
2054-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D. (P. 239)
Pull the parking brake switch and parking brake is set manually. ( P. 246)
Release the brake pedal and gently de press the accelerator pedal to acceler-
ate the vehicle.
Press the parking brake switch and pa rking brake is released manually.
( P. 246)
■When starting off on a uphill
The hill-start assist control will activate. ( P. 381)
■For fuel-efficient driving
Keep in mind that hybrid vehicles are simila r to conventional vehicles, and it is necessary
to refrain from activities su ch as sudden acceleration. ( P. 387)
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is ra ining, because visibility will be reduced, the windows may
become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
●Drive carefully when it starts to rain, beca use the road surface will be especially slip-
pery.
●Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain, because there may
be a layer of water between the tires and th e road surface, preventing the steering and
brakes from operating properly.
■Restraining the hybrid system output (Brake Override System)
●When the accelerator and brake pedals are depressed at the same time, the hybrid sys-
tem output may be restrained.
●A warning message is displayed on the mult i-information display while the system is
operating. If a warning message is shown on the multi-in formation display, read the
message and follow the instructions.
■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 acce lerator pedal depressed, a warning message appears on
the multi-information display. If a warning message is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display, read the message and follo w the instructions.
• When the accelerator pedal is depresse d too while the vehicle is in reverse.
●While Drive-Start Control is being activated, your vehicle may have trouble escaping
from the mud or fresh snow. In such case, deactivate TRAC (P. 383) to cancel Drive-
Start Control so that the vehicle may beco me able to escape from the mud or fresh
snow.
Starting off on a uphill
1
2
3
4

2064-1. Before driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
■Breaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, observin g the following precautions is recommended:
●For the first 200 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
●For the first 500 miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
●For the first 1000 miles (1600 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
■Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability of the cor-
rect fuel. ( P. 591)
■Eco-friendly driving
P. 121
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the “READY” indicator is
illuminated. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accelerator ped-
als to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal will
result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to difficulty in operat-
ing the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving po sture even when moving the vehicle only
slightly. This allows you to depress the brake and accelerator pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, resulting in an accident.
●The driver should pay extra attention to pedestrians when the vehicle is powered only
by the electric motor (traction motor). As there is no engine noise, the pedestrians
may misjudge the vehicle’s movement.
●Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot parts may
cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.

2244-1. Before driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. Help to avoid an acci-
dent, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind when towing:
●Speed limits for towing a trailer vary by state or province. Do not exceed the
posted towing speed limit.
●Lexus recommends that the vehicle-traile r speed limit is 65 mph (104 km/h)
on a flat, straight, dry road. Do not exce ed this limit, the posted towing speed
limit or the speed limit for your trailer as set forth in your trailer owner’s man-
ual, whichever is lowest. Instability of the towing vehicle-trailer combination
(trailer sway) increases as speed increases. Exceeding speed limits may cause
loss of control.
●Before starting out, check the trailer lights, tires and the vehicle-trailer con-
nections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
●Practice turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer attached in an area
away from traffic until you become acc ustomed to the feel of the vehicle-
trailer combination.
●Reversing with a trailer attached is di fficult and requires practice. Grip the
bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the left to move the
trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to move the trailer to right. (This
is generally opposite to reversing with out a trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or
prolonged turning. Have someone guid e you when reversing to reduce the
risk of an accident.
●As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to vehicle dis-
tance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of speed, allow at least
one vehicle and trailer length.
●Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in the trailer jackknifing and a
loss of vehicle control. This is especi ally true on wet or slippery surfaces.
●Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
●Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, an d slow down before making a turn.
●Note that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than the vehicle
wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making a wider than normal
turning radius.
●Slow down before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slippery surfaces,
etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.
●Take care when passing other vehicles . Passing requires considerable dis-
tance. After passing a vehicle, do not fo rget the length of your trailer, and be
sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
Trailer towing tips

