LEXUS RC300 2016 Owners Manual

1914-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RC350_RC300_RC200t_RC F_U (OM24671U)
WA R N I N G
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When braking
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause one side of
the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the parking brake may not
securely hold the vehicle.
●If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other vehicles
closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is st ill possible, but the brake pedal should be depressed more
firmly than usual. Also, the braking distan ce will increase. Have your brakes fixed
immediately.
●Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted brakes.
●The brake system consists of 2 individual hy draulic systems; if one of the systems fails,
the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal should be depressed more
firmly than usual and the braking distance will increase. Have your brakes fixed imme-
diately.
■If the vehicle becomes stuck
Do not spin the wheels excessively when any of the tires is up in the air, or the vehicle is
stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may damage th e driveline components or propel the vehi-
cle forward or backward, causing an accident.

1924-1. Before driving
RC350_RC300_RC200t_RC F_U (OM24671U)
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not depress the accelerator and brake pe dals at the same time while driving, as
this may restrain the engine output.
●Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the
same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■When parking the vehicle
Always shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or the
vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is ac cidentally depressed.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for an
extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damaging
the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
●RC200t: Make sure to idle the engine im mediately after high speed driving or hill
climbing. Stop the engine only after the turbocharger has cooled down.
Failure to do so may cause damage to the turbocharger.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the follo wing situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually depress the brak e pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
●The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire ( P. 5 7 0 , 5 8 4 )
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause the
following serious damage to the vehicle:
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to have
your Lexus dealer check the following:
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, transmission,
transfer (AWD models), differential, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints (where
possible), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

1934-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RC350_RC300_RC200t_RC F_U (OM24671U)
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) — (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit —
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or
XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the ava ilable amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150
lb passengers in your vehicle, the am ount of available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 650 lbs. (1400  750 (5 150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
(  P. 1 9 6 )
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Your vehicle is not
designed for trailer towing.
Cargo and luggage
Take notice of the following information about storage precautions, cargo
capacity and load:
Capacity and distribution

1944-1. Before driving
RC350_RC300_RC200t_RC F_U (OM24671U)
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity (vehicle capacity
weight) ( P. 6 1 8 )
When 2 people with the combined weight of A lb. (kg) are riding in your vehicle,
which has a total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight) of B lb. (kg), the avail-
able amount of cargo and luggage load capacity will be C lb. (kg) as follows:
B*
2 lb. (kg) - A*1 lb. (kg) = C*3 lb. (kg)
*
1: A =Weight of people
*2: B =Total load capacity
*3: C =Available cargo and luggage load
In this condition, if 2 more passengers with the combined weight of D lb. (kg) get on,
the available cargo and luggage load will be reduced E lb. (kg) as follows:
C lb. (kg) - D*4 lb. (kg) = E*5 lb. (kg)
*
4: D =Additional weight of people
*5: E =Available cargo and luggage load
As shown in the example above, if the number of occupants increases, the cargo
and luggage load will be reduced by an amount that equals the increased weight
due to the additional occupants. In other words, if an increase in the number of
occupants causes an excess of the total load capacity (combined weight of occu-
pants plus cargo and luggage load), you must reduce the cargo and luggage on
your vehicle.
Calculation formula for your vehicle
1
2

1954-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RC350_RC300_RC200t_RC F_U (OM24671U)
WA R N I N G
■Things that must not be carried in the trunk
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the trunk:
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent the pedals from being depressed properly, may block the
driver’s vision, or may result in items hittin g the driver or passengers, possibly causing
an accident.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the trunk whenever possible.
●RC350/RC300/RC200t: To prevent cargo and luggage from sliding forward dur-
ing braking, do not stack anything in the enlarged trunk. Keep cargo and luggage low,
as close to the floor as possible.
●RC350/RC300/RC200t: When you fold down the rear seats, long items should
not be placed directly behind the front seats.
●RC350/RC300/RC200t: Never allow anyone to ride in the enlarged trunk. It is not
designed for passengers. They should ride in their seats with their seat belts properly
fastened.
●Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or re ar seats (when stacking items)
• On the package tray
• On the instrument panel
•On the dashboard
• In front of the navigation system scre en (if equipped) or Lexus Display Audio
screen (if equipped)
●Secure all items in th e occupant compartment.
■Capacity and distribution
●Do not exceed the maximum axle weight ra ting or the total vehicle weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occupant’s weight and the cargo load is less than the total load
capacity, do not apply the load unevenly. Improper loading may cause deterioration
of steering or braking control which may cause death or serious injury.

1964-1. Before driving
RC350_RC300_RC200t_RC F_U (OM24671U)
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): ( P. 6 1 8 )
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants, cargo and lug-
gage.
◆Seating capacity: 4 occupants (Front 2, Rear 2)
Seating capacity means the maximum number of occupants whose estimated
average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
◆To w i n g c a p a c i t y
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
◆Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrea se depending on the weight and the
number of occupants.
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information label. (P. 5 1 0 )
Vehicle load limits
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity, towing capac-
ity and cargo capacity.
WA R N I N G
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires, but also degrade steering and braking ability,
resulting in an accident.

1974-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RC350_RC300_RC200t_RC F_U (OM24671U)
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 wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer
towing or for the use of tow hitch mounted carriers.

1984-1. Before driving
RC350_RC300_RC200t_RC F_U (OM24671U)
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be ding hy towed (with 4 wheels on the ground)
behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four wheels on the ground.

199
4
Driving
RC350_RC300_RC200t_RC F_U (OM24671U)4-2. Driving procedures
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is in P.
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.
Press the engine 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.
Stop the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 211)
Press the engine switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that the display on the meters is off.
Engine (ignition) switch
Performing the following op erations when carrying the electronic key on your
person starts the engine or changes engine switch modes.
Starting the engine
1
2
3
4
Stopping the engine
1
2
3
4
5

2004-2. Driving procedures
RC350_RC300_RC200t_RC F_U (OM24671U)
Modes can be changed by pressing the engine switch with brake pedal released.
(The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
RC350/RC300/RC200t
Off
*
The emergency flashers can be used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as the
audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed on the
meters.
IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on
the meters.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the engine, the
engine switch will be turned to ACCES-
SORY mode, not to off.
Changing engine switch modes
1
2
3