
2074-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U WA R N I N G
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury. ■
When driving the vehicle ●
During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. Turning the hybrid system off
while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, however, power assist
to the steering will be lost. This will make it more difficult to steer smoothly, so you
should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
In the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the vehicle in
the normal way: P. 5 2 9●
Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a steep
hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause th e brakes to overheat and lose effective-
ness. ( P. 2 3 9 )●
Do not adjust the positions of the steering wh eel, the seat, or the inside or outside rear
view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control. ●
Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body are not
outside the vehicle. ●
AWD models: Do not drive the vehicle off-road.
This is not an AWD vehicle designed for of f-road driving. Proceed with all due cau-
tion if it becomes unavoidable to drive off-road. ●
Do not drive across a river or through other bodies of water.
This may cause electric/electronic components to short circuit, damage the hybrid
system or cause other serious damage to the vehicle. ●
Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Ev en if the legal speed lim it permits it, do not
drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability tires.
Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and possible
injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on your vehicle
are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.

226 4-1. Before driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U ■
Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler height
■
Before towing
Check that the followin g conditions are met:●
Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. ( P. 5 8 9 )●
Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recommendation. ●
All trailer lights work as required by law. ●
All lights work each time you connect them. ●
The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.●
The trailer is level when it is hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not level, an d check for improper to ngue weight, overload-
ing, worn suspension, or other possible causes. ●
The trailer cargo is securely loaded. ●
The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or local regula-
tions. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes. ■
AVS (adaptive variable suspension system) (if equipped)
The suspension can be switched fo r improvement in driveability. ( P. 3 8 2 )No matter which class of tow hitch
applies, for a more safe trailer hookup,
the trailer ball setup must be the proper
height for the coupler on the trailer.
Coupler
Trailer ball 1
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276 4-5. Using the driving support systems
RX450h_U_OM0E013U WA R N I N G ●
Do not subject the camera sensor to a strong impact. ●
Do not change the installation position or di rection of the camera sensor or remove it.●
Do not disassemble the camera sensor. ●
Do not install an electronic de vice or device that emits strong electric waves near the
camera sensor. ●
Do not modify any components of the vehicle around the camera sensor (inside rear
view mirror, sun visors, etc.) or ceiling. ●
Do not attach any accessories that may obst ruct the camera sensor to the hood, front
grille or front bumper. Contact your Lexus dealer for details. ●
If a surfboard or other long object is to be mounted on the roof, make sure that it will
not obstruct the camera sensor. ●
Do not modify the headlights or other lights.

290 4-5. Using the driving support systems
RX450h_U_OM0E013U • After the hybrid system has started the vehicle has not been driven for a certain
amount of time
• While making a left/right turn and for a few seconds after making a left/right turn
• While driving on a curve and for a few seconds after driving on a curve
• If your vehicle is skidding
• If the front of the vehicle is raised or lowered, such as when the road surface is
uneven or undulating
• If the wheels are misaligned
• If a wiper blade is blocking the camera sensor
• The vehicle is wobbling.
• The vehicle is being driven at extremely high speeds.
• When driving on a hill ●
In some situations such as the following, su fficient braking force may not be obtained,
preventing the system from performing properly:
• If the braking functions cannot operate to their full extent, such as when the brake
parts are extremely cold, extremely hot, or wet
• If the vehicle is not properly maintained (brakes or tires are excessively worn,
improper tire inflation pressure, etc.)
• When the vehicle is being driven on a gravel road or other slippery surface ●
Some pedestrians such as the following may not be detected by the radar sensor and
camera sensor, preventing the system from operating properly
* 4
:
• Pedestrians shorter than approximately 3.2 ft. (1 m) or taller than approximately 6.5
ft. (2 m)
• Pedestrians wearing oversized clothing (a rain coat, long skirt, etc.), making their sil-
houette obscure
• Pedestrians who are carrying large baggag e, holding an umbrella, etc., hiding part
of their body
• Pedestrians who are bending forward or squatting
• Pedestrians who are pushing a stroller, wheelchair, bicycle or other vehicle
• Groups of pedestrians which are close together
• Pedestrians who are wearing white and look extremely bright
• Pedestrians in the dark, such as at night or while in a tunnel
• Pedestrians whose clothing appears to be nearly the same color or brightness as
their surroundings
• Pedestrians near walls, fences, guardrails, or large objects
• Pedestrians who are on a metal object (man hole cover, steel plate, etc.) on the road
• Pedestrians who are walking fast
• Pedestrians who are changing speed abruptly
• Pedestrians running out from behind a vehicle or a large object
• Pedestrians who are extremely close to the side of the vehicle (outside rear view
mirror, etc.)
* 4
: Depending on the region in which the ve hicle was sold, the pedestrian detection
function may not be available.

