stop start LEXUS RC300 2020 Owners Manual
Page 4 of 390
4TABLE OF CONTENTS
Checking and replacing fuses........................................................... 269
Headlight aim.................................. 271
Light bulbs ....................................... 272
7-1. Essential information Emergency flashers..................... 276
If your vehicle has to be stopped in  an emergency ............................. 276
If the vehicle is trapped in rising  water............................................... 277
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency If your vehicle needs to be towed........................................................... 279
If you think something is wrong ........................................................... 282
Fuel pump shut off system ........ 283
If a warning light turns on or a warn- ing buzzer sounds ..................... 284
If a warning message is displayed ........................................................... 292
If you have a flat tire..................... 296
If the engine wi ll not start .......... 303
If you lose your keys .................... 305
If the fuel filler door cannot be  opened........................................... 305
If the electronic key does not oper- ate properly ................................. 306
If the vehicle battery is discharged ........................................................... 308
If your vehicle overheats ............. 311
If the vehicle becomes stuck .... 3158-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) .................................................. 318
Fuel information............................ 329
Tire information ............................. 331
8-2. Customization Customizable features ................341
8-3. Items to initialize Items to initialize ............................ 351
8-4. Certifications Certifications ................................. 352
9-1. For owners Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ........................................... 362
Seat belt instructions for Canadian  owners (in French) ................... 362
SRS airbag instructions for Cana- dian owners (in French) ......... 364
Headlight aim instructions for  Canadian owners (in French).......................................................... 370
What to do if... (Troubleshooting) .......................................................... 372
Alphabetical Index ...................... 375
7When trouble arises
8Vehicle specifications
9For owners
Index 
Page 13 of 390
13Pictorial index
■Instrument panel
Engine switch ........................................................................................................... P.125
Starting the engine/changing the mode ........... ....................................................... P.125
Emergency stop of the engine ........................ ............................................................ P.276
When the engine will not start .....................................................................................P.303
Warning messages .......................................................................................................... P.292
Shift lever................................................................................................................... P .129
Changing the shift position ............................................................................................ P.130
Precautions for towing ................................................................................................... P.279
When the shift lever does not move .......................................................................... P.130
Meters ......................................................................................................................... .P.64
Reading the meters/adjusting the instrume nt panel lights................................. P.64
Warning lights/indicator lights ...................................................................................... P.60
When a warning light comes on ................................................................................. P.284
Multi-information display ....................................................................................... P.69
Display ........................................................................................................................ .............. P.69
When the warning messages are displayed.......................................................... P.292A
B
C
D 
Page 22 of 390
221-1. For safe use
1-1.For safe use
Use only floor mats designed specifi-
cally for vehicles of the same model 
and model year as your vehicle. Fix 
them securely in place onto the carpet.
1
Insert the retaining hooks (clips) 
into the floor mat eyelets.
2
Turn the upper knob of each retain-
ing hook (clip) to secure the floor 
mats in place.
Always align the   marks  .
The shape of the reta ining hooks (clips) 
may differ from that shown in the illustra-
tion.
Before driving
Observe the following before start-
ing off in the vehicle to ensure 
safety of driving.
Installing floor mats
A
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause the driver’s 
floor mat to slip, poss ibly interfering with 
the pedals while driving. An unexpect-
edly high speed may result or it may 
become difficult to stop the vehicle. This 
could lead to an accident, resulting in 
death or serious injury.
■When installing the driver’s floor mat
●Do not use floor mats designed for 
other models or different model year 
vehicles, even if they are Lexus Genu-
ine floor mats.
●Only use floor mats designed for the 
driver’s seat.
●Always install the floor mat securely 
using the retaining hooks (clips) pro-
vided.
●Do not use two or more floor mats on 
top of each other.
●Do not place the floor mat bot-
tom-side up or upside-down.
■Before driving
●Check that the floor mat is securely 
fixed in the correct place with all the 
provided retaining  hooks (clips). Be 
especially careful to perform this 
check after cleaning the floor.
