
4956-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
WARNING
■When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents.
Failure to do so may cause damage to parts of the drive train as well as dangerous han-
dling characteristics, which may lead to an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
●Do not mix tires of different makes, models or tread patterns.
Also, do not mix tires of remarkably different treadwear.
●Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Lexus.
●Do not mix differently constructed tires (radial, bias-belted or bias-ply tires).
●Do not mix summer, all season and snow tires.
●Do not use tires that have been used on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously.
●Do not tow if your vehicle has a compact spare tire installed.
■When initializing the tire pressure warning system
Do not initializing tire inflatio n pressure without first adjusting the tire inflation pressure
to the specified level. Otherwise, the tire pressure warning light may not come on even
if the tire inflation pressure is low, or it may come on when the tire inflation pressure is
actually normal.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves, transmitters and
tire valve caps
●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters, contact your Lexus dealer as the tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters may be damaged if not handled correctly.
●Make sure to install the tire valve caps. If the tire valve caps are not installed, water
could enter the tire pressure warning valves and the tire pressure warning valves
could be bound.
●When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps other than those specified.
The cap may become stuck.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressu re warning valves and transmitters
When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning valve and trans-
mitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is used, contact your Lexus dealer or
other qualified service shop as soon as possi ble. Make sure to replace the tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter when replacing the tire. ( P. 488)
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or potholes.
These conditions may cause lo sses in tire inflation pressure, reducing the cushioning
ability of the tires. In addition, driving on rough roads may cause damage to the tires
themselves, as well as the vehicle’s wheels and body.
■If tire inflation pressure of ea ch tire becomes low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.

4976-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
Tire valve
Tire pressure gauge
Remove the tire valve cap.
Press the tip of the tire pressure gauge onto the tire valve.
Read the pressure using the gauge gradations.
If the tire inflation pressure is not at the recommended level, adjust the pres-
sure.
If you add too much air, press the center of the valve to deflate.
After completing the tire inflation pressure measurement and adjustment,
apply soapy water to the valve and check for leakage.
Put the tire valve cap back on.
■Tire inflation pressure check interval
You should check tire inflation pressure ev ery two weeks, or at least once a month.
Do not forget to check the spare.
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure may result in the following:
●Reduced fuel economy
●Reduced driving comfort and poor handling
●Reduced tire life due to wear
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent inflating, ha ve it checked by your Lexus dealer.
Inspection and adjustment procedure
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5256-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
■LED lights
The headlight low beams, headlight high beams, front turn signal lights (vehicles with tri-
ple-beam headlights), parking lights and daytime running lights, front fog lights, corner-
ing lights (if equipped), front side marker lights (vehicles with tr iple-beam headlights),
side turn signal lights, stop/t ail lights, rear turn signal light (vehicles with triple-beam
headlights), rear side marker lights, high moun ted stoplight, license plate lights, and outer
foot lights consist of a number of LEDs. If any of the LEDs has burned out, take your vehi-
cle to your Lexus dealer to have the light replaced.
■Condensation build-up on the inside of a lens
Temporary condensation build-up on the inside of the headlight lens does not indicate a
malfunction. Contact your Lexus dealer for more information in the following situations:
●Large drops of water have built up on the inside of a lens.
●Water has built up inside a headlight.
■When replacing light bulbs
P. 510
WARNING
■To prevent injury
Before performing any light bulb replacement procedure, be sure to turn the power
switch off. Failure to do so may result in burns from hot components or a part of your
body may get caught on an operating component, possibly causing serious injury.
■Replacing light bulbs
●Turn off the lights. Do not attempt to replac e the bulb immediately after turning off the
lights.
The bulbs become very hot and may cause burns.
●Do not touch the glass portion of the light bulb with bare hands. When it is unavoid-
able to hold the glass portion, use and hold with a clean dry cloth to avoid getting
moisture and oils on the bulb.
Also, if the bulb is scratched or dropped, it may blow out or crack.
●Fully install light bulbs and any parts used to secure them. Failure to do so may result
in heat damage, fire, or water entering th e headlight unit. This may damage the head-
lights or cause condensation to build up on the lens.
●Do not attempt to repair or disassemble th e light bulbs, connectors, electric circuits
or component parts.
Doing so may result in death or se rious injury due to electric shock.
■To prevent damage or fire
●Make sure bulbs are fully seated and locked.
●Check the wattage of the bulb before installing to prevent heat damage.

