transmission LEXUS RX400H 2008 User Guide

307
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
RX400h_U
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• Moves smoothly (without uneven pedal effort or catching)?
Transmission “Park” mechanism
• Can the vehicle be hold securely on an incline with the shift lever in
P?
Brake pedal
• Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clearance and correct amount of free play?
Brakes
• Not pull to one side when applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraints• Move smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers•Function properly?
Lights
• Do all the lights come on?
• Headlights aimed correctly? (→ P. 364)
Pa r k i n g b r a ke
• Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on
an incline?
Seat belts
• Does the seat belt system operate smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats• Do the seat controls operate prop- erly?

360
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX400h_U
57RR FOG 7. 5No circuit
58AIR SUS7. 5No circuit
59DOOR NO.225Multiplex communication system
60S/ROOF 30Moon roof
61TA I L10
Front fog lights, instrument cluster
lights, instrument panel lights, front
side marker lights, tail lights, license
plate lights, towing converter
62PA N E L7. 5
Glove box light, instrument cluster
lights, instrument panel lights, console
box light, audio system, power outlet,
garage door opener switch, transmis-
sion system, headlight cleaner, seat
heaters, steering switches, power
back door
63ECU-IG NO.17. 5
Power rear view mirror control, moon
roof, multiplex communication system,
shift lock control system, multiplex
communication system (power door
lock system, wireless remote control
system), driving position memory sys-
tem, vehicle dynamics integrated
management, windshield wipers,
transmission, seat heaters, power
seats, tilt and telescopic steering,
power back door
64ECU-IG NO.210
Automatic headlight leveling system,
vehicle dynamics integrated manage-
ment, dynamic laser cruise control,
headlight cleaner, adaptive front-light-
ing system
FuseAmpereCircuit

378
RX400h_U
5-1. Essential information
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towingThe following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Lexus dealer before towing.
● The hybrid system is running, but the vehicle will not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Emergency towing
If a tow truck is not available, in an emergency your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emergency towing
eyelet(s). This should only attempted on hard, surfaced roads for short
distances at low speeds.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The vehi-
cle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steer ing and brakes must be in good condi-
tion.
Towing eyelets
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by your
Lexus dealer or a commercial towing se rvice, using a lift-type truck or a flat
bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/provincial
and local laws.
If towing from the front, the vehicle’s rear wheels and axles must be in good
condition. ( →P. 3 8 2 )
If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flat bed truck.

5
When trouble arises
379
5-1. Essential information
RX400h_U
■Emergency towing procedureRelease the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Turn the engine switch to the ACC (hybrid system off) or ON (hybrid sys-
tem on) position.
CAUTION
■Caution while towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive stress on
the emergency towing eyelets and the cables or chains.
●If the hybrid system is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering
will not function, making steering and braking more difficult.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission
Never tow this vehicle from the rear with four wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious damage to the transmission.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

382
5-1. Essential information
RX400h_U
Towing with a wheel lift-type truckFrom the front (2WD models) Release the parking brake.
From the front (AWD models) Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheel.
NOTICE
■To prevent damaging the vehicle
When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at the
opposite end of the raised vehicle.
Without adequate clearance, the vehicle could be damaged while being towed.
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission (AWD models)
Never tow this vehicle from the front with the rear wheels on the ground.

5
When trouble arises
383
5-1. Essential information
RX400h_UFrom rear
Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.
Using a flat bed truck
If your Lexus 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.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission
Never tow this vehicle from the rear with the front wheels on the ground.
FrontFront

386
5-1. Essential information
RX400h_U
Event data recorder
In a crash or a near car crash eventThe SRS airbag sensor assembly contains the EDR. In a crash or a near
car crash event, this device may record some or all of the following infor-
mation:
● Gasoline engine speed
● Whether the brake pedal was applied or not
● Ve h i c l e s p e e d
● To what extent the accelerator pedal was depressed
● Position of the transmission shift lever
● Whether the driver and front passenger wore seat belts or not
● Driver's seat position
● SRS airbag deployment data
● SRS airbag system diagnostic data
● Front passenger’s occupant classification
The information above is intended to be used for the purpose of improv-
ing vehicle safety performance. Unlike general data recorders, the EDR
does not record sound data such as conversation between passengers.
Your vehicle has computers that monitor and control certain aspects of
your vehicle. These computers assist in driving and maintaining optimal
vehicle performance.
Besides storing data useful for troubleshooting, there is an event data
recorder (EDR) that records data in a crash or a near car crash event.

