1264-2. Driving procedures
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
■When “Access System with Elec. Key
Malfunction See Owner’s Manual” is
displayed on the multi-information dis-
play
The system may be ma lfunctioning. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■Electronic key battery
P.275
■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.
■Customization
If the smart access sy stem with push-button
start has been deactivated in a customized
setting, refer to P.315.
1 Stop the vehicle.
2 Set the parking brake ( P.135),
and shift the shift lever to P.
3 Press the engine switch.
4 Release the brake pedal and check
that the display on the meters is off.
■Automatic engine shut off feature
●The vehicle is equipped with a feature
that automatically shuts off the engine
when the shift lever is in P with the engine
running for an extended period.
●The engine will automatically shut off
after approximately 1 hour if it has been
left running while the shift lever is in P.
●The timer for the automatic engine shut
off feature will reset if the brake pedal is
depressed or if the shift lever is in a posi-
tion other than P.
●After the vehicle is parked, if the door is
locked with the door lock switch
(P.88) from the inside or the mechani-
cal key ( P.315) from the outside, the
automatic engine shut off feature will be
disabled. The timer for the automatic
engine shut off feature will be re-enabled
if the driver’s door is opened.
WARNING
■When starting the engine
Always start the engi ne while sitting in
the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal wh ile 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. Activation of the steering lock
in this circumstance may lead to an acci-
dent, 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
1274-2. Driving procedures
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
4
Driving
■Locking the door from outside with the
engine running
1 With the driver’s door open, pull the
driver’s door handle and insert the
mechanical key.
2 Turn the mechanical key
counterclockwise.
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 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.284)
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.
■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
1314-2. Driving procedures
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
4
Driving
emergency measure to ensure that the shift
lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
1Turn the engine switch to IGNITION
ON mode and check that the parking
brake is set. ( P.127, 135)
2 Turn the engine switch to 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.
■Sport mode/Eco drive mode
P.196
■Snow mode
Snow mode can be se lected to suit the
conditions when driving on slippery
road surfaces, such as snow.
Press the switch.
Press the switch again to return to normal
mode.
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automati cally deactivated if
the engine switch is turned off after driving
in snow mode.
To drive using temporary shift range
selection, operate the “-” or “+” paddle
shift switch.
When the “-” paddle shift switch is
operated, the shift range will be
downshifted to a range that enables
engine braking force that is suitable to
driving conditions. When the “+” pad-
dle shift switch is operated, the shift
range will be one gear higher than the
gear in use during normal D position
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
1364-2. Driving procedures
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
■Turns automatic mode off
While the vehicle is stopped, pull and
hold the parking brake switch until
“EPB Shift Interlock Function Deacti-
vated” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
■Parking brake operation
●When the engine switch is not in IGNI-
TION ON mode, the parking brake can-
not be released using the parking brake
switch.
●When the engine switch is not in IGNI-
TION ON mode, automatic mode (auto-
matic brake setting and releasing) is not
available.
■Parking brake automatic release func-
tion
The parking brake is automatically released
when slowly depress the accelerator pedal.
The parking brake will be released auto-
matically under the fo llowing conditions:
• The driver’s door is closed.
• The driver’s seat belt is fastened.
• Shift the shift lever is in a forward or reverse position.
• The malfunction indicator lamp or brake system warning light is not illuminated.
If the automatic release function does not
operate, manually release the parking
brake.
■If “Parking Brake Temporarily Unavail-
able” is displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display
If the parking brake is operated repeatedly over a short period of time, the system may
restrict operation to pr
event overheating. If
this happens, refrain from operating the
parking brake. Normal operation will return
after about 1 minute.
■If “EPB Activation Stopped Incom-
pletely” or “Parking Brake Unavailable”
is displayed on th e multi-information
display
Operate the parking brake switch. If the
message does not disappear after operat-
ing the switch several times, the system may
be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
■Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a motor
sound (whirring sound) may be heard. This
does not indicate a malfunction.
