warning LEXUS RX400H 2008 User Guide

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1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
RX400h_UIn certain types of severe frontal or side impacts, the SRS airbag system
triggers the airbag inflators. A chemical reaction in the inflators quickly
fills the airbags with non-toxic gas to help restrain the motion of the occu-
pants.
■SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sensors,
side and curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies, curtain shield airbag sensor
assemblies, driver's seat position sensor, driver's seat belt buckle switch, front pas-
senger occupant classification system, AIR BAG ON indicator light, AIR BAG
OFF indicator light, front passenger's seat belt buckle switch, front seat belt
pretensioner assemblies, inflators, interconnecting wiring and power sources.
(
→ P. 3 8 9 )
■If the SRS airbags deploy (inflate)
●Bruising and slight abrasions may result from contact with a deploying (inflating)
SRS airbag.
●A loud noise and white powder will be emitted.
●Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub, airbag cover and inflator) as well
as the front seats, and parts of the front pillar and roof side rail, may be hot for sev-
eral minutes. The airbag itself may also be hot.
●The front windshield may crack.
■Operating conditions (front airbags)
●The SRS front airbags will deploy if the severity of the frontal impact is above the
designed threshold level, comparable to an approximate 15 mph (25 km/h) colli-
sion when the vehicle impacts straight into a fixed barrier that does not move or
deform.
However, this threshold velocity will be considerably higher if the vehicle strikes
an object, such as a parked vehicle or sign pole, which can move or deform on
impact, or if the vehicle is involved in an underride collision (e.g. a collision in
which the front of the vehicle “underrides”, or goes under, the bed of a truck, etc.).
●It is possible that in some collisions where the forward deceleration of the vehicle
is very close to the designed threshold level, the SRS front airbags and the seat
belt pretensioners may not activate together.

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1
1-8. Safety information
Before driving
RX400h_U
Front passenger occupant classification system
Condition and operation in the front passenger occupant classification system
■Adult*1
Indicator/
warning light AIR BAG ON and AIR BAG OFF
indicator lights AIR BAG ON
SRS warning light Off
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light Flashing
*2
DevicesFront passenger airbag
Activated
Side airbag on the front passenger seat
Curtain shield airbag
in the front passenger side
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner
Your vehicle is equipped with a front passenger occupant classification sys-
tem. This system detects the conditions of the front passenger seat and
activates or deactivates the devices for front passenger.
SRS warning light
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light
AIR BAG OFF indicator light
AIR BAG ON indicator light

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1-8. Safety information
RX400h_U■
Child
*3 or child restraint system*4
■Unoccupied
Indicator/
warning light AIR BAG ON and AIR BAG OFF
indicator lights AIR BAG
OFF*5
SRS warning light Off
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light Flashing
*2
DevicesFront passenger airbag
Deactivated
Side airbag on the front passenger seat
Curtain shield airbag
in the front passenger side Activated
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner
Indicator/
warning light AIR BAG ON and AIR BAG OFF
indicator lights Not illumi-
nated
SRS warning light Off
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light
Devices Front passenger airbag
Deactivated
Side airbag on the front passenger seat
Curtain shield airbag
in the front passenger side Activated
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner Deactivated

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1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
RX400h_U■
There is a malfunction in the system
*1: The system judges a person of adult size as an adult. When a smaller adult sits in the front passenger seat, the system may recognize him/
her as a child depending on his/her physique and posture.
*2: In the event the front passenger does not wear a seat belt.
*3: When a larger child who has outgrown a child restraint system sits in the front passenger seat, the system may recognize him/her as an
adult depending on his/her physique or posture.
*4: Never install a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passen- ger seat. A forward-facing child restraint system should only be
installed on the front passenger seat when it is unavoidable.
(→ P. 1 0 8 )
*5: In case the indicator is not illuminated, consult this manual as for installing the child restraint system properly. ( →P. 112)
Indicator/
warning light AIR BAG ON and AIR BAG OFF
indicator lights AIR BAG OFF
SRS warning light On
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light Off
Devices Front passenger airbag
Deactivated
Side airbag on the front passenger seat
Curtain shield airbag
in the front passenger side Activated
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner

