LEXUS RC300 2021 Owners Manual

1914-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
*:If equipped
The Blind Spot Monitor is a system that
has 2 functions:
The BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) func-
tion
Assists the driver in making a deci-
sion when changing lanes
 The RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert)
function
Assists the driver when backing up
These functions use same sensors. BSM main switch
This switch is for both the BSM function
and RCTA function.
Pressing the switch turns the system on or
off. When the switch is turned on, the indi-
cator on the switch illuminates.
Outside rear view mirror indicators
BSM function:
When a vehicle is dete
cted in a blind spot
of the outside rear view mirrors or
approaching rapidly from behind into a
blind spot, the outside rear view mirror
indicator on the detected side will illumi-
nate. If the turn signal lever is operated
toward the detected side, the outside rear
view mirror indicator will flash.
RCTA function:
When a vehicle approaching from the right
or left at the rear of the vehicle is detected,
both outside rear view mirror indicators
will flash.
Center Display
If a vehicle approaching from the right or
left at the rear of th e vehicle is detected,
the RCTA icon ( P.196) for the detected
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor)*
The Blind Spot Monitor is a system
that uses rear side radar sensors
installed on the inner side of the
rear bumper on the left and right
side to assist the driver in confirm-
ing safety when changing lanes.
Summary of the Blind Spot Mon-
itor
A
B
C

1924-5. Using the driving support systems
side will be displayed on the Center Dis-
play.
This illustration shows an example of a
vehicle approaching from both sides of the
vehicle.
RCTA buzzer (RCTA function only)
If a vehicle approaching from the right or
left at the rear of the vehicle is detected, a
buzzer will sound. The buzzer also sounds
for approximately 1 second immediately
after the BSM main switch is operated to
turn the system on.
■Outside rear view mirror indicator visi-
bility
In strong sunlight, the outside rear view mir-
ror indicator may be difficult to see.
■Hearing the RCTA buzzer
The RCTA buzzer may be difficult to hear
over loud noises, such as if the audio system
volume is high.
■When “Blind Spot Monitor Unavailable”
is shown on the multi-information dis-
play
Ice, snow, mud, etc., may be attached to the
rear bumper around the sensors. ( P.192)
The system should return to normal opera-
tion after removing the ice, snow, mud, etc.
from the rear bumper. Additionally, the sen-
sors may not operate normally when driving
in extremely hot or cold environments.
■When there is a malfunction in the Blind
Spot Monitor
If a system malfunction is detected due to
any of the following, a warning message will
be displayed: ( P.303)
●A sensor is malfunctioning
●A sensor is dirty or covered with snow or
a sticker
●The outside temperature is extremely
high or low
●Sensor voltage is abnormal
●A sensor is misaligned
D
WARNING
■Handling the radar sensor
Blind Spot Monitor sensors are installed
behind the left and right sides of the rear
bumper respectively. Observe the fol-
lowing to ensure the Blind Spot Monitor
can function correctly.
●Keep the sensors and the surrounding
areas on the rear bumper clean at all
times.
If a sensor or its surrounding area on
the rear bumper is dirty or covered
with snow, the Blind Spot Monitor may
not operate and a warning message
(
P.303) will be displayed. In this sit-
uation, clear off the dirt or snow and
drive the vehicle with the operation
conditions of the BSM function
(
P.194) satisfied for approximately
10 minutes. If the warning message
does not disappear, have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer.
●Do not subject a sensor or its sur-
rounding area on the rear bumper to a
strong impact.
If a sensor is moved even slightly off
position, the system may malfunction
and vehicles may not be detected cor-
rectly.
In the following situations, have your
vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer.
• A sensor or its surrounding area is subject to a strong impact.
• If the surrounding area of a sensor is scratched or dented, or part of them
has become disconnected.
●Do not disassemble the sensor.

