
1244-1. Before driving
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
Trailer towing
Lexus does not recommend towing
a trailer with your vehicle. Lexus
also does not recommend the
installation of a tow hitch or the use
of a tow hitch carrier for a wheel-
chair, scooter, bicycle, etc. Your
vehicle is not designed for trailer
towing or for the use of tow hitch
mounted carriers.
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be
dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the
ground) behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehi-
cle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four
wheels on the ground.

1254-2. Driving procedures
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
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.56)
Contact your Lexus dealer.
●Check that the shift lever is securely set in
P. The engine may no t 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.
■Electronic key battery depletion
P.82
■Conditions affecting operation
P.94
■Notes for the entry function
P.95
■Steering lock function
●After turning the engine switch off and
opening and closing th e 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 en gine is turned on
and off repeatedly in a short period of
time. In this case, re frain from operating
the engine switch. After about 10 sec-
onds, the steering lock motor will resume
functioning.
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

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

1434-3. Operating the lights and wipers
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
4
Driving
come on when the system is operating.
■Conditions to turn the high beams on/off
automatically
●When all of the following conditions are
met, the high beams will be turned on
automatically (after approximately 1 sec-
ond):
• The vehicle speed is approximately 21 mph (34 km/h) or more.
• The area ahead of the vehicle is dark.
• There are no vehicles ahead with head- lights or tail lights turned on.
• There are few streetlights on the road ahead.
●If any of the following conditions is met,
the high beams will turn off automatically:
• The vehicle speed is below approxi-
mately 17 mph (27 km/h).
• The area ahead of the vehicle is not dark.
• Vehicles ahead have their headlights or tail lights turned on.
• There are many streetlights on the road ahead.
■Camera sensor detection information
●The high beams may not be automatically
turned off in the following situations:
• When a vehicle suddenly appears from around a curve
• When the vehicle is cut in front of by
another vehicle
• When vehicles ahead cannot be detected due to repe ated curves, road
dividers or roadside trees
• When vehicles ahead appear in a far- away lane on a wide road
• When the lights of vehicles ahead are not
on
●The high beams may be turned off if a
vehicle ahead that is using fog lights with- out its headlights turn
ed on is detected.
●House lights, street lig hts, traffic signals,
and illuminated billboards or signs and
other reflective objects may cause the
high beams to change to the low beams,
or the low beams to remain on.
●The following factors may affect the
amount of time taken for the high beams
to turn on or off:
• The brightness of the headlights, fog
lights, and tail lights of vehicles ahead
• The movement and direction of vehicles ahead
• When a vehicle ahead only has opera- tional lights on one side
• When a vehicle ahead is a two-wheeled
vehicle
• The condition of th e road (gradient,
curve, condition of th e road surface, etc.)
• The number of passengers and amount of luggage in the vehicle
●The high beams may turn on or off unex-
pectedly.
●Bicycles or similar vehicles may not be
detected.
●In the following situations the system may
not be able to corre ctly detect the sur-
rounding brightness le vel. This may cause
the low beams to remain on or the high
beams to flash or dazzle pedestrians or
vehicles ahead. In such a case, it is neces-
sary to manually swit ch between the high
and low beams.
• When driving in inclement weather
(heavy rain, snow, fo g, sandstorms, etc.)
• When the windshield is obscured by fog, mist, ice, dirt, etc.
• When the windshield is cracked or dam- aged
• When the camera sensor is deformed or
dirty
• When the temperature of the camera sensor is extremely high
• When the surrounding brightness level is equal to that of headl ights, tail lights or
fog lights
• When headlights or tail lights of vehicles
ahead are turned off, dirty, changing
color, or not aimed properly
• When the vehicle is hit by water, snow,
dust, etc. from a preceding vehicle
• When driving through an area of inter-

