873-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
3
Before driving
To prevent unintended triggering of the
alarm, unlock the doors using the wireless
remote control and open and close a door
once after the settings have been changed.
(If a door is not opened within 60 seconds
after is pressed, the doors will be
locked again and the alarm will automati-
cally be set.)
In a case that the alarm is triggered, imme-
diately stop the alarm. ( P.57)
■Impact detection door lock release sys-
tem
In the event that the vehicle is subject to a
strong impact, both side doors are
unlocked. Depending on the force of the
impact or the type of accident, however, the
system may not operate.
■Operation signals
A buzzer sounds and the emergency flash-
ers flash to indicate that the doors have
been locked/unlocke d. (Locked: once;
Unlocked: twice)
A buzzer sounds to indicate that the win-
dows and moon roof are operating.
■Welcome light illumination control
The side marker, parking, tail and license
plate lights automatically turn on at night when the doors are unlocked using the
entry function or wireless remote control if
the light switch is in the position.
■Security feature
If a door is not opened within approximately
60 seconds after the vehicle is unlocked,
the security feature automatically locks the
vehicle again.
■When the door cannot be locked by the
lock sensor on the surface of the door
handle
Use your palm to touch the lock sensor.
■Open door warning buzzer
If an attempt to lock the doors is made when
a door is not fully closed, a buzzer sounds
continuously for 5 seconds. Fully close the
door to stop the buzz er, and lock the vehi-
cle once more.
■Setting the alarm
Locking the doors will set the alarm system.
( P.57)
■Conditions affecting the operation of
the smart access system with push-but-
ton start or wireless remote control
P.94
■If the smart access system with
push-button start or the wireless remote
control does not operate properly
Use the mechanical key and/or inside lock
buttons to lock and unlock the doors.
( P.315)
Replace the key battery with a new one if it
is depleted. ( P.275)
■Customization
Some functions can be customized.
( P.349)
Multi-information
display/BeepUnlocking function
Exterior: Beeps 3 times
Interior: Pings once
Holding the driver’s
door handle unlocks
only the driver’s
door.
Holding the passen-
ger’s door handle
unlocks both side
doors.
Exterior: Beeps twice
Interior: Pings once
Holding either door
handle unlocks both
side doors.
953-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
3
Before driving
• Cigarette boxes that have aluminum foil
inside
• Metallic wallets or bags
•Coins
• Hand warmers made of metal
• Media such as CDs and DVDs
●When other wireless keys (that emit radio
waves) are being used nearby
●When carrying the electronic key
together with the following devices that
emit radio waves
• Another vehicle’s electronic key or a wireless key that emits radio waves
• Personal computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs)
• Digital audio players
• Portable game systems
●If window tint with a metallic content or
metallic objects are attached to the rear
window
●When the electronic key is placed near a
battery charger or electronic devices
■Note for the entry function
●Even when the electronic key is within the
effective range (detection areas), the sys-
tem may not operate properly in the fol-
lowing cases:
• The electronic key is too close to the win-
dow or outside door handle, near the
ground, or in a high place when the doors
are locked or unlocked.
• The electronic key is near the ground or
in a high place, or too close to the rear
bumper center when the trunk is opened.
• The electronic key is on the instrument
panel, rear package tray or floor, or in the
door pockets or glove box when the
engine is started or engine switch modes
are changed.
●Do not leave the electronic key on top of
the instrument panel or near the door
pockets when exiting the vehicle.
Depending on the ra dio wave reception
conditions, it may be detected by the
antenna outside the cabin and the doors
will become lockable from the outside,
possibly trapping the electronic key
inside the vehicle.
●As long as the electronic key is within the
effective range, the doors may be locked
or unlocked by anyone. However, only the doors detecting the electronic key
can be used to unlock the vehicle.
●Even if the electronic
key is not inside the
vehicle, it may be possible to start the
engine if the electronic key is near the
window.
●The doors may unlock or lock if a large
amount of water splashes on the door
handle, such as in the rain or in a car
wash, when the electronic key is within
the effective range. (The doors will auto-
matically be locked after approximately
60 seconds if the doors are not opened
and closed.)
●If the wireless remote control is used to
lock the doors when the electronic key is
near the vehicle, there is a possibility that
the door may not be unlocked by the
entry function. (Use the wireless remote
control to unlock the doors.)
●Touching the door lock or unlock sensor
while wearing gloves may prevent lock or
unlock operation.
●When the lock operation is performed
using the lock sensor, recognition signals
will be shown up to two consecutive
times. After this, no recognition signals
will be given.
●If the door handle becomes wet while the
electronic key is within the effective
range, the door may lock and unlock
repeatedly. In this ca se, follow the follow-
ing correction procedures to wash the
vehicle:
• Place the electronic key in a location 6 ft. (2 m) or more away from the vehicle.
(Take care to ensure that the key is not
stolen.)
• Set the electronic key to battery-saving
mode to disable the smart access system
with push-button start. ( P.94)
●If the electronic key is inside the vehicle
and a door handle becomes wet during a
car wash, a message may be shown on
the multi-information display and a
buzzer will sound outside the vehicle. To
turn off the alarm, lock both side doors.
●The lock sensor may not work properly if
it comes into contact with ice, snow, mud,
etc. Clean the lock sensor and attempt to
operate it again.
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
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
2406-1. Maintenance and care
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
6-1.Maintenance and care
Working from top to bottom, liber-
ally apply water to the vehicle body,
wheel wells and underside of the
vehicle to remove any dirt and dust.
