LEXUS RX450h 2018 Owners Manual

651
8When trouble arises
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U 8-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers .................. 652
If your vehicle has
to be stopped in
an emergency .......................... 653
8-2. Steps to take in
an emergency
If your vehicle needs
to be towed................................ 654
If you think something is
wrong ........................................... 659
If a warning light turns on
or a warning buzzer
sounds..........................................660
If a warning message is
displayed..................................... 667
If you have a flat tire .................. 673
If the hybrid system will
not start .......................................690
If the electronic key does
not operate properly ............. 692
If the 12-volt battery is
discharged ................................. 695
If your vehicle overheats ......... 702
If the vehicle becomes
stuck ............................................. 706

652
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U8-1. Essential information
Press the switch. All the turn signal lights will flash. To turn
them off, press the switch once again.
■
Emergency flashers
If the emergency flashers are used for a long time while the hybrid system is not operat-
ing (while the “READY” indicator is not illu minated), the 12-volt battery may discharge.
Emergency flashers The emergency flashers are used to warn other drivers when the vehicle has
to be stopped on the road due to a breakdown, etc.

6538-1. Essential information
8
When trouble arises
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85USteadily step on the brake pedal with both feet and firmly depress it.Do not pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort required to
slow the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to N. 
If the shift lever is shifted to N
After slowing down, stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Stop the hybrid system. 
If the shift lever cannot be shifted to N
Keep depressing the brake pedal with both feet to reduce vehicle speed as
much as possible.
To stop the hybrid system, press and
hold the power switch for 2 consec-
utive seconds or more, or press it
briefly 3 times or more in succes-
sion.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergencyOnly in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the vehicle in
the normal way, stop the vehicl e using the following procedure:1
2
3
4
3
Press and hold for 2 seconds or more,
or press briefly 3 times or more4
WARNING ■
If the hybrid system has to be turned off while driving
Power assist for the steering wheel will be lost, making the steering wheel heavier to
turn. Decelerate as much as possible before turning off the hybrid system.5

654
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
The following may indicate a problem wi th your hybrid transmission. Contact
your Lexus dealer or commercial towing service before towing. ●
The hybrid warning message shows on and the vehicle does not move. ●
The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Do not tow with a sling-type truck to
prevent body damage.If your vehicle needs to be towed If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by your
Lexus dealer or commercial towing se rvice, using a wheel-lift type truck or
flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/provincial and
local laws.
If towing your vehicle with a wheel-lift type truck, use a towing dolly.
( → P. 655, 657)
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing
Towing with a sling-type truck

6558-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UIf your vehicle is transported by a flat-
bed truck, it should be tied down at the
locations shown in the illustration.
If you use chains or cables to tie down
your vehicle, the angles shaded in black
must be 45 ° .
Do not overly tighten the tie downs or
the vehicle may be damaged.Towing with a wheel-lift type truck 
From the front 
From the rear
Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels. Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.
Using a flatbed truck Front

656 8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UTake out the towing eyelet. ( → P. 674)
Remove the eyelet cover.
Insert the towing eyelet into the hole
and tighten partially by hand.
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut wrench
or hard metal bar.
Securely attach cables or chains to the towing eyelet.
Take care not to damage the vehicle body.
Enter the vehicle being towed and start the hybrid system.
If the hybrid system does not start, turn the power switch to ON mode.
Shift the shift lever to N and release the parking brake.
When the shift lever cannot be shifted: → P. 250Emergency towing procedure (vehicles with a towing eyelet) 1
2
3
4
5
6
7

6578-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
While towing
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering will not function,
marking steering and braking more difficult. ■
Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installe d in luggage compartment. ( → P. 674)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury. ■
When towing the vehicle
■
While towing ●
When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. which place excessive
stress on the towing eyelets, cables or chains. The towing eyelets, cables or chains
may become damaged, broken debris ma y hit people, and cause serious damage.●
Do not turn the power switch off.
There is a possibility that the steering wheel is locked and cannot be operated.■
Installing towing eyelets to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyel ets are installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing ey elets may come loose during towing.Be sure to transport the vehicle with all four
wheels raised off the ground. If the vehicle is
towed with the tires contacting the ground, the
drivetrain or related parts may be damaged,
the vehicle may fly off th e truck, or electricity
generated by the operation of the motor may
cause a fire to occur depending on the nature
of the damage or malfunction.

658 8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UNOTICE ■
To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type truck●
Do not tow the vehicle from the rear when the power switch is off. The steering lock
mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels straight. ●
When raising the vehicle, en sure adequate ground cleara nce for towing at the oppo-
site end of the raised vehicle. Without ad equate clearance, the vehicle could be dam-
aged while being towed. ■
To prevent damage to the vehicle wh en towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear. ■
To prevent damage to the ve hicle during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components. ■
Recreational towing (behind motor home, etc)
Never dinghy tow your vehicle to prevent caus-
ing serious damage to the Hybrid AWD system
and transmission. ( → P. 238)

6598-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U●
Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air co nditioning after use is normal.)●
Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear ●
Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points higher than nor-
mal ●
Changes in exhaust sound ●
Excessive tire squeal when cornering ●
Strange noises related to the suspension system ●
Pinging or other noises related to the hybrid system ●
Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly ●
Appreciable loss of power ●
Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking ●
Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road ●
Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy f eeling, pedal almost touches the floorIf you think something is wrong If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms

660 8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UIf a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights comes on or
flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then goes off, this does not necessar-
ily indicate a malfunction in the system . However, if this continues to occur,
have the vehicle inspecte d by your Lexus dealer.
Warning light and warning buzzer list Warning light Warning light/Details/Actions(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light
Indicates that:
• The brake fluid level is low; or
• The brake system is malfunctioning
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
Brake system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The regenerative braking system;
• The electronically controlled brake system; or
• The electric parking brake
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately. (If equipped)
Charging system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous. (U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The hybrid system;
• The electronic engine control system; or
• The electronic throttle control system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.