maintenance LEXUS RX400H 2008 Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
RX400h_U
1
1Before drivingAdjusting and operating features such as door locks, mir-
rors, and steering column.
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information.
3Interior featuresAir conditioning and audio systems, as well as other interior
features for a comfortable driving experience.
4Maintenance
and careCleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-your-
self maintenance, and maintenance information.
5When trouble
arisesWhat to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat tire,
or is involved in an accident.
6Ve h i c l e
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners and seat belt in-
structions for Canadian owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this manual.

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
RX400h_U
4
Using the DVD player (MP3 discs) ................................. 249
Using the video mode ................. 251
Changing the initial setting ...... 253
3-4. Using the interior lights .......... 260 Interior lights list........................... 260
• Interior lights ............................... 263
• Personal lights ............................ 264
3-5. Using the storage features .... 265 List of storage features............... 265
• Glove box..................................... 265
• Console boxes ........................... 266
• Coin holder................................. 268
• Overhead console.................... 269
• Cup holders................................. 269
• Door pockets ............................... 271
3-6. Other interior features........... 272 Sun visors......................................... 272
Vanity mirror .................................. 273
Clock ................................................. 274
Outside temperature display ............................................ 275
Multi-display light control ......... 276
Power outlets ................................. 277
Seat heaters ................................... 280
Armrest ............................................ 282
Floor mat......................................... 283
Luggage compartment features......................................... 284
Garage door opener.................. 287
Compass.......................................... 292 4-1. Maintenance and care............ 298
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior ......................... 298
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior............................. 301
4-2. Maintenance............................. 304 Maintenance requirements .... 304
General maintenance ............... 306
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ..................................... 309
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance ... 310 Do-it-yourself service precautions ................................... 310
Hood................................................... 313
Positioning a floor jack................ 314
Engine compartment................... 316
Tires .................................................... 331
Tire inflation pressure................ 340
Wheels.............................................. 344
Air conditioning filter.................. 346
Wireless remote control battery ........................................... 348
Rear seat entertainment system controller...................... 350
Checking and replacing fuses ................................................ 352
4Maintenance and care

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
RX400h_U
5
Headlight aim (vehicles with discharge
headlights).................................... 364
Light bulbs ....................................... 365
5-1. Essential information .............. 378 If your vehicle needs to be towed.............................................. 378
If you think something is wrong ............................................ 385
Event data recorder................... 386
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency .............................. 388
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ....................................... 388
If a warning message is displayed...................................... 398
If you have a flat tire.................... 408
If the hybrid system will not start........................................... 418
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ............................... 419
If you lose your keys .................... 420
If the 12-volt battery is discharged .................................... 421
If your vehicle overheats ........... 424
If the vehicle becomes stuck ... 427 6-1. Specifications............................ 430
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.).................... 430
Fuel information............................ 442
Tire section names....................... 445
6-2. Customization .......................... 458 Customizable features ............. 458
6-3. Initialization ............................... 462 Items to initialize ........................... 462
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners........................... 464
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) .................................... 465
Abbreviation list .................................. 470
Alphabetical index.............................. 472
What to do if... ...................................... 482
5When trouble arises
6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

26
1-1. Hybrid system
RX400h_U
■After the 12-volt battery has discharged or has been changed or removed
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is running on the hybrid battery
(traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is able to
move. Always put the shift lever in P when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is operating,
and are not a malfunction.
●Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
●Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) behind the rear
seat when the hybrid system starts or stops.
●Sounds may be heard from the transmission when the hybrid system starts or
stops, or while the vehicle is idling.
●Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
●Sounds may be heard from the regenerative brake when you press the brake
pedal.
●Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
●You may hear cooling fan sounds coming from the air intake vents under the
rear seat.
■Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Lexus dealer regarding maintenance, repair, recycling and disposal.
Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.

83
1
Before driving
RX400h_U
1-7. Theft deterrent system
Hybrid vehicle immobilizer system
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type of immobilizer system.
■Conditions that may cause the system to malfunction
●If the grip portion of the key is in contact with a metallic object
●If the key is in close proximity to or touching a key to the security system (key with
a built-in transponder chip) of another vehicle
The vehicle's keys have built-in transponder chips that prevent the hybrid
system from starting if the key has not been previously registered in the
vehicle's on-board computer.
Never leave the keys inside the vehicle when you leave the vehicle.
The indicator light flashes after
the key has been removed from
the engine switch to indicate
that the system is operating.

177
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX400h_U
NOTICE
■When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check the
depth of the water and the bottom of the river bed for firmness. Drive slowly and
avoid deep water.
■Inspection after off-road driving
●Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums and around brake discs may
affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system components.
●Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driving that
has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For scheduled mainte-
nance information, refer to the “Warranty and Services Guide/Owner’s Manual
Supplement/Scheduled Maintenance”.

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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX400h_U
■Break-in schedule
Lexus recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new
power train components (engine, transmission, differential, wheel bearings, etc.) to
tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of driving.
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. (See “Warranty and Services Guide/ Owner's Manual Sup-
plement/ Scheduled Maintenance”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately 600
miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
CAUTION
■To avoid accident or injury
●The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus the weight of cargo) must not exceed
the following.
Without towing package: 2000 lb. (907 kg)
With towing package: 3500 lb. (1588 kg)
●If a trailer and cargo weigh over 2000 lb. (907 kg), use a sway control device
with sufficient capacity.
●The gross combined weight (sum of your vehicle weight plus its load and the total
trailer weight) must not exceed the following.
Without towing package: 7265 lb. (3295 kg)
With towing package: 8765 lb. (3976 kg)
●Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
●Never load more weight in the back than in the front of the trailer. About 60% of
the load should be in the front half of the trailer, and the remaining 40% in the
rear.
●The tow hitch receiver installed on your vehicle must never be used on another
vehicle.

Maintenance and care4
297
RX400h_U
4-1. Maintenance and care ............................... 298
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior............ 298
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ............... 301
4-2. Maintenance .................. 304 Maintenance requirements ....................... 304
General maintenance .......... 306
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs............................... 309 4-3. Do-it-yourself
maintenance ................. 310
Do-it-yourself service precautions ............................ 310
Hood ........................................... 313
Positioning a floor jack .......... 314
Engine compartment ............ 316
Tires............................................. 331
Tire inflation pressure........... 340
Wheels ...................................... 344
Air conditioning filter ........... 346
Wireless remote control battery .................................... 348
Rear seat entertainment system controller ................ 350
Checking and replacing fuses ........................................ 352
Headlight aim (vehicles with discharge
headlights) ............................ 364
Light bulbs................................ 365

298
RX400h_U
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
■Automatic car washes
●Before washing the vehicle:
• Fold the mirrors back.
• Remove the antenna.
• Turn the power back door system off.
●Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface and harm
your vehicle’s paint.
■High pressure car washes
●Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity of the
windows.
●Before car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is closed properly.
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime condi-
tion.
●Working from top to bottom, liberally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any dirt
and dust.
Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thor-
oughly with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.

299
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
RX400h_U
■Aluminum wheels
Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use hard brushes
or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical cleaners. Use the same
mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
■Bumpers and side moldings
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
■To prevent deterioration and corrosion
●Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If you see coal tar or tree sap on the paint surface
• If you see dead insects or insect droppings on the paint
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust, ironpowder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled in dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
●If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
CAUTION
■Caution about the exhaust pipe
Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipe to become quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe until it has cooled suffi-
ciently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns.