2008 LEXUS RX400H brake

131
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

132
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.

135
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
RX400h_U
Transmission
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
→P. 4 1 9
Select a shift position appropri ate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
While the engine switchis in the ON position,
depress the brake pedal
and move the shift lever.
■ Shift position uses
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle or starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving
BEngine braking

137
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
RX400h_U
Parking brake
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components over-
heating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake wear.
Sets the parking brake*
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
*: Fully depress the parkingbrake pedal with your left
foot while depressing the
brake pedal with your right
foot.
Canada
U.S.A.

149
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
RX400h_U
AFS (vehicles with discharge headlights)AFS (Adaptive Front Lighting System) improves visibility at intersections
and on curves by automatically adjusting the direction light axis of the
headlights according to vehicle speed and the degree of the tire angle
that are controlled by steering input.
Operates at speeds of 18 mph (30 km/h) or higher.
■ Deactivating AFS
Turn the switch OFF to deactivate
AFS.
OFF
ON
■Daytime running light system
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights turn on automati-
cally (at a reduced intensity) whenever the hybrid system is started and the parking
brake is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.
■Headlight control sensor
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the wind-
shield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detecting
the level of ambient light and may cause the
automatic headlight control system to mal-
function.

158
2-4. Using other driving systems
RX400h_U
■Fine adjustment of the set speed
Adjustment of the set speed by approximately 1.0 mph (1.6 km/h) cab be made by
lightly pressing the lever up or down and releasing it.
■Cruise control can be set when
●The shift lever is in the D.
●Vehicle speed is between approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) and 125 mph (200
km/h).
■Accelerating
The vehicle can be accelerated normally.
■Automatic cruise control cancellation
The set speed is automatically cancelled in any of the following situations.
●Actual vehicle speed falls more than 10 mph (16 km/h) below the preset vehicle
speed.
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
●Actual vehicle speed is below 25 mph (40km/h).
●VSC is activated.
■Canceling and resuming regular acceleration
Cancel
Push the lever towards you to
cancel cruise control.
The speed setting is also can-
celed when the brakes are
applied.
Resume
To resume cruise control and
return to the set speed, push the
lever up.

161
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
RX400h_U
■Driving in the selected cruise control mode
Accelerate or decelerate to the
desired speed and press the
lever down to set.
■ Adjusting the speed setting
Increase speed
Decrease speed
Hold the lever until the desired
speed setting is displayed.
■Canceling and resuming the speed setting
Cancel
Push the lever towards you to
cancel cruise control.
The setting is also canceled
when the brakes are applied.
Resume
To resume cruise control and
return to the set speed, push the
lever up.

163
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
RX400h_U
Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
This mode employs a laser radar sensor to detect the presence of vehi-
cles within 400 ft. (120 m) ahead and to judge the distance between your
vehicle and those vehicles.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close when traveling on long
downhill slopes.
Example of constant speed cruising (when there are no vehicles
ahead):
When set to 62 mph (100 km/h)
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver. The desired vehicle-to-vehi-
cle distance can also be set by operating the vehicle-to-vehicle distance
switch.
Example of deceleration cruising (when the vehicle ahead is driving
slower than the set speed):
When fixed speed cruising is set at 62 mph (100 km/h) and the vehicle
ahead is driving at 50 mph (80 km/h)
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, in the same lane, the sys-
tem automatically decelerates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in
vehicle speed is necessary, the system applies the brakes. A warning tone
warns you when the system cannot decelerate sufficiently to prevent your
vehicle from closing on the vehicle ahead.