236 4-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_U_OM0E013U WA R N I N G ■
When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sittin g in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the hy brid system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resu lting in death or serious injury.■
Caution while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and comp lete stop. Activation of the steering lock
in this circumstance may lead to an acci dent, resulting in death or serious injury.■
Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the vehicle, press
and hold the power switch for more than 2 se conds, or press it briefly 3 times or more
in succession. ( P. 5 2 9 )
However, do not touch the power switch whil e driving except in an emergency. 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.
NOTICE ■
To prevent 12-volt battery discharge ●
Do not leave the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods of
time without the hybrid system on. ●
If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the meters while the hybrid
system is not operating, the power switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the
power switch off. ●
Do not stop the hybrid system when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If the
hybrid system is stopped in another shift lever position, the power switch will not be
turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehicle is left in
ACCESSORY mode, 12-volt battery discharge may occur. ■
When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus
dealer immediately. ■
Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating so mewhat differently than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, there may be a malf unction. Contact your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
2374-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U Turns EV drive mode on/off When EV drive mode is turned on, the
EV drive mode indicator will come on.
Pressing the switch when in EV drive
mode will return the vehicle to normal
driving (using the gasoline engine and
electric motor [traction motor]). ■
Situations in which EV drive mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situations. If it cannot be
turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the multi-information dis-
play. ●
The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high speeds, etc. ●
The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 32 F (0 C) for a long
period of time, etc. ●
The gasoline engine is warming up. ●
The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is low. ( P. 1 2 5 )●
Vehicle speed is high. ●
The accelerator pedal is depressed firm ly or the vehicle is on a hill, etc.●
The windshield defogger is in use.EV drive mode In EV drive mode, electric power is su pplied by the hybrid battery (traction
battery), and only the electric motor (tra ction motor) is used to drive the vehi-
cle.
This mode allows you to drive in residential areas early in the morning and late
at night, or in indoor parking lots, etc., without concern for noises and gas
emissions.
However, when the vehicle proximity noti fication system is active, the vehicle
may produce sound.
238 4-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_U_OM0E013U ■
Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is starte d while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline engine will
start automatically after a short period of time in order to warm up. In this case, you will
become unable to switch to EV drive mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illuminated, press the
EV drive mode switch before the gasoline en gine starts to switch to EV drive mode.■
Automatic cancelation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically restart in the fol-
lowing situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer will sound, the EV drive
mode indicator will go off after flashing, an d a message is displaye d on the multi-informa-
tion display. ●
The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is low. ( P. 1 2 5 )●
Vehicle speed is high. ●
The accelerator pedal is depressed firm ly or the vehicle is on a hill, etc.■
Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distance ra nges from a few hundred meters to approxi-
mately 0.6 mile (1 km). However, dependin g on vehicle conditions, there are situations
when EV drive mode cannot be used. (The distance that is possible depends on the
hybrid battery [traction battery] level and driving conditions.)■
Fuel economy
The hybrid system is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during normal
driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction motor]). Driving in EV
drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel economy.
WA R N I N G ■
Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode no engine noise is made. As such, pedestrians, people
riding bicycles or other people and vehicles in the surrounding area may not be aware
of the vehicle starting off or approaching them. Therefore, take extra care while driving
even if the vehicle proximity notification system is active.
240 4-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_U_OM0E013U P. 3 7 7
To drive using temporary shift range select ion, operate the “-” paddle shift switch.
Changing the shift range enables the level of engine braking force to be
selected. The shift range can then be selected by operating the “-” and “+” paddle
shift switches.
Upshifting
Downshifting The selected shift range, from D1 to D6,
will be displayed on the meters.
The initial shift range when the “-” pad-
dle shift switch is operated is automati-
cally set to D4 or D5 according to the
vehicle speed.
To return to normal D position driving,
the “+” paddle shift switch must be held
down for a period of time.■
Shift ranges and their functions ●
You can choose from 6 levels of engine braking force. ●
A lower shift range will provide greate r engine braking force than a higher
shift range, and the engine revolutions will also increase.Selecting the driving mode
Selecting shift ranges in the D position
(vehicles with paddle shift switches) 1
2
2414-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to S. Shift ranges can be selected by operat-
ing the shift lever or paddle shift switches (if equipped), allowing you to drive in
the shift range of your choice. The shift range can be selected by operating the
shift lever or the “-” and “+” paddle shift switches (if equipped).
Upshifting
Downshifting The selected shift range, from S1 to S6,
will be displayed on the meters.
The initial shift range in S mode is auto-
matically set to S4 or S5 according to
the vehicle speed.
■
Shift ranges and their functions ●
You can choose from 6 levels of acce lerating force and engine braking
force. ●
A lower shift range will provide greater accelerating force and engine
braking force than a higher shift rang e, and the engine revolutions will also
increase. ●
If you accelerate while in ranges 1 to 4, the shift range may automatically
increase in accordance with the vehicle speed.Selecting shift ranges in the S position 1
2
242 4-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_U_OM0E013U ■
When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated with the shift lever in the D position (vehi-
cles with paddle shift switches)
The shift range is downshifted to a range that enables engine braking force that is suit-
able to driving conditions. ■
Automatic deactivation of shift range select ion in the D position (vehicles with paddle
shift switches)
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situations:●
When the vehicle comes to a stop ●
If the accelerator pedal is depressed for more than a certain period of time ●
When the shift lever is shifted to a position other than D ■
S mode ●
When the shift range is S4 or lower, holdin g the shift lever toward “+” sets the shift
range to S6. ●
Automatically selects a higher shift range before the engine speed becomes too high. ■
Downshifting restriction warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performa nce, downshifting operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even when the
shift lever or paddle shift switch (if equipped ) is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)■
When driving with cruise control, dynamic radar cruise control or dynamic radar
cruise control with full -speed range activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking,
engine braking will not activate because cruise control, dynamic radar cruise control or
dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range will not be canceled.●
Vehicles without paddle shift switches: While driving in S mode, downshifting to 5 or 4.
( P. 311, 323, 335) ●
Vehicles with paddle shift switches: While dr iving in D or S mode, downshifting to 5 or
4. ( P. 311, 323, 335)●
When switching the driving mode to sp ort mode while driving in D position.
( P. 377)■
Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
When the following unusual operation is pe rformed, the hybrid system output may be
restrained. ●
When the shift lever is shifted from R to D, D to R, N to R, P to D, or P to R (D includes S)
with the accelerator pedal depressed, a wa rning message appears on the multi-infor-
mation display. If a warning message is show n on the multi-information display, read the
message and follow the instructions.●
When the accelerator pedal is depresse d too while the vehicle is in reverse.■
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 5 6 3
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
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