your Lexus
dealer.
WARNING
■If both the ABS and the brake system
warning lights remain on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place immedi-
ately and contact your Lexus dealer. The
vehicle will become extremely unstable
during braking, and the ABS system may
fail, which could cause an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
■When the electric power steering
system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become
extremely heavy.
When steering wheel operations are
heavier than usual, grip the steering
wheel firmly and operate it using more
force than usual.
■If the tire pressure warning light
comes on
Be sure to observe the following precau-
tions. Failure to do so could cause a loss
of vehicle control and result in death or
serious injury.
Vehicles with a spare tire
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as
soon as possible. Adjust the tire infla-
tion pressure immediately.

3117-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
The warning lights and warning buzzers operate as follows depending on the con-
tent of the message. If a message indicates the need for inspection by a dealer, have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
 In some situations, the master warning light and warning buzzer may not oper-
ate as specified. In this case, follow the instructions displayed in the warning
message.
 If a warning light comes on or flashes at the same time that a warning message is
displayed, take corrective actio n according to the warning light. ( P.302)
*: A buzzer sounds the first time a message is shown on the multi-information display.
■Warning messages
The warning messages explained below
may differ from the actual messages
according to operation conditions and vehi-
cle specifications.
■Warning buzzer
In some cases, the bu zzer may not be heard
due to being in a noisy location or audio
sound.
■If “Engine Oil Level Low Add or
Replace” is displayed
The engine oil level is low. Check the level
of the engine oil, and add if necessary. This message ma
y appear if the vehicle is
stopped on a slope. Move the vehicle to a
level surface and chec k to see if the mes-
sage disappears.
■If “Engine Stopped Steering Power
Low” is displayed
This message is displayed if the engine is
stopped while driving.
When steering wheel operations are
heavier than usual, gr ip the steering wheel
firmly and operate it using more force than
usual.
■If “Power Turned Off to Save Battery” is
displayed
Power was turned off due to the automatic
Messages and warnings
Warning buzzer*Warning
Comes onSounds
Indicates an important situat ion, such as when a sys-
tem related to driving is ma lfunctioning or that dan-
ger may result if the co rrection procedure is not
performed
FlashesSoundsIndicates a situation, such as when damage to the
vehicle or danger may result
Comes onDoes not sound
Indicates a condition, such as malfunction of electri-
cal components, their cond ition, or indicates the
need for maintenance
FlashesDoes not sound
Indicates a situation, such as when an operation has
been performed incorrectly, or indicates how to
perform an operation correctly