LEXUS RX450h 2018 Owners Manual

2414-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UIf the hybrid system is stopped with the sh ift lever in a position other than P, the
power switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY
mode. Perform the following proc edure to turn the switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” is disp layed on the multi-information display
and then press the power switch once.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” on th e multi-information display is off.■
Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or ON mode (the
hybrid system is not operating) for more than an hour with the shift lever in P, the power
switch will automatically turn off. However, th is function cannot entirely prevent 12-volt
battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with the power switch in ACCESSORY or
ON mode for long periods of time when the hybrid system is not operating.■
Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
→ P. 77 ■
Electronic key battery depletion
→ P. 134 ■
When the ambient temperature is low, su ch as during winter driving conditions
When starting the hybrid system, the flashing time of the “READY” indicator may be
long. Leave the vehicle as it is until the “REA DY” indicator is steady on, as steady means
the vehicle is able to move. ■
Conditions affe cting operation
→ P. 160 ■
Note for the entry function
→ P. 161 ■
If the hybrid system does not start ●
The immobilizer system may no t have been deactivated. ( → P. 83)
Contact your Lexus dealer. ●
Check that the shift lever is se curely set in P. The hybrid system may not start if the shift
lever is displaced out of P. “To Start Vehicle, Put Shift Lever into P” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.When stopping the hybrid system with the shift lever in a position other
than P 1
2
3
4

242 4-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
Steering lock
After turning the power switch off and openin g and closing the doors, the steering wheel
will be locked due to the steering lock func tion. Operating the power switch again auto-
matically cancels the steering lock. ■
When the steering lock cannot be released
■
Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, operation of the motor may be sus-
pended if the hybrid system is turned on an d off repeatedly in a short period of time. In
this case, refrain from operating the hybrid system. Afte r about 10 seconds, the steering
lock motor will resume functioning. ■
When “Access System with Elec. Key Malf unction See Owner’s Manual” is displayed
on the multi-information display
The system may be malfunctio ning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately. ■
If the “READY” indicator does not come on
In the event that the “READY” indicator does not come on even after performing the
proper procedures for starting the vehicl e, contact your Lexus dealer immediately.■
If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
→ P. 79 ■
If the electronic key battery is depleted
→ P. 630 ■
Operation of the power switch ●
If the switch is not pressed shortly and firm ly, the power switch mode may not change or
the hybrid system may not start. ●
If attempting to restart the hybrid system immediately after turning the power switch off,
the hybrid system may not start in some cases. After turning the power switch off,
please wait a few seco nds before restarting the hybrid system.■
If the smart access system wi th push-button start has been deactivated by a customized
setting
→ P. 692“Steering Wheel Lock Pr ess Power Switch while
Turning Wheel” will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
Check that the shift lever is in P. Press the power
switch shortly and firmly while turning the steer-
ing wheel left and right.

2434-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UWARNING ■
When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sittin g in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the hy brid system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resu lting in death or serious injury.■
Caution while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the ve hicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering lock
in this circumstance may lead to an acci dent, resulting in death or serious injury.■
Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the vehicle, press
and hold the power switch for more than 2 se conds, or press it briefly 3 times or more
in succession. ( → P. 653)
However, do not touch the power switch while driving except in an emergency. Turning
the hybrid system 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.
NOTICE ■
To prevent 12-volt battery discharge ●
Do not leave the power swit ch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods of
time without the hybrid system on. ●
If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is di splayed on the meters while the hybrid
system is not operating, the power switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the
power switch off. ●
Do not stop the hybrid system when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If the
hybrid system is stopped in another shift lever position , the power switch will not be
turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehicle is left in
ACCESSORY mode, 12-volt ba ttery discharge may occur.■
When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to star t, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus
dealer immediately. ■
Symptoms indicating a malfun ction with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating somewhat differen tly than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, ther e may be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.

244 4-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UTurns 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 [traction motor]). ■
Situations in which EV drive mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situ ations. If it cannot be
turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the multi-information dis-
play. ●
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 temperatures lower than about 32 ° F (0 ° C) for a long
period of time, etc. ●
The gasoline engine is warming up. ●
The hybrid battery (tra ction battery) is low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is low. ( → P. 125)●
Vehicle speed is high. ●
The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill, etc. ●
The windshield defogger is in use.EV drive mode In EV drive mode, electric power is su pplied by the hybrid battery (traction
battery), and only the electric motor (traction motor) is used to drive the vehi-
cle.
This mode allows you to drive in reside ntial areas early in the morning and late
at night, or in indoor parking lots, etc., without concern for noises and gas
emissions.
However, when the vehicle proximity noti fication system is active, the vehicle
may produce sound.

