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RX450h_U_OM0E013UYour Lexus is equipped with several sophisticated computers that will record certain
data, such as:
• Engine speed
• Electric motor speed (traction motor speed)
• Accelerator status
•Brake status
• Vehicle speed
•Shift position
• Hybrid battery (tract ion battery) status
The recorded data varies accord ing to the vehicle grade level and options with which it is
equipped. Furthermore, these computers do no t record conversations, sounds or pic-
tures.
●Data usage
Lexus may use the data recorded in these computers to diagnose malfunctions, con-
duct research and development, 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 government
agency
• For use by Lexus in a law suit
• For research purposes where the data is not tied to a specific vehicle or vehicle
owner
●Usage of data collected thro ugh Safety Connect / Lexus Enform (U.S. mainland only)
If your Lexus has Safety Connect or Lexus En form and if you have subscribed to those
services, please refer to the Safety Connect / Lexus Enform Telematics Subscription
Service Agreement for information on data collected and its usage.
Vehicle data recordings
12
RX450h_U_OM0E013UThe SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner
devices in your Lexus contain explosive
chemicals. If the vehicle is scrapped with th e airbags and seat belt pretensioners left as
they are, this may cause an accident such as fire. Be sure to have the systems of the SRS
airbag and seat belt pretensioner removed and disposed of by a qualified service shop or
by your Lexus dealer befo re you scrap your vehicle.
Special handling may apply, See www.dt sc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Your vehicle has components that may contain perchlorate. These components may
include airbag, seat belt pretensioners, and wireless remote control batteries.
Scrapping of your Lexus
Perchlorate Material
WARNING
■General precautions while driving
Driving under the influence: Never drive your vehicle when under the influence of
alcohol or drugs that have impaired your ability to operate your vehicle. Alcohol and
certain drugs delay reaction time, impair judgment and reduce coordination, which
could lead to an accident that could result in death or serious injury.
Defensive driving: Always driv e defensively. Anticipate mistakes that other drivers or
pedestrians might make and be ready to avoid accidents.
Driver distraction: Always give your full attention to drivin g. Anything that distracts the
driver, such as adjusting controls, talking on a cellular phone or reading can result in a
collision with resulting death or serious in jury to you, your occupants or others.
■General precaution regarding children’s safety
Never leave children unattended in the vehicl e, and never allow children to have or use
the key.
Children may be able to start the vehicle or sh ift the vehicle into neutral. There is also a
danger that children may injure themselves by playing with the windows, the moon roof
or panoramic moon roof, or other features of the vehicle. In addition, heat build-up or
extremely cold temperatures inside the vehicle can be fatal to children.
76
RX450h_U_OM0E013U1-3. Hybrid system
The illustration is an example for explan
ation and may differ from the actual item.
Gasoline engine
Front electric motor (traction motor)
Rear electric motor (traction motor)
*
*
:AWD models only
Hybrid system features
Your vehicle is a hybrid vehicle. It has characteristics different from conven-
tional vehicles. Be sure you are closely familiar with the characteristics of your
vehicle, and operate it with care.
The hybrid system combines the use of a gasoline engine and an electric
motor (traction motor) according to driving conditions, improving fuel effi-
ciency and reducing exhaust emissions.
1
2
3
771-3. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
◆When stopped/during start off
The gasoline engine stops* when the vehicle is stopped. During start off, the
electric motor (traction mo tor) drives the vehicle. At slow speeds or when
traveling down a gentle slope, the engi ne is stopped* and the electric motor
(traction motor) is used.
When the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) is not being
charged.
*: When the hybrid battery (traction battery) requires charging or the engine is warm- ing up, etc., the gasoline engine will not automatically stop. (P. 78)
◆During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predominantly used. The electric motor (traction
motor) charges the hybrid battery (traction battery) as necessary.
◆When accelerating sharply
When the accelerator pedal is depressed heavily, the power of the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) is added to that of the gasoline engine via the electric
motor (traction motor).
◆When braking (regenerative braking)
The wheels operate the electric motor (traction motor) as a power generator,
and the hybrid battery (traction battery) is charged.
