fuel LEXUS RC300H 2017 Owner's Manual

2234-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, shift the shift lever to D for normal driv-
ing.
*2: By selecting shift ranges using S mode, you can control accelerating force and engine
braking force.
■Sport mode/Eco drive mode
 P. 301
■Snow mode
Snow mode can be selected to suit the conditions when driving on slippery
road surfaces, such as snow.
Press the switch.
Press the switch again to return to
normal mode.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral (Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 ( P. 225)
Selecting the driving mode

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4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
4-4. Refueling
●Close both side doors and windows, and turn the power switch off.
●Confirm the type of fuel.
■Fuel types
 P. 606
■Fuel tank opening for unleaded gasoline
To help prevent incorrect fueling, your vehicle has a fuel tank opening that only accom-
modates the special nozzle on unleaded fuel pumps.
Opening the fuel tank cap
Perform the following steps to open the fuel tank cap:
Before refueling the vehicle

2504-4. Refueling
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
WARNING
■When refueling the vehicle
Observe the following precautions while refueling the vehicle. Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
●After exiting the vehicle and before opening the fuel door, touch an unpainted metalsurface to discharge any static electricity. It is important to discharge static electricity before refueling because sparks resulting fr om static electricity can cause fuel vapors
to ignite while refueling.
●Always hold the grips on the fuel tank cap and turn it slowly to remove it. A whooshing sound may be heard when the fuel tank cap is loosened. Wait until the
sound cannot be heard before fully removing the cap. In hot weather, pressurized fuel may spray out the filler neck and cause injury.
●Do not allow anyone that has not discharged static electricity from their body to come
close to an open fuel tank.
●Do not inhale vaporized fuel. Fuel contains substances that are harmful if inhaled.
●Do not smoke while refueling the vehicle.Doing so may cause the fuel to ignite and cause a fire.
●Do not return to the vehicle or touch any person or object that is statically charged.
This may cause static electricity to build up, resulting in a possible ignition hazard.
■When refueling
Observe the following precautions to prevent fuel overflowing from the fuel tank:
●Securely insert the fuel nozzle into the fuel filler neck.
●Stop filling the tank after the fuel nozzle automatically clicks off.
●Do not top off the fuel tank.
NOTICE
■Refueling
Do not spill fuel during refueling. Doing so may damage the vehicle, such as causing the emission control system tooperate abnormally or damaging fuel system components or the vehicle’s painted sur-
face.

2514-4. Refueling
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
With the doors unlocked, press the
center of the rear edge of the fuel
filler door.
Push until you hear a click and take your hand away to slightly open the fuel filler
door. Then open the door fully by hand.
Turn the fuel tank cap slowly and
remove it, then put it into the holder
on the fuel filler door.
■If the fuel filler door cannot be opened
Opening the fuel tank cap
1
2
Remove the cover inside the trunk and pull the lever to open the fuel filler door if it cannot be
opened by pressing the rear edge of the fuel filler door with the doors unlocked.

2524-4. Refueling
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
After refueling, turn the fuel tank cap
until you hear a click. Once the cap
is released, it will turn slightly in the
opposite direction.
Close the fuel filler door, and press
the center of the rear edge of the
fuel filler door until you hear a click.
When you lock the doors, the fuel filler door will also lock.
■When closing the fuel filler door
Do not lock the doors before closing the fuel filler door, as the fuel filler door cannot be closed if the doors are locked. If the doors are locked and the fuel filler door cannot be closed, unlock the doors and then close the fuel filler door.
■Fuel filler door lock condition
The fuel filler door may not be locked even wh en the vehicle’s doors are locked in the fol- lowing situations:
●When operating the door lock button inside the vehicle
●When the automatic door locking system is operated (P. 147)
Closing the fuel tank cap
1
2
WARNING
■When replacing the fuel tank cap
Do not use anything but a genuine Lexus fuel tank cap designed for your vehicle. Doing so may cause a fire or other incident which may result in death or serious injury.

