2008 LEXUS RX400H service

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2-5. Driving information
RX400h_U
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving the
vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate to the
prevailing weather conditions.
■Pre-winter preparations
● Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures.
• Engine oil
• Engine/power control unit coolant
• Washer fluid
• Have a service technician inspect the level and specific gravity
of battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of
tire chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.
●Tire pressure falls in winter as the outside temperature falls. Add
2.9 to 4.3 psi (20 to 30 kPa, 0.2 to 0.3 kgf/cm2 or bar) to the
standard tire inflation pressure.

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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX400h_U
■Break-in schedule
Lexus recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new
power train components (engine, transmission, differential, wheel bearings, etc.) to
tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of driving.
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. (See “Warranty and Services Guide/ Owner's Manual Sup-
plement/ Scheduled Maintenance”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately 600
miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
CAUTION
■To avoid accident or injury
●The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus the weight of cargo) must not exceed
the following.
Without towing package: 2000 lb. (907 kg)
With towing package: 3500 lb. (1588 kg)
●If a trailer and cargo weigh over 2000 lb. (907 kg), use a sway control device
with sufficient capacity.
●The gross combined weight (sum of your vehicle weight plus its load and the total
trailer weight) must not exceed the following.
Without towing package: 7265 lb. (3295 kg)
With towing package: 8765 lb. (3976 kg)
●Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
●Never load more weight in the back than in the front of the trailer. About 60% of
the load should be in the front half of the trailer, and the remaining 40% in the
rear.
●The tow hitch receiver installed on your vehicle must never be used on another
vehicle.

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3-2. Using the front audio system
3
Interior features
RX400h_U
■When the 12-volt battery is disconnected
Station presets are erased.
■Radio antenna type
●Detachable antenna
To remove a detachable antenna, carefully turn it counterclockwise.
●Wire antenna
The radio antenna is mounted inside the rear window.
■Reception sensitivity
●Maintaining perfect radio reception at all times is difficult due to the continually
changing position of the antenna, differences in signal strength and surrounding
objects, such as trains, transmitters, etc.
●To maintain clear radio reception, do not attach metallic window tinting or other
metallic objects to the antenna wire mounted inside the rear window.
■Receiving XM® Satellite Radio
An XM
® Satellite Radio is a tuner designed exclusively to receive broadcasts pro-
vided under a separate subscription. Availability is limited to the 48 contiguous
states and 10 Canadian provinces.
●XM® subscriptions
For detailed information about XM® Satellite Radio or to subscribe:
U.S.A. 
Visit on the web at www.xmradio.com
or call 1-877-515-3987.
Canada 
Visit on the web at www.xmradio.ca
or call 1-877-438-9677.
●Radio ID
You will need the radio ID when activating XM
® service or reporting a problem.
Select “CH000” using , and the receiver's 8-character ID number will
appear.
●Satellite tuner
The tuner supports only Audio Services (Music and Talk) and the accompanying
Te x t I n f o r m a t i o n o f X M
® Satellite Radio.
*: Terms and services provided by XM® Satellite Radio are subject to change with-
out notice.

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

304
RX400h_U
4-2. Maintenance
Maintenance requirements
■Repair and replacement
It is recommended that genuine Lexus parts be used for repair to ensure perfor-
mance of each system. If non-Lexus parts are used in replacement or if a repair
shop other than a Lexus dealer performs repairs, confirm the warranty coverage.
To ensure safe and economical driving, day-to-day care and regular main-
tenance is essential. It is the owner’s responsibility to perform regular
checks. Lexus recommends the following maintenance.
■General maintenance
Should be performed on a daily ba sis. This can be done by yourself
or by a Lexus dealer.
■ Scheduled maintenance
Should be performed at specified intervals according to the mainte-
nance schedule.
For details about maintenance items and schedules, refer to the “War-
ranty and Services Guide/Owner’s Manual Supplement/Scheduled
Maintenance”.
■Do-it-yourself maintenance
You can perform some maintenance procedures yourself.
Please be aware that do-it-yourself maintenance may affect war-
ranty coverage.
The use of Lexus Repair Manuals is recommended.
For details about warranty coverage, see the separate “Owner’s Guide”,
“Warranty and Services Guide”, “Owner’s Manual Supplement” or
“Warranty Booklet”.

305
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
RX400h_U
■Allow inspection and repairs to be performed by a Lexus dealer
●Lexus technicians are well-trained specialists and are kept up to date with the lat-
est service information. They are well informed about the operations of all sys-
tems on your vehicle.
●Keep a copy of the repair order. It proves that the maintenance that has been per-
formed is under warranty coverage. If any problem should arise while your vehi-
cle is under warranty, your Lexus dealer will promptly take care of it.
CAUTION
■Warning in handling of battery
●Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile com-
ponents contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause can-
cer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a well ventilated area.
●Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by compo-
nent wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Avoid exposure and wash
any affected area immediately.
●Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands after han-
dling. (→P. 3 2 7 )

306
4-2. Maintenance
RX400h_U
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
12-volt batteryMaintenance-free. (→P. 3 2 7 )
Brake fluidAt the correct level? ( →P. 3 2 5 )
Engine/power control unit coolantAt the correct level? ( →P. 3 2 3 )
Engine oilAt the correct level? ( →P. 3 1 8 )
Exhaust systemNo fumes or strange sounds?
Radiator/condenser/hosesNot blocked with foreign matter?
(→ P. 3 2 5 )
Wa s h e r f l u i dAt the correct level? ( →P. 3 2 9 )
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be performed
at the intervals specified in the “Warranty and Services Guide” or
“Owner’s Manual Supplement”. It is recommended that any problem you
notice should be brought to the attent ion of your Lexus dealer or qualified
service shop for advice.

309
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
RX400h_U
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which include
OBD (On Board Diagnostics) checks. The OBD system monitors the oper-
ation of the emission control system.
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere in
the emission control system. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test
and may need to be repaired. Cont act your Lexus dealer to service
the vehicle.
■ Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test:
●When the 12-volt battery is disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are set du ring ordinary driving are erased.
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes may
not be completely set.
● When the fuel tank cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp comes on as a temporary mal-
function and your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.
■ When the malfunction indicator la mp goes off after several driv-
ing trips
The error code in the OBD system will not be cleared unless the
vehicle is driven 40 or more times.
■ If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test
Contact your Lexus dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-testing.