Wash the vehicle body using a
sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
For hard-to-remove marks, use car
wash soap and rinse thoroughly with
water.
Wipe away any water.
Wax the vehicle when the water-
proof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface,
apply wax when the vehicle body is cool.
■Black stainless steel window moldings (F
SPORT models)
The stainless steel window moldings are
made of black oxide coated stainless steel.
When cleaning the vehicle, do not scrub the
moldings with an abrasive cleaner as their
finish may be damaged or the color may
change.
■Self-restoring coat
The vehicle body has a self-restoring coat-
ing that is resistant to small surface
scratches caused in a car wash etc.
●The coating lasts for 5 to 8 years from
when the vehicle is delivered from the
plant.
●The restoration time differs depending on
the depth of the scratch and outside tem-
perature.
The restoration time may become shorter
when the coating is warmed by applying
warm water.
●Deep scratches caused by keys, coins,
etc. cannot be restored.
●Do not use wax that contains abrasives.
■Automatic car washes
●Fold the mirrors before washing the vehi-
cle. Start washing from the front of the
vehicle. Make sure to extend the mirrors
before driving.
●Brushes used in automatic car washes
may scratch the vehicle surface, parts
(wheel, etc.) and damage the paint.
■High pressure car washes
As water may enter the cabin, do not bring
the nozzle tip near the gaps around the
doors or perimeter of the windows, or spray
these areas continuously.
■When using a car wash
If the door handle becomes wet while the
electronic key is within the effective range,
the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. In
that case, follow the following correction
procedures to wash the vehicle:
●Place the key in a position 6 ft. (2 m) or
more separate from the vehicle while the
vehicle is being washed. (Take care to
ensure that the key is not stolen.)
●Set the electronic key to battery-saving
mode to disable the smart access system
with push-button start. ( P.93)
■Wheels and wheel ornaments
●Remove any dirt immediately by using a
neutral detergent.
●Wash detergent off with water immedi-
Cleaning and protecting the
vehicle exterior
Perform cleaning in a manner
appropriate to each component
and its material.
Cleaning instructions
3047-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
full-speed range
■If a message that indicates the malfunc-
tion of radar sensor is displayed
The following systems may be suspended
until the problem shown in the message is
resolved. P.158, 293
●PCS (Pre-Collision System)
■If “Maintenance Required Soon” is dis-
played
Indicates that all maintenance according to
the driven distance on the maintenance
schedule
* should be performed soon.
Comes on approximately 4500 miles
(7200 km) after the message has been
reset. If necessary, perform maintenance.
Please reset the message after the mainte-
nance is performed. ( P.246)
*: Refer to the separate “Scheduled Main-
tenance” or “Owner’s Manual Supple-
ment” for the maintenance interval
applicable to your vehicle.
■If “Maintenance Required Visit Your
Dealer” is displayed
Indicates that all maintenance is required to
correspond to the driven distance on the
maintenance schedule
*.
Comes on approximately 5000 miles
(8000 km) after the message has been
reset. (The indicator will not work properly
unless the message ha s been reset.) Per-
form the necessary maintenance. Please
reset the message after the maintenance is
performed. ( P.246)
*: Refer to the separate “Scheduled Main-
tenance” or “Owner’s Manual Supple-
ment” for the maintenance interval
applicable to your vehicle.
■If “Oil Maintenance Required Soon” is
displayed
Indicates that the engine oil is scheduled to
be changed. (The indicator will not work
properly unless the oil maintenance data
has been reset.)
Check the engine oil, and change if neces-
sary. After changing the engine oil, the oil
change system shou ld be reset. (P.258)
■If “Oil Maintenance Required” is dis-
played
Indicates that the engine oil should be
changed. (After the engine oil is changed
and the oil maintenance data has been
reset.)
Check and change the engine oil, and oil fil-
ter by your Lexus dealer. After changing the
engine oil, the oil change system should be
reset. ( P.258)
■If a message that indicates the need for
visiting your Lexus dealer is displayed
The system or part shown on the
multi-information displa y is malfunctioning.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
■If “See Owner’s Manual” is displayed
●If the following messages are shown, fol-
lowing the instructions, accordingly.
• “Engine Coolant Temp High” ( P.320)
●If any of the following messages are
shown on the multi-information display, it
may indicate a malf unction. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
• “Braking Power Low”
• “Access System with Elec. Key Malfunc- tion”
●If any of the following messages are
shown on the multi-info rmation display, it
may indicate a malfun ction. Immediately
stop the vehicle and contact your Lexus
dealer.
• “Oil Pressure Low”
• “Charging Syst em Malfunction”
NOTICE
■“High Power Consumption Partial
Limit On AC/Heater Operation” is
frequently shown
There is a possible malfunction relating
to the charging system or the battery
may be deteriorating. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer.
3177-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
7
When trouble arises
key when the alarm system is set, the alarm
may be triggered.
■Changing engine switch modes
Release the brake pedal and press the
engine switch in step 3 above.
The engine does not start and modes will be
changed each time the switch is pressed.
( P.127)
If you have a set of jumper (or booster)
cables and a second vehicle with a
12-volt battery, you can jump start your
vehicle by following the steps below.
1 Confirm that the electronic key is
being carried.
When connecting the jumper (or booster)
cables, depending on the situation, the
alarm may activate and doors locked.
(P.58)
2 Open the hood. ( P.253)
If the vehicle battery is dis-
charged
The following procedures may be
used to start the engine if the vehi-
cle’s battery is discharged.
You can also call your Lexus dealer
or a qualified repair shop.
Restarting the engine