2018 LEXUS RX450h service

2274-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U●
The gross trailer weight must ne ver exceed 3500 lb. (1585 kg).●
The gross combination weight must never exceed 9500 lb. (4309 kg). ●
The gross vehicle weight must never
exceed the GVWR indicated on the
Certification Label. ●
The gross axle weight on each axle
must never exceed the GAWR indi-
cated on the Certification Label. ●
If the gross trailer weight is over the unbraked TWR, trailer service brakes are
required. ●
If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lb. (907 kg), a sway control device with
sufficient capacity is required.
Confirm that the gross trailer weight, gross combination weight, gross vehicle
weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight are all within the limits.■
GCWR
*9500 lb. (4309 kg) ■
TWR
* 3500 lb. (1585 kg) ■
Unbraked TWR
*1000 lb. (453 kg)
* : These models meet the tow-vehicle trailering requirement of SAE International per
SAE J2807.Weight limits
GCWR, TWR and Unbraked TWR

234 4-1. Before driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components (such as an
engine, hybrid transmission, rear differenti al or wheel bearing), Lexus recommends that
you do not tow a trailer until the vehicle ha s been driven for over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km), you can start towing.
However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the vehicle at a speed of less than
50 mph (80 km/h) when towing a trailer, and avoid full throttle acceleration.■
Maintenance ●
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will requir e more frequent maintenance due to the addi-
tional load. (See “Warranty and Services Guide”, “Owner’s Manual Supplement” or
“Scheduled Maintenance”.) ●
Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ba ll and bracket after approximately 600 miles
(1000 km) of trailer towing. ■
If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing ve hicles, rough roads, etc.) can adversely
affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability. ●
If trailer swaying occurs:
• 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 im mediately but very gradually to reduce
speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the st eering or brakes, your vehicle and trailer
should stabilize. (if enabled, Trailer Sway Control can also he lp to stabilize the vehicle and
trailer.) ●
After the trailer sw aying has stopped:
• Stop in a safe place. Get all occupants out of the vehicle.
• Check the tires of the vehicle and the trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer.
Make sure the load has not shifted.
Make sure the tongue weight is appropriate, if possible.
• Check the load in the vehicle.
Make sure the vehicle is not ov erloaded after occupants get in.
If you cannot find any problems, the speed at which trailer swaying occurred is beyond
the limit of your particular vehicle-trailer combination.
Drive at a lower speed to prevent instability. Remember that swaying of the towing vehi-
cle-trailer increases as speed increases.

270 4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UWhen the windshield wipers are not bein g used, they retract to below the hood.
To enable the windshield wi pers to be lifted when park ing in cold conditions or
when replacing a windshield wiper insert, change the rest position of the wind-
shield wipers to the service position using the wiper lever.■
Raising the wipers to the service position
Within approximately 40 seconds of
turning the power switch off, move
the wiper lever to the
(U.S.A.) or (Canada) posi-
tion and hold it for approximately 2
seconds or more. The wipers will move to the service
position.
■
Lifting the windshield wipers
While holding the hook portion of
the wiper arm, lift the windshield
wiper from the windshield.Changing the windshield wiper rest position/Lifting the windshield wip-
ers
Hook portion

390 4-6. Driving tips
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U●
Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside temperatures.
•Engine oil
• Engine/power cont rol unit coolant
• Washer fluid ●
Have a service technician inspect the condition of the 12-volt battery. ●
Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire chains for
the front tires. Ensure that all tires are of the specified size and the same brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
Perform the following according to the driving conditions: ●
Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen. Pour
warm water over the frozen area to me lt the ice. Wipe away the water imme-
diately to prevent it from freezing. ●
To ensure proper operation of the c limate control system fan, remove any
snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in front of the windshield. ●
Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accumulated on
the exterior lights, vehicle’s roof, chassi s, around the tires or on the brakes.●
Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before getting in the
vehicle.Winter driving tips Carry out the necessary preparations an d inspections before driving the vehi-
cle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate to the prevail-
ing weather conditions.
Pre-winter preparations
Before driving the vehicle

392 4-6. Driving tips
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UTo enable the windshield wi pers to be lifted when he avy 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. 270) ■
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 dr iven 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 cu rve to ensure that vehicle control is main-
tained. ●
Do not use the LKA (Lane-Keeping Assist) system.