1604-5. Using the driving support systems
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
■Pre-collision warning
When the system determines that the
possibility of a frontal collision is high, a
buzzer will sound and a warning mes-
sage will be displayed on the
multi-information display to urge the
driver to take evasive action.
■Pre-collision brake assist
When the system determines that the
possibility of a frontal collision is high,
the system applies greater braking
force in relation to how strongly the
brake pedal is depressed.
■Pre-collision braking
When the system determines that the
possibility of a frontal collision is high,
the system warns the driver. If the sys-
tem determines that the possibility of a
frontal collision is extremely high, the
brakes are automatically applied to
help avoid the collision or reduce the
collision speed.
■Suspension control (if equipped)
When the system determines that the
possibility of a frontal collision is high,
the Adaptive Variable Suspension Sys-
tem ( P.199) will control the damping
force of the shock absorbers to help
maintain an appropriate vehicle pos-
ture.
■Steering control (if equipped)
When the system determines that the
possibility of a frontal collision is high
and the driver is op erating the steering
wheel, the LDH system ( P.199) will
control the turning angle of the front
PCS (Pre-Collision System)
The pre-collision system uses a
radar sensor and front camera to
detect vehicles and pedestrians in
front of your vehicle. When the sys-
tem determines that the possibility
of a frontal collision with a vehicle
or pedestrian is high, a warning
operates to urge the driver to take
evasive action and the potential
brake pressure is increased to help
the driver avoid the collision. If the
system determines that the possi-
bility of a frontal collision with a
vehicle or pedestri an is extremely
high, the brakes are automatically
applied to help avoid the collision or
help reduce the impact of the colli-
sion.
The pre-collision system can be dis-
abled/enabled and the warning tim-
ing can be changed. ( P.162)
System functions

1614-5. Using the driving support systems
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
4
Driving
and rear wheels and effort necessary
to turn the steering wheel to help
enhance steering responsiveness.
WARNING
■Limitations of the pre-collision system
●The driver is solely responsible for safe
driving. Always drive safely, taking
care to observe your surroundings.
Do not use the pre-collision system
instead of normal braking operations
under any circumstances. This system
will not prevent collisions or lessen col-
lision damage or injury in every situa-
tion. Do not overly rely on this system.
Failure to do so may lead to an acci-
dent, resulting in death or serious
injury.
●Although this system is designed to
help avoid a collision or help reduce
the impact of the collision, its effective-
ness may change according to various
conditions, therefore the system may
not always be able to achieve the same
level of performance.
Read the following conditions care-
fully. Do not overly rely on this system
and always drive carefully.
• Conditions under which the system may operate even if there is no possi-
bility of a collision:
P.163
• Conditions under which the system may not operate properly:
P.165
●Do not attempt to test the operation of
the pre-collision system yourself.
Depending on the objects used for
testing (dummies, cardboard objects
imitating detectable objects, etc.), the
system may not operate properly, pos-
sibly leading to an accident.
■Pre-collision braking
●When the pre-collision braking func-
tion is operating, a large amount of
braking force will be applied.
●If the vehicle is st opped by the opera-
tion of the pre-collision braking func-
tion, the pre-collision braking function
operation will be canceled after
approximately 2 seco nds. Depress the
brake pedal as necessary.
●The pre-collision braking function may
not operate if certain operations are
performed by the driver. If the acceler-
ator pedal is being depressed strongly
or the steering wheel is being turned,
the system may determine that the
driver is taking evasive action and pos-
sibly prevent the pre-collision braking
function from operating.
●In some situations, while the pre-colli-
sion braking function is operating,
operation of the function may be
canceled if the ac celerator pedal is
depressed strongly or the steering
wheel is turned and the system deter-
mines that the driver is taking evasive
action.
●If the brake pedal is being depressed,
the system may determine that the
driver is taking evasive action and pos-
sibly delay the operat ion timing of the
pre-collision braking function.
■When to disable the pre-collision sys-
tem
In the following situations, disable the
system, as it may not operate properly,
possibly leading to an accident resulting
in death or serious injury:
●When the vehicle is being towed
●When your vehicle is towing another
vehicle
●When transporting the vehicle via
truck, boat, train or similar means of
transportation
●When the vehicle is raised on a lift with
the engine running and the tires are
allowed to rotate freely

