stop start LEXUS RX450h 2018 Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
6
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U7-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle exterior ................580
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle interior.................. 584
7-2. Maintenance
Maintenance
requirements ............................ 587
General mainte nance..............589
Emission inspection and
maintenance (I/M)
programs.................................... 592
7-3. Do-it-yourself
maintenance
Do-it-yourself service
precautions................................ 593
Hood ............................................... 595
Positioning a floor jack ............ 596
Engine compartment ............... 597
12-volt battery ............................. 605
Tires .................................................... 611
Tire inflation pressure .............. 620
Wheels ........................................... 623
Air conditioning filter ............... 625
Windshield wiper inserts ........ 628
Electronic key battery.............. 630
Checking and replacing
fuses.............................................. 632
Headlight aim .............................. 635
Light bulbs .................................... 637 8-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers .................. 652
If your vehicle has
to be stopped in
an emergency .......................... 653
8-2. Steps to take in
an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be
towed ........................................... 654
If you think something is
wrong........................................... 659
If a warning light turns
on or a warning buzzer
sounds ......................................... 660
If a warning message is
displayed .................................... 667
If you have a flat tire .................. 673
If the hybrid system will
not start ....................................... 690
If the electronic key does
not operate properly ............. 692
If the 12-volt battery is
discharged................................. 695
If your vehicle overheats......... 702
If the vehicle becomes stuck .........7067
Maintenance and care 8
When trouble arises

18 Pictorial index
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■ Instrument panel
Power switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 2 39Starting the hybrid system/changing the modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 239
Emergency stop of the hybrid system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 653
When the hybrid system will not start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 690
Shift lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 246Changing the shift position. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 246
Precautions against towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 654
When the shift lever does not move . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 250
Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 96Reading the meters/adjusting the instrument panel light . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 96, 98
Warning lights/indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 90
When the warning lights come on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 660 1
2
3

311-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UWARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.●
Do not adjust the position of the driver’s seat while driving.
Doing so could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. ●
Do not place a cushion between the dr iver or passenger and the seatback.
A cushion may prevent correct posture from being achieved, and reduce the effec-
tiveness of the seat be lt and head restraint.●
Do not place anything under the front seats.
Objects placed under the fr ont seats may become jammed in the seat tracks and stop
the seat from locking in plac e. This may lead to an accident and the adjustment mech-
anism may also be damaged. ●
Always observe the legal speed limi t when driving on public roads.●
When driving over long distances, take regular breaks before you start to feel tired.
Also, if you feel tired or sleepy while drivin g, do not force yourself to continue driving
and take a break immediately.

751-3. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U◆ When stopped/during start off
The gasoline engine stops* when the vehi cle is stopped. During start off, the
electric motor (traction mo tor) drives the vehicle. At slow speeds or when
traveling down a gentle slope, the engi ne is stopped* and the electric motor
(traction motor) is used.
When the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) is not being
charged.
* : When the hybrid battery (traction battery) requires charging or the engine is warm-
ing up, etc., the gasoline engine will not automatically stop. ( → P. 76)
◆ During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predominantly used. The electric motor (traction
motor) charges the hybrid battery (traction battery) as necessary.
◆ When accelerating sharply
When the accelerator pedal is depressed heavily, the power of the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) is added to that of the gasoline engine via the electric
motor (traction motor).
◆ When braking (regenerative braking)
The wheels operate the electric motor (traction motor) as a power generator,
and the hybrid battery (traction battery) is charged.
When the gasoline engine is off while driving, a sound is produced to warn
pedestrians, people riding bicycles or other people and vehicles in the surround-
ing area that the vehicle is approaching. The pitch of the sound varies according
to the vehicle speed. When the vehicl e speed becomes approximately 15 mph
(25 km/h) or more, the notification sound turns off.Vehicle proximity notification system

76 1-3. Hybrid system
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
Regenerative braking
In the following situations, ki netic energy is converted to electric energy and decelera-
tion force can be obtained in conjunction with the recharging of the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery). ●
The accelerator pedal is released while driving with the shift lever in D or S.●
The brake pedal is depressed while driv ing with the shift lever in D or S.■
EV indicator
■
Conditions in which the ga soline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automati cally. However, it may not stop automati-
cally in the following conditions: ●
During gasoline engine warm-up ●
During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging ●
When the temperature of the hybrid battery (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 ou tside source. However, if the vehicle is left parked for a
long time the hybrid battery (traction batter y) will slowly discharge. For this reason, be
sure to drive the vehicle at least once every few months for at least 30 minutes or 10
miles (16 km). If the hybrid battery (traction battery) beco mes fully discharged and you
are unable to start the hybrid sy stem, contact your Lexus dealer. ■
Charging the 12-volt battery
→ P. 698 ■
After the 12-volt battery has discharged or when the terminal has been removed and
installed during exchange, etc.
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is being driven by the hybrid battery
(traction battery). If this continues fo r a few days, contact your Lexus dealer.The EV indicator comes on when the vehicle is
driven using only the el ectric motor (traction
motor) or the gasoline engine is stopped.

