transmission LEXUS RX450h 2015 Owners Manual

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31-8. Safety information
Correct driving posture ............. 130
SRS airbags ..................................... 132
Front passenger occupant
classification sy stem .................. 145
Child restraint systems ............... 150
Installing child re straints ............. 154
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle ........................ 166
Power (ignition) switch ................ 177
EV drive mode ............................... 183
Hybrid transmission ..................... 186
Turn signal lever ............................ 193
Parking brake ................................. 195
Horn.................................................... 196
2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters ..................... 197
Indicators and warning
lights................................................. 201
Multi-information display.......... 206
Head-up display ............................ 212
2-3. Operating the lights and
windshield wipers
Headlight switch ............................. 217
Fog light switch .............................. 221
Windshield wipers and
washer............................................ 223 Rear window wiper and
washer ........................................... 229
Headlight cleaner switch ........... 231
2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control ............................... 232
Dynamic radar cruise
control............................................ 236
Intuitive parking assist ................ 248
Rear view monitor system
(rear view mirror-attached
type) ............................................... 258
Rear view monitor system
(vehicles with the Lexus
Display Audio system) ............ 266
Driving assist systems................... 271
Hill-start assist control ............... 276
Pre-Collision System.................. 278
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) ....... 286
2-5. Driving information
Utility vehicle pre cautions ........ 292
Cargo and luggage ..................... 296
Vehicle load limits ......................... 301
Winter driving tips ....................... 302
Trailer towing (AWD models
with towing package) ............. 306
Trailer towing
(without towing package)...... 323
Dinghy towing ............................... 3242
When driving

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.

When driving
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1652-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle.................. 166
Power (ignition) switch .......... 177
EV drive mode.......................... 183
Hybrid transmission ............... 186
Turn signal lever ....................... 193
Parking brake ........................... 195
Horn ............................................ 196
2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters ................ 197
Indicators and warning
lights ......................................... 201
Multi-information display .... 206
Head-up display ...................... 212
2-3. Operating the lights and
windshield wipers
Headlight switch...................... 217
Fog light switch ........................ 221
Windshield wipers and
washer ................................... 223
Rear window wiper and
washer .................................... 229
Headlight cleaner switch...... 231 2-4. Using other driving
systems
Cruise control......................... 232
Dynamic radar cruise
control .................................... 236
Intuitive parking assist .......... 248
Rear view monitor system
(rear view mirror-attached
type) ........................................ 258
Rear view monitor system
(vehicles with the Lexus
Display Audio system) ....... 266
Driving assist systems ............. 271
Hill-start assist control .......... 276
Pre-Collision System ............ 278
BSM
(Blind Spot Monitor) .......... 286
2-5. Driving information
Utility vehicle
precautions ........................... 292
Cargo and luggage ............... 296
Vehicle load limits ................... 301
Winter driving tips ................. 302
Tr a i l e r t o w i n g ( AW D m o d e l s
with towing package)......... 306
Trailer towing (without
towing package).................. 323
Dinghy towing ......................... 324

1692-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving CAUTION■
When driving the vehicle ●
Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accelerator
pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerato r pedal instead of the brake pedal will
result in sudden acceleration that may le ad to an accident that could result in
death or serious injury.
• When backing up, you may twist your bo dy around, leading to a difficulty in
operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle
only slightly. This allows you to depress the brake and accelerator pedals
properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal
using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, resulting in an acci-
dent.●
When the hybrid vehicle is driven using the electric motor only, no engine noise is
made. As such, pedestrians, people riding bicycles or other people and vehicles
in the surrounding area may not realize that the vehicle is approaching. Even with
the Vehicle Proximity Notification System active, people may not realize the vehi-
cle is approaching when the surrounding area is noisy and so forth. Therefore,
take extra care while driving.●
Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot parts may
cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.●
Do not let the vehicle roll backward while the shift lever is in a driving position, or
roll forward while the shift lever is in R.
Doing so may result in an acci dent or damage to the vehicle.●
If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and check
that the back door is closed. Large amounts of exhaust in the vehicle can cause
driver drowsiness and an accident, resulting in death or a serious health hazard.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
●
Do not shift the shift lever to P while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.

1702-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION●
Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.●
Do not shift the shift lever to D while the vehicle is moving backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.●
Moving the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the hybrid
system. Engine braking is not availabl e with the hybrid system disengaged.●
During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. Turning the hybrid sys-
tem off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, however,
power assist to the steering will be lost. This will make it more difficult to steer
smoothly, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
In the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the vehicle
in the normal way:  P. 7 9 5●
Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a
steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose effec-
tiveness. (  P. 1 8 6 )●
When stopped on an incline, use the brake pedal and parking brake to prevent
the vehicle from rolling backward or forward, causing an accident. ●
Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or outside
rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents, resulting
in death or serious injury.●
Always check that all passengers' arms, heads or other parts of their body are not
outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.●
Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do
not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability
tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and
possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on
your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.

1862-1. Driving procedures
Hybrid transmission Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■ Shifting the shift lever
While the “POWER” switch is in ON mode, depress the brake
pedal and move the shift lever. When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped.
■ Shift position purpose
* 1
: Shifting to the D position allows the sy stem to select a gear suitable for the
driving conditions. Setting the shift le ver to the D position is recommended
for normal driving.
* 2
: Selecting shift ranges using S mode controls engine braking forces. Shift position Function
P Parking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
R Reversing
N Neutral
D Normal driving
* 1
S S mode driving
* 2
(  P. 1 9 0 )

1912-1. Driving procedures
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When driving ■
AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver performance
and driving conditions.
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the sh ift lever is in the D position. (Shifting
the shift lever to the S posi tion cancels the function.)■
When driving with cruise control or radar cruise control activated
Even when performing the following acti ons with the intent of enabling engine
braking, engine braking will not activate because cruise control or radar cruise
control will not be canceled. ●
While driving in D or S mode, downshifting to 5 or 4. (  P. 232, 236)●
When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position.
(  P. 1 8 9 )■
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
 P. 7 7 9■
If S does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in the hybr id transmission system. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the hybrid transmission will operate in the same as manner as when
the shift lever is in D.)■
Downshift restriction warning buzzer (S mode)
To help ensure safety and driving perfor mance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even
when the shift lever is operated. (The buzzer will sound twice.)

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”.

3172-5. Driving information
2
When driving ● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before making a
turn.
● Note that when making a turn, the tr ailer wheels will be closer than the
vehicle wheels to the inside of th e turn. Compensate by making a
wider than normal turning radius.
● Slow down before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slippery sur-
faces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.
● Take care when passing other vehi cles. Passing requires considerable
distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your
trailer, and be sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
● To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not put the transmission in D.
● Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do not
make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long downhill
grades.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes
too frequently. This could cause th e brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may overheat
on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when driving up a
long or steep grade. If the eng ine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, immediately turn off th e air conditioning (if in use), pull
your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. (  P. 7 8 8 )

3182-5. Driving information
● Always place wheel bloc ks under both the vehi cle’s and the trailer’s
wheels when parking. Apply the pa rking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do so
only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and
trailer’s wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the hybrid system.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the hybrid system. Be sure to
keep the brake pedal depressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake and br ake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4