2016 LEXUS RX450H warning

3664-5. Using the driving support systems
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
WARNING
■Handling the radar sensor
Blind Spot Monitor sensors ar e installed behind the left and right sides of the rear
bumper respectively. Observe the following to ensure the Blind Spot Monitor can
function correctly.
●Do not subject a sensor or its surrounding area on the rear bumper to a strong
impact.
If a sensor is moved even slightly off po sition, the system may malfunction and vehi-
cles may not be detected correctly.
In the following situations , have your vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
• A sensor or its surrounding area is subject to a strong impact.
• If the surrounding area of a sensor is sc ratched or dented, or part of them has
become disconnected.
●Do not disassemble the sensor.
●Do not attach stickers to the sensor or surrounding area on the rear bumper.
●Do not modify the sensor or surrounding area on the rear bumper.
●Do not paint the rear bumper any colo r other than an official Lexus color.
●Keep the sensors and the surrounding areas
on the rear bumper clean at all times.
If a sensor or its surrounding area on the rear
bumper is dirty or covered with snow, the
Blind Spot Monitor may not operate and a
warning message (P. 543) will be dis-
played. In this situation, clear off the dirt or
snow and drive the vehicle with the operation
conditions of the BSM function ( P. 369)
satisfied for approximately 10 minutes. If the
warning message does not disappear, have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.

3684-5. Using the driving support systems
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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 o\
f the vehicle
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*
: 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 betwee n your vehicle and the detected vehicle is,
the farther away the vehicle will be detect ed, causing the outside rear view mirror
indicator to illuminate or flash.
BSM function detection areas
WARNING
■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 mirrors or is approaching rapidly from behind into
a blind spot. Do not overly rely on the BSM function. As the function cannot judge if it is
safe to change lanes, over reliance could lead 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.
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3724-5. Using the driving support systems
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■RCTA icon display
When a vehicle approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle is
detected, the following will be displayed on the audio system screen.
DisplayContent
A vehicle is approaching from the left at the rear of the vehicle
A vehicle is approaching from the right at the rear of the vehicle
Vehicles are approaching from both sides of the vehicle
The RCTA function is malfunctioning
( P. 365)
WARNING
■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 RCTA function is only a supplementary function which alerts the driver that a vehi-
cle is approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle. As the RCTA function
may not function correctly under certain cond itions, the driver’s own visual confirma-
tion of safety is necessary. Over reliance on this function may lead to an accident
resulting death or serious injury.

3854-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
■Reactivation of the TRAC system linked to vehicle speed
When only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC system will turn on when vehicle
speed increases. However, when TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control systems are
turned off, the systems will not turn on even when vehicle speed increases.
■Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from overheating
when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The steering
wheel may feel heavy as a result . Should this occur, refrain from excessive steering input
or stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid system off. The EPS system should return to nor-
mal within 10 minutes.
■Operating conditions of hill-start assist control
When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start assist control will operate:
●The shift lever is in a position other than P or N (when starting off forward/backward on
an upward incline).
●The vehicle is stopped.
●The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
●The parking brake is not engaged.
■Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control
The hill-start assist control will turn off in any of the following situations:
●The shift lever is moved to P or N.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed.
●The parking brake is engaged.
●Approximately 2 seconds elapse af ter the brake pedal is released.
WARNING
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
●The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (such as excessively
worn tires on a snow covered road).
●The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick roads.
■Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of normal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehi cle’s stopping distance. Always maintain a
safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, especially in the following situations:
●When driving on dirt, grav el or snow-covered roads
●When driving with tire chains
●When driving over bumps in the road
●When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces
■TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable wh ile driving on slippery road
surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating.
Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and power may be lost.

