Page 121 of 878

1211-6. Refueling
1
Before driving ■
When the fuel filler door cannot be opened by pressing the inside switch
Open the back door and li ft the deck board up. ( P. 6 6 4 )
With a compact spare tire only:
Remove the spare tire cover. ( P. 664)
Remove the 12-volt battery cover. ( P. 664)
Install the 12-volt battery cover using the clips. ( P. 6 6 7 )
Using the lever to open the fuel filler door may not allow for an adequate reduction
in fuel tank pressure before refueling. To prevent fuel from spilling out, turn the cap
slowly when removing it.
During refueling, fuel may spill out from the filler opening due to air being dis-
charged from inside the fuel tank. Therefore, fill the fuel tank carefully and slowly.■
Fuel types
Unleaded gasoline (Octane rating 91 [R esearch Octane Number 96] or higher)STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
If the fuel filler door opener switch cannot be
operated, contact your Lexus dealer to ser-
vice the vehicle. In case where refueling is
urgently necessary, the fuel filler door can be
opened using the lever in the luggage com-
partment.STEP 4
STEP 5
Page 128 of 878
1281-7. Theft deterrent system
■
Tr i g g e r i n g o f t h e a l a r m
The alarm may be triggered in the following situations:
(Stopping the alarm deactivates the alarm system.)
■
Alarm-operated door lock ●
When the alarm is operating, the door s are locked automatically to prevent
intruders.●
Do not leave the key inside the vehicle when the alarm is operating, and make
sure the key is not inside the vehicle when recharging or replacing the 12-volt
battery.
NOTICE■
To ensure the system operates correctly
Do not modify or remove the system. If mo dified or removed, the proper operation
of the system cannot be guaranteed. ●
A person inside the vehicle opens a door
or the hood.
●
The 12-volt battery is recharged or
replaced when the vehicle is locked.
Page 168 of 878

1682-1. Driving procedures
■
Drum-in-disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum-in-disc type parking brake system. This type of brake sys-
tem needs bedding-down of the brake shoe s periodically or whenever the parking
brake shoes and/or drum are replaced. Have your Lexus dealer perform the bed-
ding down operation.■
Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability of the
correct fuel. ( P. 800)■
For efficient use ●
Shift the shift lever to D when driving.
In the N position, the gasoline engine op erates but electricity cannot be gener-
ated. The hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge, requiring unnecessary
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 electric motor (t raction motor) with-
out 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.●
Shift the shift lever to 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 time may dis-
charge the hybrid battery. The vehicle cannot run if the hybrid battery is dis-
charged.■
Eco-friendly driving
P. 1 9 9
CAUTION
■
When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pe dal while stopped with the hybrid system
operating. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
Page 179 of 878

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
Page 180 of 878

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.
Page 182 of 878

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.
Page 183 of 878

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]).
Page 184 of 878

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.