engine LEXUS RX400H 2008 Owner's Manual

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RX400h_U
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle
Starting on a steep uphillFirmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driving.
■Starting the hybrid system
→ P. 1 3 1
■ Driving
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D. (→P. 135)
Release the parking brake. (→ P. 1 3 7 )
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently push the accel-
erator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
■ Stopping
With the shift lever in D, push the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
When the vehicle is stopped for an extended period of time, shift the
shift lever to P. (
→P. 1 3 5 )
■Parking the vehicle
With the shift lever in D, push the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. (→ P. 1 3 7 )
Shift the shift lever to P. (→ P. 135)
Turn the engine switch to stop the hybrid system.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your per-
son.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP1
STEP2
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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2-1. Driving procedures
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■Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability of the
correct fuel. (→P. 4 3 3 )
■For efficient use of the hybrid battery
●Put the shift lever into D when driving
In the N position, the gasoline engine operates but electricity cannot be gener-
ated. The hybrid battery (traction battery) will be discharged requiring unnec-
essary engine power to recharge.
●Drive your vehicle smoothly
Avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleration. Gradual acceleration and decel-
eration will make more effective use of the traction motor without having to use
gasoline engine power.
●Avoid repeated acceleration
Repeated acceleration consumes hybrid battery (traction battery) power,
resulting in poor acceleration. Battery power can be restored by driving with
the accelerator pedal slightly released.
●Put the shift lever into P when parking
In the N position, the hybrid battery (traction battery) does not recharge.
Leaving the shift lever in the N position for an extended period of the time may
discharge the hybrid battery. The vehicle cannot run if the hybrid battery is dis-
charged.
■Normal characteristics after turning off the hybrid system
Approximately five hours after the hybrid system is turned off, you may hear sound
coming from under the vehicle for several minutes. This is the sound of a fuel evapo-
ration leakage check and, it does not indicate a malfunction.
CAUTION
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the hybrid system
running. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
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CAUTION
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accelerator
pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal willresult in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident that could result in
death or serious injury.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a difficulty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle
only slightly, allowing you to depress the brake and accelerator pedals prop-
erly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, resulting in an acci-
dent.
●The driver should pay attention to pedestrians when the vehicle is powered only
by the electric motor (traction motor). Because there is no engine noise, the
pedestrians may misjudge the vehicle’s movement.
●Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
●Do not let the vehicle roll backwards while th e shift lever is in a driving position, or
roll forward while the shift lever is in R.
Doing so may cause the hybrid system to stall or lead to poor brake and steering
performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
●If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and check
that the back door is closed. Large amounts of exhaust in the vehicle can cause
driver drowsiness and an accident, resulting in death or a serious health hazard.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
●Do not under any circumstances shift the shift lever to P, R or N while the vehicle
is moving.
Doing so can cause significant damage to the transmission system and may result
in a loss of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the engine brake to not operate properly and lead to an
accident.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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CAUTION
■When driving the vehicle
●Use engine braking to maintain a safe speed when driving down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose effec-
tiveness. (→P. 1 3 5 )
●When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking brake to
prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing an accident.
●Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or outside
rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents that may
result in death or serious injury.
●Always check that all passengers' arms, heads or other parts of their bodies are
not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do
not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability
tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and
possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on
your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and reduce
your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
●Sudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by up-shifting
or down-shifting, may cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.
●After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make sure that
the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the brakes from
functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet and not functioning
properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in an accident.
■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.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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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
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■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
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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
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When driving
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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