■Parking brake operation
●Depending on the engine switch mode,
the parking brake indicator light will turn
on and stay on as described below:
IGNITION ON mode: Comes on until
the parking brake is released.
Not in IGNITION ON mode: Stays on
for approximately 15 seconds.
●When the engine switch is turned off with
the parking brake set, the parking brake
indicator light will stay on for about 15
seconds. This does not indicate a mal-
function.
■Parking the vehicle
P.116
■Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven
with the parking brake engaged. “Parking
Brake ON” is displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display.
■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.
1404-3. Operating the lights and wipers
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
4-3.Operating the lights and wipers
Operating the switch turns on
the lights as follows:U.S.A.
Canada
1 The side marker, parking, tail,
license plate, instrument panel
lights, and daytime running lights
( P.140) turn on.
2 The headlights and all lights
listed above (except daytime run-
ning lights) turn on.
3 The headlights, daytime run-
ning lights ( P.140) and all the lights listed above turn on and off
automatically. (When the engine
switch is in IGNITION ON mode.)
4 (U.S.A.) Off ( P.140)
■Daytime running light system
●The daytime running lights illuminate
using the same lights as the parking lights
and illuminate brighter than the parking
lights.
●To make your vehicle more visible to
other drivers during daytime driving, the
daytime running lights turn on automati-
cally when all of the following conditions
are met. (The daytime running lights are
not designed for use at night.)
• The engine is running
• The parking brake is released
• The headlight switch is in the or
* position
*: When the surroundings are bright
The daytime running lights remain on after
they illuminate, even if the parking brake is
set again.
●For the U.S.A.: Daytime running lights
can be turned off by operating the switch.
●Compared to turning on the headlights,
the daytime running light system offers
greater durability and consumes less
electricity, so it can help improve fuel
economy.
■Headlight control sensor
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the wind-
shield.
Doing so interferes wi th the sensor detect-
Headlight switch
The headlights can be operated
manually or automatically.
Operating instructions
A
B
1414-3. Operating the lights and wipers
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
4
Driving
ing the level of ambient light and may cause
the automatic headlight system to malfunc-
tion.
■Automatic light off system
When the light switch is in , or : The headlights and tail lights turn off
30 seconds after the engine switch is
turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned
off and a door is opened and all of the doors
and trunk are closed. (The lights turn off
immediately if on the key is pressed
twice after both side doors are closed.)
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine
switch to IGNITION ON mode, or turn the
light switch off once and then back to
or .
If any of the doors or trunk lid is left open,
the lights automatically turn off after 20
minutes.
■Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the engine switch is
turned off or turned to ACCESSORY
mode and the driver’s door is opened while
the lights are turned on.
■Automatic headlight leveling system
The level of the headlights is automatically
adjusted according to the number of pas-
sengers and the loading condition of the
vehicle to ensure that the headlights do not
interfere with other road users.
■Customization
Some functions can be customized.
( P.349)
1 With the headlights on, push the
lever away from you to turn on the
high beams.
Pull the lever toward you to the center
position to turn the high beams off.
2Pull the lever toward you and
release it to flash the high beams
once.
You can flash the high beams with the
headlights on or off.
When the steering wheel or turn
signal lever is operated while the
headlights are on (low beam) and
the vehicle speed is 19 mph (30
km/h) or lower, a cornering light will
turn on and light up the direction of
movement of the vehicle. The cor-
nering lights are designed to ensure
excellent visibility when making a
turn at an intersection.
When the shift position is in R while
the headlights are on (low beam),
both cornering lights will turn on.
This is designed to enhance visibility
when parking.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than
necessary when the engine is not run-
ning.
Turning on the high beam head-
lights
Cornering lights
1444-3. Operating the lights and wipers
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
mittently changing brightness and dark-
ness
• When frequently and repeatedly driving
ascending/descending roads, or roads
with rough, bumpy or uneven surfaces
(such as stone-paved ro ads, gravel roads,
etc.)
