ECO mode LEXUS RC350 2018 Owner's Guide

1974-1. Before driving
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Driving
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC300_RC F_U(OM24748U)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■If a brake pad wear warning message is displayed (RC F)
Have the brake pads visually checked and replaced by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
Moderate levels of the brake pad and disc wear allow enhanced braking power. As a
result, the discs may wear more quickly than conventional brake discs. Therefore, when
replacing the brake pads, Lexu s recommends that you also have the thickness of the
discs measured.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads and/or those
of the brake discs are exceeded.
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate suddenly
and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
●In order to prevent accidents due to the ve hicle rolling away, always keep depressing
the brake pedal while the engine is running, and apply the parking brake as neces-
sary.
●If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused by the
vehicle rolling forward or backward, alwa ys depress the brake pedal and securely
apply the parking brake as needed.
●Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause the exhaust
system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible material is nearby.

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4
Driving
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC300_RC F_U(OM24748U)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, th e engine cannot be started.
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.
Stop the vehicle.
Set the parking brake ( P. 222), and shift the shift lever to P.
Press the engine switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that the display on the meters is off.
Engine (ignition) switch
Performing the following operations wh en carrying the electronic key on your
person starts the engine or changes engine switch modes.
Starting the engine
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Stopping the engine
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2104-2. Driving procedures
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or IGNITION ON
mode (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with the shift lever in P, the engine
switch will automatically turn off. However, this function cannot entirely prevent battery
discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNI-
TION ON mode for long periods of ti me when the engine is not running.
■Electronic key battery depletion
P. 143
■Conditions affe cting operation
 P. 158
■Notes for the entry function
P. 159
■If the engine does not start
●Check that the shift lever is se curely set in P. The engine may not start if the shift lever is
displaced out of P.
●The engine immobilizer system ma y not have been deactivated. (P. 79)
Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the steering wheel
will be locked due to the steering lock func tion. Operating the engine switch again auto-
matically cancels the steering lock.
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, operation of the motor may be sus-
pended if the engine is turned on and off repeat edly in a short period of time. In this case,
refrain from operating the engine switch. After about 10 seconds, the steering lock
motor will resume functioning.
■When “Access System with Elec. Key Malf unction See Owner’s Manual” is displayed
on the multi-information display
The system may be malfunctio ning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
 P. 427
“Steering Wheel Lock Press Engine Switch
while Turning Wheel” w
ill be displayed on the
multi-information display.
Check that the shift leve r is in P. Press the
engine switch while turn ing the steering wheel
left and right.

2114-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC300_RC F_U(OM24748U)
■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 immediately 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.
■If the smart access system wi th push-button start has been deactivated by a customized
setting
 P. 518
WARNING
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the accelerator
pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resu lting 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 complete stop. Activation of the steering lock in this cir-
cumstance may lead to an accident, re sulting in death or serious injury.
■Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle, press and hold
the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly 3 times or more in succes-
sion. ( P. 443)
However, do not touch the engi ne switch while driving except in an emergency. Turning
the engine off while driving will not cause lo ss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. Th is will make it more difficult to steer and
brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

2124-2. Driving procedures
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
●Do not leave the engine switch in AC CESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for long
periods of time without the engine running.
●RC350/RC300: If “ACCESSORY” or “IGN ITION ON” is displayed on the meters
while the engine is not running, the engine switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after turn-
ing the engine switch off.
●RC F: If the analog speedometer is illuminated and the engine is not running, the
engine switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the engine switch off.
However, if the welcome illumination is operating, the analog speedometer will be
illuminated even though the engine sw itch is off. (Welcome illumination: P. 101)
●Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If the engine is
stopped in another shift lever position, the engine switch will not be turned off but
instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY
mode, battery discharge may occur.
■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 immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfun ction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differen tly than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, ther e may be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.

