2008 LEXUS RX400H air condition

202
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
RX400h_URear outlets
Direct air flow to the left or right,
up or down
Turn the knob up to open the
vent and down to close the vent
■Using the automatic mode
Fan speed is adjusted automatically in accordance with the temperature setting and
ambient conditions. As a result, the following may occur.
●The system may switch automatically to recirculated air mode when the coolest
temperature setting is selected in summer.
●Immediately after the switch is pressed, the fan may stop for a while until warm or
cool air is ready to flow.
●Cool air may flow to the area around the upper body when the heater is on.
■Using the system in recirculated air mode
The windows will fog up more easily if the recirculated air mode is used for an
extended period.
■Window defogger feature
Recirculated air mode may automatically switch to outside air mode in situations
where the windows need to be defogged.
■Outside air temperature approaches 32
°F (0 °C).
The air conditioning system may not operate even when is pressed.
■When the indicator light on flashes
Press and turn off the air conditioning system before turning it on once
more. There may be a problem in the air conditioning system if the indicator light
continues to flash. Turn the air conditioning system off and have it inspected by your
Lexus dealer.

203
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
3
Interior features
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
Do not use during cool air operation in extremely humid weather. The differ-
ence between the temperature of the outside air and that of the windshield can
cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, blocking your vision.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the automatic air conditioning system on longer than necessary when
the hybrid system is off.

204
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
RX400h_U
Rear window and outside rear view mirror defoggers, and windshield wiper de-icer
■The defogger and de-icer can be operated when
The engine switch must be in the ON position.
CAUTION
■When the outside rear view mirror defoggers are on
Do not touch the outside surface of the rear view mirror, as it can become very hot
and burn you.
■When the windshield wiper de-icer is on
Do not touch the glass at the lower part of the windshield or to the side of the front
pillars as the surfaces can become very hot and burn you.
Defoggers are used to defog the rear window, and to remove raindrops,
dew and frost from the outside rear view mirrors. De-icer* is used to pre-
vent ice from building up on the windshield and wiper blades.
ON/OFF
The defoggers and de-icer will
automatically turn off after
approximately 15 minutes.
*: Vehicles for Canada only

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

312
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX400h_U
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may move sud-
denly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death or serious injury:
■When working on the engine compartment
●Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
●Be careful not to touch the engine, inverter, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
●Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper or rags, in the engine
compartment.
●Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the battery. Fuel
and battery fumes are flammable.
●Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous and
corrosive sulfuric acid.
●Never touch, disassemble, remove or replace the high voltage parts, cables and
their connectors. It can cause severe burns or electric shock that may result in
death or serious injury.
●When the hybrid system is operating with the READY light on, the engine may
suddenly start in some cases. When you inspect the engine compartment, be
sure to turn off the hybrid system.
■When working near the electric cooling fan or radiator grille
Be sure the engine switch is off.
With the engine switch on, the electric cooling fan may automatically start to run if
the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is high. (→P. 3 2 5 )
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from getting
in the eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner:
Driving with the air filter removed may cause excessive engine wear due to dirt in
the air. Also a backfire could cause a fire in the engine compartment.

339
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
RX400h_U
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels and tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitter
When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter, contact your Lexus dealer as the tire pressure warning valve and trans-
mitter may be damaged if not handled correctly.
■To avoid damaging the tire pressu re warning valves and transmitters
Do not use liquid sealants on flat tires.
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or potholes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing the cushion-
ing ability of the tires. In addition driving on rough roads may cause damage to the
tires themselves, as well as the vehicle’s wheels and body.
■If tire inflation pressures become low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.

343
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■Proper inflation is critical to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated.
Otherwise, the following conditions may occur and result in an accident causing
death or serious injury.
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts resulting from overheated tires
●Poor sealing of the tire bead
●Wheel deformation and/or tire separation
●A greater possibility of tire damage from road hazards
NOTICE
■When inspecting and adjusting tire inflation pressure
Be sure to reinstall the tire valve caps.
Without the valve caps, dirt or moisture could get into the valve and cause air leak-
age, which could result in an accident. If the caps have been lost, replace them as
soon as possible.

346
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX400h_U
Air conditioning filter
The air conditioning filter must be changed regularly to maintain air condi-
tioning efficiency.
Turn the engine switch to the LOCK position.
Open the glove box.
Remove the 2 pins installed on
the upper part of the glove box
and lower the glove box.
Remove the filter case.
Remove the air conditioning fil-
ter from the filter case and
replace it with a new one.
The ↑UP marks shown on the
filter and the filter case should
be pointing up.
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