3954-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UYour vehicle is not designed to be driv en off-road. However, in the event that
off-road driving cannot be avoided, please observe the following precautions to
help avoid the areas prohibited to vehicles. ●
Drive your vehicle only in areas wher e off-road vehicles are permitted to
travel. ●
Respect private property. Get owner’s permission before entering private
property. ●
Do not enter areas that are closed. Honor gates, barriers and signs that
restrict travel. ●
Stay on established road s. When conditions are wet, driving techniques
should be changed or travel dela yed to prevent damage to roads.●
Avoid driving on very steep, slippery ro ads and other surfaces, such as sand,
where the tires are liable to lose tractio n. Your vehicle may not perform as well
as conventional AWD on-road vehicles on these surfaces. ■
Additional information for off-road driving
For owners in U.S. mainland, Hawaii and Puerto Rico:
To obtain additional information pertaining to driving your vehicle off-road, consult the
following organizations. ●
State and Local Parks and Recreation Departments ●
State Motor Vehicle Bureau ●
Recreational Vehicle Clubs ●
U.S. Forest Service and Bu reau of Land ManagementOff-road driving

396 4-6. Driving tips
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U [
WARNING ■
Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death, serious injury
or damage to your vehicle: ●
Drive carefully when off the road. Do not ta ke unnecessary risks by driving in danger-
ous places. ●
Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump could jerk
the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and especially your thumbs on the
outside of the rim. ●
Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in sand, mud,
water or snow. ●
After driving through tall grass, mud, rock , sand, rivers, etc., check that there is no
grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped on the underbody.
Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the vehicle is used with these materi-
als trapped or adhering to the underbody, a breakdown or fire could occur. ●
When driving off-road or in rugged terrain , do not drive at excessive speeds, jump,
make sharp turns, strike obje cts, etc. This may cause loss of control or vehicle rollover
causing death or serious injury. You are also risking expensive damage to your vehi-
cle’s suspension and chassis.
NOTICE ■
To prevent water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the hybrid battery
(traction battery), hybrid system or other components does not occur.●
Water entering the engine compartment may cause severe damage to the hybrid
system. Water entering the interior may cause the hybrid battery (traction battery)
stowed under the rear seats to short circuit.●
Water entering the hybrid transmission and rear electric motor (traction motor) will
cause deterioration in transmission qualit y. The malfunction indicator may come on,
and the vehicle may not be drivable. ●
Water can wash the grease from wheel be arings, causing rusting and premature fail-
ure, and may also enter the hybrid transmissi on case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricat-
ing qualities. ■
When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when cro ssing shallow streams, first check the depth of
the water and the bottom of the riverbed for firmness. Drive slowly and avoid deep
water. ■
Inspection after off-road driving ●
Sand and mud that has accumulated around brake discs may affect braking efficiency
and may damage brake system components. ●
Always perform a maintenance inspection afte r each day of off-road driving that has
taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For scheduled maintenance
information, refer to the “Warranty and Services Guide/Owner’s Manual Supple-
ment/Scheduled Maintenance”.

428 5-4. Using the radio
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UHD Radio™ Technology is the digital evolution of analog AM/FM radio. Your
radio product has a special receiver which allows it to receive digital broadcasts
(where available) in addition to the analog broadcasts it already receives.
Digital broadcasts have better sound qua lity than analog broadcasts as digital
broadcasts provide free, crystal clear audio with no static or distortion. For more
information, and a guide to available radio stations and programming, refer to
www.hdradio.com
.
“HD Radio features included in Lexus radios:
Digital Sound - HD Radio broadcasts deliver crystal-clear, digital audio quality to
listeners.
HD2/HD3 Channels - FM stations can prov ide additional digital only audio pro-
gramming with expanded content and format choices on HD2/HD3 channels.
PSD - Program Service Data (PSD) gives you on-screen information such as art-
ist name and song title.
iTunes Tagging - Listeners can tag (store) songs they like for later review and pur-
chase through iTunes.
Artist Experience - Images related to the broadcast are displayed on the radio
screen, such as album cover art and station logos.”HD Radio™ Technology
HD Radio Technology manufactured under license from iBiquity Digital Corpora-
tion. U.S. and Foreign Patents. HD Radio™ and the HD, HD Radio, and “Arc” logos
are proprietary trademarks of iBiquity Digital Corp.