Page 224 of 792

224 4-1. Before driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UContact your Lexus dealer for further in formation about additional requirements
such as a towing kit, etc.Trailer towing (vehicles with towing package) Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-and-load-carrying vehicle.
Towing a trailer can have an adverse im pact on handling, performance, brak-
ing, durability, and fuel consumption. Fo r your safety and the safety of others,
you must not overload your vehicle or trailer. You must also ensure that you
are using appropriate towing equipment, that the towing equipment has been
installed correctly and used properly, and that you employ the requisite driv-
ing habits.
Vehicle-trailer stability and braking pe rformance are affected by trailer sta-
bility, brake performance and setting, tr ailer brakes, the hitch and hitch sys-
tems (if equipped).
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme ca re and drive the vehicle in accordance
with your trailer’s characteri stics and operating conditions.
Lexus warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction caused by towing a
trailer for commercial purposes.
Page 245 of 792

2454-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
Switching to EV drive mode wh en the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline engine will
start automatically after a short period of time in order to warm up. In this case, you will
become unable to switch to EV drive mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illuminated, press the
EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to switch to EV drive mode.■
Automatic cancelation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically restart in the fol-
lowing situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer will sound, the EV drive
mode indicator will go off afte r flashing, and a message is di splayed on the multi-informa-
tion display. ●
The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is low. ( → P. 125)●
Vehicle speed is high. ●
The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill, etc. ■
Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distance ranges from a few hundred meters to approxi-
mately 0.6 mile (1 km). However, dependin g on vehicle conditions, there are situations
when EV drive mode cannot be used. (The distance that is possible depends on the
hybrid battery [traction battery] level and driving conditions.)■
Fuel economy
The hybrid system is designed to achieve th e best possible fuel economy during normal
driving (using the gasoline engine and electr ic motor [traction motor]). Driving in EV
drive mode more than necess ary may lower fuel economy.
WARNING ■
Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode no engine noise is made. As such, pedestrians, people
riding bicycles or other people and vehicles in the surrounding area may not be aware
of the vehicle starting off or approaching th em. Therefore, take ex tra care while driving
even if the vehicle proximity notification system is active.
Page 246 of 792
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)
Page 260 of 792

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.
Page 274 of 792
274
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U4-4. Refueling
●
Close all the doors and windows, and turn the power switch off.●
Confirm the type of fuel. ■
Fuel types
→ P. 720 ■
Fuel tank opening for unleaded gasoline
To help prevent incorrect fueling, your vehi cle has a fuel tank opening that only accom-
modates the specia l nozzle on unleaded fuel pumps.
Opening the fuel tank cap The fuel tank of your vehicle has a special structure, which requires a reduc-
tion in fuel tank pressure before refu eling. After the opener switch has been
pressed, it will take several seconds un til the vehicle is ready for refueling.
Before refueling the vehicle
Page 275 of 792

2754-4. Refueling
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UWARNING ■
When refueling the vehicle
Observe the following precautions while refueling the vehicle. Failure to do so may
result in death or serious injury. ●
After exiting the vehicle and before opening the fuel door, touch an unpainted metal
surface to discharge any static electricity. It is important to discha rge static electricity
before refueling because sparks resulting fr om static electricity can cause fuel vapors
to ignite while refueling. ●
Always hold the grips on the fuel tank cap and turn it slowly to remove it.
A whooshing sound may be heard when the fu el tank cap is loosened. Wait until the
sound cannot be heard before fully removing the cap. In hot weather, pressurized fuel
may spray out of the filler neck and cause injury.●
Do not allow anyone that has not discharged static electricity from their body to come
close to an open fuel tank. ●
Do not inhale vaporized fuel.
Fuel contains substances th at are harmful if inhaled.●
Do not smoke while refueling the vehicle.
Doing so may cause the fuel to ignite and cause a fire. ●
Do not return to the vehicle or touch any pe rson or object that is statically charged.
This may cause static electricity to build up, resulting in a possible ignition hazard.■
When refueling
Observe the following precautions to prevent fuel overflowing from the fuel tank: ●
Securely insert the fuel nozz le into the fuel filler neck.●
Stop filling the tank after the fuel nozzle automatically clicks off.●
Do not top off the fuel tank.
NOTICE ■
Refueling ●
Finish refueling within 30 minutes. If more than 30 minutes passe s, the internal valve
closes. In this condition, fuel may overflow during the refueling process. Press the fuel
filler door opener switch again. ●
Do not spill fuel during refueling.
Doing so may damage the vehicle, such as causing the emission control system to
operate abnormally or damaging fuel syst em components or the vehicle’s painted
surface.
Page 276 of 792
276 4-4. Refueling
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UPress the switch to open the fuel
filler door. The fuel filler door wi ll open within about
10 seconds of the sw itch being pressed.
Before refueling is possible, a message
will be shown on the multi-information
display in the instrument cluster to indi-
cate the progress of the fuel filler door
opener.
Open the fuel filler door until it is securely locked.
Turn the fuel tank cap slowly and
remove it, then put it into the holder
on the fuel filler door.Opening the fuel tank cap 1
2
3
Page 277 of 792

2774-4. Refueling
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
When the fuel filler door cannot be opened by pressing the inside switch
RX450h
RX450hL ●
If the fuel filler door cannot be opened by
pressing the rear edge of the fuel filler door
with the doors unlocked, remove the cover
inside the luggage compartment and pull the
lever to open the fuel filler door. ●
Using the lever to open the fuel filler door may
not allow for an adequate reduction in fuel
tank pressure before refueling. To prevent fuel
from spilling out, turn the cap slowly when
removing it.
During refueling, fuel may spill out from the
filler opening due to ai r being discharged from
inside the fuel tank. Therefore, fill the fuel tank
carefully and slowly.
If the fuel filler door cannot be opened by press-
ing its rear edge with the doors unlocked,
remove the cover inside the luggage compart-
ment using a tool, such as a flathead screw-
driver, and pull the lever to open the fuel filler
door.
When using a screwdriver, make sure to wrap its
tip with tape to protect the cover.
NOTICE ■
When refueling
When refueling your vehicle, make sure that
the fuel filler door lock is not pushed by the fuel
nozzle boot, etc., as this may cause a valve to
close, possibly resulting in a fuel spill.
If the fuel filler door lock has been pushed,
operate the fuel filler door opener switch in the
vehicle before continuing to refuel.