390 4-6. Driving tips
RX450h_U_OM0E013U ●
Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside temperatures.
•Engine oil
• Engine/power control unit coolant
• Washer fluid ●
Have a service technician inspect the condition of the 12-volt battery. ●
Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire chains for
the front tires. Ensure that all tires are of the specified size and the same brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
Perform the following according to the driving conditions: ●
Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen. Pour
warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe away the water imme-
diately to prevent it from freezing. ●
To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan, remove any
snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in front of the windshield. ●
Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accumulated on
the exterior lights, vehicle’s roof, chassis, around the tires or on the brakes. ●
Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before getting in the
vehicle.Winter driving tips Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving the vehi-
cle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate to the prevail-
ing weather conditions.
Pre-winter preparations
Before driving the vehicle
396 4-6. Driving tips
RX450h_U_OM0E013U WA R N I N G ■
Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death, serious injury
or damage to your vehicle: ●
Drive carefully when off the road. Do not ta ke unnecessary risks by driving in danger-
ous places. ●
Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump could jerk
the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and especially your thumbs on the
outside of the rim. ●
Always check your brakes for effectivenes s immediately after driving in sand, mud,
water or snow. ●
After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc., check that there is no
grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped on the underbody.
Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the vehicle is used with these materi-
als trapped or adhering to the underb ody, a breakdown or fire could occur.●
When driving off-road or in rugged terrai n, do not drive at excessive speeds, jump,
make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or vehicle rollover
causing death or serious injury. You are also risking expensive damage to your vehi-
cle’s suspension and chassis.
NOTICE ■
To prevent water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the hybrid battery
(traction battery), hybrid system or other components does not occur. ●
Water entering the engine compartment may cause severe damage to the hybrid
system. Water entering the interior may cause the hybrid battery (traction battery)
stowed under the rear seats to short circuit. ●
Water entering the hybrid transmission and rear electric motor (traction motor)
(AWD models only) will cause deterioration in transmission qua lity. The malfunction
indicator may come on, and the vehicle may not be drivable. ●
Water can wash the grease from wheel be arings, causing rusting and premature fail-
ure, and may also enter the hybrid transmission case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricat-
ing qualities. ■
When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check the depth of
the water and the bottom of the riverbed for firmness. Drive slowly and avoid deep
water. ■
Inspection after off-road driving ●
Sand and mud that has accumulated around brake discs may affect braking efficiency
and may damage brake system components. ●
Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driving that has
taken you through rough terr ain, sand, mud, or water. For scheduled maintenance
information, refer to the “Warranty and Services Guide/Owner’s Manual Supple-
ment/Scheduled Maintenance”.
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.
5417-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
RX450h_U_OM0E013U WA R N I N G ■
If both the ABS and the brake system warning lights remain on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place immediat ely and contact your Lexus dealer. The vehi-
cle will become extremely unstable during braking, and the ABS system may fail, which
could cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury. ■
When the electric power steering system warning light comes on
When the light comes on yellow, the assist to the power steering is restricted. When the
light comes on red, the assist to the power steering is lost and handling operations of
the steering wheel become extremely heavy. When steering wheel operations are
heavier than usual, grip the steering wheel firmly and operate it using more force than
usual. ■
If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could cause a loss of
vehicle control and result in death or serious injury. ●
Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire inflation pressure
immediately. ●
If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjust-
ment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires. If a tire is flat, change it
with the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired by the nearest Lexus dealer. ●
Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you could lose
control of the steering wheel or the brakes. ■
If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.
556 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX450h_U_OM0E013U WA R N I N G ■
When holding a tire with Selectable Color Trim (if equipped)
■
Replacing a flat tire ●
Do not touch the disc wheels or the area around the brakes immediately after the
vehicle has been driven.
After the vehicle has been driven the disc wheels and the area around the brakes will
be extremely hot. Touching these areas with hands, feet or other body parts while
changing a tire, etc. may result in burns. ●
Failure to follow these precautions could cause the wheel nuts to loosen and the tire
to fall off, resulting in death or serious injury.
• Never use oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
Oil and grease may cause the wheel nuts to be excessively tightened, leading to
bolt or disc wheel damage. In addition, the oil or grease can cause the wheel nuts
to loosen and the wheel may fall off, causing a serious accident.
Remove any oil or grease from the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
• Have the wheel nuts tightened with a torque wrench to 76 ft•lbf (103 N•m,
10.5 kgf•m) as soon as possible after changing wheels.
• When installing a tire, only use wheel nuts that have been specifically designed for
that wheel.