2454-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
Switching to EV drive mode wh en 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.■
Automatic cancelation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically restart in the fol-
lowing situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer will sound, the EV drive
mode indicator will go off afte r flashing, and a message is di splayed on the multi-informa-
tion display. ●
The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is low. ( → P. 125)●
Vehicle speed is high. ●
The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill, etc. ■
Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distance ranges from a few hundred meters to approxi-
mately 0.6 mile (1 km). However, dependin g on vehicle conditions, there are situations
when EV drive mode cannot be used. (The distance that is possible depends on the
hybrid battery [traction battery] level and driving conditions.)■
Fuel economy
The hybrid system is designed to achieve th e best possible fuel economy during normal
driving (using the gasoline engine and electr ic motor [traction motor]). Driving in EV
drive mode more than necess ary may lower fuel economy.
WARNING ■
Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode no engine noise is made. As such, pedestrians, people
riding bicycles or other people and vehicles in the surrounding area may not be aware
of the vehicle starting off or approaching th em. Therefore, take ex tra care while driving
even if the vehicle proximity notification system is active.

246 4-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UWhile the power switch is in ON mode, move the shift lever with the brake
pedal depressed. When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.
* 1
: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, shift the shift lever to D for normal driv-
ing.
* 2
: By selecting shift ra nges using S mode, you can control accelerating force and engine
braking force.Hybrid transmission Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose Shift position Objective or function
P Parking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
R Reversing
N Neutral
D Normal driving
* 1
S S mode driving
* 2
( → P. 248)

2474-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U→ P. 379
To drive using temporary shift range select ion, operate the “-” paddle shift switch.
Changing the shift range enables the level of engine braking force to be
selected. The shift range can then be sele cted by operating the “-” and “+” paddle
shift switches.
Upshifting
Downshifting The selected shift range, from D1 to D6,
will be displayed on the meters.
The initial shift rang e when the “-” pad-
dle shift switch is operated is automati-
cally set to D4 or D5 according to the
vehicle speed.
To return to normal D position driving,
the “+” paddle shift switch must be held
down for a period of time.■
Shift ranges and their functions ●
You can choose from 6 levels of engine braking force. ●
A lower shift range will provide greate r engine braking force than a higher
shift range, and the engine revolutions will also increase.Selecting the driving mode
Selecting shift ranges in the D position
(vehicles with paddle shift switches) 1
2

248 4-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UTo enter S mode, shift the shift lever to S. Shift ranges can be selected by operat-
ing the shift lever or paddle shift switches (if equipped), allowing you to drive in
the shift range of your choice. The shift range can be selected by operating the
shift lever or the “-” and “+” padd le shift switches (if equipped).
Upshifting
Downshifting The selected shift range, from S1 to S6,
will be displayed on the meters.
The initial shift range in S mode is auto-
matically set to S4 or S5 according to
the vehicle speed.
■
Shift ranges and their functions ●
You can choose from 6 levels of acce lerating force and engine braking
force. ●
A lower shift range will provide gr eater accelerating force and engine
braking force than a higher shift rang e, and the engine revolutions will also
increase. ●
If you accelerate while in ranges 1 to 4, the shift range may automatically
increase in accordance with the vehicle speed.Selecting shift ranges in the S position 1
2

2494-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated with the shift lever in the D position (vehi-
cles with paddle shift switches)
The shift range is downshifted to a range that enables engine braking force that is suit-
able to driving conditions. ■
Automatic deactivation of shif t range selection in the D position (vehicles with paddle
shift switches)
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situations:●
When the vehicle comes to a stop ●
If the accelerator pedal is depressed fo r more than a certain period of time●
When the shift lever is shifted to a position other than D ■
S mode ●
When the shift range is S4 or lower, holding the shift leve r toward “+” sets the shift
range to S6. ●
Automatically selects a higher shift range before the engine speed becomes too high.■
Downshifting restriction warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifti ng operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circum stances, downshifting may not be possible even when the
shift lever or paddle shift sw itch (if equipped) is operated . (A buzzer will sound twice.)■
When driving with dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking,
engine braking will not occur because dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed
range will not be canceled. ●
Vehicles without paddle shift switches: While driving in S mode, downshifting to 5 or 4.
( → P. 306) ●
Vehicles with paddle shift sw itches: While driving in D or S mode, downshifting to 5 or
4. ( → P. 306)●
When switching the driving mode to spor t mode while driving in the D position
( → P. 379)■
Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
When the following unusual operation is performed, the hybrid system output may be
restrained. ●
When the shift lever is shifted from R to D, D to R, N to R, P to D, or P to R (D includes S)
with the accelerator pedal depressed, a wa rning message appears on the multi-infor-
mation display. If a warning message is shown on the multi- information display, read the
message and follow the instructions. ●
When the accelerator pedal is depressed too while the vehicle is in reverse. ■
Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent ac cidental operation of the shift lever in start-
ing.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only wh en the power switch is in ON mode and the
brake pedal is being depressed.

250 4-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brak e pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake pedal, there may be a prob-
lem with the shift lock system. Have the vehi cle inspected by your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that the shift lever
can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Turn the power switch to ON mode and check that the parking brake is set.
( → P. 240, 253)
Turn the power switch to off.
Depress the brake pedal. 1
2
3
Pry the cover up with a flathead screwdriver
or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover the tip
of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the button
is pressed 4
5