When the gasoline engine is off while driving, a sound is produced to warn
pedestrians, people riding bicycles or other people and vehicles in the surround-
ing area that the vehicle is approaching. The pitch of the sound varies according
to the vehicle speed. When the vehicl e speed becomes approximately 15 mph
(25 km/h) or more, the notification sound turns off.
Vehicle proximity notification system
781-3. Hybrid system
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
■Regenerative braking
In the following situations, kinetic energy is converted to electric energy and decelera-
tion force can be obtained in conjunction with the recharging of the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery).
●The accelerator pedal is released while driving with the shift lever in D or S.
●The brake pedal is depressed while driving with the shift lever in D or S.
■EV indicator
■Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automati cally. However, it may not stop automati-
cally in the following conditions:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
●During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging
●When the temperature of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is high or low
●When the heater is switched on
■Charging the hybrid battery (traction battery)
As the gasoline engine charges the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery does not
need to be charged from an ou tside source. However, if the vehicle is left parked for a
long time the hybrid battery (traction batter y) will slowly discharge. For this reason, be
sure to drive the vehicle at least once every few months for at least 30 minutes or 10
miles (16 km). If the hybrid battery (traction battery) beco mes fully discharged and you
are unable to start the hybrid system, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Charging the 12-volt battery
P. 570
■After the 12-volt battery has discharged or when the terminal has been removed and
installed during exchange, etc.
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is being driven by the hybrid battery
(traction battery). If this continues fo r a few days, contact your Lexus dealer.
The EV indicator comes on when the vehicle is
driven using only the el
ectric motor (traction
motor) or the gasoline engine is stopped.
791-3. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sound or vibration even though the vehicle is able to move with
the “READY” indicator is illuminated. For safety, make sure to shift the shift lever to P and
apply the parking brake when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occu r when the hybrid system is operating and
are not a malfunction:
●Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
●Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) behind the rear seats
when the hybrid system starts or stops.
●Relay operating sounds such as a snap or so ft clank will be emitted from the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery), behind the rear se ats, when the hybrid system is started or
stopped.
●Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the back door is open.
●Sounds may be heard from the transmission wh en the gasoline engine starts or stops,
when driving at low spee ds, or during idling.
●Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
●Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake pedal is depressed
or as the accelerator pedal is released.
●Vibration may be felt when the ga soline engine starts or stops.
●Cooling fan sounds may be heard from th e air intake vents under the rear seats.
■Vehicle proximity notification system
In the following cases, the vehicle proximity notification system may be difficult for sur-
rounding people to hear.
●In very noisy areas
●In the wind or the rain
Also, as the vehicle proximity notification system is installed on the front of the vehicle, it
may be more difficult to hear from the re ar of the vehicle compared to the front.
■Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Lexus dealer regarding mainte nance, repair, recycling and disposal. Do
not dispose of the vehicle yourself.
■Customization
Some functions can be customized. ( P. 607)
801-3. Hybrid system
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the actual item.
*:AWD models only
Hybrid system precautions
Take care when handling the hybrid system, as it is a high voltage system
(about 650 V at maximum) as well as contains parts that become extremely
hot when the hybrid system is operating. Obey the warning labels attached to
the vehicle.
Warning label
Hybrid battery (traction battery)
Rear electric motor (traction
motor)
*
Service plug High voltage cables (orange)
Front electric motor (traction
motor)
Power control unit
Air conditioning compressor
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5
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811-3. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
The air intake/discharge vents for the
hybrid battery (traction battery) are
located under the rear seats and in lug-
gage compartment respectively. If the
air intake vents are blocked, it could
lead to a reduction in hybrid battery
(traction battery) output.
When a certain level of impact is detected by the impact sensor, the emergency
shut off system blocks the high voltage current and stops the fuel pump to mini-
mize the risk of electrocution and fuel leakage. If the emergency shut off system
activates, your vehicle will not restart. To restart the hybrid system, contact your
Lexus dealer.
A message is automatically displayed when a malfunction occurs in the hybrid
system or an improper operation is attempted.
If a warning message is shown on the
multi-information display, read the
message and follow the instructions.
( P. 543)
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air intake/discharge vents
Air intake vents
Air discharge vents
Emergency shut off system
Hybrid warning message