• If there are any cracks or deformations in the bolt screws, nut threads or bolt holes
of the wheel, have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.■
Replacing a flat tire for vehicles with power back door
In cases such as when replacing tires, make sure to turn off the power back door main
switch ( P. 112). Failure to do so may cause the back door to operate unintentionally if
the power back door switch is accidentally touched, resulting in hands and fingers
being caught and injured.Do not hold the tire by the Selectable Color
Trim. Otherwise, the Selectable Color Trim
may be damaged or may fall off causing the tire
to drop, possibly causing injury.
588 8-1. Specifications
RX450h_U_OM0E013U * : The fluid capacity is a reference quantity.
If replacement is necessary, contact your Lexus dealer.
* : The fluid capacity is a reference quantity.
If replacement is necessary, contact your Lexus dealer.
* : Minimum pedal clearance when depressed wi th a force of 110 lbf (490 N, 50.0 kgf)
while the hybrid system is operating.Hybrid transmission Fluid capacity
* 5.1 qt. (4.8 L, 4.2 Imp. qt.)
Fluid type To y o t a G e n u i n e AT F W S
NOTICE ■
Hybrid transmission fluid type
Using transmission fluid other than “Toy ota Genuine ATF WS” may ultimately damage
the hybrid transmission of your vehicle.
Rear differential (Rear electric motor) (AWD models) Fluid capacity
* 1.9 qt. (1.8 L, 1.6 Imp. qt.)
Fluid type To y o t a G e n u i n e AT F W S
NOTICE ■
Hybrid transmission fluid type
Using transmission fluid other than “Toy ota Genuine ATF WS” may ultimately damage
the hybrid transmission of your vehicle.
Brakes Pe d a l c l e a r a n c e
* 3.7 in. (95 mm) Min.
Brake pad wear limit 0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Pedal free play 0.04 — 0.24 in. (1.0 — 6.0 mm)
Fluid type FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703
6018-1. Specifications
8
Vehicle specifications
RX450h_U_OM0E013U Glossary of tire terminology Tire related term Meaning
Cold tire inflation pressure Tire pressure when the vehicle has been parked for
three hours or more, or has not been driven more than 1
mile or 1.5 km un der that condition
Maximum inflation pres-
sure The maximum cold inflated pressure to which a tire may
be inflated, shown on the sidewall of the tire
Recommended inflation
pressure Cold tire inflation pressure recommended by a manu-
facturer
Accessory weight The combined weight (in excess of those standard items
which may be replaced) of hybrid transmission, power
steering, power brakes, power windows, power seats,
radio and heater, to the extent that these items are avail-
able as factory-installed eq uipment (whether installed
or not)
Curb weight The weight of a motor vehicle with standard equipment,
including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant,
and if so equipped, air co nditioning and additional
weight optional engine
Maximum loaded vehicle
weight The sum of:
(a) Curb weight
(b) Accessory weight
(c) Vehicle capacity weight
(d) Production options weight
Normal occupant weight 150 lb. (68 kg) times the numb er of occupa nts specified
in the second column of Table 1
* that follows
Occupant distribution Distribution of occupants in a vehicle as specified in the
third column of Table 1
* below
602 8-1. Specifications
RX450h_U_OM0E013U Production options weight The combined weight of installed regular production
options weighing over 5 lb. (2.3 kg) in excess of the
standard items which they replace, not previously con-
sidered in curb weight or accessory weight, including
heavy duty brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
12-volt battery, and special trim
Rim A metal support for a tire or a tire and tube assembly
upon which the tire beads are seated
Rim diameter
(Wheel diameter) Nominal diameter of the bead seat
Rim size designation Rim diameter and width
Rim type designation The industry manufacturer’s designation for a rim by
style or code
Rim width Nominal distance between rim flanges
Vehicle capacity weight
(Total load capacity) The rated cargo and luggage load plus 150 lb. (68 kg)
times the vehicle’s designated seating capacity
Vehicle maximum load on
the tire The load on an individual tire that is determined by dis-
tributing to each axle its share of the maximum loaded
vehicle weight, and dividing by two
Vehicle normal load on the
tire The load on an individual tire that is determined by dis-
tributing to each axle its sh are of curb weight, accessory
weight, and normal occupant weight (distributed in
accordance with Table 1
* below), and dividing by two
We a t h e r s i d e The surface area of the rim not covered by the inflated
tire
Bead The part of the tire that is made of steel wires, wrapped
or reinforced by ply cords and that is shaped to fit the
rimTire related term Meaning