Page 225 of 660

2254-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U ●
To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system performance
when using engine braking, do no t put the transmission in D. ( P. 2 3 9 )●
Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long downhill
grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do not make sudden
downshifts while descending steep or long downhill grades. ●
Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes too fre-
quently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking
efficiency. ●
Due to the added load of the trailer, yo ur vehicle’s engine may overheat on hot
days (at temperatures over 85 F [30 C]) when driving up a long or steep
grade. If the engine coolant temperat ure gauge indicates overheating, imme-
diately turn off the air cond itioning (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and
stop in a safe spot. ( P. 5 74 )●
Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s wheels
when parking. Put the transmission in P and apply the parking brake. Avoid
parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do so only after performing the follow-
ing:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and trailer’s
wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in place, release the brakes slowly until the
blocks absorb the load.
Shift into P and apply the parking brake.
Turn off the hybrid system.●
When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the hybrid system. Be sure to keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
If the parking brake is in manual mode, release the parking brake.
( P. 2 4 6 )
Release the brake pedal, and slowly pull or back away from the wheel
blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks. 1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
Page 232 of 660
232
RX450h_U_OM0E013U 4-2. Driving procedures
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal. and a message will be displayed on the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the hybrid system cannot be started.
Press the power switch. If the “READY” indicator turns on, the
hybrid system will operate normally.
Continue depressing the brake pedal
until the “READY” indicator is illumi-
nated.
The hybrid system can be started from
any power switch mode.
Check that the “READY” indicator is illuminated. The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.Power (ignition) switch Performing the following op erations when carrying the electronic key on your
person starts the hybrid system or changes power switch modes.
Starting the hybrid system 1
2
3
4
5
Page 233 of 660

2334-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U Stop the vehicle completely.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 2 4 5 )If the parking brake is in automatic mode, the parking brake is set automatically when
shifting the shift lever to P. (
P. 2 4 5 )
Press the power switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that the display on the meters is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing the po wer switch with 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.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed on the
meters.
ON mode All electrical components can be used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on
the meters.
* : 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 of f.Stopping the hybrid system
Changing power switch modes 1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
Page 234 of 660

234 4-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_U_OM0E013U 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 “Turn Off Vehicle” is displayed on the multi-information display
and then press the power switch once.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” on the multi-information display is off. ■
Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or ON mode (the
hybrid system is not operating) for more than an hour with the shift lever in P, the power
switch will automatically turn off. However, this function cannot entirely prevent 12-volt
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.■
Sounds and vibrations spec ific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 7 9 ■
Electronic key battery depletion
P. 1 3 4 ■
When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driving conditions
When starting the hybrid system, the flas hing time of the “READY” indicator may be
long. Leave the vehicle as it is until the “REA DY” indicator is steady on, as steady means
the vehicle is able to move. ■
Conditions affe cting operation
P. 1 6 0 ■
Note for the entry function
P. 1 6 1 ■
If the hybrid system does not start ●
The immobilizer system may no t have been deactivated. ( P. 8 5 )
Contact your Lexus dealer. ●
Check that the shift lever is se curely set in P. The hybrid sy stem may not start if the shift
lever is displaced out of P. “To Start Vehicle, Put Shift Lever into P” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.When stopping the hybrid system with the shift lever in a position other
than P 1
2
3
4
Page 239 of 660
2394-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U While the power switch is in ON mode, move the shift lever with the brake
pedal depressed. When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.
* 1
: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, shift the shift lever to D for normal driv-
ing.
* 2
: By selecting shift ranges using S mode, yo u can control accelerating force and engine
braking force.Hybrid transmission Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose Shift position Objective or function
P Parking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
R Reversing
N Neutral
D Normal driving
* 1
S S mode driving
* 2
( P. 2 4 1 )
Page 245 of 660

2454-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U The parking brake is set or released automatically according to shift lever opera-
tion.
Even when in automatic mode, the parkin g brake can be set and released manu-
ally. ( P. 2 4 6 )
Turns automatic mode on (while the
vehicle is stopped, pull and hold the
parking brake switch until the auto-
matic mode lamp turns on) • When the shift lever is moved out of
P, the parking brake will be released,
and the parking brake indicator light
and parking brake lamp turn off.
• When the shift lever is moved into P,
the parking brake will be set, and the
parking brake indicator light and
parking brake lamp turn on.
Operate the shift lever with the brake
pedal depressed.
Turns automatic mode off (while the
vehicle is stopped, press and hold
the parking brake switch until the
automatic mode lamp turns off)Parking brake A selections can be made as de sired from the following modes.
Automatic mode
Automatic
mode lamp U.S.A. Canada
Pa r k i n g
brake lamp1
2
Page 246 of 660

246 4-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_U_OM0E013U The parking brake can be set and released manually.
Sets the parking brake The parking brake indicator light and
parking brake lamp will turn on.
Pull and hold the parking brake switch if
an emergency occurs and it is necessary
to operate the parking brake while driv-
ing.
Releases the parking brake Operate the parking brake switch while
depressing the brake pedal. Make sure
that the parking brake indicator light
and parking brake lamp turn off.
If the parking brake indicator light and
parking brake lamp flashes, operate the
switch again. ( P. 5 3 6 )■
Parking brake operation ●
When the power switch is not in ON mode, the parking brake cannot be released using
the parking brake switch. ●
When the power switch is not in ON mode, automatic mode (automatic brake setting
and releasing) is not available. ■
If “Parking Brake Overheated Parking Brake Unavailable” is displayed on the multi-
information display
If the parking brake is operated repeatedly over a short period of time, the system may
restrict operation to prevent overheating. If this happens, refrain from operating the
parking brake. Normal operation will return after about 1 minute. ■
If “EPB Activation Stopped In completely” or “Parking Brake Unavailable” is displayed
on the multi-information display
Operate the parking brake switch. If the mess age does not disappear after operating the
switch several times, the sy stem may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by
your Lexus dealer immediately.Manual mode U.S.A. Canada
Pa r k i n g
brake lamp1
2
Page 247 of 660

2474-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U ■
Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard. This
does not indicate a malfunction. ■
Parking brake indicator light and parking brake lamp ●
Depending on the power switch mode, the parking brake indicator light and parking
brake lamp will turn on and stay on as described below:
ON mode: Comes on until the parking brake is released.
Not in ON mode: Stays on for approximately 15 seconds. ●
When the power switch is turned off with th e parking brake set, the parking brake indi-
cator light and parking brake lamp will stay on for about 15 seconds. This does not indi-
cate a malfunction. ■
Changing the mode
When changing the automatic mode on/off , the message will be shown on the multi-
information display and the buzzer sounds. ■
Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven with the parking brake engaged. “Release
Parking Brake” is displayed on the multi-information display. ■
Warning messages and buzzers
Warning messages and buzzers are used to indicate a system malfunction or to inform
the driver of the need for caution. If a warn ing message is shown on the multi-information
display, read the message and follow the instructions.■
If the brake system warning light comes on
P. 5 3 6 ■
Usage in winter time
P. 3 9 1