5357-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
●Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
●Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points higher than nor-
mal
●Changes in exhaust sound
●Excessive tire squeal when cornering
●Strange noises related to the suspension system
●Pinging or other noises related to the hybrid system
●Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
●Appreciable loss of power
●Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
●Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
●Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touches the floor
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms

5727-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
WARNING
■Avoiding 12-volt battery fires or explosions
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidentally igniting the flammable gas
that may be emitted from the 12-volt battery:
●Make sure each jumper cable is connected to the correct terminal and that it is not
unintentionally in contact with any other than the intended terminal.
●Do not allow the other end of the jumper cab le connected to the “+” terminal to come
into contact with any other parts or metal surfaces in the area, such as brackets or
unpainted metal.
●Do not allow the + and - clamps of the jumper cables to come in to contact with each
other.
●Do not smoke, use matches, cigarette light ers or allow open flame near the 12-volt
battery.
■12-volt battery precautions
The 12-volt battery contains poisonous and co rrosive acidic electrolyte, while related
parts contain lead and lead compounds. Ob serve the following precautions when han-
dling the 12-volt battery:
●When working with the 12-volt battery, always wear safety glasses and take care not
to allow any battery fluids (acid) to come in to contact with skin, clothing or the vehicle
body.
●Do not lean over the 12-volt battery.
●In the event that battery fluid comes into contact with the skin or eyes, immediately
wash the affected area with water and seek medical attention.
Place a wet sponge or cloth over the affected area until medical attention can be
received.
●Always wash your hands after handling the 12-volt battery support, terminals, and
other battery-related parts.
●Do not allow children near the 12-volt battery.
■After recharging the 12-volt battery
Have the 12-volt battery inspected at yo ur Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
If the 12-volt battery is deteriorating, continued use may cause the 12-volt battery to
emit a malodorous gas, which may be de trimental to the health of passengers.
■When exchanging the 12-volt battery
After exchanging, securely attach the exhaust hose and exhaust hole plug to the
exhaust hole of the exchanged 12-volt batter y. If not properly installed, gases (hydro-
gen) may leak into the vehicle interior, and there is the possible danger of the gas ignit-
ing and exploding.

5757-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
Add coolant if necessary.
Water can be used in an emergency
if coolant is unavailable.
Start the hybrid system and turn the air conditioning system on to check
that the radiator cooling fans operate and to check for coolant leaks from
the radiator or hoses.
The fans operate when the air conditioning system is turned on immediately after a
cold start. Confirm that the fans are operating by checking the fan sound and air
flow. If it is difficult to check these, tu rn the air conditioning system on and off
repeatedly. (The fans may not operate in freezing temperatures.)
If the fans are not operating:
Stop the hybrid system immediately and contact your Lexus dealer.
If the fans are operating:
Have the vehicle inspected at the nearest Lexus dealer.
Check if “Engine Coolant Temp High Stop in a Safe Place See Owner’s
Manual” is shown on the multi-information display.
If the message does not disappear:
Stop the hybrid system and contact your Lexus dealer.
If the message is not displayed:
Have the vehicle inspected at the nearest Lexus dealer.
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5767-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
■If “Hybrid System Overheated Reduced Output Power” is shown on the
multi-information displayStop the vehicle in a safe place.
Stop the hybrid system an d carefully lift the hood.
After the hybrid system has
cooled down, inspect the hoses
and radiator core (radiator) for
any leaks. Radiator
Cooling fans
If a large amount of coolant leaks,
immediately contact your Lexus
dealer.
The coolant level is satisfactory if
it is between the “FULL” and
“LOW” lines on the reservoir.Reservoir
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
Add coolant if necessary.
Water can be used in an emergency
if coolant is unavailable.
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5878-1. Specifications
8
Vehicle specifications
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
*: The coolant capacity is a reference quantity. If replacement is necessary, contact your Lexus dealer.
Cooling system
Capacity*
Gasoline engine
10.7 qt. (10.1 L, 8.9 Imp. qt.)
Power control unit
2.0 qt. (1.9 L, 1.7 Imp. qt.)
Coolant type
Use either of the following: • “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
• Similar high-quality ethylene glycol-based
non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-
borate coolant with long-life hybrid organic
acid technology
Do not use plain water alone.
Ignition system (spark plug)
MakeDENSO FK20HBR8
Gap0.03 in. (0.8 mm)
NOTICE
■Iridium-tipped spark plugs
Use only iridium-tipped spark plugs. Do not adjust the spark plug gap.
Electrical system
12-volt battery
Open voltage at 68F (20 C):
12.6 V or higher: Fully charged
12.2 — 12.4 V: Half charged
12.0 V or lower: Discharged
(Voltage is checked 20 minutes after the hybrid
system and all lights are turned off.)
Charging rates5 A max.