2284-1. Before driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
WARNING
■Trailer towing precautions
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accordance with the
trailer’s characteristics and operating conditions. Failure to do so could cause an acci-
dent resulting in deat h or serious injury. Vehicle stab ility and braking performance are
affected by trailer stability, brake setting and performance, and the hitch. Your vehicle
will handle differently when towing a trailer.
■To avoid accident or injury
●Do not exceed the TWR, unbraked TWR, GCWR, GVWR or GAWR.
●If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lb. (907 kg), a sway control device with suffi-
cient capacity is required.
●Adjust the tongue weight within the approp riate range. Place heavier loads as close
to the trailer axle as possible.
●Do not exceed 65 mph (104 km/h), the posted towing speed limit or the speed limit
for your trailer as set forth in your trai ler owner’s manual, whichever is lowest. Slow
down sufficiently before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slippery surface, etc.
to help avoid an accident. If you experien ce a vehicle-trailer instability from reducing
a certain speed, slow down and make sure you keep your vehicle speed under the
speed of which you experience the instability.
●Do not make jerky, abrupt or sharp turns.
●Do not apply the brakes suddenly as you ma y skid, resulting in jackknifing and loss of
vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.
●Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue weight capacities.
●Do not use the following systems when trailer towing.
• Cruise control
*• Dynamic radar cruise control*
• Dynamic radar cruise cont rol with full-speed range*
• LDA (Lane-Departure Alert with steering control)*• LKA (Lane-Keeping Assist)*
• PCS (Pre-Crash Safety system)*
• BSM (Blind Spot Monitor)
*: If equipped
●Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill grades. Do not
make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long downhill grades.
●Vehicle-trailer instability is more likely on steep long downhills. Before descending
steep or long downhill grades, slow down and downshift. Do not make sudden down-
shifts when descending steep or long downhill grades. Avoid ho lding the brake pedal
down too long or applying the brakes too frequently. This could cause the brakes to
overheat and result in reduced braking efficiency.
●Do not tow a trailer when the compact sp are tire is installed on your vehicle.

271
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U4-5. Using the driving support systems
◆PCS (Pre-Collision System)
P. 279
◆LKA (Lane-Keeping Assist)
P. 292
◆LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control)
P. 302
◆Automatic High Beam
P. 255
◆Dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range
P. 311
◆Dynamic radar cruise control
P. 323
Lexus Safety System+
: If equipped
The Lexus Safety System+ consists of the following drive assist systems and
contributes to a safe and comfo rtable driving experience:
WARNING
■Lexus Safety System+
The Lexus Safety System+ is designed to operate under the assumption that the driver
will drive safely, and is designed to help reduce the impact to the occupants and the
vehicle in the case of a collision or assist the driver in normal driving conditions.
As there is a limit to the degree of recognition accuracy and control performance that
this system can provide, do not overly rely on this system. The driver is always responsi-
ble for paying attention to the vehicle's surroundings and driving safely.

2724-5. Using the driving support systems
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
The pre-collision system is equipped with a sophisticated computer that will
record certain data, such as: • Accelerator status
•Brake status
• Vehicle speed
• Operation status of the pre-collision system functions
• Information (such as the distance an d relative speed between your vehicle
and the vehicle ahead or other objects)
Additionally, if the pre-collision braking fu nction is operating, image information
from the camera sensor will also be reco rded. The pre-collision system does not
record conversations, sounds or pictures.
●Data usage
Lexus may use the data recorded in this computer to diagnose malfunctions,
conduct research and develo pment, and improve quality.
Lexus will not disclose the recorded data to a third party except:
• With the consent of the vehicle owner or with the consent of the lessee if the vehicle is leased
• In response to an official request by the police, a court of law or a govern- ment agency
• For use by Lexus in a lawsuit
• For research purposes where the data is not tied to a specific vehicle or
vehicle owner
●Recorded image information can be erased using a specialized device.
The image information recording function can be disabled. However, if the
function is disabled, data from when the pre-collision system operates will not
be available.
Vehicle data recording

