2018 LEXUS RX450h Owners Manual

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.

252 4-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85URight turn
Lane change to the right (move the
lever partway and release it) The right hand signals will flash 3 times.
Lane change to the left (move the
lever partway and release it) The left hand signals will flash 3 times.
Left turn
■
Turn signals can be operated when
The power switch is in ON mode. ■
If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned out.■
If the turn signals stop flashing befo re a lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again. ■
Customization
Some functions can be customized. ( → P. 736)Turn signal lever Operating instructions 1
2
3
4

2534-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UThe parking brake is set or released au tomatically according to the shift lever
operation.
Even when in automatic mode, the parkin g brake can be set and released manu-
ally. ( → P. 254)
Turns automatic mode on (while the
vehicle is stopped, pull and hold the
parking brake switch until the auto-
matic mode lamp turns on) • When the shift lever is moved out of
P, the parking brake will be released,
and the parking brake indicator light
and parking brake light turn off.
• When the shift lever is moved into P,
the parking brake will be set, and the
parking brake indicator light and
parking brake light turn on.
Operate the shift lever with the brake
pedal depressed.
Turns automatic mode off (while the
vehicle is stopped, press and hold
the parking brake switch until the
automatic mode lamp turns off)Parking brake A mode can be selected from the following modes.
Automatic mode
Automatic
mode lamp U.S.A. Canada
Parking
brake light1
2

254 4-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UThe parking brake can be set and released manually.
Sets the parking brake The parking brake indicator light and
parking brake light will turn on.
Pull and hold the parking brake switch if
an emergency occurs and it is necessary
to operate the parking brake while driv-
ing.
Releases the parking brake Operate the parking brake switch while
depressing the brake pedal. Make sure
that the parking brake indicator light
and parking brake light turn off.
If the parking brake indicator light and
parking brake lamp flashes, operate the
switch again. ( → P. 660)■
Parking the vehicle
→ P. 212 ■
Parking brake operation ●
When the power switch is not in ON mode, the parking brake cannot be released using
the parking brake switch. ●
When the power switch is not in ON mode , automatic mode (automatic brake setting
and releasing) is not available. ■
If “Parking Brake Overheated Parking Brak e Unavailable” is displayed on the multi-
information display
If the parking brake is operated repeatedly over a short period of time, the system may
restrict operation to prevent overheating. If this happens, refrain from operating the
parking brake. Normal operation wi ll return after about 1 minute.■
If “EPB Activation Stopped Incompletely” or “Parking Brake Unavailable” is displayed
on the multi-information display
Operate the parking brake switch. If the message does not disappear after operating the
switch several times, the system may be ma lfunctioning. Have th e vehicle inspected by
your Lexus dealer immediately. ■
Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a motor so und (whirring sound) may be heard. This
does not indicate a malfunction.Manual mode U.S.A. Canada
Parking
brake light1
2

2554-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
Parking brake indicator light and parking brake light ●
Depending on the power switch mode, the parking brake indicator light and parking
brake light will turn on and stay on as described below:
ON mode: Comes on until the parking brake is released.
Not in ON mode: Stays on fo r approximately 15 seconds.●
When the power switch is turned off with th e parking brake set, the parking brake indi-
cator light and parking brake light will stay on for about 15 seconds. This does not indi-
cate a malfunction. ■
Changing the mode
When changing the automatic mode on/off , the message will be shown on the multi-
information display and the buzzer sounds. ■
Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driv en with the parking brake engaged. “Release
Parking Brake” is displayed on the multi-information display.■
Warning messages and buzzers
Warning messages and buzzers are used to indicate a system malfunction or to inform
the driver of the need for caution. If a warn ing message is shown on the multi-information
display, read the message and follow the instructions.■
If the brake system warning light comes on
→ P. 660 ■
Usage in winter time
→ P. 391
WARNING ■
When parking the vehicle
Do not leave a child in the vehicle alone. The parking brake may be released uninten-
tionally and there is the danger of the ve hicle moving that may lead to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury. ■
Parking brake switch
Do not set any objects near the parking br ake switch. Objects may interfere with the
switch and may lead the parking brake to unexpectedly operate.
NOTICE ■
When parking the vehicle
Before you leave the vehicle, shift the shif t lever to P, set the parking brake and make
sure that the vehicle does not move. ■
When the system malfunctions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and check the warning messages.■
When the parking brake cannot be released due to a malfunction
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake se t will lead to brake components overheat-
ing, which may affect bra king performance and increase brake wear. Contact your
Lexus dealer immediately if this occurs.

256 4-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UTurns the brake hold system on The brake hold standby indicator
(green) comes on. Wh ile the system is
holding the brakes, the brake hold oper-
ated indicator (yellow) will illuminate. ■
Brake hold system operating conditions
The brake hold system cannot be turn ed on in the following conditions:●
The driver’s door is not closed. ●
The driver’s seat seat belt is not buckled.
If either of the conditions above are detected when the brake hold system is enabled, the
system will turn off and the brake hold standby in dicator light will go off. In addition, if any
of the conditions are detected while the sy stem is holding the brakes, a warning buzzer
will sound and a message will be shown on th e multi-information di splay. The parking
brake will then be set automatically. ■
Brake hold function ●
If the brake pedal is left released for a pe riod of about 3 minutes after the system has
started holding the brakes, the parking brake will be set automatically. In this case, a
warning buzzer sounds and a message is shown on the multi- informatio n display.●
To turn the system off while the system is holding the brakes, firmly depress the brake
pedal and press the switch again. ●
The brake hold function may not hold the vehicle when the vehicle is on a steep incline.
In this situation, it may be necessary for the driver to apply the brakes. A warning
buzzer will sound and the mult i-information display will info rm the driver of this situa-
tion. If a warning message is shown on the multi-information display, read the message
and follow the instructions.Brake Hold The brake hold system keeps the brake appl ied when the shift lever is in D, S or
N with the system on and the brake peda l has been depressed to stop the vehi-
cle. The system releases the brake wh en the accelerator pedal is depressed
with the shift lever in D or S to allow smooth start off.