2008 LEXUS RX400H service

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
RX400h_U
4
Using the DVD player (MP3 discs) ................................. 249
Using the video mode ................. 251
Changing the initial setting ...... 253
3-4. Using the interior lights .......... 260 Interior lights list........................... 260
• Interior lights ............................... 263
• Personal lights ............................ 264
3-5. Using the storage features .... 265 List of storage features............... 265
• Glove box..................................... 265
• Console boxes ........................... 266
• Coin holder................................. 268
• Overhead console.................... 269
• Cup holders................................. 269
• Door pockets ............................... 271
3-6. Other interior features........... 272 Sun visors......................................... 272
Vanity mirror .................................. 273
Clock ................................................. 274
Outside temperature display ............................................ 275
Multi-display light control ......... 276
Power outlets ................................. 277
Seat heaters ................................... 280
Armrest ............................................ 282
Floor mat......................................... 283
Luggage compartment features......................................... 284
Garage door opener.................. 287
Compass.......................................... 292 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
4Maintenance and care

RX400h_U
19
Scrapping of your Lexus
The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in your Lexus contain explosive
chemicals. If the vehicle is scrapped with the airbags and seat belt pretensioners left
as they are, this may cause an accident such as fire. Be sure to have the systems of
the SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner removed and disposed of by a qualified
service shop or by your Lexus dealer before you scrap your vehicle.
Perchlorate Material
Special handling may apply, See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Your vehicle has components that may contain perchlorate. These components may
include airbag, seat belt pretensioners, and wireless remote control batteries.

RX400h_U
20
CAUTION
■General precautions while driving
Driving under the influence: Never drive your vehicle when under the influence of
alcohol or drugs that have impaired your ability to operate your vehicle. Alcohol
and certain drugs delay reaction time, impair judgment and reduce coordination,
which could lead to an accident that will hurt or kill you, your occupants or others.
Defensive driving: Always drive defensively. Anticipate mistakes that other drivers
or pedestrians might make and be ready to avoid accidents.
Driver distraction: Always give your full attention to driving. Anything that distracts
the driver, such as adjusting controls, talking on a cellular phone or reading can
result in a collision with resulting death or serious injury to you, your occupants or
others.
■General precaution regarding children’s safety
Never leave children unattended in the vehicle, and never allow children to have or
use the key.
Children may be able to start the vehicle or shift the vehicle into neutral. There is
also a danger that children may injure themselves by playing with the cigarette
lighter, the windows, the moon roof, or other features of the vehicle. In addition, heat
build-up or extremely cold temperatures inside the vehicle can be fatal to children.
■Dispose of the hybrid battery (traction battery)
If your vehicle is disposed of without the hybrid battery having been removed, there
is a danger of serious electric shock if high voltage parts, cables and their connec-
tors are touched. In the event of that your vehicle must be disposed of, the hybrid
battery must be disposed of your Lexus dealer or a qualified service shop. If the
hybrid battery is not disposed of properly, they may cause electric shock that can
result in death or serious injury.

27
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
RX400h_U
High voltage components*: With AWD models only
Take care when handling the hybrid system, as it contains a high voltage
system (about 650V at maximum) as well as parts that become
extremely hot when the hybrid system is operating. Obey the caution
labels attached to the vehicle. Air conditioning compressor
High voltage cables (orange
color)
Power control unit
Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery)
Service plug
DC/DC converter
Rear electric motor (traction
motor)*
Front electric motor (traction
motor)
Caution label

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1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
RX400h_U
■If a warning light comes on or a warning message is displayed, or the 12-volt bat-
tery is disconnected
The hybrid system may not start. In that case, try to start the system again. If the
READY light does not come on, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Emergency shut off system
The emergency shut off system blocks off the high voltage current and stops the
fuel pump to minimize the risk of the electric leakage and the fuel leakage when a
certain level of impact is detected by the impact sensor. If the system activates, your
vehicle will not restart. To restart the hybrid system, contact a Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
■High voltage precautions
The vehicle has high voltage DC and AC systems as well as a system. DC and AC
high voltage is very dangerous and can cause severe burns and electric shock that
may result in death or serious injury.
●Never touch, disassemble, remove or replace the high voltage parts, cables and
their connectors.
●The hybrid system will become hot after starting as the system uses high voltage.
Be careful of both the high voltage and the high temperature, and always obey
the caution labels attached to the vehicle.
●Never try to open the service plug access hole located in the luggage compart-
ment. The service plug is used only when the vehicle is serviced and is subject to
high voltage.

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2-1. Driving procedures
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not press the
accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Caution when driving
Do not turn the engine switch to the LOCK position while driving. If, in an emer-
gency, you must turn the hybrid system off while the vehicle is moving, turn the
engine switch only to the ACC position.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the engine switch in the ACC or ON position for long periods without
the hybrid system on.
■When starting the hybrid system
●If any service reminder indicator light comes on or warning message appears on
the multi-information display or the 12-volt battery is disconnected, the hybrid
system may not start. In that case, turn the ignition on again. If the READY light
does not come on, contact your Lexus dealer.
●Do not race the hybrid system.
●If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the hybrid
system checked immediately.

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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX400h_U
Off-road drivingYour vehicle is not designed to be driven off-road. However, in the event
that off-road driving cannot be avoided, please observe the following
precautions to help avoid the areas prohibited to vehicles.
● Drive your vehicle only in areas where off-road vehicles are permitted
to travel.
● Respect private property. Get owner’s permission before entering pri-
vate property.
● Do not enter areas that are closed. Honor gates, barriers and signs
that restrict travel.
● Stay on established roads. When conditions are wet, driving tech-
niques should be changed or travel delayed to prevent damage to
roads.
● Avoid driving on very steep, slippery roads and other surfaces, such as
sand, where the tires are liable to lose traction. Your vehicle may not
perform as well as conventional AWD on-road vehicles on these sur-
faces.
■Additional information for off-road driving
For owners in U.S. mainland, Hawaii and Puerto Rico:
To obtain additional information pertaining to driving your vehicle off-road, consult
the following organizations.
●State and Local Parks and Recreation Departments
●State Motor Vehicle Bureau
●Recreational Vehicle Clubs
●U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management

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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX400h_U
NOTICE
■When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check the
depth of the water and the bottom of the river bed for firmness. Drive slowly and
avoid deep water.
■Inspection after off-road driving
●Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums and around brake discs may
affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system components.
●Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driving that
has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For scheduled mainte-
nance information, refer to the “Warranty and Services Guide/Owner’s Manual
Supplement/Scheduled Maintenance”.