2814-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
WARNING
■Limitations of the pre-collision system
●The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking care to
observe your surroundings.
Do not use the pre-collision system instead of normal braking operations under any
circumstances. This system will not prevent collisions or lessen collision damage or
injury in every situation. Do not overly rely on this system. Failure to do so may lead to
an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
●Although this system is designed to help av oid and reduce the impact of a collision, its
effectiveness may change according to various conditions, therefore the system may
not always be able to achieve the same level of performance.
Read the following conditions carefully. Do not overly rely on this system and always
drive carefully.
• Conditions under which the system may oper ate even if there is no possibility of a
collision: P. 286
• Conditions under which the system may not operate properly: P. 289
●Do not attempt to test the operation of the pre-collision system yourself, as the system
may not operate properly, possibly leading to an accident.
■Pre-collision braking*3
●The pre-collision braking function may not operate if certain operations are per-
formed by the driver. If the accelerator pedal is being depressed strongly or the steer-
ing wheel is being turned, the system may de termine that the driver is taking evasive
action and possibly prevent the pre-coll ision braking function from operating.
●In some situations, while the pre-collision braking function is operating, operation of
the function may be canceled if the accele rator pedal is depressed strongly or the
steering wheel is turned and the system de termines that the driver is taking evasive
action.
●A large amount of braking force is applied while the pre-collision braking function is
operating. Additionally, as the vehicle may creep if it has been stopped by the pre-
collision braking function, the driver shou ld depress the brake pedal as necessary.
●If the brake pedal is being depressed, the sy stem may determine that the driver is tak-
ing evasive action and possibly delay the operation timing of the pre-collision braking
function.
*3: Depending on the region in which the vehicle was so ld, the pre-collision braking
function may not be available.

2954-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
WARNING
■Before using LKA system
Do not rely solely upon the LKA system. LKA is not a system which automatically
drives the vehicle or reduces the amount of attention that must be paid to the area in
front of the vehicle. The driver must always assume full responsibility for driving safely
by always paying careful attention to the surrounding conditions and operate the steer-
ing wheel to correct the path of the vehicle. Also, make sure to take adequate breaks
when fatigued, such as from driving for a long period of time.
Failure to perform appropriate driving operat ions and pay careful attention may lead to
an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
■To avoid operating LKA by mistake
When not using the LKA system, use the LKA switch to turn the system off.
■Situations unsuitable for LKA
Do not use the LKA system in the following situations.
The system may not operate properly and lead to an accident, resulting in death or
serious injury.
●A spare tire, tire chains, etc., are equipped.
●When the tires have been excessively worn, or when the tire inflation pressure is low.
●Tires which differ by structure, manufacturer, brand or tread pattern are used.
●Objects or patterns that could be mistaken for white (yellow) lines are present on the
side of the road (guardrails, curbs, reflective poles, etc.).
●Vehicle is driven on a snow-covered road.
●White (yellow) lines are difficult to see due to rain, snow, fog, dust, etc.
●Asphalt repair marks, white (y ellow) line marks, etc., are present due to road repair.
●Vehicle is driven in a temporary lane or restricted lane due to construction work.
●Vehicle is driven on a road surface which is slippery due to rainy weather, fallen snow,
freezing, etc.
●Vehicle is driven in traffic lanes other than on highways and freeways.
●Vehicle is driven in a construction zone.
●When your vehicle is towing a trailer or during emergency towing
■Preventing LKA system malfunctions and operations performed by mistake
●Do not modify the headlights or place stickers, etc., on the surface of the lights.
●Do not modify the suspension etc. If the suspension etc. needs to be replaced, con-
tact your Lexus dealer.
●Do not install or place anything on the hood or grille. Also, do not install a grille guard
(bull bars, kangaroo bar, etc.).
●If your windshield needs repair s, contact your Lexus dealer.