1624-5. Using the driving support systems
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
■Enabling/disabling the pre-colli-
sion system
The pre-collision system can be
enabled/disabled on ( P.71) of
the multi-information display.
The system is automatically enabled each
time the engine switch is turned to IGNI-
TION ON mode.
If the system is disabled, the PCS warn-
ing light will turn on and a message will
be displayed on the multi-information
display.
■Changing the pre-collision warn-
ing timing
The pre-collision warning timing can
be changed on ( P.71) of the
multi-information display.
The operation timing setting is retained
when the engine switch is turned off.
1 Far
The warning will begin to operate earlier
than with the default timing.
2Middle
This is the default setting.
3Near
WARNING
●When inspecting the vehicle using a
drum tester such as a chassis dyna-
mometer or speedometer tester, or
when using an on vehicle wheel bal-
ancer
●When a strong impact is applied to the
front bumper or front grille, due to an
accident or other reasons
●If the vehicle cannot be driven in a sta-
ble manner, such as when the vehicle
has been in an accident or is malfunc-
tioning
●When the vehicle is driven in a sporty
manner or off-road
●When the tires are not properly
inflated
●When the tires are very worn
●When tires of a size other than speci-
fied are installed
●When tire chains are installed
●When a compact spare tire or an
emergency tire puncture repair kit is
used
●If equipment (snow plow, etc.) that may
obstruct the radar sensor or front cam-
era is temporarily installed to the vehi-
cle
Changing settings of the pre-col-
lision system

1634-5. Using the driving support systems
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
4
Driving
The warning will begin to operate later
than with the default timing.
■Operational conditions
The pre-collision system is enabled and the
system determines that the possibility of a
frontal collision with a vehicle or pedestrian
is high.
Each function is operational at the following
speeds:
●Pre-collision warning:
• Vehicle speed is be tween approximately
7 and 110 mph (10 and 180 km/h). (For
detecting a pedestrian, vehicle speed is
between approximately 7 and 50 mph
[10 and 80 km/h].)
• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle or pedestrian ahead is
approximately 7 mph (10 km/h) or more.
●Pre-collision brake assist:
• Vehicle speed is be tween approximately
20 and 110 mph (30 and 180 km/h). (For
detecting a pedestrian, vehicle speed is
between approximately 20 and 50 mph
[30 and 80 km/h].)
• The relative speed between your vehicle
and the vehicle or pedestrian ahead is
approximately 20 mph (30 km/h) or
more.
●Pre-collision braking:
• Vehicle speed is be tween approximately
7 and 110 mph (10 and 180 km/h). (For
detecting a pedestrian, vehicle speed is
between approximately 7 and 50 mph
[10 and 80 km/h].)
• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle or pedestrian ahead is
approximately 7 mph (10 km/h) or more.
The system may not operate in the following
situations:
●If a battery terminal has been discon-
nected and reconnected and then the
vehicle has not been driven for a certain
amount of time
●If the shift lever is in R
●If VSC is disabled (only the pre-collision
warning function will be operational)
■Pedestrian detection function
The pre-collision system detects pedestri- ans based on the size,
profile, and motion of
a detected object. However, a pedestrian
may not be detected depending on the sur-
rounding brightness and the motion, pos-
ture, and angle of th e detected object,
preventing the system from operating prop-
erly. ( P.165)
■Cancelation of the pre-collision braking
If either of the follo wing occur while the
pre-collision braking function is operating, it
will be canceled:
●The accelerator pedal is depressed
strongly.
●The steering wheel is turned sharply or
abruptly.
■Conditions under which the system may
operate even if there is no possibility of a
collision
●In some situations su ch as the following,
the system may determine that there is a
possibility of a frontal collision and oper-
ate.
• When passing a vehicle or pedestrian
• When changing lanes while overtaking a
preceding vehicle
• When overtaking a preceding vehicle
that is changing lanes
• When overtaking a preceding vehicle that is making a left/right turn
• When passing a vehicle in an oncoming lane that is stopped to make a right/left
turn