3014-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
Vehicles without Adaptive Variable Suspension System
Normal mode
Provides an optimal balance of fuel ec onomy, quietness, and dynamic perfor-
mance. Suitable for city driving.
Press the switch to change the driving mode to normal mode when Eco drive mode or sport mode is selected.
Eco drive mode
Helps the driver accelerate in an eco-friendly manner and improve fuel econ-
omy through moderate throttle characteristics and by controlling the opera-
tion of the air conditioning system (heating/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.
Sport mode
Controls the hybrid system to provide quick, powerful acceleration. This
mode also changes the steering feel, making 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.
Driving mode select switch
The driving modes can be select ed to suit driving condition.
1
2
3

3024-5. Using the driving support systems
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
Vehicles with Adaptive Variable Suspension System
Normal mode
Provides an optimal balance of fuel ec onomy, quietness, and dynamic perfor-
mance. Suitable for city driving.
Press the switch to change the driving mode to normal mode when Eco drive mode or sport mode is selected.
Eco drive mode
Helps the driver accelerate in an eco-friendly manner and improve fuel econ-
omy through moderate throttle characteristics and by controlling the opera-
tion of the air conditioning system (heating/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.
Sport mode
•SPORT S mode
Controls the hybrid system to provide quick, powerful acceleration. 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 drivin g mode select switch is turned to the right, the “SPORT S” indicator will come on.
•SPORT S+ mode
Helps to ensure steering performanc e and driving stability by simultane-
ously controlling the steering and suspen sion in addition to the hybrid sys-
tem. Suitable for sportier driving.
When in SPORT S mode, if th e driving mode select switch is turned to the right, the “SPORT S+” indicator will come on.
1
2
3

3034-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■Operation of the air conditioning system in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed of the air condi- tioning system to enhance fuel efficiency ( P. 432). To improve air conditioning perfor- mance, adjust the fan speed or turn off Eco drive mode.
■Sport mode automatic deactivation
Sport mode is automatically deactivated if the power switch is turned off after driving in sport mode.

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RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
4-6. Driving tips
◆Using Eco drive mode
When using Eco drive mode, the torque corresponding to the accelerator
pedal depression amount can be generate d more smoothly than it is in normal
conditions. In addition, the operation of the air conditioning system (heating/
cooling) will be minimized, improving the fuel economy. ( P. 301)
◆Use of Hybrid System Indicator
The Eco-friendly driving is possible by keeping the needle of Hybrid System
Indicator within Eco area. ( P. 119)
◆Shift lever operation
Shift the shift lever to D when stopped at a traffic light, or driving in heavy traf-
fic etc. Shift the shift lever to P when parking. When using the N, there is no
positive effect on fuel consumption. In the N, the gasoline engine operates but
electricity cannot be generated. Also, when using the air conditioning system,
etc., the hybrid battery (traction battery) power is consumed.
◆Accelerator pedal/brake pedal operation
●Drive your vehicle smoothly. Avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleration.
Gradual acceleration and deceleration will make more effective use of the
electric motor (traction motor) without having to use gasoline engine
power.
●Avoid repeated acceleration. Repeated acceleration consumes hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) power, resulting in poor fuel consumption. Battery
power can be restored by driving with the accelerator pedal slightly
released.
Hybrid vehicle driving tips
For economical and ecological driving, pay attention to the following points:

3354-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
◆When braking
Make sure to operate the brakes gently and in a timely manner. A greater
amount of electrical energy can be regenerated when slowing down.
◆Delays
Repeated acceleration and deceleration, as well as long waits at traffic lights,
will lead to bad fuel economy. Check traffic reports before leaving and avoid
delays as much as possible. When driving in a traffic jam, gently release the
brake pedal to allow the vehicle to move forward slightly while avoiding over-
use of the accelerator pedal. Doing so can help control excessive gasoline
consumption.
◆Highway driving
Control and maintain the vehicle at a constant speed. Before stopping at a toll
booth or similar, allow plenty of time to release the accelerator and gently
apply the brakes. A greater amount of electrical energy can be regenerated
when slowing down.
◆Air conditioning
Use the air conditioning only when necessary. Doing so can help reduce
excessive gasoline consumption.
In summer: When the ambient temperature is high, use the recirculated air
mode. Doing so will help to reduce the burden on the air conditioning system
and reduce fuel consumption as well.
In winter: Because the gasoline engine will not automatically cut out until it
and the interior of the vehicle are warm, it will consume fuel. Also, fuel con-
sumption can be improved by av oiding overuse of the heater.
◆Checking tire inflation pressure
Make sure to check the tire inflation pressure frequently. Improper tire infla-
tion pressure can cause poor fuel economy.
Also, as snow tires can cause large amounts of friction, their use on dry roads
can lead to poor fuel economy. Use ti res that are appropriate for the season.