2018 LEXUS RX450h lock

232 4-1. Before driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U●
To maintain engine braking efficien cy and charging system performance
when using engine braking, do no t put the transmission in D. ( → P. 246)●
Instability happens more fr equently when descending steep or long downhill
grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do not make sudden
downshifts while descending st eep or long downhill grades.●
Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes too fre-
quently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking
efficiency. ●
Due to the added load of the trailer, yo ur vehicle’s engine may overheat on hot
days (at temperatures over 85 ° F [30 ° C]) when driving up a long or steep
grade. If the engine coolant temperat ure gauge indicates overheating, imme-
diately turn off the air conditioning (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and
stop in a safe spot. ( → P. 702)●
Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s wheels
when parking. Put the transmission in P and apply the parking brake. Avoid
parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do so only after performing the follow-
ing:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and trailer’s
wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in place, release the brakes slowly until the
blocks absorb the load.
Shift into P and apply the parking brake.
Turn off the hybrid system.●
When restarting afte r parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the hybrid system. Be sure to keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
If the parking brake is in manual mode, release the parking brake.
( → P. 254)
Release the brake pedal, and slowly pull or back away from the wheel
blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks. 1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5

242 4-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
Steering lock
After turning the power switch off and openin g and closing the doors, the steering wheel
will be locked due to the steering lock func tion. Operating the power switch again auto-
matically cancels the steering lock. ■
When the steering lock cannot be released
■
Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, operation of the motor may be sus-
pended if the hybrid system is turned on an d off repeatedly in a short period of time. In
this case, refrain from operating the hybrid system. Afte r about 10 seconds, the steering
lock motor will resume functioning. ■
When “Access System with Elec. Key Malf unction See Owner’s Manual” is displayed
on the multi-information display
The system may be malfunctio ning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately. ■
If the “READY” indicator does not come on
In the event that the “READY” indicator does not come on even after performing the
proper procedures for starting the vehicl e, contact your Lexus dealer immediately.■
If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
→ P. 79 ■
If the electronic key battery is depleted
→ P. 630 ■
Operation of the power switch ●
If the switch is not pressed shortly and firm ly, the power switch mode may not change or
the hybrid system may not start. ●
If attempting to restart the hybrid system immediately after turning the power switch off,
the hybrid system may not start in some cases. After turning the power switch off,
please wait a few seco nds before restarting the hybrid system.■
If the smart access system wi th push-button start has been deactivated by a customized
setting
→ P. 692“Steering Wheel Lock Pr ess Power Switch while
Turning Wheel” will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
Check that the shift lever is in P. Press the power
switch shortly and firmly while turning the steer-
ing wheel left and right.

2434-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UWARNING ■
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 ve hicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete 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. 653)
However, do not touch the power switch while 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 swit ch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods of
time without the hybrid system on. ●
If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is di splayed 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 ba ttery discharge may occur.■
When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to star t, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus
dealer immediately. ■
Symptoms indicating a malfun ction with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating somewhat differen tly than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, ther e may be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.

2494-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
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 shif t range selection 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 fo r 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, holding the shift leve r 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 performance, downshifti ng operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circum stances, downshifting may not be possible even when the
shift lever or paddle shift sw itch (if equipped) is operated . (A buzzer will sound twice.)■
When driving with 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 occur because 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. 306) ●
Vehicles with paddle shift sw itches: While driving in D or S mode, downshifting to 5 or
4. ( → P. 306)●
When switching the driving mode to spor t mode while driving in the D position
( → P. 379)■
Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
When the following unusual operation is performed, 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 shown on the multi- information display, read the
message and follow the instructions. ●
When the accelerator pedal is depressed too while the vehicle is in reverse. ■
Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent ac cidental operation of the shift lever in start-
ing.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only wh en the power switch is in ON mode and the
brake pedal is being depressed.

250 4-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brak e pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake pedal, there may be a prob-
lem with the shift lock system. Have the vehi cle inspected by your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that the shift lever
can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Turn the power switch to ON mode and check that the parking brake is set.
( → P. 240, 253)
Turn the power switch to off.
Depress the brake pedal. 1
2
3
Pry the cover up with a flathead screwdriver
or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover the tip
of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the button
is pressed 4
5

2514-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UWARNING ■
When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting an d sudden acceleration, as this could result in the vehicle
skidding to the side or spinning. ■
To prevent an accident wh en releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override butto n, make sure to set the parking brake and
depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed instead of the brake pedal when the
shift lock override button is pressed and the shift lever is shifted out of P, the vehicle
may suddenly start, possibly leading to an a ccident resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE ■
Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction ba ttery) will not be charged even
when the engine is running. Therefore, if the vehicle is left with th e shift lever in N for a
long period of time, the hybrid battery (t raction battery) will disc harge, and this may
result in the vehicle not being able to start.

260 4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
Daytime running light system ●
The daytime running lights illuminate using th e same lights as the parking lights and illu-
minate brighter than the parking lights. ●
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime driving, the daytime
running lights turn on automatically when a ll of the following conditions are met. (The
daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.)
• The hybrid system is started
• The parking brake is released
• The headlight switch is in the (Canada only), or
* position
* : When the surroundings are bright
The daytime running lights remain on after they illuminate, even if the parking brake is set
again. ●
For the U.S.A.: Daytime running lights can be turned off by operating the switch.●
Compared to turning on the headlights, the daytime running light system offers greater
durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help improve fuel economy.■
Cornering lights (if equipped)
When the cornering lights are on for more than 30 minutes, they will turn off automati-
cally. ■
Headlight control sensor
■
Automatic light off system ●
When the headlights come on: The headlights and ta il lights turn off 30 seconds after a
door is opened and closed if the power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or
turned off. (The lights turn off immediately if on the key is pre ssed after all the doors
are locked.) ●
When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automa tically if the power
switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or tu rned off and the driver’s door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to ON mode, or turn the light switch off
once and then back to or . ■
Automatic headlight leve ling system (if equipped)
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted accordi ng to the number of passen-
gers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do not inter-
fere with other road users. ■
Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the power switch is turned off or turned to ACCESSORY mode
and the driver’s door is opened while the lights are turned on.The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything that
blocks the sensor is affixed to the windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detecting
the level of ambient li ght and may cause the
automatic headlight system to malfunction.

2614-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
Welcome lighting
If the headlight switch is turned to and the surrounding area is dark, unlocking the
doors using the smart access system with pu sh-button start or wireless remote control
will turn the parking lights and tail lights on automatically. ■
Windshield wiper linked headlight illumination
When driving during daytime with the headlight switch tu rned to , if the windshield
wipers are used, the headlights will turn on automatically after several seconds to help
enhance the visibility of your vehicle. ■
12-volt battery-saving function
In order to prevent the 12-volt battery of the vehicle from discharging, if the headlights
and/or tail lights are on when the power switch is turned off the 12-volt battery saving
function will operate and automatically turn off all the lights after approximately 20 min-
utes. When the power switch is turned to ON mode, the 12-volt battery-saving function
will be disabled.
When any of the following are performed, the 12-volt battery-saving function is canceled
once and then reactivated. A ll the lights will turn off automa tically 20 minutes after the
12-volt battery-saving function has been reactivated: ●
When the headlight switch is operated●
When a door is opened or closed ■
Customization
Some functions can be customized. ( → P. 736)
NOTICE ■
To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than ne cessary when the hybrid system is off.