LEXUS RX400H 2008 Owners Manual

129
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
RX400h_U
NOTICE
■While driving the vehicle
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress accelerator and brake pedals together
to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■When parking the vehicle
Always put the shift lever in P.
Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate sud-
denly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a long
time.
Doing so may damage the power steering pump.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indicators)
Have your Lexus dealer check and replace the brake pads as soon as possible.
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads and/or
that of the brake discs are exceeded.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
●The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( →P. 4 1 2 )

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2-1. Driving procedures
RX400h_U
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause the
following serious damage to the vehicle.
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to
have your Lexus dealer check the following.
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, transaxle, dif-
ferential, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possible) and
the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
RX400h_U
Engine (ignition) switch
■Engine switch
LOCK
The hybrid system is off and
the steering wheel is locked
and the key can be removed
from the engine switch.
ACC
The hybrid system is off and
some electrical components
such as the audio system can
be used.
ON
The hybrid system is on and
all electrical components can
be used.
START
■ Starting the hybrid system
Check that the parking brake is set.
Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the
START position.
After a few seconds, the
READY light will flash and come
on with a beep sound.
The vehicle can move when the
READY light is on, even if the
hybrid system is stopped.
As the hybrid system starts only with the transmission in the P position, put
the selector lever in P whenever starting the system.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP2STEP3
STEP3STEP4

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2-1. Driving procedures
RX400h_U
■Turning the key from ACC to LOCK
■Steering lock release
■If the hybrid system does not start
The hybrid vehicle immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (→P. 8 3 )
■If the 12-volt battery is disconnected or run down...
→P. 3 2 8
■If the READY light does not come on
If the READY light does not come on when you turn the engine switch with the shift
lever in P and the brake pedal pressed, contact your Lexus dealer immediately. Shift the shift lever to P.
Push in the key and turn to the
LOCK pos ition.
STEP1
STEP2
When starting the hybrid system, the engine
switch may seem stuck in the LOCK position.
To free it, turn the key while turning the steer-
ing wheel slightly in either direction.

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
RX400h_U
■Starting the hybrid system using the flat keyPut the key case away when the indicator light goes out. This means the
hybrid vehicle immobilizer system has turned off.
Start the hybrid system within 60 seconds after the indicator light goes
off.
■When the ambient temperature is low
Such as during winter driving conditions, it may take time until the READY light
comes on.
■Sounds and vibrations spec ific to a hybrid vehicle
→ P. 2 6
■When the hybrid system is malfunctioning
→P. 3 9 8 Remove the flat key from its case. Insert the
key into the engine switch.
Bring the key case close to the engine switch
within 10 seconds as indicated by an arrow.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

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2-1. Driving procedures
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not press the
accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Caution when driving
Do not turn the engine switch to the LOCK position while driving. If, in an emer-
gency, you must turn the hybrid system off while the vehicle is moving, turn the
engine switch only to the ACC position.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the engine switch in the ACC or ON position for long periods without
the hybrid system on.
■When starting the hybrid system
●If any service reminder indicator light comes on or warning message appears on
the multi-information display or the 12-volt battery is disconnected, the hybrid
system may not start. In that case, turn the ignition on again. If the READY light
does not come on, contact your Lexus dealer.
●Do not race the hybrid system.
●If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the hybrid
system checked immediately.

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
RX400h_U
Transmission
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
→P. 4 1 9
Select a shift position appropri ate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
While the engine switchis in the ON position,
depress the brake pedal
and move the shift lever.
■ Shift position uses
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle or starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving
BEngine braking

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2-1. Driving procedures
RX400h_U
Turn signal lever
■Turn signals can be operated when
The engine switch is in the ON position.
■If the indicators flash faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned out.
Left turn
Right turn
Move and hold the lever part-
way to signal a lane change
The left hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.
Move and hold the lever part-
way to signal a lane change
The right hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
RX400h_U
Parking brake
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components over-
heating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake wear.
Sets the parking brake*
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
*: Fully depress the parkingbrake pedal with your left
foot while depressing the
brake pedal with your right
foot.
Canada
U.S.A.

138
RX400h_U
2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters
The units used on the speedometer and the power meter gauge display may
differ depending on the model/type.

The following gauges and meters illuminate when the engine switch is
in the ON position.Power meter
Displays the instantaneous output from the hybrid system in approximate
kilowatts.
Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed.
Fuel gauge
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature.
Multi-information display ( →P. 143)
Odometer/trip meter and trip meter reset button
Switches between odometer and trip meter displays. Pushing and holding
the button will reset the trip meter when the trip meter is being displayed.