●With the engine stopped and the shift 
lever in P, fully depress each pedal to 
the floor to make sure it does not inter-
fere with the floor mat. 
Page 23 of 390
231-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
Adjust the angle of the seatback so 
that you are sitting straight up and 
so that you do not have to lean for-
ward to steer. (P.97)
Adjust the seat so that you can 
depress the pedals fully and so that 
your arms bend slightly at the 
elbow when gripping the steering 
wheel. ( P.97)
Lock the head restraint in place 
with the center of the head restraint 
closest to the top of your ears. 
( P.103)
Wear the seat belt correctly. 
( P.24) Make sure that all occupants are wear-
ing their seat belts before driving the 
vehicle. (
P.24)
Use a child restraint system appropri-
ate for the child until the child becomes 
large enough to properly wear the 
vehicle’s seat belt. ( P.40)
Make sure that you can see backward 
clearly by adjusting the inside and out-
side rear view mirrors properly. 
( P.107, 108)
For safe driving
For safe driving, adjust the seat and 
mirror to an appropriate position 
before driving.
Correct driving posture
WARNING
■For safe driving
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or 
serious injury.
A
B
C
D
●Do not adjust the position of the 
driver’s seat while driving.
Doing so could cause the driver to lose 
control of the vehicle.
●Do not place a cushion between the 
driver or passenger and the seatback.
A cushion may prevent correct pos-
ture from being achieved, and reduce 
the effectiveness of the seat belt and 
head restraint.
●Do not place anything under the front 
seats.
Objects placed under the front seats 
may become jammed in the seat 
tracks and stop the seat from locking in 
place. This may lead to an accident 
and the adjustment  mechanism may 
also be damaged.
●Always observe the legal speed limit 
when driving on public roads.
●When driving over long distances, take 
regular breaks before you start to feel 
tired.
Also, if you feel tired or sleepy while 
driving, do not force yourself to con-
tinue driving and take a break immedi-
ately.
Correct use of the seat belts
Adjusting the mirrors 
Page 56 of 390
561-3. Theft deterrent system
1-3.Theft deterrent system
The indicator light flashes after the 
engine switch has been turned off to 
indicate that the system is operating.
The indicator light stops flashing after 
the engine switch has been turned to 
ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON 
mode to indicate that the system has 
been canceled.
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type 
engine immobilizer system.
■Conditions that may  cause the system to 
malfunction
●If the grip portion of the key is in contact 
with a metallic object
●If the key is in close proximity to or touch-
ing a key registered to the security sys-
tem (key with a built-in transponder chip) 
of another vehicle
Engine immobilizer system
The vehicle’s keys have built-in tran-
sponder chips that prevent the 
engine from starting if a key has not 
been previously registered in the 
vehicle’s on-board computer.
Never leave the keys inside the 
vehicle when you leave the vehicle.
This system is designed to help pre-
vent vehicle theft but does not 
guarantee absolute security 
against all vehicle thefts.
Operating the system
NOTICE
■To ensure the system operates cor-
rectly
Do not modify or remove the system. If 
modified or removed, the proper opera-
tion of the system cannot be guaranteed. 
Page 57 of 390
571-3. Theft deterrent system
1
For safety and security
■Items to check before locking the 
vehicle
To prevent unexpected triggering of 
the alarm and vehicle theft, make sure 
of the following:
 Nobody is in the vehicle.
 The windows and moon roof (if 
equipped) are closed before the 
alarm is set.
 No valuables or other personal 
items are left in the vehicle.
■Setting
Close the doors, trunk and hood, and 
lock both side doors. The system will 
be set automatically after 30 seconds.
The indicator light changes from being on 
to flashing when the system is set.
■Canceling or stopping
Do one of the following to deactivate 
or stop the alarms:
 Unlock the doors.
 Open the trunk using the entry 
function or wireless remote control.
 Turn the engine switch to ACCES-
SORY or IGNITION ON mode, or 
start the engine. (The alarm will be 
deactivated or stopped after a few 
seconds.)
