LEXUS RX450h 2015 Owner's Guide

311-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
Vehicle Proximity Notification System
When the gasoline engine is off wh ile driving, a sound is produced to
warn pedestrians, people riding bicy cles or other people and vehicles in
the surrounding area that the vehicle is approa ching. The pitch of the
sound adjusts according to vehicle speed. When vehicle speed is approx-
imately 12 mph (20 km/h) or mo re, the warning system turns off.■ When stopped/during start-off
The gasoline engine stops when the vehicle is stopped. During start-
off, the electric motor (traction mo tor) drives the vehicle. At slow
speeds or when traveling down a ge ntle slope, the engine is stopped
and the motor is used.
■ During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predomina ntly used. The electric motor
(traction motor) charges the hybrid battery as necessary.
■ When accelerating sharply
The power of the hybrid battery (tract ion battery) is added to that of
the gasoline engine via the electric motor (traction motor).
■ When braking (regenerative braking)
The electric motor (traction moto r) charges the hybrid battery
(traction battery).

321-1. Hybrid system
■
Regenerative braking
In the following situations, kinetic energy is converted to electric energy and decel-
eration force can be obtained in conjunction with the recharging of the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery). ●
The accelerator pedal is released. ●
The brake pedal is depressed with the shift lever in D or S.■
Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. However, it may not stop auto-
matically in the following conditions: ●
During gasoline engine warm-up●
During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging●
When the temperature of the hybrid batt ery (traction battery) is high or low●
When the heater is switched on■
Charging the hybrid battery (traction battery) ●
As the gasoline engine charges the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery
does not need to be charged from an outside source. However, if the vehicle is
left parked for a long time the hybrid ba ttery will slowly discharge. For this rea-
son, be sure to drive the vehicle at least once every few months for at least 30
minutes. If the hybrid battery becomes fully discharged and you are unable to
jump-start the vehicle with the 12-volt battery, contact your Lexus dealer. ●
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be charged.
Always put the shift lever in P when the vehicle is stopped. When driving in
heavy traffic, operate the vehicle with the shift lever in D or S to avoid discharg-
ing the battery.■
After the 12-volt battery has discharged or has been changed or removed
The gasoline engine may not st op even if the vehicle is running on the hybrid battery
(traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact your Lexus dealer.

331-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving ■
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 shift the shift lever to P when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may o ccur when the hybrid system is operating,
and are not a malfunction: ●
Motor sounds may be heard fr om the engine compartment.●
Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) under the rear
seat when the hybrid system starts or stops.●
Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the back door is open.●
Sounds may be heard from the hybrid transmission when the engine is started
or stopped, or while the engine is idling.●
Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.●
Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake pedal is
depressed and accelerator is loosened.●
Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.●
Cooling fan sounds may be heard from th e air intake vents un der the rear seat.■
Vehicle Proximity Notification System
In the following cases, the Vehicle Proximit y Notification System sound may be diffi-
cult for pedestrians, people riding bicycles or other peop le and vehicles in the sur-
rounding area to hear: ●
When there is a lot of noise in the vicinity ●
When it is raining or during strong winds●
When in the area surrounding the rear of the vehicle, rather than in front of the
vehicle■
Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Lexus dealer regarding main tenance, repair, recycling and disposal.
Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.

341-1. Hybrid system
Hybrid system precautions Take care when handling the hybrid sy stem, as it contains a high voltage
system (about 650 V at maximum) as well as parts that become extremely
hot when the hybrid system is operat ing. Obey the caution labels attached
to the vehicle.
*: AWD models only Air conditioning compressor
High voltage cables (orange)
Power control unit with DC/
DC converter
Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) Rear electric motor (traction
motor)*
Service plug
Front electric motor (traction
motor)
Caution label

351-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving Hybrid battery air vents
There are air intake vents under
the rear seats for the purpose of
cooling the hybrid battery (traction
battery). If the vents become
blocked, the hybrid battery may
overheat, leading to a reduction in
hybrid battery output.
Emergency shut off system
When a certain level of impact is detected by the impact sensor, the
emergency shut off system blocks off the high voltage current and stops
the fuel pump to minimize the risk of electrocution and fuel leakage. If the
emergency shut off system activates, your vehicle will not restart. To
restart the hybrid system, contact your Lexus dealer.
Hybrid warning message
A message is automatically displayed when a malfunction occurs in the
hybrid system or an impr oper operation is attempted.
If a warning message is shown on
the multi-information display, read
the message and follow the
instructions. ( 
P. 743)