1934-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
The BSM function uses radar sensors to detect the following vehicles traveling in
adjacent lanes and advises the driver of th e presence of such vehicles via the indi-
cators on the outside rear view mirrors.
WARNING
●Do not attach stickers to the sensor or
surrounding area on the rear bumper.
●Do not modify the sensor or surround-
ing area on the rear bumper.
●Do not paint the rear bumper any
color other than an official Lexus color.
■Cautions regarding the use of the
function
The driver is solely responsible for safe
driving. Always driv e safely, taking care
to observe your surroundings.
The BSM function is a supplementary
function which alerts the driver that a
vehicle is in a blind spot of the outside
rear view mirrors or is approaching rap-
idly from behind into a blind spot. Do not
overly rely on the BSM function. As the
function cannot judge if it is safe to
change lanes, over reliance could lead to
an accident resulting in death or serious
injury.
As the system may not function correctly
under certain conditions, the driver’s own
visual confirmation of safety is necessary.
The RCTA function is only a supplemen-
tary function which alerts the driver that a
vehicle is approaching from the right or
left at the rear of the vehicle. As the
RCTA function may not function cor-
rectly under certain conditions, the
driver’s own visual confirmation of safety
is necessary. Over reli ance on this func-
tion may lead to an accident resulting
death or serious injury.
BSM function

1944-5. Using the driving support systems
Vehicles that are traveling in areas that are not visible using the outside rear
view mirrors (the blind spots)
Vehicles that are approaching rapidly from behind in areas that are not visible
using the outside rear view mirrors (the blind spots)
The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.
The range of each detection area is:
Approximately 1.6 ft. (0.5 m) to 11.5 ft. (3.5 m) from either side of the vehicle*1
Approximately 3.3 ft. (1 m) forward of the rear bumper
Approximately 9.8 ft. (3 m) from the rear bumper
Approximately 9.8 ft. (3 m) to 19 7 ft. (60 m) from the rear bumper
*2
*1: The area between the side of the vehicle and 1.6 ft. (0.5 m) from the side of the vehicle
cannot be detected.
*2: The greater the difference in speed between your vehicle and the detected vehicle is, the farther away the vehicle will be detected, causing the outside rear view mirror indi-
cator to illuminate or flash.
■The BSM function is operational when
The BSM function is operational when all of the following conditions are met:●The BSM main switch is on.
●The shift lever is in a position other than R.
BSM function detection areas
A
B
A
B
C
D

1954-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
●The vehicle speed is greater than approx-
imately 10 mph (16 km/h).
■The BSM function will detect a vehicle
when
The BSM function will detect a vehicle pres-
ent in the detection area in the following sit-
uations:
●A vehicle in an adj acent lane overtakes
your vehicle.
●You overtake a vehicle in an adjacent lane
slowly.
●Another vehicle enters the detection
area when it changes lanes.
■Conditions under which the BSM func-
tion will not detect a vehicle
The BSM function is not designed to detect
the following types of vehicles and/or
objects:
●Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians,
etc.*
●Vehicles traveling in the opposite direc-
tion
●Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehicles
and similar stationary objects*
●Following vehicles th at are in the same
lane*
●Vehicles traveling 2 lanes away from your
vehicle*
●Vehicles which are being overtaken rap-
idly by your vehicle*
*
: Depending on the conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or object may occur.
■Conditions under which the BSM func-
tion may not function correctly
●The BSM function may not detect vehi-
cles correctly in the following situations:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to a strong impact to the sensor or its sur-
rounding area
• When mud, snow, ice, a sticker, etc. is covering the sensor or surrounding area
on the rear bumper
• When driving on a road surface that is wet with standing water during bad
weather, such as heavy rain, snow, or fog • When multiple vehicles are approaching
with only a small gap between each vehi-
cle
• When the distance between your vehicle and a following vehicle is short
• When there is a significant difference in
speed between your vehicle and the vehi-
cle that enters the detection area
• When the difference in speed between
your vehicle and another vehicle is
changing
• When a vehicle enters a detection area
traveling at about the same speed as your
vehicle
• As your vehicle starts from a stop, a vehi-
cle remains in the detection area
• When driving up and down consecutive steep inclines, such as hills, dips in the
road, etc.
• When driving on roads with sharp bends, consecutive curves, or uneven surfaces
• When vehicle lanes are wide, or when driving on the edge of a lane, and the
vehicle in an adjacent lane is far away
from your vehicle
• When a bicycle carrier or other acces- sory is installed to the rear of the vehicle
• When there is a significant difference in height between your vehicle and the
vehicle that enters the detection area
• Immediately after the BSM main switch is turned on
●Instances of the BSM function unneces-
sarily detecting a vehicle and/or object
may increase in the following situations:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to a strong impact to the sensor or its sur-
rounding area
• When the distance between your vehicle and a guardrail, wall, etc. that enters the
detection area is short
• When driving up and down consecutive steep inclines, such as hills, dips in the
road, etc.
• When vehicle lanes are narrow, or when driving on the edge of a lane, and a vehi-
cle traveling in a lane other than the adja-
cent lanes enters the detection area
• When driving on roads with sharp bends, consecutive curves, or uneven surfaces
• When the tires are slipping or spinning
• When the distance between your vehicle
and a following vehicle is short
• When a bicycle carrier or other acces-