771-3. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sound or vibration even though the vehicle is able to move with
the “READY” indicator is illuminate d. For safety, make sure to shift the shift lever to P and
apply the parking brake when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occu r when the hybrid system is operating and
are not a malfunction: ●
Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment. ●
Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) be hind the rear seats
when the hybrid system starts or stops. ●
Relay operating sounds such as a snap or so ft clank will be emitted from the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery), behind the rear se ats, when the hybrid system is started or
stopped. ●
Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the back door is open. ●
Sounds may be heard from the transmission wh en the gasoline engine starts or stops,
when driving at low spee ds, or during idling.●
Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply. ●
Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake pedal is depressed
or as the accelerator pedal is released. ●
Vibration may be felt when the ga soline engine starts or stops.●
Cooling fan sounds may be heard from th e air intake vents under the rear seats.■
Vehicle proximity notification system
In the following cases, the vehicle proximity notification system may be difficult for sur-
rounding people to hear. ●
In very noisy areas ●
In the wind or the rain
Also, as the vehicle proximity notification system is installed on the fr ont of the vehicle, it
may be more difficult to hear from the re ar of the vehicle compared to the front.■
Maintenance, repair, re cycling, and disposal
Contact your Lexus dealer regarding mainte nance, repair, recycling and disposal. Do
not dispose of the vehicle yourself. ■
Customization
Some functions can be customized. ( → P. 736)

791-3. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UThe air intake/discharge vents for the
hybrid battery (traction battery) are
located under the rear seats and in lug-
gage compartment respectively. If the
air intake vents are blocked, it could
lead to a reduction in hybrid battery
(traction battery) output.
* : RX450h
When a certain level of impact is detect ed by the impact sensor, the emergency
shut off system blocks the high voltage current and stops the fuel pump to mini-
mize 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.
A message is automatically displayed wh en a malfunction occurs in the hybrid
system or an improper operation is attempted.
If a warning message is shown on the
multi-information display, read the
message and follow the instructions.
( → P. 667)Hybrid battery (traction battery) air intake/discharge vents Air intake vents
Air discharge vents
*Emergency shut off system
Hybrid warning message

83 1
For safety and security
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U 1-4. Theft deterrent system
The indicator light flashes after the
power switch has been turned off to
indicate that the system is operating.
The indicator light stops flashing after
the power switch has been turned to
ACCESSORY or ON mode to indi-
cate that the system has been canceled. ■
System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-fr ee type immobilizer system.■
Conditions that may cause the system to malfunction ●
If the grip portion of the key is in contact with a metallic object●
If the key is in close proximity to or touching a key registered to the security system (key
with a built-in transponder chip) of another vehicleImmobilizer system The vehicle’s keys have built-in transp onder chips that prevent the hybrid sys-
tem from starting if a key has not been previously registered in the vehicle’s
on-board computer.
Never leave the keys inside the vehicle when you leave the vehicle.
This system is designed to help preven t vehicle theft but does not guarantee
absolute security agai nst all vehicle thefts.

86 1-4. Theft deterrent system
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UThe alarm uses light and sound to give an alert when an intrusion is detected.
The alarm is triggered in the following situations when the alarm is set:●
A locked door is unlocked or opened in any way other than using the entry
function, wireless remote control or mech anical key. (The doors will lock again
automatically.) ●
The hood is opened.
Close the doors and hood, and lock all
the doors. The system will be set auto-
matically after 30 seconds. The indicator light changes from being
on to flashing when the system is set.
Do one of the following to de activate or stop the alarms:●
Unlock the doors. ●
Turn the power switch to ACCESSORY or ON mode, or start the hybrid sys-
tem. (The alarm will be deactivated or stopped after a few seconds.)Alarm The alarm
Setting the alarm system
Deactivating or stopping the alarm

134 3-1. Key information
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
Electronic key battery depletion ●
The standard battery life is 1 to 2 years.●
If the battery becomes low, an alarm will so und in the cabin when the hybrid system is
stopped. ( → P. 630)●
As the electronic key always receives ra dio waves, the battery will become depleted
even if the electronic key is not used. The following symptoms indi cate that the elec-
tronic key battery may be depleted. Replace the battery when necessary. ( → P. 630)
• The smart access system with push-button start or the wireless remote control does
not operate.
• The detection area becomes smaller.
• The LED indicator on the key surface does not turn on. ●
To reduce key battery depletion when the electr onic key is to not be used for long peri-
ods of time, set the electronic key to the battery-saving mode. ( → P. 160)●
To avoid serious deterioration, do not leave the electronic key within 3 ft. (1 m) of the
following electrical appliances that produce a magnetic field:
•TVs
• Personal computers
• Cellular phones, cordless phones and battery chargers
• Recharging cellular phones or cordless phones
• Induction cookers
•Table lamps ■
Replacing the battery
→ P. 630 ■
Confirmation of the registered key number
The number of keys already registered to the vehicle can be confirmed. Ask your Lexus
dealer for details. ■
If a wrong key is used
The key cylinder rotates freely, isol ated from the internal mechanism.