LEXUS RX300H 2017 Owners Manual

2214-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gaso line engine is cold, the gasoline engine will start automatically after a short period of time in order to warm up. In this case, you will
become unable to switch to EV drive mode. After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illuminated, press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline en gine starts to switch to EV drive mode.
■Automatic cancelation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically restart in the fol- lowing situations. When EV drive mode is can celed, a buzzer will sound and the EV drive
mode indicator will flash and go off.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low. The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy monitor” display is low.
( P. 129)
●Vehicle speed is high.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill, etc.
■Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distance ranges from a few hundred meters to approxi- mately 2 km (1.2 mile). Howe ver, depending on vehicle conditions, there are situations
when EV drive mode cannot be used. (The distance that is possible depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level and driving conditions.)
■Fuel economy
The hybrid system is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during normal driving (using the gasoline engine and elec tric motor [traction motor]). Driving in EV
drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel economy.
WARNING
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mod e, pay special attention to the area around the vehicle. Because there is no engine noise, pedestrian s, people riding bicycles or other people
and vehicles in the area may not be aware of the vehicle starting off or approaching them, so take extr a care while driving.

2224-2. Driving procedures
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
While the power switch is in ON mode, move the shift lever with the brake
pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is com- pletely stopped.
Hybrid transmission
Shifting the shift lever

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

2244-2. Driving procedures
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” paddle shift switch.
Changing the shift range enables the level of engine braking force to be
selected. The shift range can then be selected by operating the “-” and “+” paddle
shift switches.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from D1 to D6, will be displayed in the meter.
The initial shift rang e when the “-” pad- dle shift switch is operated is automati-cally set to D2, D3, D4 or D5 according
to the vehicle speed.
To return to normal D position driving, the “+” paddle shift switch must be held
down for a period of time.
■Shift ranges and their functions
●You can choose from 6 levels of engine braking force.
●A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking force than a higher
shift range, and the engine revolutions will also increase.
Selecting shift ranges in the D position
1
2

2254-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to S. Shift ranges can be selected by operat-
ing the shift lever or paddle shift switches, allowing you to drive in the shift range
of your choice. The shift range can be sele cted by operating the shift lever or the
“-” and “+” paddle shift switches.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from S1 to S6, will be displayed in the meter.
The initial shift range in S mode is auto- matically set to S2, S3, S4 or S5according to the vehicle speed.
■Shift ranges and their functions
●You can choose from 6 levels of accelerating force and engine braking
force.
●A lower shift range will provide greater accelerating force and engine
braking force than a higher shift range, and the engine revolutions will also
increase.
●If you accelerate while in ranges 1 to 4, the shift range may automatically
increase in accordance with the vehicle speed.
Selecting shift ranges in the S position
1
2

2264-2. Driving procedures
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated with the shift lever in the D position
The shift range is downshifted to a range that enables engine braking force that is suit- able to driving conditions.
■Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D position
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situations:
●When the vehicle comes to a stop
●If the accelerator pedal is depressed for more than a certain period of time
●When the shift lever is shifted to a position other than D
■Downshifting restriction warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performa nce, downshifting operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circumstances, down shifting may not be possible even when the shift lever or paddle shift switch is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if the power switch is turned off after driving in snow mode.
■When driving with cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking, engine braking will not activate because crui se control or dynamic radar cruise control will not be canceled.
●While driving in the D or S position, downshifting to 5 or 4. ( P. 253, 257)
●When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position. (P. 301)
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift lever in start- ing.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the power switch is in IGNITION ON
mode and the brake pedal is being depressed.

2274-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake pedal, there may be a prob-
lem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualifie d and equipped professional immediately. The following steps may be used as an emerge ncy measure to ensure that the shift lever
can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Set the parking brake.
Turn the power switch off.
Depress the brake pedal.
Pry the cover up with a flathead screwdriver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover the tip
of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the button is pressed.
1
2
3
4
5
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceler ation, as this could result in the vehicle skidding to the side or spinning.
■To prevent an accident wh en releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override butt on, make sure to set the parking brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed instead of the brake pedal when the shift lock override button is pressed and the shift lever is shifted out of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, possibly leading to an accident resulting in death or serious injury.

2284-2. Driving procedures
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid batte ry (traction battery) will not be charged even when the engine is running. Therefore, if the vehicle is left with the shift lever in N for a
long period of time, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge, and this may result in the vehicle not being able to start.

2294-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
The lever will return to its original position immediately after operation.
Right turn
Lane change to the right (move the
lever partway and release it)
The right hand signals will flash 3 times.
Lane change to the left (move the
lever partway and release it)
The left hand signals will flash 3 times.
Left turn
■If the turn signals do not stop flashing after turning left or right, or if you want
to stop them flashing
Operate the lever in the opposite direction to either position or . If you
move the lever to either position or , the selected turn signals will flash.
■Turn signals can be operated when
The power switch is in ON mode.
■If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned out.
■If the turn signals stop flashing before a lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again.
■Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be changed.
(Customizable feature P. 607)
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions
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2
3
4
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14

2304-2. Driving procedures
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
To set the parking brake, fully depress
the parking brake pedal with your left
foot while depressing the brake pedal
with your right foot.
(Depressing the pedal again releases
the parking brake.)
■Parking the vehicle
 P. 206
■Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
 P. 547
■Usage in winter time
 P. 338
Parking brake
Operating instructions
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake. Driving the vehicle with the parking brake se t will lead to brake components overheat-
ing, which may affect braking performance and increase brake wear.