3864-5. Using the driving support systems
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
WARNING
■Hill-start assist control does not operate effectively when
●Do not overly rely on the hill-start assist control. The hill-start assist control may not
operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered with ice.
●Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not intended to hold the vehicle
stationary for an exte nded period of time. Do not atte mpt to use hill-start assist con-
trol to hold the vehicle on an incline, as doing so may lead to an accident.
■When the VSC/Trailer Sway Control is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may cause an
accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
■When the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road conditions. As these
are the systems to help ensure vehicle stability and driving force, do not turn the
TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems off unless necessary.
■Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, tread pattern and total load
capacity. In addition, make sure that the tire s are inflated to the recommended tire infla-
tion pressure level.
The ABS, TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Contro l systems will not function correctly if
different tires are installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Lexus dealer for further information when replacing tires or wheels.
■Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modi fying the suspension will affect the driving
assist systems, and may cause a system to malfunction.
■Trailer Sway Control precaution
The Trailer Sway Control system is not able to reduce trailer sway in all situations.
Depending on many factors such as the condit ions of the vehicle, trailer, road surface,
and driving environment, the Trailer Sway Control system may not be effective. Refer to
your trailer owner’s manual for information on how to tow your trailer properly.
■If trailer sway occurs
Observe the following precautions.
Failing to do so may cause death or serious injury.
●Firmly grip the steering wh eel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer sway ing by turning the steering wheel.
●Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very gradually to reduce
speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle and trailer
should stabilize. ( P. 227)

3924-6. Driving tips
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
To enable the windshield wi pers to be lifted when heavy snow or icy conditions
are expected, change the rest position of the windshield wipers from the
retracted position below the hood to th e service position using the wiper lever.
(
P. 263)
■Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains:
●Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
●Install tire chains on the front tires only. Do not install tire chains on the rear tires.
●Install tire chains on front tires as tightly as possible. Retighten chains after driving
1/4 - 1/2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
●Install tire chains following the instru ctions provided with the tire chains.
Windshield wipers
WARNING
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehi cle control and cause death or serious injury.
●Use tires of the specified size.
●Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
●Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h ), regardless of the type of snow tires
being used.
●Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
■Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely, and may
cause death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being used, or
30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
●Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
●Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt steering, sudden braking and shifting operations
that cause sudden engine braking.
●Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle control is main-
tained.
●Do not use the LKA (Lane-Keepin g Assist) system. (if equipped)
●Do not use the LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control) system. (if
equipped)

3934-6. Driving tips
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Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow tires from Lexus dealers or legitimate tire
retailers.
This is because the removal an d attachment of snow tires affects the operation of the
tire pressure warning va lves and transmitters.
■Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valv es and transmitters may not function correctly when tire
chains are fitted.

3944-6. Driving tips
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
●Specific design characteristics give it a higher center of gravity than ordinary
passenger cars. This vehicle design feature causes this type of vehicle to be
more likely to rollover. And, utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover
rate than other types of vehicles.
●An advantage of the higher ground cl earance is a better view of the road
allowing you to anticipate problems.
●It is not designed for cornering at the same speeds as ordinary passenger cars
any more than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily
under off-road conditions. Therefore, sharp turns at excessive speeds may
cause the vehicle to rollover.
Utility vehicle precautions
This vehicle belongs to the utility vehicle class, which has higher ground clear-
ance and narrower tread in relation to the height of its center of gravity.
Utility vehicle feature
WARNING
■Utility vehicle precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death, serious injury
or damage to your vehicle:
●In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than a person
wearing a seat belt. Therefore, the driver and all passengers should always fasten
their seat belts.
●Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers, if at all possible.
Failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or vehicle rollover
causing death or serious injury.
●Loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier will make the center of the vehicle gravity
higher. Avoid high speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden braking or abrupt
maneuvers, otherwise it may re sult in loss of control or vehicle rollover due to failure
to operate this vehicle correctly.
●Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. Be cause of its profile and higher center of
gravity, your vehicle is more sensitive to side winds than an ordinary passenger car.
Slowing down will allow you to have better control.
●Do not drive horizontally across steep slopes. Driving straight up or straight down is
preferred. Your vehicle (or any similar off- road vehicle) can tip over sideways much
more easily than forward or backward.