1994-5. Using the driving support systems
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
4
Driving
■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
■VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio Steer-
ing) (if equipped)
Adjusts the front wheel turning angle in
accordance with the vehicle speed and
steering wheel movement
■DRS (Dynamic Rear Steering) (if
equipped)
Contributes to the turning characteris-
tics and responsiveness of the vehicle
by adjusting the rear wheel angle of the
vehicle in accordance with steering
wheel movement.
■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 (if equipped)
By independently controlling the
damping force of the 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.
■LDH (Lexus Dynamic Handling
system) (if equipped)
Provides integrated control of the
VGRS, DRS and EPS. Contributes to
turning characteristics at low speeds,
responsiveness at medium speeds and
safety at high speeds by controlling the
steering angle of the front and rear
wheels in accordance with the steering
wheel operation and vehicle speed.
■VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Inte-
grated Management)
Provides integrated control of the
ABS, brake assist, TRAC, VSC,
hill-start assist control, EPS and VGRS
systems
Helps to maintain vehicle stability when
swerving on slippery road surfaces by
controlling the brakes, engine output,
steering assist, and steering ratio
■When the TRAC/VSC systems are
operating
The slip indicator light will flash while the
TRAC/VSC systems are operating.
■Disabling the TRAC system
If the vehicle gets stuck in mud, dirt or snow,
the TRAC system may reduce power from
the engine to the wheels. Pressing the
switch to turn the system off may make it
easier for you to rock the vehicle in order to
free it.
To turn the TRAC system off, quickly press
2024-5. Using the driving support systems
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
WARNING
■Hill-start assist control does not oper-
ate effectively when
●Do not overly rely on 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/VSC 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 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 systems off unless
necessary.
■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 and VSC systems will
not function correctly if different tires 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 suspension will affect the
driving assist systems, and may cause a
system to malfunction.
2436-1. Maintenance and care
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
6
Maintenance and care
Remove dirt and dust using a vac-
uum cleaner. Wipe dirty surfaces
with a cloth dampened with luke-
warm water.
If dirt cannot be removed, wipe it off
with a soft cloth dampened with
neutral detergent diluted to approx-
imately 1%.
Wring out any excess water from the cloth
and thoroughly wipe off remaining traces
of detergent and water.
■Shampooing the carpets
There are several commercial foaming-type
cleaners available. Use a sponge or brush
to apply the foam. Rub in overlapping cir-
cles. Do not use water. Wipe dirty surfaces
and let them dry. Excellent results are
obtained by keeping the carpet as dry as
possible.
■Handling the seat belts
Clean with mild soap and lukewarm water
using a cloth or spon ge. Also check the
belts periodically for excessive wear, fraying
or cuts.
■When cleaning the carpeted portions of
the glove box, console box, etc.
If a strong adhesive tape is used, there is a
possibility that the su rface of the carpet
could be damaged.
NOTICE
●Do not bring the nozzle tip close to
boots (rubber or re sin manufactured
cover), connectors or the following
parts. The parts may be damaged if
they come into contact with high-pres-
sure water.
• Traction related parts
•Suspension parts
•Steering parts
• Brake parts
●Keep the cleaning nozzle at least 11.9
in. (30 cm) away from the vehicle
body. Otherwise resin section, such as
moldings and bumpers, may be
deformed and damaged.
Also, do not continuously hold the nozzle
in the same place.
●Do not spray the lower part of the
windshield continuously.
If water enters the air conditioning sys-
tem intake located near the lower part of
the windshield, the air conditioning sys-
tem may not oper ate correctly.
●Do not wash the underside of the vehi-
cle using a high pressure car washer.
Cleaning and protecting the
vehicle interior
Perform cleaning in a manner
appropriate to each component
and its material.
Protecting the vehicle interior
2887-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
The following may indicate a problem
with your transmission. Contact your
Lexus dealer or commercial towing
service before towing.
The engine is running but the vehi-
cle does not move.
The vehicle makes an abnormal
sound.
From the front
Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.
WARNING
■While towing
●When towing using 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 engine 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 engine 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.
■To prevent damage to the vehicle
during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the
suspension components.
■Recreational towing (behind motor
home, etc.)
Never dinghy tow your vehicle to pre-
vent causing serious damage to the
AWD system and transmission. ( P.124)
Situations when it is necessary to
contact dealers before towing
Towing with a wheel-lift type
truck
3117-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
7
When trouble arises
■When the spare tire is equipped
The vehicle becomes lower when driving
with the spare tire compared to when driv-
ing with standard tires.