2144-2. Driving procedures
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, shift the shift lever to D for normal driv-
ing.
*2: Any gear range can be fixed when driving in M mode.
■Sport mode/Eco drive mode
 P. 301
■Snow mode
Snow mode can be selected to suit th e 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 engine
RReversing
NNeutral
(Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
MM mode driving*2 (  P. 216)
Selecting the driving mode

2174-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC300_RC F_U(OM24748U)
The Gear Shift Indicator display is a gu ide to help the driver achieve improved
fuel economy and reduced exhaust emissions within limits of engine perfor-
mance.
When not in operation
Shift-up indicator
■Gear Shift Indicator function
●This function automatically operates during M mode.
●By following the Shift-up indicator and sh ifting up accordingly, it is possible
to achieve improved fuel economy and reduced exhaust emissions.
●The Gear Shift Indicator does not have a similar function for downshifting.
●Depending on the driving conditions, the Gear Shift Indicator may not dis-
play the Shift-up indicator while driving in M mode.
Gear Shift Indicator (RC F)
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2274-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC300_RC F_U(OM24748U)
■Automatic light off system
When the light switch is in , or : The headlights and tail lights turn off 30
seconds after the engine switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off and a
door is opened and all of the doors and trun k are closed. (The lights turn off immediately
if on the key is pr essed twice after both side doors are closed.)
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to IGNITION ON mode, or turn the
light switch off once and then back to or .
If any of the doors or trunk lid is left open , the lights automatically turn off after 20 min-
utes.
■Automatic headlight leveling system
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted accordi ng to the number of passen-
gers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do not inter-
fere with other road users.
■Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the engine switch is turned off or turned to ACCESSORY mode
and the driver’s door is opened while the lights are turned on.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor se nsitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 569)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than ne cessary when the engine is not running.

2314-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC300_RC F_U(OM24748U)
●Bicycles or similar vehicles may not be detected.
●In the following situations the system may not be able to correctly detect the surround-
ing brightness level. This may cause the lo w beams to remain on or the high beams to
flash or dazzle pedestrians or vehicles ahead. In such a case, it is necessary to manually
switch between the high and low beams.
• When driving in inclement weather (heavy rain, snow, fog, sandstorms, etc.)
• When the windshield is obscured by fog, mist, ice, dirt, etc.
• When the windshield is cracked or damaged
• When the camera sensor is deformed or dirty
• When the temperature of the camera sensor is extremely high
• When the surrounding brightness level is equal to that of headlights, tail lights or fog
lights
• When headlights or tail lights of vehicles ahead are turned off, dirty, changing color,
or not aimed properly
• When the vehicle is hit by water, snow, dust, etc. from a preceding vehicle
• When driving through an area of intermittently changing brightness and darkness
• When frequently and repeated ly driving ascending/descending roads, or roads with
rough, bumpy or uneven surfaces (such as stone-paved roads, gravel roads, etc.)
• When frequently and repeatedly taking curves or driving on a winding road
• When there is a highly reflective object ahea d of the vehicle, such as a sign or mirror
• When the back of a preceding vehicle is highly reflective, such as a container on a
truck
• When the vehicle's headlights are damaged or dirty, or are not aimed properly
• When the vehicle is listing or titling due to a flat tire, a trailer being towed, etc.
• When the headlights are changed between the high beams and low beams repeat- edly in an abnormal manner
• When the driver believes that the high beams may be flashing or dazzling pedestri-
ans or other drivers
■Temporarily lowering sensor sensitivity
The sensitivity of the sensor can be temporarily lowered.
Turn the engine switch off while the following conditions are met.
• The headlight switch is in or .
• The headlight switch lever is in high beam position.
• Automatic High Beam switch is on.
Turn the engine switch to IGNITION ON mode.
Within 30 seconds after , repeat pulling the he adlight switch lever to the original
position then pushing it to the high beam position quickly 10 times, then leave the lever
in high beam position.
If the sensitivity is changed, the Automatic High Beam indicator is turn on and off 3
times.
Automatic High Beam (head lights) may turn on even the vehicle is stopped.
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2404-3. Operating the lights and wipers
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)
WARNING
■Caution regarding the use of windshield wipers in AUTO mode
The windshield wipers may operate unexpectedly if the sensor is touched or the wind-
shield is subject to vibration in AUTO mode. Take care that your fingers or anything
else do not become caught in the windshield wipers.
■Caution regarding the use of washer fluid
When it is cold, do not use the washer fl uid until the windshield becomes warm. The
fluid may freeze on the windshield and cause lo w visibility. This may lead to an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.
■When there is no washer fluid spray from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may be cau sed if the lever is pulled toward you and
held continually.
■When a nozzle becomes blocked
In this case, contact your Lexus dealer.
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.