2134-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UWith the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D. ( → P. 246)
Pull the parking brake switch and parking brake is set manually. ( → P. 254)
Release the brake pedal and gently de press the accelerator pedal to acceler-
ate the vehicle.
Press the parking brake switch and pa rking brake is released manually.
( → P. 254) ■
When starting off on a uphill
The hill-start assist control will activate. ( → P. 382)■
For fuel-efficient driving
Keep in mind that hybrid vehicles are simila r to conventional vehicles, and it is necessary
to refrain from activities su ch as sudden acceleration. ( → P. 388)■
Driving in the rain ●
Drive carefully when it is ra ining, because visibility will be reduced, the windows may
become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery. ●
Drive carefully when it starts to rain, beca use the road surface will be especially slip-
pery. ●
Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain, because there may
be a layer of water between the tires and th e road surface, preventing the steering and
brakes from operating properly. ■
Restraining the hybrid system output (Brake Override System)●
When the accelerator and brake pedals are depressed at the same time, the hybrid sys-
tem output may be restrained. ●
A warning message is displayed on the mult i-information display while the system is
operating. If a warning messa ge is shown on the multi-in formation display, read the
message and follow the instructions. ■
Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)●
When the following unusual operation is pe rformed, 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 acce lerator pedal depressed, a warning message appears on
the multi-information display. If a warning message is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display, read the message and follo w the instructions.
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed t oo much while the vehicle is in reverse.●
While Drive-Start Control is being activated, your vehicle may have trouble escaping
from the mud or fresh snow. In such case, deactivate TRAC ( → P. 384) to cancel Drive-
Start Control so that the vehicle may beco me able to escape from the mud or fresh
snow.Starting off on a uphill 1
2
3
4
2174-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UWARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury. ■
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indicators)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads and/or those
of the brake discs are exceeded. ■
When the vehicle is stopped ●
Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
If the shift lever is in any position other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate sud-
denly and unexpectedly, causing an accident. ●
In order to prevent accidents due to the ve hicle rolling away, always keep depressing
the brake pedal while stopped with the “REA DY” indicator is illuminated, and apply
the parking brake as necessary. ●
If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused by the
vehicle rolling forward or backward, alwa ys depress the brake pedal and securely
apply the parking brake as needed. ●
Avoid revving or r acing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause the exhaust
system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible material is nearby.■
When the vehicle is parked ●
Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, sp ray cans, or soft drink cans in the vehicle
when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cau se the plastic lenses and plastic mate-
rial of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the
vehicle, and may also cause a short circui t in the vehicle’s electrical components.●
Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a place such as
the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when luggage is loaded or the
seat is adjusted, causing a fire. ●
Do not attach adhesive discs to the windsh ield or windows. Do not place containers
such as air fresheners on th e instrument panel or dashbo ard. Adhesive discs or con-
tainers may act as lenses, ca using a fire in the vehicle.●
Do not leave a door or window open if th e curved glass is coated with a metallized
film such as a silver-colored one. Reflecte d sunlight may cause the glass to act as a
lens, causing a fire. ●
Always apply the parking brake, shift the shif t lever to P, stop the hybrid system and
lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended whil e the “READY” indicator is illuminated.
If the vehicle is parked with the shift leve r in P but the parking brake is not set, the
vehicle may start to move, possibly leading to an accident. ●
Do not touch the exhaust pipes while the “R EADY” indicator is illuminated or imme-
diately after turning the hybrid system off.
Doing so may cause burns.
272 4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UTurning the end of the lever turns on the rear window wiper and washer.
(U.S.A.) or (Canada)
Off
(U.S.A.) or (Canada)
Intermittent operation
(U.S.A.) or (Canada)
Normal operation
Washer/wiper dual operation The wiper will automatically operate a
couple of times afte r the washer squirts.Rear window wiper and washer Operating the wiper lever 1
2
3
4
2734-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
The rear window wiper and washer can be operated when
The power switch is in ON mode. ■
If no washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzle is not blocked if there is washer fluid in the washer fluid
tank.
NOTICE ■
When the rear window is dry
Do not use the wiper, as it may damage the rear window. ■
When the washer fluid tank is empty
Do not operate the switch continually as the washer fluid pump may overheat. ■
When a nozzle becomes blocked
In this case, contact your Lexus dealer.
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozz le will be damaged.
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
282 4-5. Using the driving support systems
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UWARNING ■
To avoid malfunction of the camera sensor
Observe the following precautions.
Otherwise, the camera sensor may not oper ate properly, possibly leading to an acci-
dent resulting in deat h or serious injury.●
Keep the windshield clean at all times.
• If the windshield is dirty or covered with an oily film, water droplets, snow, etc.,
clear the windshield.
• If a glass coating agent is applied to the wi ndshield, it will still be necessary to use
the windshield wipers to remove water droplets, etc. from the area of the wind-
shield in front of the camera sensor.
• If the inner side of the windshield where th e camera sensor is installed is dirty, con-
tact your Lexus dealer.
●
If the part of the windshield in front of the camera sensor is fogged up or covered with
condensation or ice, use the windshield de fogger to remove the fog, condensation or
ice. ( → P. 516)●
If water droplets cannot be properly removed from the area of the windshield in front
of the camera sensor by th e windshield wipers, replace the wiper insert or wiper
blade.
• To replace the wiper insert: → P. 628
• If the wiper blades need to be re placed, contact your Lexus dealer.●
Do not attach window tinting to the windshield. ●
Replace the windshield if it is damaged or cracked.
If the windshield needs to be re placed, contact your Lexus dealer.●
Do not get the camera sensor wet. ●
Do not allow bright lights to shine into the camera sensor.●
Do not dirty or damage the camera sensor.
When cleaning the inside of the windshield , do not allow glass cleaner to contact the
lens. Also, do not touch the lens.
If the lens is dirty or damaged, contact your Lexus dealer. ●
Do not attach objects, such as stickers, trans-
parent stickers, and so forth, to the outer side
of the windshield in front of the camera sensor
(shaded area in the illustration).
A: From the top of the windshield to approxi-
mately 0.4 in. (1 cm) below the bottom of the
camera sensor
B: Approximately 7.9 in. (20 cm) (Approxi-
mately 4.0 in. [10 cm] to the right and left
from the center of the camera sensor)
378 4-5. Using the driving support systems
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UNOTICE ■
How to use the camera ●
The parking assist monitor may not oper ate properly in the following cases.
• If the back of the vehicle is hit, the position and mounting angle of the camera may
change.
• As the camera has a water proof construction, do not detach, disassemble or
modify it. This may cause incorrect operation.
• When cleaning the camera lens, flush the camera with a large quantity of water
and wipe it with a soft and wet cloth. Strongly rubbing the camera lens may cause
the camera lens to be scratched and unable to transmit a clear image.
• Do not allow organic solvent, car wax, window cleaner or glass coat to adhere to
the camera. If this happens, wi pe it off as soon as possible.
• If the temperature changes rapidly, such as when hot water is poured on the vehi-
cle in cold weather, the system may not operate normally.
• When washing the vehicle, do not apply intensive bursts of water to the camera or
camera area. Doing so may result in the camera malfunctioning.
• When the camera is used under fluorescen t lights, sodium light or mercury light
etc., the lights and the illuminated areas may appear to flicker. ●
Do not expose the camera to strong impact as this could cause a malfunction.
If this happens, have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
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