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1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■Front passenger occupant classification system precautions
●If an adult sits in the front passenger seat, the AIR BAG ON indicator light is illu-
minated. If the AIR BAG OFF indicator is illuminated, ask the passenger to sit up
straight, well back in the seat, feet on the floor, and with the seat belt worn cor-
rectly. If the AIR BAG OFF indicator still remain illuminated, either ask the pas-
senger to move to the rear seat, or if that is not possible, move the front passenger
seat fully rearward.
●When it is unavoidable to install the forward-facing child restraint system on the
front passenger seat, install the child restraint system on the front passenger seat
in the proper order. (→P. 1 1 2 )
●Do not modify or remove the seat.
●Do not kick the front passenger seat or subject it to severe impact. Otherwise,
the SRS warning light may come on to indicate a malfunction of the detection sys-
tem. In this case, contact your Lexus dealer immediately.
●Child restraint systems installed on the rear seat should not contact the front
seatbacks.

When driving2
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RX400h_U
2-1. Driving procedures ........ 122Driving the vehicle.................. 122
Engine (ignition) switch .......... 131
Transmission.............................. 135
Turn signal lever ....................... 136
Parking brake ........................... 137
2-2. Instrument cluster ......... 138 Gauges and meters ................ 138
Indicators and warning lights ......................................... 140
Multi-information display ..... 143
Trip information display (without navigation
system)..................................... 146
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers........ 148
Headlight switch...................... 148
Fog light switch ......................... 151
Windshield wipers and washer ..................................... 152
Rear window wiper and washer ..................................... 155
Headlight cleaner switch...... 156 2-4. Using other driving
systems .......................... 157
Cruise control........................... 157
Dynamic laser cruise control ..................................... 160
Driving assist systems ............. 169
2-5. Driving information........ 173 Utility vehicle precautions ............................ 173
Cargo and luggage ................ 178
Vehicle load limits .................... 181
Winter driving tips .................. 182
Trailer towing ........................... 187
Dinghy towing.......................... 196

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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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2-2. Instrument cluster
RX400h_U
Indicators and warning lights
The indicator and warning lights on the instrument cluster and center
panel inform the driver of the status of the vehicle’s various systems.
Instrument cluster
The units used on the speedometer and the power meter gauge display may
differ depending on the model/type.

Center panel

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2-2. Instrument cluster
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should a safety system light such as ABS and the SRS airbag warning light not
come on when you start the hybrid system, this could mean that these systems are
not available to help protect you in an accident, which could result in death or seri-
ous injury. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately if this
occurs.
■Warning lights
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in any of the vehi-
cle's systems.
*: These lights turn on when the engine switch is turned to the ON position
to indicate that a system check is being performed. They will turn off
after the hybrid system is started, or after a few seconds. There may be a
malfunction in a system if a light does not come on, or if the lights do not
turn off. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
(U.S.A.)(Canada)(U.S.A.)(Canada)(U.S.A.)(Canada)
********
*****

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2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
RX400h_U
Multi-information display
The multi-information display presents the driver with a variety of driving
related data, including the status of the hybrid system.
●Odometer and trip meter
display
Odometer displays the total
distance the vehicle has been
driven.
Trip meter displays the dis-
tance the vehicle has been
driven since the meter was
last reset. Trip meters A and B
can be used to record and
display different distances
independently.
● Energy monitor (
→P. 2 8 )
Displays the status of the
hybrid system.
● Dynamic laser cruise control
display (if equipped)
(
→P. 1 6 0 )
Automatically displayed
when using dynamic laser
cruise control.
● Warning messages
(
→P. 398)
Automatically displayed
when a malfunction occurs in
one of the vehicle's systems.