battery LEXUS RX450h 2015 Owner's Guide

1832-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving EV drive mode
■
Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline engine
will start automatically after a short period of time in order to warm up. In this case,
you will become unable to switch to EV drive mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illuminated,
press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to switch to EV
drive mode.In EV drive mode, the electric motor (traction motor), powered by the
hybrid battery (traction battery) , is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in residential areas early in the morning and
late at night, or in indoor parking lo ts etc. without concern for noises and
exhaust gas emissions.
However, when the Vehicle Proximity Notification System is active, the
vehicle may produce sound.
Turns EV drive mode on/off When EV drive mode is turned
on, the EV drive mode indicator
will come on. Pressing the
switch when in EV drive mode
will return the vehicle to normal
driving (using the gasoline
engine and electric motor [trac-
tion motor]).

1842-1. Driving procedures
■
Situations in which EV driv e mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situations. If it can-
not be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the multi-
information display. ●
The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driv en on a hill, driven at high speeds, etc.●
The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in extremely low temperatures for a long period of
time etc.●
The gasoline engine is warming up.●
The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.●
Vehicle speed is about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more.●
The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.●
The windshield defogger is in use.■
Automatic cancelation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically restart in
the following situations. When EV drive mo de is canceled, a buzzer will sound and
the EV drive mode indicator will flash and go off. ●
The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.●
Vehicle speed becomes more than about 25 mph (40 km/h).
If engine coolant temperature is low, EV drive mode may be canceled when
vehicle speed is below 25 mph (40 km/h).●
The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
When it is possible to inform the driver of automatic cancelation in advance, a prior
notice screen will appear on the multi-information display.■
Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, it is possible to drive up about 1 /2 mile (1 km) if driving at a speed
of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or less.
(The distance that is possible depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level
and driving conditions.)
■
Fuel economy
RX450h is designed to achieve the best po ssible fuel economy during normal driv-
ing (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction motor]). Driving in EV
drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel economy.

1922-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION■
When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid, resulting in
an accident.
NOTICE■
Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge precaution
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) wi ll not be charged even
when the engine is running. Therefore, if the vehicle is left with the shift lever in N for
a long period of time, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge, and this
may result in the vehicle not being able to start.

1992-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving ■
Hybrid System Indicator
●
By keeping the indicator within Eco area, more Eco-friendly driving can be
achieved.●
Charge area indicates regeneration* st atus. Regenerated energy will be used
to charge the hybrid battery (traction battery).
*: When used in this manual, “regeneration” refers to the conversion of energy cre-
ated by the movement of the ve hicle into electrical energy.■
ECO lamp and SPORT lamp ●
When sport mode is selected, the SPORT lamp (red) will illuminate.●
When all of the following conditions are satisfied and the Eco-friendly driving,
the ECO lamp (blue) will illuminate:
• When driving with the shift lever in D
• When either normal mode or Eco mode are selected, and EV drive mode
and snow mode are not in use
• The vehicle speed is approximately 80 mph (130 km/h) or below.
■
Customization
Settings (e.g. on/off operation of the ECO lamp) can be changed.
(Customizable features  P. 8 2 5 ) Po w e r a r e a
Shows that an Eco-friendly driving range is
being exceeded (during full power driving
etc.)
Eco area
Shows that the vehicle is being driven in an
Eco-friendly manner.
Hybrid Eco area
Shows that gasoline engine power is not
being used very often.
The gasoline engine will automatically
stop and restart under various conditions.
Charge area
Shows that energy is being recovered via
regenerative braking.

2202-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
■
Automatic light off system ●
When the headlights are on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds
after a door is opened and closed if the “POWER” switch is turned to ACCES-
SORY mode or turned off. (The lights turn off immediately if on the key is
pressed after all the doors are locked.)●
When only the tail lights ar e on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
“POWER” switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off and the
driver’s door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the “POWER” switch to ON mode, or turn the light
switch off once and then back to or .
If any of the doors is kept open, the ligh ts automatically turn off after 20 minutes.■
Automatic headlight leveling system (if equipped)
The level of the headlights is automatica lly 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. ■
Light reminder buzzer (headlights)
A buzzer sounds when the “POWER” switch is turned off or turned to ACCES-
SORY mode and the driver's door is open ed while the headlights are turned on.■
Illuminated entry system
If the wireless remote control switch is used to unlock the vehicle when the light
switch is in and the surrounding area is dark, the parking light turns on.■
Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features  P. 825)
NOTICE■
To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is off.