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type 
alarm system.
■Triggering of the alarm
The alarm may be triggered in the following 
situations:
(Stopping the alarm deactivates the alarm 
system.)
●The trunk is opened using the mechanical 
key.
●A person inside the  vehicle opens a door, 
Alarm
The alarm uses light and sound to 
give an alert when an intrusion is 
detected.
The alarm is triggered in the follow-
ing situations when the alarm is set:
A locked door is unlocked or 
opened in any way other than 
using the entry function, wireless 
remote control or mechanical 
key. (The doors will lock again 
automatically.)
 The trunk is opened in any way 
other than using the entry func-
tion or wireless remote control.
 The hood is opened.
Setting/canceling/stopping the 
alarm system 
Page 82 of 390
823-1. Key information
3-1.Key information
The following keys are provided with 
the vehicle.
Electronic keys
• Operating the smart access system with push-button start ( P.93)
• Operating the wireless remote control  function ( P.84)
Mechanical keys
Key number plate
Card key (electronic key) (if 
equipped)
Operating the smart access system with 
push-button start ( P.93)
■Card key (if equipped)
●The card key is not waterproof.
●The mechanical key that  is stored inside 
the card key should be used only if a 
problem arises, such as when the card  key does not operate properly.
●If it is difficult to take out the mechanical 
key, push down the lock release button 
using a pen tip etc. If it is still difficult to 
pull it out, use a coin etc.
●To store the mechanical key in the card 
key, insert it while pressing the lock 
release button.
●If the battery cover is not installed and the 
battery falls out or if the battery was 
removed because the key got wet, rein-
stall the battery with the positive terminal 
facing the Lexus emblem.
■When riding in an aircraft
When bringing an electronic key onto an 
aircraft, make sure you do not press any 
buttons on the electronic key while inside 
the aircraft cabin. If you are carrying an 
electronic key in your bag etc., ensure that 
the buttons are not likely to be pressed acci-
dentally. Pressing a button may cause the 
electronic key to emit radio waves that 
could interfere with the operation of the air-
craft.
■Electronic key battery depletion
●The standard battery life is 1 to 2 years. 
(The card key battery life is about a year 
and a half.)
●If the battery becomes low, an alarm will 
sound in the cabin and a message will be 
shown on the multi-information display 
when the engine is stopped.
Keys
The keys
A
B
C
D 
Page 87 of 390
873-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
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/unlocked. (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 buzzer, 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.306)
Replace the key battery with a new one if it 
is depleted. ( P.267)
■Customization
Some functions can be customized. 
(  P.341)
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. 
Page 94 of 390
943-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
●When an exterior alarm sounds once for 
5 seconds
●When an interior alarm sounds continu-
ously
■Battery-saving function
The battery-saving fu nction will be acti-
vated in order to prevent the electronic key 
battery and the vehicle battery from being 
discharged while the vehicle is not in opera-
tion for a long time.
●In the following situations, the smart 
access system with pu sh-button start may 
take some time to unlock the doors.
• The electronic key has been left within  approximately 6 ft. (2 m) of the outside of 
the vehicle for 10 minutes or longer.
• The smart access system with push-but- ton start has not been used for 5 days or 
longer.
●If the smart access system with push-but-
ton start has not been used for 14 days or 
longer, the doors cann ot be unlocked at 
the passenger door. In  this case, take hold 
of the driver’s door handle, or use the 
wireless remote control or mechanical 
key, to unlock the doors.
■Electronic Key Battery-Saving Function
When battery-saving mode is set, battery 
depletion is minimized by stopping the elec-
tronic key from receiving radio waves.
Press   twice while pressing and holding 
. Confirm that the electronic key indica-
tor flashes 4 times.
While the battery-saving mode is set, the 
smart access system with push-button start 
cannot be used. To cancel the function, 
press any of the electronic key buttons.
