Page 665 of 878
6654-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care Pull on the attached hook to
extend the string.
Use the hook to secure the deck
board as shown in the illustra-
tion.
Remove the spare tire cover.
After removing the clips,
remove the 12-volt battery
cover.STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 6
Page 666 of 878
6664-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Vehicles with a full-size spare tire
Pull the lever upward to fold
back the front part of the deck
board.
Pull on the attached hook to
extend the string.
Use the hook to secure the deck
board as shown in the illustra-
tion.STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
Page 667 of 878
6674-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care After removing the clips,
remove the 12-volt battery
cover.
■ Exterior
Make sure that the 12-volt ba ttery terminals are not corroded and
that there are no loose connect ions, cracks or loose clamps.
Terminals
Hold-down clamp
■ Installing the 12-volt battery cover
Install the 12-volt battery cover
with the clips.STEP 4
Page 668 of 878

6684-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■
Before recharging
When recharging, the 12-volt battery produces hydrogen gas which is flammable
and explosive. Therefore, observe the following precautions before recharging: ●
If recharging with the 12-volt battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to discon-
nect the ground cable.●
Make sure the power switch on the charger is off when connecting and discon-
necting the charger cables to the 12-volt battery.■
After recharging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
The hybrid system may not start. Follow one or both of the following procedures: ●
After opening and closing the driver’s do or, wait 10 seconds and then attempt to
start the hybrid system. (If the system does not start the first time, repeat the pro-
cedure.)●
With the shift lever in P and the “POWER” switch off, open and close any door
and then attempt to start the hybrid system.
If the system will not start even after mult iple attempts at both methods, contact
your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION■
Chemicals in the 12-volt battery
The 12-volt battery contain poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid and may produce
hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosiv e. To reduce the risk of death or seri-
ous injury, take the following precautions while working on or near the 12-volt bat-
tery: ●
Do not cause sparks by touching the 12-volt battery terminals with tools.●
Do not smoke or light a match near the 12-volt battery.
●
Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothes.
●
Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.
●
Wear protective safety glasses when working near the 12-volt battery.
●
Keep children away from the 12-volt battery.
Page 669 of 878

6694-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care CAUTION■
Where to safely charge the 12-volt battery
Always charge the 12-volt battery in an open area. Do not charge the 12-volt bat-
tery in a garage or closed room where there is insufficient ventilation.■
How to recharge the 12-volt battery
Only perform a slow charge (5 A or le ss). The 12-volt battery may explode if
charged at a quicker rate.■
Emergency measures regarding electrolyte ●
If electrolyte gets in your eyes
Flush your eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes and get immediate medi-
cal attention. If possible, continue to apply water with a sponge or cloth while
traveling to the nearest medical facility.●
If electrolyte gets on your skin
Wash the affected area thoroughly. If you feel pain or burning, get medical atten-
tion immediately.●
If electrolyte gets on your clothes
It can soak through clothing on to your skin. Immediately take off the clothing and
follow the procedure above if necessary.●
If you accidentally swallow electrolyte
Drink a large quantity of water or milk. Get emergency medical attention imme-
diately.■
When replacing the 12-volt battery
Use a 12-volt battery designed for the RX 450h. Failure to do so may cause gas
(hydrogen) to enter the passenger compartment, causing a fire or explosion.
For replacement of the 12-volt battery, contact your Lexus dealer.
NOTICE
■
When recharging the 12-volt battery
Never recharge the 12-volt battery while the hybrid system is operating. Also, be
sure all accessories are turned off.
Page 670 of 878
6704-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Tires Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance schedules and
treadwear.
■ Checking tires
New tread
Treadwear indicator
Worn tread The location of treadwear indi-
cators is shown by the “TWI” or
“ ” marks, etc., molded on the
sidewall of each tire.
Check spare tire condition and
pressure if not rotated.
■ Tire rotation
Vehicles with a compact spare tire
Rotate the tires in the order
shown. To equalize tire wear and extend
tire life, Lexus recommends that
tire rotation is carried out at the
same interval as tire inspection.
Vehicles with a full-size spare tire
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
To equalize tire wear and extend
tire life, Lexus recommends that
tire rotation is carried out at the
same interval as tire inspection.Front
Front
Page 671 of 878

6714-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning va lves and transmitters are installed,
new tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID codes must be regis-
tered in the tire pressure warning co mputer and the tire pressure warning
system must be initialized. Have tire pressure warning valve and transmit-
ter ID codes registered by your Lexus dealer. ( P. 6 7 3 )
Initializing the tire pressure warning system
■ The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the following
circumstances:
● When rotating the tires
● When the tire inflation pressure is changed such as when changing
travelling speed or load weight
● When changing the tire size
When the tire pressure warning sy stem is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the benchmark pressure.■ The tire pressure warning system
Your Lexus is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses
tire pressure warning valves and tr ansmitters to detec t low tire infla-
tion pressure before serious problems arise. ( P. 7 3 6 )
Page 672 of 878
6724-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■ How to initialize the tire pressure warning system
Park the vehicle in a safe place and turn the “POWER” switch off. Initialization cannot be performed while the vehicle is moving.
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified co ld tire inflation
pressure level. ( P. 8 0 7 )Make sure to adjust the tire pressure to the specified cold tire inflation
pressure level. The tire pressure warning system will operate based on
this pressure level.
Turn the “POWER” switch to ON mode.
Press and hold the tire pressure
warning reset switch until the tire
pressure warning light blinks
slowly 3 times.
Wait for a few minutes with th e “POWER” switch on and then
turn the “POWER” switch off.STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5