power steering LEXUS RX400H 2008 Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
RX400h_U
2
1-1. Hybrid system ............................... 24Hybrid system................................... 24
1-2. Key information ........................... 34 Keys ...................................................... 34
1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors...................................... 36
Wireless remote control .............. 36
Side doors .......................................... 39
Back door ........................................... 44
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors,
steering wheel) .......................... 49
Front seats .......................................... 49
Rear seats ........................................... 52
Driving position memory ............. 55
Head restraints................................. 57
Seat belts ........................................... 58
Steering wheel (manually adjustable type) ....... 65
Steering wheel (power-adjustable type)............ 66
Anti-glare inside rear view mirror ................................................ 67
Outside rear view mirrors ........... 68
Roof luggage carrier ..................... 70 1-5. Opening and closing the
windows and moon roof .......... 72
Power windows................................ 72
Moon roof .......................................... 75
1-6. Refueling ........................................ 78 Opening the fuel tank cap........... 78
1-7. Theft deterrent system.............. 83 Hybrid vehicle immobilizer system ............................................... 83
Alarm................................................... 85
Theft prevention labels (U.S.A.) ............................................ 88
1-8. Safety information ...................... 89 Correct driving posture ............... 89
SRS airbags ........................................ 91
Front passenger occupant classification system .................. 103
Child restraint systems ............... 108
Installing child restraints ............... 112
2-1. Driving procedures................... 122 Driving the vehicle ........................ 122
Engine (ignition) switch ................ 131
Transmission ................................... 135
Turn signal lever............................. 136
Parking brake ................................. 137
1Before driving
2When driving

14
Pictorial indexInstrument panel
Headlight switch Turn signal lever Fog light switch P. 148
P. 136
P. 151
Power back door main switch ∗ P. 45
Tilt steering lock release lever ∗ P. 65
Tilt and telescopic steering control switch ∗ P. 66
Parking brake pedal P. 137
Tire pressure warning reset switch P. 332
Hood release lever P. 313
Gauges and meters P. 138
Audio remote control switches P. 231
Glove box P. 265
Tire pressure warning select switch P. 335
Engine (ignition) switch P. 131

Before driving1
23
RX400h_U
1-1. Hybrid system .................. 24Hybrid system ............................ 24
1-2. Key information ............... 34 Keys ............................................... 34
1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors ........... 36
Wireless remote control ......... 36
Side doors.................................... 39
Back door .................................... 44
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors,
steering wheel) .............. 49
Front seats ................................... 49
Rear seats .................................... 52
Driving position memory ........ 55
Head restraints .......................... 57
Seat belts .................................... 58
Steering wheel (manually adjustable type) ...................... 65
Steering wheel (power-adjustable type) ....... 66
Anti-glare inside rear view mirror ......................................... 67
Outside rear view mirrors ...... 68
Roof luggage carrier................ 70 1-5. Opening and closing the
windows and
moon roof ........................ 72
Power windows .......................... 72
Moon roof ................................... 75
1-6. Refueling .......................... 78 Opening the fuel tank cap ..... 78
1-7. Theft deterrent system ... 83 Hybrid vehicle immobilizer system ........................................ 83
Alarm............................................ 85
Theft prevention labels (U.S.A.)...................................... 88
1-8. Safety information........... 89 Correct driving posture ......... 89
SRS airbags ................................. 91
Front passenger occupant classification system............ 103
Child restraint systems ......... 108
Installing child restraints........ 112

56
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
RX400h_U
■Retained accessory power
Memorized positions (except for the steering wheel positions) can be activated up
to 30 seconds after the driver's door is opened, even if the key is removed from the
engine switch.
■If any position memory button is push ed while the adjustments are being mode
The operation will stop. To reactivate the system, push the desired button (1 or 2)
again.
■If the battery is disconnected
The memorized are erased when the battery is disconnected.
CAUTION
■Seat adjustment caution
Take care during seat adjustment that the seat does not strike the rear passenger or
squeeze your body against the steering wheel.

66
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
RX400h_U
Steering wheel (power-adjustable type)
Auto tilt awayWhen the key is removed from the
engine switch, the steering wheel
returns to its stowed position by
moving up and away to enable
easier driver entry and exit.
Inserting the key into the engine
switch returns the steering wheel
to its original position.
The steering wheel can be adjusted to a comfortable position.
Up
Down
Away from the driver
Toward the driver
■Customization that can be configured at Lexus dealer
Setting of the auto tilt-away function can be disabled. (Customizable features
→P. 4 5 8 )
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
Doing so may cause the driver to mishandle the vehicle and an accident, resulting in
death or serious injury.

93
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.

125
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
RX400h_U
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.

129
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
RX400h_U
NOTICE
■While driving the vehicle
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress accelerator and brake pedals together
to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■When parking the vehicle
Always put the shift lever in P.
Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate sud-
denly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a long
time.
Doing so may damage the power steering pump.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indicators)
Have your Lexus dealer check and replace the brake pads as soon as possible.
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads and/or
that of the brake discs are exceeded.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
●The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( →P. 4 1 2 )

169
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
RX400h_U
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be aware,
however, that these systems are supplementary and should not be relied
upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.
■ ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces.
■Traction Control
Maintains drive power and prevents the front wheels (2WD models) or all
wheels (AWD models) from spinning wh en starting the vehicle or acceler-
ating on slippery roads.
■ EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel.
■VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the ABS, brake assist, VSC, traction control
and EPS systems.
Maintains vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road surfaces by
controlling the brakes, engine output, and the movement of the front
wheels.

Interior features3
197
RX400h_U
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger ... 198
Automatic air conditioning system............. 198
Rear window and outside rear view mirror defoggers,
and windshield wiper
de-icer ................................... 204
3-2. Using the front audio system ........................... 205
Audio system type................. 205
Using the radio........................ 207
Using the CD player .............. 214
Playing back MP3 and
WMA discs........................... 220
Optimal use of the audio system .................................... 228
Using the steering wheel audio switches ....................... 231
3-3. Using the rear audio system ........................... 233
Rear seat entertainment system features ................... 233
Using the DVD player
(DVD video) .......................... 239
Using the DVD player (video CD) ............................. 246
Using the DVD player (audio CD/ CD text) .......... 248
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