tow 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.

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2
3
4
5
6
7
RX400h_U
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2-2. Instrument cluster..................... 138Gauges and meters ..................... 138
Indicators and warning lights ... 140
Multi-information display........... 143
Trip information display (without navigation
system)............................................ 146
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers ................... 148
Headlight switch ............................ 148
Fog light switch ................................ 151
Windshield wipers and washer............................................. 152
Rear window wiper and washer............................................. 155
Headlight cleaner switch ........... 156
2-4. Using other driving systems.... 157 Cruise control ................................ 157
Dynamic laser cruise control ... 160
Driving assist systems.................. 169
2-5. Driving information ................... 173 Utility vehicle precautions ......... 173
Cargo and luggage ...................... 178
Vehicle load limits .......................... 181
Winter driving tips ........................ 182
Trailer towing .................................. 187
Dinghy towing ................................ 196 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
3Interior features

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2
3
4
5
6
7
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

32
1-1. Hybrid system
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of injury.
●Pull your vehicle off the road, put the shift lever in P, apply the parking brake, turn
the hybrid system off and remove the key.
●Do not touch the high voltage parts, cables and connectors.
●If electric wires are exposed inside or outside your vehicle, an electric shock may
occur. Never touch exposed electric wires.
●If a fluid leak occurs, do not touch it as it may be strong alkaline electrolyte from
the hybrid battery (traction battery). If it comes into contact with your skin or
eyes, wash it off immediately with a large amount of water or if possible, boric
acid solution. Seek immediate medical attention.
●If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicle, leave the vehicle as soon as possible. Never
use a fire extinguisher that is not meant for electric fires. Using even a small
amount of water may be dangerous.
●If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with the front wheels (for 2WD models)
or four wheels (for AWD models) raised. If the wheels with the electric motor
(traction motor) are on the ground when towing, the motor may continue to gen-
erate electricity. This may cause an electricity leakage leading to a fire.(
→P. 3 7 8 )
■Nickel-metal hydride battery
Your vehicle contains a sealed nickel-metal hydride battery. If disposed of improp-
erly, it is hazardous to the environment and there is a risk of severe burns and elec-
trical shock that may result in death or serious injury.
■If the system activates
●Carefully check to see if there are exposed high voltage parts or cables. Never
touch the parts or cables. (
→P. 2 7 )
●Carefully inspect the ground under the vehicle. If you find that liquid has leaked
onto the ground, the fuel system may have been damaged. Leave the vehicle as
soon as possible.

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1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
RX400h_U
Rear seats
Folding down rear seatbacks■ Before folding down rear seatbacks
Stow the rear seat belt buckles.
Seat position lever
Seatback angle lever

54
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■Seat adjustment
●Do not recline the seat more than necessary when the vehicle is in motion to
reduce the risk of sliding under the lap belt. If the seat is too reclined, the lap belt
may slide past the hips and apply restraint forces directly to the abdomen or your
neck may contact the shoulder belt, increasing the risk of death or serious injury
in the event of an accident.
●Be careful not to get hands or feet pinched between the rear console box and the
rear seat when folding down the rear seatback.
■When returning the seatback to the upright position
Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so may result in death or serious
injury.
●Press forward and rearward on the top of the seatback.
●Check that the seat belts are not twisted or caught under the seat.
●Arrange the seat belts in the proper positions for ready use.
NOTICE
■Stowing the seatbelts
The seat belts and the buckles must be stowed before you fold down the rear
seatbacks.

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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.

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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.

98
1-8. Safety information
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the airbags.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
●The driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts properly.
The SRS airbags are supplemental devices to be used with the seat belts.
●The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force, and can cause death or
serious injury especially if the driver is very close to the airbag. The National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm) of inflation,
placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) from your driver airbag provides you with a
clear margin of safety. This distance is measured from the center of the steering
wheel to your breastbone. If you sit less than 10 in. (250 mm) away now, you can
change your driving position in several ways:
• Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the pedals com-fortably.
• Slightly recline the back of the seat. Although vehicle designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 10 in. (250 mm)
distance, even with the driver seat all the way forward, simply by reclining the
back of the seat somewhat. If reclining the back of your seat makes it hard to
see the road, raise yourself by using a firm, non-slippery cushion, or raise the
seat if your vehicle has that feature.
• If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward. This points the airbag toward your chest instead of your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by NHTSA above, while still main-
taining control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the instrument
panel controls.

100
1-8. Safety information
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
●Do not sit on the edge of the seat or lean
against the dashboard.
●Do not allow a child to stand in front of the
SRS front passenger airbag unit or sit on
the knees of a front passenger.
●Do not drive the vehicle while the driver or
passenger have items resting on their
knees.
●Do not lean against the door, the roof side
rail or the front, side and rear pillars.
●Do not allow anyone to kneel on the pas-
senger seat toward the door or put their
head or hands outside the vehicle.