■If you have a flat rear tire on a road cov-
ered with snow or ice (vehicles with
front and rear tires of the same size
except for vehicles with LDH and
19-inch tires)
Install the spare tire on one of the front
wheels of the vehicle. Perform the following
steps and fit tire chains to the rear tires:
1 Replace a front tire with the spare tire.
2 Replace the flat rear tire with the tire
removed from the front of the vehicle.
3 Fit tire chains to the rear tires.
WARNING
■When using the spare tire
●Remember that the spare tire provided
is specifically desi gned for use with
your vehicle. Do not use your spare
tire on another vehicle.
●Do not use more than one spare tire
simultaneously.
●Replace the spare tire with a standard
tire as soon as possible.
●Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt
steering, sudden braking and shifting
operations that cause sudden engine
braking.
■When the spare tire is attached
The vehicle speed may not be correctly
detected, and the following systems may
not operate correctly:
• ABS & Brake assist
•VSC
•TRAC
• Dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range
•PCS
•EPS
• Adaptive Variable Suspension System (if equipped)
• LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control)
• VGRS (if equipped)
• LDH (Lexus Dynamic Handling sys- tem) (if equipped)
• DRS (Dynamic Rear Steering) (if equipped)
• VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
• Tire pressure warning system
•Lexus parking assist monitor
• Intuitive parking assist (if equipped)
• Navigation system (if equipped)
Also, not only can the following system
not be utilized fully, bu t it may even nega-
tively affect the drive-train components:
• AWD system (if equipped)
■Speed limit when using the spare tire
Do not drive at speeds in excess of 50
mph (80 km/h) when a spare tire is
installed on the vehicle.
The spare tire is not designed for driving
at high speeds. Failure to observe this
precaution may lead to an accident caus-
ing death or serious injury.
■After using the tools and jack
Before driving, make sure all the tools
and jack are securely in place in their
storage location to reduce the possibility
of personal injury during a collision or
sudden braking.
384Alphabetical Index
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
Alphabetical Index
A
A/CAir conditioning filter ............................... 273
Automatic air conditioning system ..... 213
Micro dust and pollen filter..................... 217
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)............... 198 Warning light ............................................... 295
Active Sound Control (ASC) ..................139
Adaptive Variable Suspension System 199
Air conditioning filter ................................. 273
Air conditioning system Air conditioning filter ............................... 273
Automatic air conditioning system ..... 213
Micro dust and pollen filter..................... 217
Airbags Airbag operating conditions................... 30
Airbag precautions for your child .........32
Correct driving posture .............................23
Curtain shield airbag operating condi-tions .................................................................. 30
Curtain shield airbag precautions ........32
Front passenger occupa nt classification
system ............................................................. 36
General airbag precautions ....................32
Locations of airbags.................................... 28
Modification and disposal of airbags . 35
Side airbag operating conditions ......... 30
Side airbag precautions .............................32
Side and curtain shield airbags operating conditions ...................................................... 30
Side and curtain shield airbags precau- tions ...................................................................32
SRS airbags ..................................................... 28
SRS warning light ...................................... 294
Alarm ....................................................................57 Warning buzzer ......................................... 293
Anchor brackets .......................................41, 49
Antennas (smart access system with push-button start)........................................ 93
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............... 198 Warning light ............................................... 295 Approach warning........................................ 179
ASC (Active Sound Control) ..................139
Assist grips ..................................................... 228
Audio system-linked display .......................76
Automatic air conditioning system ........213
Automatic headlight leveling system ..... 141
Automatic High Beam ................................ 142
Automatic light control system............... 140
Automatic transmission ..............................129
M mode ............................................................132
Paddle shift switches ......................... 131, 132
Snow mode...................................................... 131
Average fuel economy..................................73
Average vehicle speed .................................73
B
Back-up light Replacing light bulbs............................... 280
Wattage ..........................................................336
Battery Battery checking ..........................................261
If the battery is discharged ......................317
Preparing and checking before winter..........................................................................203
Warning light ............................................... 294
Blind Spot Monitor (BSM)........................ 189
Boost gauge.......................................................74
Brake Brake hold .......................................................137
Fluid................................................................... 332
Parking brake ............................................... 135
Warning light ...............................................293
Brake assist ..................................................... 198
Break-in tips...................................................... 117
Brightness control Instrument panel light control................. 70
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor)........................ 189
C
Card key ............................................................ 82