2008 LEXUS RX400H fuel

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2-1. Driving procedures
RX400h_U
■Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability of the
correct fuel. (→P. 4 3 3 )
■For efficient use of the hybrid battery
●Put the shift lever into D when driving
In the N position, the gasoline engine operates but electricity cannot be gener-
ated. The hybrid battery (traction battery) will be discharged requiring unnec-
essary engine power to recharge.
●Drive your vehicle smoothly
Avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleration. Gradual acceleration and decel-
eration will make more effective use of the traction motor without having to use
gasoline engine power.
●Avoid repeated acceleration
Repeated acceleration consumes hybrid battery (traction battery) power,
resulting in poor acceleration. Battery power can be restored by driving with
the accelerator pedal slightly released.
●Put the shift lever into P when parking
In the N position, the hybrid battery (traction battery) does not recharge.
Leaving the shift lever in the N position for an extended period of the time may
discharge the hybrid battery. The vehicle cannot run if the hybrid battery is dis-
charged.
■Normal characteristics after turning off the hybrid system
Approximately five hours after the hybrid system is turned off, you may hear sound
coming from under the vehicle for several minutes. This is the sound of a fuel evapo-
ration leakage check and, it does not indicate a malfunction.
CAUTION
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the hybrid system
running. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.

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RX400h_U
2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters
The units used on the speedometer and the power meter gauge display may
differ depending on the model/type.

The following gauges and meters illuminate when the engine switch is
in the ON position.Power meter
Displays the instantaneous output from the hybrid system in approximate
kilowatts.
Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed.
Fuel gauge
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature.
Multi-information display ( →P. 143)
Odometer/trip meter and trip meter reset button
Switches between odometer and trip meter displays. Pushing and holding
the button will reset the trip meter when the trip meter is being displayed.

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2-2. Instrument cluster
RX400h_U
Trip information■ Outside temperature
■ Average fuel consumption after refueling
■ Current fuel consumption
Displays the outside air temperature.
The temperature range that can be displayed is
from -22°F (-30°C) to 122°F (50°C).
Displays the average fuel consumption since the
vehicle was last refueled.
Displays the current rate of fuel consumption. Display items can be switched
by pushing the DISP. switch.

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2-2. Instrument cluster
RX400h_U
Trip information display (without navigation system)
Display and operation
Display items can be switched by
pushing the INFO switch.
The trip information display presents the driver with a variety of driving-
related data.
Trip information display
• Driving time
• Average fuel consumption
• Current fuel consumption
• Driving distance

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2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
RX400h_U■
Driving time
■ Average fuel consumption
■ Current fuel consumption
■ Driving distance Displays the elapsed time after the hybrid system
starts.
When the hybrid system is started, driving time is
counted from 0:00. Up to 11:59 (11 hours, 59 minutes)
can be displayed.
Displays the average fuel consumption since the
vehicle was last refueled.
Displays the current rate of fuel consumption.
Displays the driving distance since the hybrid system
was started.
The function can be reset by pushing the INFO switch
for longer than one second when the driving distance is
displayed.
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
Do not adjust the display while driving.
Doing so may cause the driver to mishandle the vehicle and an accident, resulting in
death or serious injury.

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2-5. Driving information
RX400h_U
Cargo and luggage
Capacity and distributionCargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load cap acity) — (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3)Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 − 750 (5 × 150) = 650
lbs.)
(5)Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
Take notice of the following information about storage precautions, cargo
capacity and load.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment whenever
possible. Be sure all items are secured in place.
● Be careful to keep the vehicle level. Placing the weight as far for-
ward as possible helps maintain vehicle balance.
● For better fuel economy, do not carry unnecessary weight.

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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX400h_U
Trailer towing (if equipped)
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-and-load carrying vehi-
cle. Towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on handling, performance,
braking, durability, and fuel consumption. For your safety and the safety of
others, do not overload the vehicle or trailer.
Lexus warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction caused by towing
a trailer for commercial purposes.
■ Weight limits
Confirm that the total trailer weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue load are all within the limits.
■ Gross vehicle weight
The gross vehicle weight must not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) indicated on the Certification Label. The gross
vehicle weight is the sum weight of the unloaded vehicle, driver, pas-
sengers, luggage, hitch and trailer tongue load. Also included is the
weight of any special equipment installed on your vehicle.
■ Gross axle weight
The load on either the front or rear axle resulting from distribution of
the gross vehicle weight on both axles must not exceed the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the Certification Label.
Certification Label

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RX400h_U
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
■Automatic car washes
●Before washing the vehicle:
• Fold the mirrors back.
• Remove the antenna.
• Turn the power back door system off.
●Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface and harm
your vehicle’s paint.
■High pressure car washes
●Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity of the
windows.
●Before car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is closed properly.
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime condi-
tion.
●Working from top to bottom, liberally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any dirt
and dust.
Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thor-
oughly with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.