sensor LEXUS RX400H 2008 Owners Manual

28
1-1. Hybrid system
RX400h_U■
Hybrid battery air vent
There is an air intake vent under
the rear seats to cooling the hybrid
battery (traction battery). If the
vent becomes blocked, the hybrid
battery may overheat, leading to a
reduction in hybrid battery output.
Emergency shut off system
The emergency shut off system blocks off the high voltage current and
stops the fuel pump to minimize the r isk of electrocution and fuel leakage
when a certain level of impact is detected by the impact sensor. If the
emergency shut off system activates, your vehicle will not restart. To
restart the hybrid system, contact your Lexus dealer.
Energy monitor/consumption screen
You can view the status of your hybr id system on the multi-information
display ( →P. 143) and the navigation system screen. The following
images are examples only, and may vary slightly from actual conditions.
■ Energy monitor
● How to display on the navigation system screen:
Press INFO.
Touch on the Information screen.
If the Consumption screen is displayed, touch .
● How to display on the multi-information display:
Push the button several times to select the energy moni-
tor display.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP1

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1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
RX400h_U
■If a warning light comes on or a warning message is displayed, or the 12-volt bat-
tery is disconnected
The hybrid system may not start. In that case, try to start the system again. If the
READY light does not come on, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Emergency shut off system
The emergency shut off system blocks off the high voltage current and stops the
fuel pump to minimize the risk of the electric leakage and the fuel leakage when a
certain level of impact is detected by the impact sensor. If the system activates, your
vehicle will not restart. To restart the hybrid system, contact a Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
■High voltage precautions
The vehicle has high voltage DC and AC systems as well as a system. DC and AC
high voltage is very dangerous and can cause severe burns and electric shock that
may result in death or serious injury.
●Never touch, disassemble, remove or replace the high voltage parts, cables and
their connectors.
●The hybrid system will become hot after starting as the system uses high voltage.
Be careful of both the high voltage and the high temperature, and always obey
the caution labels attached to the vehicle.
●Never try to open the service plug access hole located in the luggage compart-
ment. The service plug is used only when the vehicle is serviced and is subject to
high voltage.

63
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
1
Before driving
RX400h_U
CAUTION
●Do not recline the seat any more than necessary to achieve a proper seating
position. The seat belt is most effective when the occupants are sitting up straight
and well back in the seats.
●Do not wear the shoulder belt under your arm.
●Always wear your seat belt low and snug across your hips.
■Seat belt pretensioners
●Do not place anything, such as a cushion, on the front passenger's seat. Doing so
will disperse the passenger's weight, which prevents the sensor from detecting
the passenger's weight properly. As a result, the seat belt pretensioner for the
front passenger's seat may not activate in the event of a collision.
●If the pretensioner has activated, the seat belt becomes locked: it cannot be fur-
ther extended, nor will it return to the stowed position. The seat belt cannot be
used again and must be replaced at your Lexus dealer.
■Child restraint lock function belt
Do not allow children to play with the child restraint lock function belt.
■Seat belt damage and wear
●Do not damage the seat belts by allowing the belt, plate, or buckle to be jammed
in the door.
●Inspect the seat belt system periodically. Check for cuts, fraying, and loose parts.
Do not use a damaged seat belt until it is replaced. Damaged seat belts cannot
protect an occupant from death or serious injury.
●Ensure that the belt and tab are locked and the belt is not twisted.
If the seat belt does not function correctly, immediately contact your Lexus
dealer.

67
1
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
Before driving
RX400h_U
Anti-glare inside rear view mirror
■To prevent sensor error
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
Do not adjust the position of the mirror while driving.
Doing so may lead to mishandling of the vehicle and an accident, resulting in death
or serious injury.
In automatic mode, sensors are used to detect the headlights of vehicles
behind and automatically reduces the reflected light.
To turn automatic mode on/
off, press and hold the switch
for 3 seconds.
The indicator comes on when
automatic mode is turned on.
The anti-glare mirror default
mode is automatic mode. The
anti-glare mirror is automati-
cally set to automatic mode
whenever the engine switch is in
the ON position.
To ensure that the sensors operate properly,
do not touch or cover them.

