2008 LEXUS RX400H Check system light

142
2-2. Instrument cluster
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should a safety system light such as ABS and the SRS airbag warning light not
come on when you start the hybrid system, this could mean that these systems are
not available to help protect you in an accident, which could result in death or seri-
ous injury. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately if this
occurs.
■Warning lights
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in any of the vehi-
cle's systems.
*: These lights turn on when the engine switch is turned to the ON position
to indicate that a system check is being performed. They will turn off
after the hybrid system is started, or after a few seconds. There may be a
malfunction in a system if a light does not come on, or if the lights do not
turn off. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
(U.S.A.)(Canada)(U.S.A.)(Canada)(U.S.A.)(Canada)
********
*****

193
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX400h_U
Trailer towing tipsYour vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. The 3 main
causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed and
improper trailer loading. Keep the following in mind when towing.
● Before starting out, check the trailer lights and the vehicle-trailer con-
nections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and rever sing with the trailer attached in an
area away from traffic until you become accustomed to the feel of the
vehicle.
● Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice. Grip
the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the left to
move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to move the
trailer to right. (This is generally opposite to reversing without a trailer
attached.) Avoid sharp or prolon ged turning. Have someone guide
you when reversing to reduce the risk of an accident.
● As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of
speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
NOTICE
■Safety chain
A safety chain must always be used between the towing vehicle and the trailer.
Leave sufficient slack in the chain for turns. The chain should cross under the trailer
tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground in the case that it
becomes damaged or separated. For the correct safety chain installation proce-
dure, ask your Lexus dealer.
■Do not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing trailer lights may damage your vehicle's electrical system and
cause a malfunction.

288
3-6. Other interior features
RX400h_UPress and hold down one of the
buttons on the HomeLink
 and
the button on the transmitter.
When the indicator light on the
HomeLink
 changes from a slow
to a rapid flash after 20 seconds,
you can release both buttons.
Test the operation of the
HomeLink
 by pressing the newly
programmed button.
If programming a garage door
opener, check to see if the garage
door opens and closes. If the
garage door does not operate, see
if your garage transmitter is of the
Rolling Code type. Press and hold
the programmed HomeLink
 but-
ton. The garage door has the roll-
ing code feature if the indicator
light (on the HomeLink
) flashes
rapidly for 2 seconds and then
remains lit. If your transmitter is the
Rolling Code type, proceed to the
heading “Programming a rolling
code system”.
Repeat the steps above to program another device for each of
the remaining HomeLink buttons.
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

290
3-6. Other interior features
RX400h_UTest the operation of the HomeLink
 by pressing the newly pro-
grammed button. Check to see if the gate/device operates cor-
rectly.
Repeat the steps above to program another device for each of
the remaining HomeLink
 buttons.
■ Programming other devices
To program other devices such as home security systems, home door
locks or lighting, contact your authorized Lexus dealer for assistance.
■ Reprogramming a button
The individual HomeLink
 buttons cannot be erased but can be
reprogrammed. To reprogram a button, follow the “Programming the
HomeLink
” instructions.
Operating the HomeLink
Press the appropriate HomeLink button. The HomeLink indicator
light on the HomeLink transceiver should turn on.
The HomeLink continues to send a signal for up to 20 seconds as long as
the button is pressed.
Erasing the entire HomeLink memory (all three programs)
Press and hold down the 2 outside
buttons for 20 seconds until the
indicator light flashes.
If you sell your vehicle, be sure to
erase the programs stored in the
HomeLink
 memory.
STEP5
STEP6

Maintenance and care4
297
RX400h_U
4-1. Maintenance and care ............................... 298
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior............ 298
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ............... 301
4-2. Maintenance .................. 304 Maintenance requirements ....................... 304
General maintenance .......... 306
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs............................... 309 4-3. Do-it-yourself
maintenance ................. 310
Do-it-yourself service precautions ............................ 310
Hood ........................................... 313
Positioning a floor jack .......... 314
Engine compartment ............ 316
Tires............................................. 331
Tire inflation pressure........... 340
Wheels ...................................... 344
Air conditioning filter ........... 346
Wireless remote control battery .................................... 348
Rear seat entertainment system controller ................ 350
Checking and replacing fuses ........................................ 352
Headlight aim (vehicles with discharge
headlights) ............................ 364
Light bulbs................................ 365

307
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
RX400h_U
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• Moves smoothly (without uneven pedal effort or catching)?
Transmission “Park” mechanism
• Can the vehicle be hold securely on an incline with the shift lever in
P?
Brake pedal
• Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clearance and correct amount of free play?
Brakes
• Not pull to one side when applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraints• Move smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers•Function properly?
Lights
• Do all the lights come on?
• Headlights aimed correctly? (→ P. 364)
Pa r k i n g b r a ke
• Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on
an incline?
Seat belts
• Does the seat belt system operate smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats• Do the seat controls operate prop- erly?

325
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
RX400h_U
Radiator and condenserCheck the radiator and condenser and clear any foreign objects.
If either of the above parts are extremely dirty or you are not sure of their
condition, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer.
Brake fluid■ Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be between the MAX and MIN lines on
the tank.
MAX
MIN
If the level is low, take your vehicle
to a Lexus dealer as soon as possi-
ble. Do not drive your vehicle if the
red brake system warning light is
on. Call a Lexus dealer for assis-
tance.
Make sure to check the fluid type.
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser, as they may be hot and you may be burned.

335
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
RX400h_U■
Selecting ID codes
When replacing tires, make sure to select the ID code set that matches
the new tire set. If the tire pressure select switch is set to the wrong tire
setting, the tire pressure warning system will not operate properly.
After driving for about 20 minutes, the tire pressure warning light
comes on after blinking for 1 minute to indicate a system malfunction.
“MAIN”
“2nd”
■When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to expose the fab-
ric or bulges indicating internal damage.
●A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the size or loca-
tion of a cut or other damage.
If you are not sure, consult with your Lexus dealer.
■Replacing tires and wheels
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not registered,
the tire pressure warning system will not work properly. After driving for about 20
minutes, the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1 minute to indi-
cate a system malfunction.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if they
have seldom or never been us ed or damage is not obvious.
■If the tread wears down below 0. 16 in. (4 mm) on snow tires
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost.