2008 LEXUS RX400H Owners Manual

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not race the hybrid system.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P or N the vehicle may accelerate suddenly
and unexpectedly, and may cause an accident.
●Do not leave the vehicle with the hybrid system on for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and
check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
●Always keep a foot on the brake pedal while the hybrid system is operating to
prevent an accident caused by the vehicle moving.
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in the vehi-
cle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following.
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plasticmaterial of eye glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of
the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle's electrical compo-
nents.
●Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, stop the hybrid system
and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the hybrid system operating.
●Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the hybrid system or immediately after turn-
ing the hybrid system off.
Doing so may cause burns.
●Do not leave the hybrid system operating in an area with snow build-up, or where
it is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the hybrid system is
operating, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. This may lead to
death or a serious health hazard.

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2-1. Driving procedures
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO) that is colorless and odor-
less. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the hybrid system. In a closed
area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. This may
lead to death or a serious health hazard.
●The exhaust should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack caused by
corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be sure to have the vehi-
cle inspected and repaired by your Lexus dealer. Failure to do so may allow
exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in death or a serious health hazard.
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the hybrid system off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, which could cause an accident or fire due to
hybrid system overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly venti-
lated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to death or a
serious health hazard.
■When braking the vehicle
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one side of
the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking brake may
not securely hold the vehicle.
●If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other vehicles
closely and avoid downhills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the pedal than
usual. Braking distance may also increase.
●The brake system consists of 3 individual hydraulic systems: if one of the systems
fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual and braking distance becomes longer.
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your brakes fixed
immediately.
■If the vehicle becomes stuck or bogged (AWD models)
Do not spin the wheels recklessly when any of the tires is up in the air, or stuck in
sand or mud, etc. This may damage the drive system components or propel the
vehicle forward (or in another direction) and cause an accident.

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
RX400h_U
NOTICE
■While driving the vehicle
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress accelerator and brake pedals together
to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■When parking the vehicle
Always put the shift lever in P.
Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate sud-
denly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a long
time.
Doing so may damage the power steering pump.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indicators)
Have your Lexus dealer check and replace the brake pads as soon as possible.
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads and/or
that of the brake discs are exceeded.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
●The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( →P. 4 1 2 )

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2-1. Driving procedures
RX400h_U
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause the
following serious damage to the vehicle.
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to
have your Lexus dealer check the following.
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, transaxle, dif-
ferential, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possible) and
the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
RX400h_U
Engine (ignition) switch
■Engine switch
LOCK
The hybrid system is off and
the steering wheel is locked
and the key can be removed
from the engine switch.
ACC
The hybrid system is off and
some electrical components
such as the audio system can
be used.
ON
The hybrid system is on and
all electrical components can
be used.
START
■ Starting the hybrid system
Check that the parking brake is set.
Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the
START position.
After a few seconds, the
READY light will flash and come
on with a beep sound.
The vehicle can move when the
READY light is on, even if the
hybrid system is stopped.
As the hybrid system starts only with the transmission in the P position, put
the selector lever in P whenever starting the system.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP2STEP3
STEP3STEP4

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2-1. Driving procedures
RX400h_U
■Turning the key from ACC to LOCK
■Steering lock release
■If the hybrid system does not start
The hybrid vehicle immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (→P. 8 3 )
■If the 12-volt battery is disconnected or run down...
→P. 3 2 8
■If the READY light does not come on
If the READY light does not come on when you turn the engine switch with the shift
lever in P and the brake pedal pressed, contact your Lexus dealer immediately. Shift the shift lever to P.
Push in the key and turn to the
LOCK pos ition.
STEP1
STEP2
When starting the hybrid system, the engine
switch may seem stuck in the LOCK position.
To free it, turn the key while turning the steer-
ing wheel slightly in either direction.

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
RX400h_U
■Starting the hybrid system using the flat keyPut the key case away when the indicator light goes out. This means the
hybrid vehicle immobilizer system has turned off.
Start the hybrid system within 60 seconds after the indicator light goes
off.
■When the ambient temperature is low
Such as during winter driving conditions, it may take time until the READY light
comes on.
■Sounds and vibrations spec ific to a hybrid vehicle
→ P. 2 6
■When the hybrid system is malfunctioning
→P. 3 9 8 Remove the flat key from its case. Insert the
key into the engine switch.
Bring the key case close to the engine switch
within 10 seconds as indicated by an arrow.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

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2-1. Driving procedures
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not press the
accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Caution when driving
Do not turn the engine switch to the LOCK position while driving. If, in an emer-
gency, you must turn the hybrid system off while the vehicle is moving, turn the
engine switch only to the ACC position.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the engine switch in the ACC or ON position for long periods without
the hybrid system on.
■When starting the hybrid system
●If any service reminder indicator light comes on or warning message appears on
the multi-information display or the 12-volt battery is disconnected, the hybrid
system may not start. In that case, turn the ignition on again. If the READY light
does not come on, contact your Lexus dealer.
●Do not race the hybrid system.
●If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the hybrid
system checked immediately.