Page 468 of 660
468 6-2. Maintenance
RX450h_U_OM0E013U * : Vehicles with sing le-beam headlightsVehicle interior Items Check points
Accelerator pedal • The accelerator pedal should move smoothly (with-
out uneven pedal effort or catching).
Brake pedal • Does the brake pedal move smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clearance
from the floor? ( P. 588)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of
free play? ( P. 588)
Brakes • The vehicle should not pull to one side when the
brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor
when the brakes are applied.
Head restraints • Do the head restraints move smoothly and lock
securely?
Hybrid transmission “Park”
mechanism • When parked on a slope and the shift lever is in P, is
the vehicle securely stopped?
Indicators/buzzers • Do the indicators and buzzers function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
• Are the headlights aimed correctly?
* ( P. 511)
Parking brake • Does the parking brake switch operate normally?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on,
is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts •Do the seat belt s operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats • Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel • Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correct amount of
free play?
• There should not be an y strange sounds coming
from the steering wheel.
Page 471 of 660
471
RX450h_U_OM0E013U 6
Maintenance and care 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the correct proce-
dure as given in these sections. Items Pa r t s a n d t o o l s
12-volt battery con-
dition ( P. 4 8 3 ) •Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
( P. 4 8 1 ) • FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine/power con-
trol unit coolant level
( P. 4 7 9 ) • “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high quality
ethylene glycol-based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite
and non-borate coolant with long-life hybrid organic acid
technology
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed with 50%
coolant and 50% deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed with 55%
coolant and 45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level
( P. 4 76 ) • “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( P. 5 0 8 ) • Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Headlight aim
*
( P. 511) • Phillips-head screwdriver
Light bulbs
( P. 5 1 3 ) • Bulb with same number and wattage rating as original
•Flathead screwdriver •Wrench
Radiator and con-
denser ( P. 4 8 0 )
Tire inflation pres-
sure ( P. 4 9 6 ) • Tire pressure gauge • Compressed air source
Page 475 of 660
4756-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
RX450h_U_OM0E013U ■
12-volt battery
P. 4 8 3Engine compartment
Wa s h e r f l u i d t a n k ( P. 4 8 2 )
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 4 8 1 )
Engine oil level dipstick
( P. 4 76 )
Engine coolant reservoir
( P. 4 7 9 )
Power control unit coolant reservoir
( P. 4 7 9 ) Fuse boxes ( P. 5 0 8 )
Radiator ( P. 4 8 0 )
Power control unit coolant
radiator ( P. 4 8 0 )
Condenser ( P. 4 8 0 )
Electric cooling fans
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 4 7 7 )1
2
3
4
5 6
7
8
9
10
11
Page 481 of 660
4816-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
RX450h_U_OM0E013U ■
Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN” lines
on the tank.
■
Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary item. ■
Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the brake fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking efficiency. Use
only newly opened brake fluid.Brake fluid
Fluid type FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
Items Clean funnel
WA R N I N G ■
When filling the reservoir
Take care as brake fluid can harm your hands and eyes and damage painted surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected area with clean water
immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.
NOTICE ■
If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads wear out or
when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refil ling, there may be a serious problem.
Page 529 of 660
5297-1. Essential information
7
When trouble arises
RX450h_U_OM0E013U Steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet and firmly depress it.Do not pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort required to
slow the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to N.
If the shift lever is shifted to N
After slowing down, stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Stop the hybrid system.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted to N
Keep depressing the brake pedal with both feet to reduce vehicle speed as
much as possible.
To stop the hybrid system, press and
hold the power switch for 2 consec-
utive seconds or more, or press it
briefly 3 times or more in succes-
sion.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency Only in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the vehicle in
the normal way, stop the vehicl e using the following procedure:1
2
3
4
3
Press and hold for 2 seconds or more,
or press briefly 3 times or more4
WA R N I N G ■
If the hybrid system has to be turned off while driving
Power assist for the steering wheel will be lost, making the stee ring wheel heavier to
turn. Decelerate as much as possible before turning off the hybrid system.5
Page 531 of 660
5317-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
RX450h_U_OM0E013U Towing with a wheel-lift type truck
From the front (2WD models)
From the front (AWD models)
Release the parking brake. Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.
From the rear
Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.
Page 535 of 660
5357-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
RX450h_U_OM0E013U ●
Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air co nditioning after use is normal.)●
Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear ●
Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points higher than nor-
mal ●
Changes in exhaust sound ●
Excessive tire squeal when cornering ●
Strange noises related to the suspension system ●
Pinging or other noises related to the hybrid system ●
Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly ●
Appreciable loss of power ●
Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking ●
Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road ●
Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy f eeling, pedal almost touches the floorIf you think something is wrong If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms
Page 536 of 660
536 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX450h_U_OM0E013UIf a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights comes on or
flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, bu t then goes off, this does not necessar-
ily indicate a malfunction in the system. However, if this continues to occur,
have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Warning light and warning buzzer list Warning light Warning light/Details/Actions(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light
Indicates that:
• The brake fluid level is low; or
• The brake system is malfunctioning
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
Brake system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The regenerative braking system;
• The electronically controlled brake system; or
• The electric parking brake
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately. (If equipped)
Charging system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous. (U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The hybrid system;
• The electronic engine control system; or
• The electronic throttle control system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