361-1. Hybrid system
■
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 ca se, try to start the system again. If the
“READY” indicator does not come on, contact your Lexus dealer.■
When refueling, the fuel filler door may take a few moments to open
As part of emission system operation, it ma y take up to 10 seconds for the fuel filler
door to automatically release after the opener switch is pressed. Before refueling is
possible, a message will be shown on the multi-information display. (  P. 119, 755)■
Electromagnetic waves ●
High voltage parts and cables on the hybrid vehicles incorporate electromag-
netic shielding, and theref ore emit approximately the same amount of electro-
magnetic waves as conventional gasoline powered vehicles or home electronic
appliances.●
Your vehicle may cause sound interference in some third party-produced radio
parts.■
Running out of fuel
When the vehicle has run out of fuel and th e hybrid system cannot be started, refuel
the vehicle with at least enough gasoline to make the low fuel level warning light
(  P. 733) go off. If there is only a small amount of fuel, the hybrid system may not
be able to start. (The minimum amount of fuel to add to make the low fuel level
warning light go out is about 2.7 gal. [10.1 L, 2.2 Imp. gal.] when the vehicle is on a
level surface. This value may vary when the vehicle is on a slope.)■
Hybrid battery (traction battery)
The hybrid battery (traction battery) has a limited service life. The lifespan of the
hybrid battery (traction battery) can chan ge in accordance with driving style and
driving conditions.

371-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving CAUTION■
High voltage and high temperature precautions
The vehicle has high voltage DC and AC systems as well as a 12-volt 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 re place 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.
■
Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of death or serious injury:●
Pull your vehicle off the road, shift the shif t lever to P, apply the parking brake, and
turn the hybrid system off.●
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, le ave 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. ●
Never try to open the service plug access
hole located under the rear seat. The ser-
vice plug is used only when the vehicle is
serviced and is subject to high voltage.

381-1. Hybrid system
CAUTION●
If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with all front wheels (for 2WD models) or
four wheels (for AWD models) raised. If the wheels connected to the electric
motor (traction motor) are on the ground when towing, the motor may continue
to generate electricity. This may cause an electricity leakage leading to a fire.
(
 P. 7 2 5 )●
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.■
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.■
Emergency shut off system
Carefully check to see if there are exposed high voltage parts or cables. Never
touch the parts or cables. (
 P. 3 4 )
NOTICE■
Hybrid battery air vents ●
Do not put foreign objects over the air vents. The hybrid battery (traction battery)
may overheat or lose power and be damaged. ●
Clean the air vents regularly to prevent the hybrid battery (traction battery) from
overheating.●
Do not wet or allow foreign substances to enter the air vents as this may cause a
short circuit and damage the hybrid battery (traction battery).●
Do not carry large amounts of water such as an aquarium into the vehicle. If water
spills onto the hybrid battery (tractio n battery), the battery may be damaged.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.

3911-1. Hybrid system
Before driving Energy monitor/consumption screen You can view the status of your hybrid system on the multi-information dis-
play and the navigation system screen or the Lexus Display Audio screen.
Navigation system screen or
Lexus Display Audio screen
(if equipped)
Multi-information display
Vehicles with a navigation system
Remote Touch*
“MENU” button
Remote Touch knob *: For use of the Remote Touch,
refer to the “Navigation Sys-
tem Owner’s Manual”.
Vehicles with the Lexus Display Audio system
Lexus Display Audio controller
(  P. 328)
Displaying the “Menu”
screen (  P. 3 2 9 )
Turn or move the controller to
select a function, number and
screen button.
Push the controller to enter
the selected function, num-
ber and screen button.

401-1. Hybrid system
Energy monitor
Navigation system screen (if equipped)
Press the “MENU” button on the
Remote Touch.
Select “Info/Apps”.
Select “Fuel Consumption”. If the “Trip Information” or “Past
Record” screen is displayed, select
the “Energy”.STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3