1964-5. Using the driving support systems
sory is installed to the rear of the vehicle
■Operation of the RCTA function
The RCTA function uses radar sensors to detect vehicles approaching from the
right or left at the rear of the vehicle and alerts the driver of the presence of such
vehicles by flashing the outside rear view mirror indicators and sounding a buzzer.
Approaching vehicles
Detection areas of approaching vehicles
■RCTA icon display
When a vehicle approaching from the
right or left at the rear of the vehicle is
detected, the following will be dis-
played on the Center Display.This illustration shows an example of a
vehicle approaching from both sides of the
vehicle.
: The RCTA function is malfunc-
tioning ( P.192)
The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.
RCTA function
A
B
RCTA function detection areas

1974-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
The buzzer can alert the driver of faster vehicles approaching from farther away.
Example:
■The RCTA function is operational when
The RCTA function operates when all of the
following conditions are met:
●The BSM main switch is on.
●The shift lever is in R.
●The vehicle speed is less than approxi-
mately 5 mph (8 km/h).
●The approaching vehicle speed is
between approximately 5 mph (8 km/h)
and 18 mph (28 km/h).
■Conditions under which the RCTA func-
tion will not detect a vehicle
The RCTA function is not designed to
detect the following types of vehicles and/or
objects:
●Vehicles approaching from directly
behind
●Vehicles backing up in a parking space
next to your vehicle
●Vehicles that the sensors cannot detect
due to obstructions
●Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehicles
and similar stationary objects*
●Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians,
etc.*
●Vehicles moving away from your vehicle
●Vehicles approaching from the parking
spaces next to your vehicle*
*
: Depending on the conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or object may occur.
■Conditions under which the RCTA func-
tion may not function correctly
●The RCTA function may not detect vehi-
cles correctly in the following situations:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to a
strong impact to the sensor or its sur-
rounding area
• When mud, snow, ice, a sticker, etc. is
covering the sensor or surrounding area
Approaching vehicleSpeed Approximate alert dis-
tance
Fast18 mph (28 km/h)65 ft. (20 m)
Slow5 mph (8 km/h)18 ft. (5.5 m)
A

1984-5. Using the driving support systems
on the rear bumper
• When driving on a road surface that is wet with standing water during bad
weather, such as heavy rain, snow, or fog
• When multiple vehicles are approaching with only a small gap between each vehi-
cle
• When a vehicle is approaching at high speed
• When backing up on a slope with a sharp change in grade
●When backing out of a shallow angle
parking spot
●Immediately after the BSM main switch is
turned on
●Immediately after the engine is started
with the BSM main switch on
●When the sensors cannot detect a vehi-
cle due to obstructions
●Instances of the RCTA function unneces-
sarily detecting a vehicle and/or object
may increase in the following situations:
• When a vehicle passes by the side of your vehicle
• When the parking space faces a street
and vehicles are being driven on the
street
●When the distance between your vehicle
and metal objects, such as a guardrail,
wall, sign, or parked vehicle, which may
reflect electrical waves toward the rear of
the vehicle, is short

