2008 LEXUS RX400H engine

5
When trouble arises
393
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX400h_U
■Key reminder buzzer
The buzzer indicates that the key has not been removed from the engine switch
(with the engine switch in the ACC or LOCK position and the driver’s door
opened).
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
●Is your vehicle low on gas?
If it is, refuel the vehicle immediately.
●Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The lamp will go off after taking several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after several trips, contact your Lexus dealer as soon
as possible.
■Front passenger detection sensor and passenger seat belt reminder
●If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger detection
sensor may cause the warning light to flash, even if a passenger is not sitting in the
seat.
●If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sensor may not detect a passenger, and the
warning light may not operate properly.
■Changing the engine oil (U.S.A. only)
Make sure to reset the oil change system. ( →P. 3 2 1 )
■When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level. Pushing the tire
pressure warning reset switch does not turn off the tire pressure warning light.
■The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural causes such as natural air
leaks or tire inflation pressure changes caused by temperature. In this case, adjust-
ing the tire inflation pressure will turn off the warning light (after a few minutes).

394
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX400h_U
■When a tires is replaced with a spare tire
The spare tire is also equipped with the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter.
The tire pressure warning light will turn on if the tire inflation pressure of the spare
tire is low. If a tire goes flat, even though the flat tire is replaced with the spare tire,
the tire pressure warning light does not turn off. Replace the spare tire with the
repaired tire and adjust the proper tire inflation pressure. The tire pressure warning
light will turn off after a few minutes.
■If the tire pressure warning system is inoperative
The tire pressure warning system will be disabled in the following conditions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If tires not equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are used.
●If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is not regis-
tered in the tire pressure warning computer.
●If the tire pressure warning select switch is set to a different tire setting.
●If the tire inflation pressure is 73 psi (500 kPa, 5.1 kgf/cm2 or bar) or higher.
The tire pressure warning system may be disabled in the following conditions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If electronic devices or facilities using similar radio wave frequencies are nearby.
●If a radio set at similar frequencies is in use in the vehicle.
●If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.
●If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, in particular around the wheels or
wheel housings.
●If non-genuine Lexus wheels are used. (Even if you use Lexus wheels, the tire
pressure warning system may not work properly with some types of tires.)
●If tire chains are used.
●If the spare tire is in a location subject to poor radio wave signal reception.
●If a large metallic object which can interfere with signal reception is put in the
trunk.
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1 minute frequently
If the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1 minute frequently
when the engine switch is turned to ON position, have it checked by your Lexus
dealer.

398
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX400h_U
If a warning message is displayed
Stop the vehicle immediately.
A buzzer sounds and a warning message is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display. The following warnings indicate the possibility of damage to
the vehicle that may lead to an accident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place and contact your Lexus dealer.
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetails
(Flashing)
Indicates an abnormal engine oil pressure. The warning light may turn on if the engine oil pres-
sure is too low.
Malfunction in the hybrid system.
If a warning is shown on the multi-information display, stay calm and per-
form the following actions:
Master warning light
The master warning light also
comes on or flashes in order to
indicate that a message is cur-
rently being displayed on the
multi-information display.
Multi-information display
If any of the warning light turns on again after performing the following
actions, contact your Lexus dealer.

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When trouble arises
403
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX400h_U
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection procedure
(Flashing)
Indicates that the moon
roof is not fully closed
(with the engine switch
LOCK and the driver’s
door opened).
Close the moon roof.
(Flashing)
Indicates that the parking
brake is still engaged
(with the vehicle having
reached a speed of more
than 3 mph [5 km/h]).
Release the parking
brake.
Indicates that the washer
fluid level is low.Add washer fluid.

404
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX400h_U
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection procedure
(U.S.A. only)
Indicates that the engine
oil is scheduled to be
changed.
Check the engine oil, and
change if necessary.
Comes on approximately
4500 miles (7200 km)
after the engine oil is
changed. (The indicator
will not work properly
unless the oil mainte-
nance data has been
reset.)
(U.S.A. only)
Indicates that the engine
oil should be changed.
Check and change the
engine oil.
Comes on approximately
5000 miles (8000 km)
after the engine oil is
changed (and the oil
maintenance data has
been reset).

5
When trouble arises
407
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX400h_U
Have the malfunction repaired immediately.After taking the specified steps to co rrect the suspected problem, check
that the warning light turns off.
■Changing the engine oil (U.S.A. only)
Make sure to reset the oil change system. ( →P. 3 2 1 )
■Warning light display in radar cruise mode
In the following cases, the warning light may not be displayed even if vehicle-to-
vehicle distance closes.
●When your vehicle and the vehicle ahead are traveling at the same speed or the
vehicle ahead is traveling more quickly than your vehicle
●When the vehicle ahead is traveling at a very low speed
●Immediately after cruise control speed is set
●At the instant the accelerator pedal is depressed
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection
procedure
(Comes on for 8 seconds.)
Indicates that the fuel
door left open after refuel-
ing when start the vehicle/
leave the fuel door open
for more than 30 minutes
during refueling.
Close the fuel lid.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■Using the tire jack
Improper use of the tire jack may lead to death or injuries due to the vehicle sud-
denly falling off the jack.
●Do not use the tire jack for any purpose other than replacing tires or installing and
removing tire chains.
●Only use the tire jack that comes with this vehicle for replacing a flat tire.
Do not use it on other vehicles, and do not use other tire jacks for replacing tires
on this vehicle.
●Always check that the tire jack is securely set to the jack point.
●Do not put any part of your body under the vehicle supported by a jack.
●Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is supported by the jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in it.
●When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under the jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle to a height greater than that required to replace the tire.
●Use a jack stand if it is necessary to get under the vehicle.
Take particular care when lowering the vehicle to ensure that no one working on or
near the vehicle may be injured.
■Replacing a flat tire
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of death or serious injury:
●Never use oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
The oil or grease can cause the wheel nuts to loosen, causing a serious accident.
Remove any oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
●Have the wheel nuts tightened with a torque wrench to 76 ft•lbf (103 N•m, 10.5
kgf•m) as soon as possible after changing wheels.
Failure to follow these precautions could cause the nuts to loosen and the wheels
may fall off, which could lead to an accident causing death or serious injury.

5
When trouble arises
419
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX400h_U
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake, there may be
a problem with the shift lock system (a system to prevent accidental opera-
tion of the shift lever). Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that
the shift lever can be shifted.
Set the parking brake.
Turn the engine switch to the ON position.
Depress the brake pedal.
Pry the cover up with a flathead
screwdriver or equivalent.
Press the shift lock override but-
ton.
The shift lever can be shifted
while the button is pressed.
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