5
When trouble arises
427
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX400h_U
If the vehicle becomes stuck
CAUTION
■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to rock the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the surround-
ing area is clear, to avoid striking other vehicles, objects or persons. The vehicle
may also lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes free. Use extreme
caution.
■When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an
accident and result in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■To avoid damaging the transmission and other components
●Avoid spinning the wheels and do not rev the hybrid system.
●If the vehicle remains stuck after trying these procedures, the vehicle may require
towing to be freed.
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle becomes
stuck in mud, dirt, or snow.
●Stop the hybrid system. Set the parking brake and put the selec-
tor lever in P.
● Remove the mud, snow, or sand from around the stuck tire.
● Place wood, stones or some other material to help provide trac-
tion under the tires.
● Restart the hybrid system.
● Carefully apply the accelerator to free the vehicle.

437
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
RX400h_U
Tr a n s a x l e
Fluid capacity
Drain and refill
Front
Without towing package
With towing package
Rear (AWD models only)
3.9 qt. (3.7L, 3.2 Imp. qt.)
4.1 qt. (3.9 L, 3.4 Imp. qt.)
1.8 qt. (1.7 L, 1.5 Imp. qt.)
The fluid capacity is a reference quantity. If
replacement is necessary, contact your Lexus
dealer.
Fluid typeTo y o t a G e n u i n e AT F W S
NOTICE
■Transaxle fluid type
Using transmission fluid other than “Toyota Genuine ATF WS” may cause deterio-
ration in shift quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and
ultimately damage the transmission of your vehicle.

478
Alphabetical index
RX400h_U
Rear side marker lightsWattage.................................................... 441
Rear turn signal lights Replacing light bulbs........................365
Wattage.................................................... 441
Rear window de fogger.......................204
Rear window wiper ............................... 155
Replacing Fuses ........................................................ 352
Light bulbs.............................................365
Rear seat entertainment system controller battery............................350
Tires ......................................................... 408
Wireless remote control battery ..................................................348
Reporting safety defects for
U.S.A. owners ..................................... 464
RSE
Replacing controller battery ........350
RSE ........................................................... 233
Road accident cautions......................... 32
Roof luggage carrier .............................. 70
Scuff lighting ...........................................260
Seat belts Adjusting the seat belt........................ 59
Automatic Locking Retractor .......... 61
Child restraint system
installation ..............................................112
Cleaning and maintaining
the seat belts ..................................... 302
Emergency Locking Retractor........ 61
How to wear your seat belt............. 58
How your child should wear
the seat belt .......................................... 62 Pregnant women,
proper seat belt use .......................... 61
Reminder light....................................... 391
Seat belt extenders...............................62
Seat belt pretensioners ..................... 60
Seat heaters ............................................280
Seating capacity....................................... 181
Seats
Adjustment ...................................... 49, 52
Adjustment precautions ............ 51, 54
Child seats/child restraint system installation .............................. 112
Cleaning .................................................. 301
Driver's seat position memory ...... 55
Flattening seatbacks ........................... 50
Head restraint .........................................57
Properly sitting in the seat................ 89
Seat heaters ......................................... 280
Service reminder indicators ............ 140
Shift lever Transmission.......................................... 135
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P..................................... 419
Shopping bag hooks ........................... 284
Side airbags ................................................. 91
Side marker lights
Replacing light bulbs ....................... 365
Switch........................................................ 148
Wattage ................................................... 441
Side mirror
Adjusting and folding ......................... 68
Mirror position memory ................... 55
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