1994-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
Vehicles without Adaptive Variable
Suspension System
1 Normal mode
Provides an optimal ba lance of fuel econ-
omy, quietness, and dynamic performance.
Suitable for city driving.
Press the switch to change the driving
mode to normal mode when Eco drive
mode or sport mode is selected.
2 Eco drive mode
Helps the driver accelerate in an
eco-friendly manner and improve fuel
economy through moderate throttle char-
acteristics and by controlling the operation
of the air conditioning system (heat-
ing/cooling).
When not in Eco drive mode, if the driving
mode select switch is turned to the left, the
Eco drive mode indicator will come on.
3Sport mode
Controls the transmission and engine to
provide quick, powerful acceleration. This
mode also changes the steering feel, mak-
ing it suitable for when agile driving
response is desired, such as when driving
on roads with many curves.
When not in sport mode, if the driving
mode select switch is turned to the right,
the “SPORT” indicator will comes on.
Vehicles with Adaptive Variable
Suspension System
1 Normal mode/Custom mode
Normal mode and custom mode are
selected by pressing the driving mode
select switch. Each time the switch is
pressed, the driving mode changes
between normal mode and custom mode.
When custom mode is selected, the “CUS-
TOM” indicator will be illuminated.
When Eco drive mode or sport mode is
selected, pressing th e switch changes the
driving mode to normal mode.
• Normal mode
Provides an optimal ba lance of fuel econ-
omy, quietness, and dynamic performance.
Suitable for city driving.
• Custom mode
Allows you to drive with the following func-
tions set to your preferred settings.
Driving mode select switch
The driving modes can be selected
to suit driving condition.
Selecting a drive mode

2004-5. Using the driving support systems
Custom mode settings can only be
changed on the drive mode customization
display of the Center Display. (P.212)
2 Eco drive mode
Helps the driver accelerate in an
eco-friendly manner and improve fuel
economy through moderate throttle char-
acteristics and by controlling the operation
of the air conditioning system (heat-
ing/cooling).
When not in Eco drive mode, if the driving
mode select switch is turned to the left, the
Eco drive mode indicator will come on.
3Sport mode
•SPORT S mode
Controls the transmission and engine to
provide quick, powerful acceleration. Also,
gear shift timing is co ntrolled to suit sporty
driving, making this mode is suitable for
when agile driving response is desired,
such as when driving on roads with many
curves.
When not in SPORT S mode, if the driving
mode select switch is turned to the right,
the “SPORT S” indicator will come on.
•SPORT S+ mode
Provides earlier down shift timing than
SPORT S mode in order to maintain a high
engine speed and provides faster gear
changes. This mode also changes the steering feel, susp
ension control and
VDIM control, making it suitable for pow-
erful sporty driving.
When in SPORT S mode, if the driving
mode select switch is turned to the right,
the “SPORT S+” indicator will come on.
■Operation of the air conditioning sys-
tem in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cool-
ing operations and fan speed of the air con-
ditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency
(  P.215). To improve air conditioning per-
formance, adjust the fan speed or turn off
Eco drive mode.
■Automatic deactivation of sport mode
and custom mode
If the engine switch is turned off after driv-
ing in sport mode or custom mode, the
drive mode will be changed to normal
mode.
■Driving mode pop-up display (vehicles
with a 10.3-inch display)
When the driving mode is changed, the
selected driving mode will be temporarily
displayed on the side display. ( P.212)
FunctionSetting
Powertrain
Normal
Power
Eco
ChassisNormal
Sport
Air conditioning sys-
temNormal
Eco