■Conditions affecting operation
The smart access system with push-button 
start uses weak radio waves. In the following 
situations, the communication between the 
electronic key and the vehicle may be 
affected, preventing  the smart access sys-
tem with push-button start, wireless remote 
control and engine immobilizer system 
from operating properly. 
(Ways of coping:  P.306)
●When the electronic key battery is 
depleted
●Near a TV tower, electric power plant, 
gas station, radio stat ion, large display, 
airport or other fac ility that generates 
strong radio waves or electrical noise
●When carrying a portable radio, cellular 
phone, cordless phone or other wireless 
communication device
●When the electronic key is in contact 
with, or is covered by the following metal-
SituationCorrection 
procedure
The trunk was closed 
while the electronic key 
was still inside the trunk 
and both side doors were 
locked.Retrieve the 
electronic key 
from the trunk 
and close the 
trunk lid.
An attempt was made to 
lock the vehicle while a 
door was open.Close both 
side doors and 
lock the doors 
again.
SituationCorrection procedure
The engine switch was 
turned to ACCESSORY 
mode while the driver’s 
door was open (or the 
driver’s door was opened 
while the engine switch 
was in ACCESSORY 
mode).
Turn the engine 
switch off and 
close the 
driver’s door.
The engine switch was 
turned off while the 
driver’s door was open.Close the 
driver’s door. 
Page 96 of 390
963-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
etc. Clean the lock sensor and attempt to 
operate it again.
●A sudden handle operation or a handle 
operation immediately after entering the 
effective range may prevent the doors 
from being unlocked. Touch the door 
unlock sensor and check that the doors 
are unlocked before pulling the door 
handle again.
●Unlocking the vehicle may take more 
time if another electronic key is within the 
effective range.
■When the vehicle is not driven for 
extended periods
●To prevent theft of the vehicle, do not 
leave the electronic key within 6 ft. (2 m) 
of the vehicle.
●The smart access system with push-but-
ton start can be deactivated in advance.
■To operate the system properly
●Make sure to carry the electronic key 
when operating the system. Do not get 
the electronic key too close to the vehicle 
when operating the system from the out-
side of the vehicle.
Depending on the position and holding 
condition of the electronic key, the key may 
not be detected correctly and the system 
may not operate properly. (The alarm may 
go off accidentally, or the door lock pre-
vention function may not operate.)
●Do not leave the electronic key inside the 
trunk. 
The key confinement prevention function 
may not operate, depending on the loca-
tion of the key (close to a spare tire [if 
equipped], the inside edge of the trunk), 
conditions (inside a metal bag, close to 
metallic objects) and the radio waves in 
the surrounding area. ( P.93)
■If the smart access system with 
push-button start does not operate 
properly
●Locking and unlocking the doors and 
opening the trunk:  P.306
●Starting the engine:  P.307
■Customization
Some functions can be customized.  (
 P.341)
■If the smart access system with 
push-button start has been deactivated 
in a customized setting
●Locking and unloc king the doors and 
opening the trunk: 
Use the wireless remote control or 
mechanical key. ( P.86, 90, 306)
●Starting the engine and changing engine 
switch modes: P.307
●Stopping the engine:  P.126
WARNING
■Caution regarding interference with 
electronic devices
●People with implantable cardiac pace-
makers, cardiac resynchronization 
therapy-pacemakers or implantable 
cardioverter defibrillators should keep 
away from the smart access system 
with push-button start antennas. 
( P.93)
The radio waves may affect the opera-
tion of such devices.  If necessary, the 
entry function can be disabled. Ask 
your Lexus dealer for details, such as 
the frequency of radio waves and tim-
ing of the emitted radio waves. Then, 
consult your doctor to see if you 
should disable the entry function.
●Users of any electrical medical device 
other than implantable cardiac pace-
makers, cardiac resynchronization 
therapy-pacemakers or implantable 
cardioverter defibrillators should con-
sult the manufacturer of the device for 
information about its operation under 
the influence of radio waves.
Radio waves could have unexpected 
effects on the operation of such medi-
cal devices.
Ask your Lexus dealer for details on dis-
abling the entry function.