oil LEXUS RX400H 2008 Owners Manual

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RX400h_U
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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

130
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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2-5. Driving information
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of serious personal
injury or damage to your vehicle:
●Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving in
dangerous places.
●Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump could
jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and especially your
thumbs on the outside of the rim.
●Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in sand,
mud, water or snow.
●After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc., check that there is no
grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped on the underbody.
Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the vehicle is used with these
materials trapped or adhering to the underbody, a breakdown or fire could occur.
●When driving off-road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive speeds,
jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or vehi-
cle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also risking expensive dam-
age to your vehicle’s suspension and chassis.
NOTICE
■To prevent the water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the hybrid bat-
tery, hybrid system or other components does not occur.
●Water entering the engine compartment may cause severe damage to the hybrid
system. Water entering the interior may cause the hybrid battery stowed under
the rear seats to short circuit.
●Water entering the hybrid transaxle will cause deterioration in transmission qual-
ity. The malfunction indicator may come on, and the vehicle may not be drivable.
●Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and premature
failure, and may also enter the transaxle case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating
qualities.

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2-5. Driving information
RX400h_U
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving the
vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate to the
prevailing weather conditions.
■Pre-winter preparations
● Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures.
• Engine oil
• Engine/power control unit coolant
• Washer fluid
• Have a service technician inspect the level and specific gravity
of battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of
tire chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.
●Tire pressure falls in winter as the outside temperature falls. Add
2.9 to 4.3 psi (20 to 30 kPa, 0.2 to 0.3 kgf/cm2 or bar) to the
standard tire inflation pressure.

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3-2. Using the front audio system
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Interior features
RX400h_U
NOTICE
■CD player precautions
Failure to follow the precautions below may result in serious damage to the CDs or
the player itself.
●Do not insert anything other than CDs into the CD slot.
●Do not apply oil to the CD player.
●Store CDs away from direct sunlight.
●Never try to disassemble any part of the CD player.
●Do not insert more than one CD at a time.

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3-2. Using the front audio system
3
Interior features
RX400h_U
NOTICE
■CD player precautions
Failure to follow the precautions below may result in damage to the CDs or the
player itself.
●Do not insert anything other than CDs into the CD slot.
●Do not apply oil to the CD player.
●Store CDs away from direct sunlight.
●Never try to disassemble any part of the CD player.
●Do not insert more than one CD at a time.

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3-3. Using the rear audio system
3
Interior features
RX400h_U
Turning on or off the operation switchesPress or to turn on the operation switches.
Press or once again or select to turn off the opera-
tion switches.
Turning on the title selection screenPress or select to turn on the title selection screen. For the
operation of the title selection screen, see the separate manual for the
DVD disc.
Turning on the menu screenPress or select to turn on the menu screen. For the opera-
tion of the menu screen, see the separate manual for the DVD disc.
NOTICE
■Cleaning the display
Wipe the display with a dry soft cloth.
If the screen is wiped with a rough cloth, the surface of the screen may be
scratched.
■To prevent damage to the remote control
●Keep the remote control away from direct sunlight, temperature heat and high
humidity.
●Do not drop or knock the remote control against hard objects.
●Do not sit on or place heavy objects on the remote control.
■DVD player
Never try to disassemble or oil any part of the DVD player. Do not insert anything
other than a disc into the slot.

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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.

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4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
RX400h_U
■Allow inspection and repairs to be performed by a Lexus dealer
●Lexus technicians are well-trained specialists and are kept up to date with the lat-
est service information. They are well informed about the operations of all sys-
tems on your vehicle.
●Keep a copy of the repair order. It proves that the maintenance that has been per-
formed is under warranty coverage. If any problem should arise while your vehi-
cle is under warranty, your Lexus dealer will promptly take care of it.
CAUTION
■Warning in handling of battery
●Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile com-
ponents contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause can-
cer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a well ventilated area.
●Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by compo-
nent wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Avoid exposure and wash
any affected area immediately.
●Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands after han-
dling. (→P. 3 2 7 )

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4-2. Maintenance
RX400h_U
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
12-volt batteryMaintenance-free. (→P. 3 2 7 )
Brake fluidAt the correct level? ( →P. 3 2 5 )
Engine/power control unit coolantAt the correct level? ( →P. 3 2 3 )
Engine oilAt the correct level? ( →P. 3 1 8 )
Exhaust systemNo fumes or strange sounds?
Radiator/condenser/hosesNot blocked with foreign matter?
(→ P. 3 2 5 )
Wa s h e r f l u i dAt the correct level? ( →P. 3 2 9 )
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be performed
at the intervals specified in the “Warranty and Services Guide” or
“Owner’s Manual Supplement”. It is recommended that any problem you
notice should be brought to the attent ion of your Lexus dealer or qualified
service shop for advice.