• When frequently and repeatedly taking curves or driving on a winding road
• When there is a highly reflective object ahead of the vehicle, such as a sign or
mirror
• When the back of a preceding vehicle is highly reflective, such as a container on a
truck
• When the vehicle’s headlights are dam- aged or dirty, or are not aimed properly
• When the vehicle is listing or titling due to
a flat tire, a trailer being towed, etc.
• When the headlights are changed between the high beams and low beams
repeatedly in an abnormal manner
• When the driver believes that the high beams may be flashing or dazzling
pedestrians or other drivers
■Temporarily lowering sensor sensitivity
The sensitivity of the sensor can be tempo-
rarily lowered.
1 Turn the engine switch off while the fol-
lowing conditions are met.
●The headlight switch is in or .
●The headlight switch le ver is in the origi-
nal position.
●Automatic High Beam switch is on.
2 Turn the engine switch to IGNITION
ON mode.
3 Within 30 seconds after 2 , repeat
pushing the headlight switch lever to the
high beam position then pulling it to the
original position quickly 10 times, then
leave the lever in original position.
4 If the sensitivity is changed, the Auto-
matic High Beam indicator is turn on
and off 3 times.
■Switching to the high beams
Push the lever away from you.
The Automatic High Beam indicator will
turn off and the high beam indicator will
turn on.
Pull the lever to its orig inal position to acti-
vate the Automatic High Beam system
again.
■Switching to the low beams
Press the Automatic High Beam
switch.
The Automatic High Beam indicator will
turn off.
Press the switch to activate the Automatic
High Beam system again.
■Temporarily switching to the low
beams
Pull the lever toward you and then
Turning the high beams on/off
manually
1514-3. Operating the lights and wipers
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
4
Driving
once. After this, the headlight cleaners will
operate every 5th time the lever is pulled.
■The windshield wiper and washer can be
operated when
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON
mode.
■Dripping prevention wiper sweep
After performing a washing and wiping
operation several times, the wipers operate
one more time after a short delay to prevent
dripping.
However, this final wiper operation will not
be performed while driving.
■Effects of vehicle speed on wiper opera-
tion (vehicles with rain-sensing wind-
shield wipers)
Vehicle speed affects the following even
when the wipers are not in AUTO mode.
●Intermittent wiper interval
●Wiper operation when the washer is
being used (delay until drip prevention
wiper sweep occurs)
With low speed windshield wiper opera-
tion selected, wiper operation will be
switched from low speed to intermittent
wiper operation only when the vehicle is
stationary.
■Raindrop sensor (vehicles with
rain-sensing windshield wipers)
●The raindrop sensor judges the amount
of raindrops.
An optical sensor is adopted. It may not
operate properly when sunlight from the
rising or setting of the sun intermittently
strikes the windshield, or if bugs etc. are
present on the windshield.
●If the wiper is turned to AUTO mode
while the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, the wipers will operate once
to show that AUTO mode is activated.
●If the temperature of
the raindrop sensor
is 185°F (85°C) or higher, or -22°F
(-30°C) or lower, automatic operation
may not occur. In this case, operate the
wipers in any mode other than AUTO
mode.
■When the windshield wipers are in tem-
porary operation (vehicles with
rain-sensing wind shield wipers)
AUTO mode cannot be activated even if is pressed.
■If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not
blocked if there is wash er fluid in the wind-
shield washer fluid reservoir.
WARNING
■Caution regarding the use of wind-
shield wipers in AUTO mode
The windshield wipers may operate
unexpectedly if the se nsor is touched or
the windshield is subj ect to vibration in
AUTO mode. Take care that your fingers
or anything else do not become caught
in the windshield wipers.
■Caution regarding the use of washer
fluid
When it is cold, do not use the washer
fluid until the windshield becomes warm.
The fluid may freeze on the windshield
and cause low visibility. This may lead to
an accident, resulting in death or serious
injury.
NOTICE
■When there is no washer fluid spray
from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may
be caused if the lever is pulled toward
you and held continually.