2952-5. Driving information
2
When driving NOTICE■
To prevent 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 transmission will cause deterioration in transmission
quality. The malfunction indicator may come on, and the vehicle may not be driv-
able.●
Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and premature
failure, and may also enter the hybrid transmission case, reducing the gear oil’s
lubricating qualities.■
When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check the
depth of the water and the bottom of the riverbed for firmness. Drive slowly and
avoid deep water.■
Inspection after off-road driving ●
Sand and mud that has accumulated around brake discs may affect braking effi-
ciency and may damage brake system components.●
Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driving that
has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For scheduled mainte-
nance information, refer to the “Warra nty and Services Guide/Owner’s Manual
Supplement/Schedul ed Maintenance”.

3493-2. Using the air conditio ning system and defogger
3
Interior features ■
When outside air temperature is below 32  F (0  C)
The cooling and dehumidification function may not operate even when
is
on.■
Ventilation and air conditioning odors ●
To let fresh air in, set the air conditioning system to the outside air mode.●
During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter into
and accumulate in the air conditioning sy stem. This may then cause odor to be
emitted from the vents.●
To reduce potential odors from occurring:
• It is recommended that the air conditioning system be set to outside air mode
prior to turning the vehicle off.
• The start timing of the blower may be delayed for a short period of time
immediately after the air conditioning system is started in automatic mode.
CAUTION■
To prevent the windshield from fogging up
Do not use
during cool air operation in ex tremely humid weather. The dif-
ference between the temperature of the outside air and that of the windshield can
cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, blocking your vision.
NOTICE■
To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the hybrid
system is off.

3573-2. Using the air conditio ning system and defogger
3
Interior features CAUTION■
To prevent the windshield from fogging up
Do not use
during cool air operation in extremely humid weather. The differ-
ence between the temperature of the outs ide air and that of the windshield can
cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, blocking your vision.
NOTICE■
To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the hybrid
system is off.

3643-3. Using the Lexus Display Audio system
■
Using mobile phones
Interference may be heard through the audio system’s speakers if a mobile phone is
being used inside or close to the vehicl e while the audio system is operating.
CAUTION■
Certification
Part 15 of the FCC Rules
FCC Warning:
Any unauthorized changes or modifications to this equipment will void the user’s
authority to operate this device.
NOTICE■
To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the audio system on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is
off.■
To avoid damaging the audio system
Take care not to spill drinks or other fluids on the audio system.

3773-3. Using the Lexus Display Audio system
3
Interior features ■
When the 12-volt battery is disconnected
All preset stations are erased.■
Reception sensitivity ●
Cargo loaded on the roof luggage carrier, especially metal objects, may
adversely affect the reception of XM ®
Satellite Radio.●
It is difficult to maintain perfect radio re ception at all times due to the continually
changing position of the an tenna, differences in signal strength and surrounding
objects, such as trains and transmitters.●
The radio antenna is mounted inside th e rear spoiler and the rear window. To
maintain clear radio reception, do not attach metallic window tinting or other
metallic objects to the antenna wire mounted inside the rear window.■
XM ®
Satellite Radio
An XM ®
Satellite Radio is a tuner designed exclusively to receive broadcasts pro-
vided under a separate subscription. Availa bility is limited to the 48 contiguous
states and 10 Canadian provinces. ●
XM ®
subscriptions
For detailed information about XM ®
Satellite Radio or to subscribe:
U.S.A. 
Visit on the web at www.siriusxm.com or call 1-877-515-3987.
Canada 
Visit on the web at www.xmradio.ca or call 1-877-438-9677.●
Radio ID
You will need the radio ID when activating XM ®
service or reporting a prob-
lem. Select “CH000” using the “TUNE• SCROLL” knob, and the receiver's 8-
character ID number will appear.●
Satellite tuner
The tuner supports only Audio Services (Music and Talk) and the accompany-
ing Text Information of XM ®
Satellite Radio.