2008 LEXUS RX400H Owners Manual

5
When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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CAUTION
■Battery precautions
The battery contains poisonous and corrosive acidic electrolyte, while related parts
contain lead and lead compounds. Observe the following precautions when han-
dling the battery.
●When working with the battery, always wear safety glasses and take care not to
allow any battery fluids (acid) to come into contact with skin, clothing or the vehi-
cle body.
●Do not lean over the battery.
●In the event that battery fluid comes into contact with the skin or eyes, immedi-
ately wash the affected area with water and seek medical attention.
Place a wet sponge or cloth over the affected area until medical attention can be
received.
●Always wash your hands after handling the battery support, terminals, and other
battery-related parts.
●Do not allow children near the battery.
NOTICE
■When handling jumper cables
Be careful that the jumper cables do not become tangled in the cooling fan or any
of the belts when connecting or disconnecting them.

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If your vehicle overheats
■Electric motor (traction motor) and inverter
If the message WATER TEMP is displayed on the multi-information
display.
■ Gasoline engine
If the needle of the engine coolant temperature gauge enters the
red zone, the gasoline engine has probably overheated.
Observe the following steps:
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the automatic air
conditioning system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam: Stop the hybrid system. Carefully lift the hood after the
steam subsides and then restart the hybrid system.
If you do not see steam: Leave the hybrid system running and carefully lift the hood.
Check to see if the cooling fan is operating.
If the fan is operating: Wait until the temperature of the engine (shown on the
instrument cluste r) begins to fall and then stop the hybrid
system.
If the fan is not operating: Stop the hybrid system immediately and call your local
Lexus dealer.
After the hybrid system has
cooled down sufficiently, check
the engine coolant level and
inspect the radiator core (radia-
tor) for any leaks.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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■Overheating
If you observe the following, your vehicle may be overheating.
●The message WATER TEMP is displayed on the multi-information display.
●The engine coolant temperature gauge enters the red zone or a loss of power is
experienced.
●Steam is coming from under the hood.
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of your vehicle
●If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until the
steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot, causing serious
injury such as burns.
●Keep hands and clothing away from the fan and other belts while the hybrid sys-
tem is running.
●Do not loosen the radiator cap while the hybrid system and radiator are hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam released
under pressure.
Add engine coolant if required.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency measure if engine coolant
is unavailable. (→P. 4 3 5 )
Have the vehicle checked at your nearest Lexus dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
STEP5

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NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Wait until the engine has cooled down before adding engine coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cool coolant to a hot engine too quickly
can cause damage to the hybrid system.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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If the vehicle becomes stuck
CAUTION
■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to rock the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the surround-
ing area is clear, to avoid striking other vehicles, objects or persons. The vehicle
may also lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes free. Use extreme
caution.
■When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an
accident and result in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■To avoid damaging the transmission and other components
●Avoid spinning the wheels and do not rev the hybrid system.
●If the vehicle remains stuck after trying these procedures, the vehicle may require
towing to be freed.
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle becomes
stuck in mud, dirt, or snow.
●Stop the hybrid system. Set the parking brake and put the selec-
tor lever in P.
● Remove the mud, snow, or sand from around the stuck tire.
● Place wood, stones or some other material to help provide trac-
tion under the tires.
● Restart the hybrid system.
● Carefully apply the accelerator to free the vehicle.

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Vehicle specifications6
429
RX400h_U
6-1. Specifications................. 430Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) .............. 430
Fuel information ..................... 442
Tire section names................. 445
6-2. Customization................ 458 Customizable features ........ 458
6-3. Initialization ................... 462 Items to initialize .................... 462

430
RX400h_U
6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.)
Dimensions and weight
*1: Unladen vehicle
*2: Vehicle without roof rails
*3: Vehicle with roof rails
*4: Vehicle with roof rails and cross rails
Overall length187.2 in. (4755 mm)
Overall width72.6 in. (1845 mm)
Overall height *1
2WD models
66.1 in. (1680 mm) *2
67.7 in. (1720 mm) *3
68.3 in. (1735 mm) *4
AW D m o d e l s
66.3 in. (1685 mm) *2
67.9 in. (1725 mm) *3
68.5 in. (1740 mm) *4
Wheelbase106.9 in. (2715 mm)
Tr e a d
2WD models -Front-Rear62.2 in. (1580 mm)
61.6 in. (1565 mm)
AW D m o d e l s - Fr o n t -Rear62.0 in. (1575 mm)
61.2 in. (1555 mm)
Vehicle capacity weight
(Occupants + luggage)925 lb. (420 kg)
Towing capacity
(Trailer weight + cargo)
Without towing pack-
age2000 lb. (907 kg)
With towing package3500 lb. (1588 kg)