364 4-5. Using the driving support systems
RX450h_U_OM0E013U Multi-information display Turning the BSM function/RCTA function on/off. ( P. 3 6 5 )
The RCTA function is available when the BSM function is on.
Outside rear view mirror indicators BSM function:
When a vehicle is detected in a blind spot of the outside rear view mirrors or
approaching rapidly from behind into a blin d spot, the outside rear view mirror indi-
cator on the detected side will illuminate. If the turn signal lever is operated toward
the detected side, the outside rear view mirror indicator will flash.
RCTA function:
When a vehicle approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle is
detected, both outside rear vi ew mirror indicators will flash.
“BSM” indicator/“RCTA” indicator When the BSM function/RCTA function is turned on, the indicator illuminates.
Monitor screen display (RCTA function only) If a vehicle approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle is detected, the
RCTA icon ( P. 372) for the detected side will be displayed on the monitor screen.
This illustration shows an example of a vehi cle approaching from the left at the rear of
the vehicle.
RCTA buzzer (RCTA function only) If a vehicle approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle is detected, a
buzzer will sound. The buzzer also sounds for approximately 1 second immediately
after the BSM function is operated to turn the system on. 1
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3654-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U Press “ ” or “ ” of the meter control switches, select .
Press “ ” or “ ” of the meter control switches, select “BSM”.
Press “ ” or “ ” of the meter control switches, select “BSM” or “RCTA”.■
Outside rear view mirror indicator visibility
In strong sunlight, the outside rear view mirror indicator may be difficult to see.■
Hearing the RCTA buzzer
The RCTA buzzer may be difficult to hear ov er loud noises, such as if the audio system
volume is high. ■
When there is a malfunction in the Blind Spot Monitor
If a system malfunction is de tected due to any of the following, a warning message will be
displayed: ( P. 5 4 3 )●
A sensor is malfunctioning ●
A sensor is dirty or covered with snow or a sticker ●
The outside temperature is extremely high or low ●
Sensor voltage is abnormal ●
A sensor is misaligned ■
Certification for the Blind Spot Monitor
For vehicles sold in the U.S.A.
FCC ID : OAYSRR3A
This device complies with part 15 of the FC C Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including in terference that may
cause undesired operation.
FCC Warning
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compli-
ance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
For vehicles sold in Canada
Applicable law : Canada 310
This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS st andard(s). Operation
is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
Frequency bands : 24.05 - 24.25GHz
Output power : less than 20 milliwatts ■
Customization
Some functions can be customized. (P. 376, 607)Turning the BSM function/RCTA function on/off 1
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3674-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U The BSM function uses radar sensors to detect the following vehicles traveling in
adjacent lanes and advises the driver of the presence of such vehicles via the
indicators on the outside rear view mirrors.
Vehicles that are traveling in areas that are not visible using the outside rear
view mirrors (the blind spots)
Vehicles that are approaching rapidly from behind in areas that are not visible
using the outside rear view mirrors (the blind spots)BSM function
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368 4-5. Using the driving support systems
RX450h_U_OM0E013U The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.
The range of each detection area is:
Approximately 1.6 ft. (0.5 m) to 11.5 ft. (3.5 m) from either side of the vehicle
*
* : The area between the side of the vehicle and 1.6 ft. (0.5 m) from the side of the vehicle
cannot be detected.
Approximately 3.3 ft. (1 m) forward of the rear bumper
Approximately 9.8 ft. (3 m) from the rear bumper
Approximately 9.8 ft. (3 m) to 197 ft. (60 m) from the rear bumper
*
* : The greater the difference in speed between your vehicle and the detected vehicle is,
the farther away the vehicle will be detected, causing th e outside rear view mirror
indicator to illuminate or flash.BSM function detection areas
WA R N I N G ■
Cautions regarding the use of the function
The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking care to
observe your surroundings.
The BSM function is a supplementary function which alerts the driver that a vehicle is in
a blind spot of the outside rear view mirror s or is approaching rapidly from behind into
a blind spot. Do not overly rely on the BSM fu nction. As the function cannot judge if it is
safe to change lanes, over reliance could le ad to an accident resulting in death or seri-
ous injury.
As the system may not function correctly under certain conditions, the driver’s own
visual confirmation of safety is necessary. 1
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