2018 LEXUS RX450h transmission

246 4-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UWhile the power switch is in ON mode, move the shift lever with the brake
pedal depressed. When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.
* 1
: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, shift the shift lever to D for normal driv-
ing.
* 2
: By selecting shift ra nges using S mode, you can control accelerating force and engine
braking force.Hybrid transmission Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose Shift position Objective or function
P Parking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
R Reversing
N Neutral
D Normal driving
* 1
S S mode driving
* 2
( → P. 248)

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”.

590 7-2. Maintenance
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U* : Vehicles with sing le-beam headlightsVehicle interior Items Check points
Accelerator pedal • The accelerator pedal sh ould move smoothly (with-
out uneven pedal effort or catching).
Brake pedal • Does the brake pedal move smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clearance
from the floor? ( → P. 716)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of
free play? ( → P. 716)
Brakes • The vehicle should not pull to one side when the
brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should no t get too close to the floor
when the brakes are applied.
Head restraints • Do the head restraints move smoothly and lock
securely?
Hybrid transmission “Park”
mechanism • When parked on a slope and the shift lever is in P, is
the vehicle securely stopped?
Indicators/buzzers • Do the indicators and buzzers function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
• Are the headlights aimed correctly?
* ( → P. 635)
Parking brake • Does the parking brake switch operate normally?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on,
is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts • Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats • Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel • Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correct amount of
free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds coming
from the steering wheel.

654
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
The following may indicate a problem wi th your hybrid transmission. Contact
your Lexus dealer or commercial towing service before towing. ●
The hybrid warning message shows on and the vehicle does not move. ●
The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Do not tow with a sling-type truck to
prevent body damage.If your vehicle needs to be towed If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by your
Lexus dealer or commercial towing se rvice, using a wheel-lift type truck or
flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/provincial and
local laws.
If towing your vehicle with a wheel-lift type truck, use a towing dolly.
( → P. 655, 657)
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing
Towing with a sling-type truck

658 8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UNOTICE ■
To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type truck●
Do not tow the vehicle from the rear when the power switch is off. The steering lock
mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels straight. ●
When raising the vehicle, en sure adequate ground cleara nce for towing at the oppo-
site end of the raised vehicle. Without ad equate clearance, the vehicle could be dam-
aged while being towed. ■
To prevent damage to the vehicle wh en towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear. ■
To prevent damage to the ve hicle during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components. ■
Recreational towing (behind motor home, etc)
Never dinghy tow your vehicle to prevent caus-
ing serious damage to the Hybrid AWD system
and transmission. ( → P. 238)

7078-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UWARNING ■
When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to push the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the surrounding
area is clear to avoid striking other vehicl es, objects or people. The vehicle may also
lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes free. Use extreme caution. ■
When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an acci-
dent resulting in deat h or serious injury.
NOTICE ■
To avoid damage to the hybrid transmission and other components●
Avoid spinning the front wheels and depre ssing the accelerator pedal more than nec-
essary. ●
If the vehicle remains stuck even after th ese procedures are performed, the vehicle
may require towing to be freed.

716 9-1. Specifications
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U* : The fluid capacity is a reference quantity.
If replacement is necessary, contact your Lexus dealer.
* : The fluid capacity is a reference quantity.
If replacement is necessary, contact your Lexus dealer.
* : Minimum pedal clearance when depressed wi th a force of 110 lbf (490 N, 50.0 kgf)
while the hybrid system is operating.Hybrid transmission Fluid capacity
* 5.1 qt. (4.8 L, 4.2 Imp. qt.)
Fluid type Toyota Genuine ATF WS
NOTICE ■
Hybrid transmission fluid type
Using transmission fluid ot her than “Toyota Genuine ATF WS” may ultimately damage
the hybrid transmission of your vehicle.
Rear differential (Rear electric motor) Fluid capacity
* 1.9 qt. (1.8 L, 1.6 Imp. qt.)
Fluid type Toyota Genuine ATF WS
NOTICE ■
Hybrid transmission fluid type
Using transmission fluid ot her than “Toyota Genuine ATF WS” may ultimately damage
the hybrid transmission of your vehicle.
Brakes Pedal clearance
* 3.7 in. (95 mm) Min.
Brake pad wear limit 0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Pedal free play 0.04 — 0.24 in. (1.0 — 6.0 mm)
Fluid type FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703

730 9-1. Specifications
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UGlossary of tire terminology Tire related term Meaning
Cold tire inflation pressure Tire pressure when the vehicle has been parked for
three hours or more, or has no t been driven more than 1
mile or 1.5 km un der that condition
Maximum inflation pres-
sure The maximum cold inflated pr essure to which a tire may
be inflated, shown on the sidewall of the tire
Recommended inflation
pressure Cold tire inflation pressure recommended by a manu-
facturer
Accessory weight The combined weight (in exce ss of those standard items
which may be replaced) of hybrid transmission, power
steering, power brakes, power windows, power seats,
radio and heater, to the extent that these items are avail-
able as factory-installed eq uipment (whether installed
or not)
Curb weight The weight of a motor vehicle with standard equipment,
including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant,
and if so equipped, air co nditioning and additional
weight optional engine
Maximum loaded vehicle
weight The sum of:
(a) Curb weight
(b) Accessory weight
(c) Vehicle capacity weight
(d) Production options weight
Normal occupant weight 150 lb. (68 kg) times the numb er of occupants specified
in the second column of Table 1
* that follows
Occupant distribution Distribution of occupants in a vehicle as specified in the
third column of Table 1
* below