92
1-8. Safety information
RX400h_U
Airbag system componentsYour vehicle is equipped with ADVANCED AIRBAGS designed based
on US motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS208). The airbag system
controls airbag deployment power for the driver and front passenger. The
driver airbag system consists of the driver seat’s position sensor etc. The
front passenger’s airbag system consists of the front passenger occupant
classification sensor etc.
The main SRS airbag system components are shown above. The SRS
airbag system is controlled by the airbag sensor assembly. The airbag
sensor assembly consists of a sa fing sensor and an airbag sensor.
Front passenger airbag
Curtain shield airbags
Side airbags
Occupant detection system
(ECU and sensors)
AIR BAG ON and AIR BAG
OFF indicator lights
SRS warning light
Driver airbag
Curtain shield airbag sensors
Side and curtain shield airbag
sensors
Driver's seat belt buckle switch
Driver's seat position sensor
Driver knee airbag
Airbag sensor assembly
Front airbag sensors
Front passenger’s seat belt
buckle switch

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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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1-8. Safety information
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
●If breathing becomes difficult after the SRS airbag has deployed, open a door or
window to allow fresh air in, or leave the vehicle if it is safe to do so. Wash off any
residue as soon as possible to prevent skin irritation.
●If the areas where the SRS airbags are stored, such as the steering wheel pad and
front pillar garnish, are damaged or cracked, have them replaced by your Lexus
dealer.
●Do not place anything, such as a cushion, on the front passenger's seat. Doing so
will disperse the passenger's weight, which prevents the sensor from detecting
the passenger's weight properly. As a result, the SRS front passenger airbag may
not deploy in the event of a collision.
■Modification and disposal of SRS airbag system components
Do not dispose of your vehicle or perform any of the following modifications with-
out consulting your Lexus dealer.
The SRS airbag may malfunction or deploy (inflate) accidentally, causing death or
serious injury.
●Installation, removal, disassembly and repair of the SRS airbags
●Repairs, modifications, removal or replacement of the steering wheel, instrument
panel, dashboard, seats or seat upholstery, front, side and rear pillars or roof side
rails
●Repairs or modifications of the front fender, front bumper, or side of the occupant
compartment
●Installation of snow plows, winches, etc. to the front grille (bull bars, kangaroo bar
etc.)
●Modifications to the vehicle's suspension system
●Installation of electronic devices such as mobile two-way radios or CD players
●Modifications to your vehicle for a person with a physical disability.

149
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
RX400h_U
AFS (vehicles with discharge headlights)AFS (Adaptive Front Lighting System) improves visibility at intersections
and on curves by automatically adjusting the direction light axis of the
headlights according to vehicle speed and the degree of the tire angle
that are controlled by steering input.
Operates at speeds of 18 mph (30 km/h) or higher.
■ Deactivating AFS
Turn the switch OFF to deactivate
AFS.
OFF
ON
■Daytime running light system
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights turn on automati-
cally (at a reduced intensity) whenever the hybrid system is started and the parking
brake is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.
■Headlight control sensor
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the wind-
shield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detecting
the level of ambient light and may cause the
automatic headlight control system to mal-
function.

150
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
RX400h_U
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights come on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds
after all doors are closed with the engine switch turned to the ACC or LOCK
position. (The light turns off immediately if the LOCK button on the key is pressed
after all doors are locked.)
●When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automatically with the
engine switch turned to the ACC or LOCK position and the driver’s door is
opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to the ON position, or turn the
light switch OFF once and then back to the
or position.
■Automatic headlight leveling system (vehicles with discharge headlights)
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number of
passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do
not interfere with other road users.
■If the indicator flashes... (veh icles with discharge headlights)
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Customization that can be configured at Lexus dealer
Setting (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed. (Customizable features
→ P. 4 5 8 )
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is off.

153
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
RX400h_U
■The windshield wiper and washer can be operated when
The engine switch must be in the ON position.
■Effects of vehicle speed on wiper operation (vehicles with the rain-sensing wind-
shield wipers)
When low speed wiper operation is selected, wiper operation will be switched from
low speed to intermittent wiper operation when the vehicle is stationary.
(However, the mode will not be switched when the adjustment dial for the auto-
matic wiper control sensitivity is set to high.)
■Rain-sensing windshield wipers (if equipped)
With AUTO selected, the wipers will operate automatically when
the sensor detects falling rain. The system automatically adjusts
wiper timing in accordance with rain volume.
Sensor sensitivity (high)
Sensor sensitivity (low)
Rain-sensing wiper operation
Low speed wiper operation
High speed wiper operation
Temporary operation
Washer/wiper dual operation
Wipers will automatically oper-
ate a couple of times after the
washer squirts.