2015 LEXUS RX450h Owners Manual

1772-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving Power (ignition) switch Performing the following operations when carrying the electronic key on
your person starts the hybrid system or changes “POWER” switch modes.
■ Starting the hybrid system
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal. The “POWER” switch indicator will turn green. If the indicator does
not turn green, the hybrid system cannot be started.
Press the “POWER” switch. After a while, the “READY” indi-
cator comes on with a beep
sound.
The vehicle can move when the
“READY” indicator is on even if
the engine is stopped.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the hybrid system is
completely started.
The hybrid system can be
started from any “POWER”
switch mode.
Check that the “READY” indicator is on.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5

1782-1. Driving procedures
■ Stopping the hybrid system
Stop the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Set the parking brake. (  P. 1 9 5 )
Press the “POWER” switch.
Release the brake pedal and chec k that the indicator on the
“POWER” switch is off.
■ Changing “POWER” switch modes
Modes can be changed by pressing the “POWER” switch with the
brake pedal released. (The mode changes each time the switch is
pressed.)
Off* The emergency flashers can be
used.
ACCESSORY mode Some electrical components
such as the audio system can be
used.
The “POWER” switch indicator
turns amber.
ON mode
All electrical components can
be used.
The “POWER” switch indicator
turns amber.
* : If the shift lever is in a position
other than P when turning off
the hybrid system, the
“POWER” switch will be turned
to ACCESSORY mode, not to
off.STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5

1792-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving When stopping the hybrid system with the shift lever in a position other than P
If the hybrid system is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than
P, the “POWER” switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to
ACCESSORY mode. Perform the following procedure to turn the switch
off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that the indicator on the “POWER” switch is illuminated in
amber and then press the “POWER” switch once.
Check that the indicator on the “POWER” switch is off.■
Auto power off function
When the shift lever is in P, if the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY or ON mode with
the hybrid system not operating for more than 20 minutes (ACCESSORY mode)
or one hour (ON mode), the “POWER” switch will automatically turn off. However,
this function cannot entirely prevent 12-v olt battery discharge. Do not leave the
vehicle with the “POWER” switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods
of time when the hybrid system is not operating.■
Operation of the “POWER” switch
When operating the “POWER” switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the switch
is pressed improperly, the hybrid system may not start or the “POWER” switch
mode may not change. It is not necessary to press and hold the switch.■
Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
 P. 3 3■
Electronic key battery depletion
 P. 6 5
■
When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driving conditions
It may take time until the “READY” indicator comes on.
■
Conditions affecting operation
 P. 6 2STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4

1802-1. Driving procedures
■
Note for the entry function
 P. 6 3■
If the hybrid system does not start
The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (  P. 1 2 4 )
Contact your Lexus dealer.■
Steering lock
After turning the “POWER” switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to th e steering lock function. Operating the
“POWER” switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.■
When the steering lock cannot be released
■
Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be suspended
if the hybrid system is turned on and off re peatedly in a short period of time. In this
case, refrain from operating the hybrid sy stem. After about 2 seconds, the steering
lock motor will resume functioning.■
When the “POWER” switch indicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer immediately.■
If the “READY” indicator does not come on
If the “READY” indicator does not come on when you press the “POWER” switch
with the shift lever in P and the brake pe dal depressed, contact your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■
If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
 P. 74 4
■
If the electronic key battery is depleted
 P. 6 8 7 The green indicator light on the “POWER”
switch will flash and a message will be shown
on the multi-information display. Press the
“POWER” switch again while turning the
steering wheel left and right.

1812-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving CAUTION■
When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resu lting in death or serious injury.■
Caution while driving
If a hybrid system failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering
lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious
injury.■
Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the vehicle,
press and hold the “POWER” switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly 3
times or more in succession. (  P. 795)
However, do not touch the “POWER” switch while driving except in an emergency.
Turning the hybrid system off while driving wi ll not cause loss of steering or braking
control, however, power assist to the steering will be lost. This will make it more diffi-
cult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is
safe to do so.

1822-1. Driving procedures
NOTICE■
To prevent 12-volt battery discharge ●
Do not leave the “POWER” switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long peri-
ods of time without the hybrid system on.●
If the indicator on the “POWER” switch is illuminated, the “POWER” switch is not
off. When exiting the vehicle, always check that the “POWER” switch is off.●
Do not stop the hybrid system when the shif t lever is in a position other than P. If
the hybrid system is stopped in anothe r shift lever position, the “POWER” switch
will not be turned off but instead be tu rned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehicle
is left in ACCESSORY mode, 12-volt battery discharge may occur.■
When starting the hybrid system ●
Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.●
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked by your
Lexus dealer immediately.■
Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the “POWER” switch
If the “POWER” switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus
dealer immediately.

1832-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving EV drive mode
■
Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline engine
will start automatically after a short period of time in order to warm up. In this case,
you will become unable to switch to EV drive mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illuminated,
press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to switch to EV
drive mode.In EV drive mode, the electric motor (traction motor), powered by the
hybrid battery (traction battery) , is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in residential areas early in the morning and
late at night, or in indoor parking lo ts etc. without concern for noises and
exhaust gas emissions.
However, when the Vehicle Proximity Notification System is active, the
vehicle may produce sound.
Turns EV drive mode on/off When EV drive mode is turned
on, the EV drive mode indicator
will come on. Pressing the
switch when in EV drive mode
will return the vehicle to normal
driving (using the gasoline
engine and electric motor [trac-
tion motor]).

1842-1. Driving procedures
■
Situations in which EV driv e mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situations. If it can-
not be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the multi-
information display. ●
The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driv en on a hill, driven at high speeds, etc.●
The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in extremely low temperatures for a long period of
time etc.●
The gasoline engine is warming up.●
The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.●
Vehicle speed is about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more.●
The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.●
The windshield defogger is in use.■
Automatic cancelation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically restart in
the following situations. When EV drive mo de is canceled, a buzzer will sound and
the EV drive mode indicator will flash and go off. ●
The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.●
Vehicle speed becomes more than about 25 mph (40 km/h).
If engine coolant temperature is low, EV drive mode may be canceled when
vehicle speed is below 25 mph (40 km/h).●
The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
When it is possible to inform the driver of automatic cancelation in advance, a prior
notice screen will appear on the multi-information display.■
Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, it is possible to drive up about 1 /2 mile (1 km) if driving at a speed
of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or less.
(The distance that is possible depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level
and driving conditions.)
■
Fuel economy
RX450h is designed to achieve the best po ssible fuel economy during normal driv-
ing (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction motor]). Driving in EV
drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel economy.