maintenance LEXUS RX450h 2015 Service Manual

6654-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care Pull on the attached hook to
extend the string.
Use the hook to secure the deck
board as shown in the illustra-
tion.
Remove the spare tire cover.
After removing the clips,
remove the 12-volt battery
cover.STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 6

6664-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Vehicles with a full-size spare tire
Pull the lever upward to fold
back the front part of the deck
board.
Pull on the attached hook to
extend the string.
Use the hook to secure the deck
board as shown in the illustra-
tion.STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

6674-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care After removing the clips,
remove the 12-volt battery
cover.
■ Exterior
Make sure that the 12-volt ba ttery terminals are not corroded and
that there are no loose connect ions, cracks or loose clamps.
Terminals
Hold-down clamp
■ Installing the 12-volt battery cover
Install the 12-volt battery cover
with the clips.STEP 4

6684-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■
Before recharging
When recharging, the 12-volt battery produces hydrogen gas which is flammable
and explosive. Therefore, observe the following precautions before recharging: ●
If recharging with the 12-volt battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to discon-
nect the ground cable.●
Make sure the power switch on the charger is off when connecting and discon-
necting the charger cables to the 12-volt battery.■
After recharging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
The hybrid system may not start. Follow one or both of the following procedures: ●
After opening and closing the driver’s do or, wait 10 seconds and then attempt to
start the hybrid system. (If the system does not start the first time, repeat the pro-
cedure.)●
With the shift lever in P and the “POWER” switch off, open and close any door
and then attempt to start the hybrid system.
If the system will not start even after mult iple attempts at both methods, contact
your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION■
Chemicals in the 12-volt battery
The 12-volt battery contain poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid and may produce
hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosiv e. To reduce the risk of death or seri-
ous injury, take the following precautions while working on or near the 12-volt bat-
tery: ●
Do not cause sparks by touching the 12-volt battery terminals with tools.●
Do not smoke or light a match near the 12-volt battery.
●
Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothes.
●
Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.
●
Wear protective safety glasses when working near the 12-volt battery.
●
Keep children away from the 12-volt battery.

6694-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care CAUTION■
Where to safely charge the 12-volt battery
Always charge the 12-volt battery in an open area. Do not charge the 12-volt bat-
tery in a garage or closed room where there is insufficient ventilation.■
How to recharge the 12-volt battery
Only perform a slow charge (5 A or le ss). The 12-volt battery may explode if
charged at a quicker rate.■
Emergency measures regarding electrolyte ●
If electrolyte gets in your eyes
Flush your eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes and get immediate medi-
cal attention. If possible, continue to apply water with a sponge or cloth while
traveling to the nearest medical facility.●
If electrolyte gets on your skin
Wash the affected area thoroughly. If you feel pain or burning, get medical atten-
tion immediately.●
If electrolyte gets on your clothes
It can soak through clothing on to your skin. Immediately take off the clothing and
follow the procedure above if necessary.●
If you accidentally swallow electrolyte
Drink a large quantity of water or milk. Get emergency medical attention imme-
diately.■
When replacing the 12-volt battery
Use a 12-volt battery designed for the RX 450h. Failure to do so may cause gas
(hydrogen) to enter the passenger compartment, causing a fire or explosion.
For replacement of the 12-volt battery, contact your Lexus dealer.
NOTICE
■
When recharging the 12-volt battery
Never recharge the 12-volt battery while the hybrid system is operating. Also, be
sure all accessories are turned off.

6704-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Tires Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance schedules and
treadwear.
■ Checking tires
New tread
Treadwear indicator
Worn tread The location of treadwear indi-
cators is shown by the “TWI” or
“  ” marks, etc., molded on the
sidewall of each tire.
Check spare tire condition and
pressure if not rotated.
■ Tire rotation
Vehicles with a compact spare tire
Rotate the tires in the order
shown. To equalize tire wear and extend
tire life, Lexus recommends that
tire rotation is carried out at the
same interval as tire inspection.
Vehicles with a full-size spare tire
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
To equalize tire wear and extend
tire life, Lexus recommends that
tire rotation is carried out at the
same interval as tire inspection.Front
Front

6714-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning va lves and transmitters are installed,
new tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID codes must be regis-
tered in the tire pressure warning co mputer and the tire pressure warning
system must be initialized. Have tire pressure warning valve and transmit-
ter ID codes registered by your Lexus dealer. (  P. 6 7 3 )
Initializing the tire pressure warning system
■ The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the following
circumstances:
● When rotating the tires
● When the tire inflation pressure is changed such as when changing
travelling speed or load weight
● When changing the tire size
When the tire pressure warning sy stem is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the benchmark pressure.■ The tire pressure warning system
Your Lexus is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses
tire pressure warning valves and tr ansmitters to detec t low tire infla-
tion pressure before serious problems arise. (  P. 7 3 6 )

6724-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■ How to initialize the tire pressure warning system
Park the vehicle in a safe place and turn the “POWER” switch off. Initialization cannot be performed while the vehicle is moving.
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified co ld tire inflation
pressure level. (  P. 8 0 7 )Make sure to adjust the tire pressure to the specified cold tire inflation
pressure level. The tire pressure warning system will operate based on
this pressure level.
Turn the “POWER” switch to ON mode.
Press and hold the tire pressure
warning reset switch until the tire
pressure warning light blinks
slowly 3 times.
Wait for a few minutes with th e “POWER” switch on and then
turn the “POWER” switch off.STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5

6734-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care Registering ID codes
The tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is equipped with a unique
ID code. When replacing a tire pressure warning valve and transmitter, it
is necessary to register the ID code. Ha ve the ID code registered by your
Lexus dealer. ■
When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if: ●
You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to expose the
fabric, and bulges indicating internal damage.●
A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the size or
location of a cut or other damage.
If you are not sure, consult with your Lexus dealer.■
Replacing tires and wheels
If the ID code of the tire pressure warn ing valve and transmitter is not registered,
the tire pressure warning system will not work properly. After driving for about 20
minutes, the tire pressure warning light blin ks for 1 minute and stays on to indicate a
system malfunction.■
Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if it has sel-
dom or never been used or damage is not obvious.■
If the tread on snow tires wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost.■
Routine tire inflation pressure checks
The tire pressure warning system does not replace routine tire inflation pressure
checks. Make sure to check tire inflation pressure as part of your routine of daily
vehicle checks.

6744-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■
Maximum load of tire
Check that the number given by dividing the maximum load by 1.10 of the replace-
ment tire is greater than 1 /2 of the Gr oss Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) of either
the front axle or the rear axle, whichever is greater.
■
Tire types
1 Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway driving
under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same traction perfor-
mance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for driving on snow-covered
or icy roads. For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires
is recommended. When installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
2 All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to be ade-
quate for driving in most winter conditions , as well as for use year round. All sea-
son tires, however, do not have adequa te traction performance compared with
snow tires in heavy or loos e snow. Also, all season tires fall short in acceleration
and handling performance compared with summer tires in highway driving.
3Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads or ic y roads, we recommend using snow tires.
If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, construction and load capac-
ity as the originally installed tires. Since your vehicle has radial tires as original
equipment, make sure your snow tires also have radial construction. Do not install
studded tires without first checking local regulations for possible restrictions.
Snow tires should be installed on all wheels. (  P. 3 0 2 )For the GAWR, see the Certification Label.
For the maximum load of the tire, see the load
limit at maximum cold tire inflation pressure
mentioned on the sidewall of the tire.
(
 P. 8 1 3 )