
2414-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL_U
If the hybrid system is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P, the
power switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY
mode. Perform the following proc edure to turn the switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” is disp layed on the multi-information display
and then press the power switch once.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” on th e multi-information display is off.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or ON mode (the
hybrid system is not operating) for more than an hour with the shift lever in P, the power
switch will automatically turn off. However, th is function cannot entirely prevent 12-volt
battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with the power switch in ACCESSORY or
ON mode for long periods of time when the hybrid system is not operating.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 77
■Electronic key battery depletion
P. 134
■When the ambient temperature is low, su ch as during winter driving conditions
When starting the hybrid system, the flashing time of the “READY” indicator may be
long. Leave the vehicle as it is until the “REA DY” indicator is steady on, as steady means
the vehicle is able to move.
■Conditions affe cting operation
P. 160
■Note for the entry function
P. 161
■If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may no t have been deactivated. (P. 83)
Contact your Lexus dealer.
●Check that the shift lever is se curely set in P. The hybrid system may not start if the shift
lever is displaced out of P. “To Start Vehicle, Put Shift Lever into P” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
When stopping the hybrid system with the shift lever in a position other
than P
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2
3
4

2444-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_RX450hL_U
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on, the
EV drive mode indicator will come on.
Pressing the switch when in EV drive
mode will return the vehicle to normal
driving (using the gasoline engine and
electric motor [traction motor]).
■Situations in which EV drive mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situations. If it cannot be
turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the multi-information dis-
play.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driv en on a hill, driven at high speeds, etc.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 32 F (0 C) for a long
period of time, etc.
●The gasoline engine is warming up.
●The hybrid battery (tra ction battery) is 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.
●The windshield defogger is in use.
EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, electric power is su pplied by the hybrid battery (traction
battery), and only the electric motor (traction motor) is used to drive the vehi-
cle.
This mode allows you to drive in reside ntial areas early in the morning and late
at night, or in indoor parking lots, etc., without concern for noises and gas
emissions.
However, when the vehicle proximity noti fication system is active, the vehicle
may produce sound.

2454-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL_U
■Switching to EV drive mode when 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 displayed 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 extra care while driving
even if the vehicle proximity notification system is active.

2474-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL_U
P. 379
To drive using temporary shift range select ion, operate the “-” paddle shift switch.
Changing the shift range enables the level of engine braking force to be
selected. The shift range can then be sele cted by operating the “-” and “+” paddle
shift switches.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from D1 to D6,
will be displayed on the meters.
The initial shift rang e when the “-” pad-
dle shift switch is operated is automati-
cally set to D4 or D5 according to the
vehicle speed.
To return to normal D position driving,
the “+” paddle shift switch must be held
down for a period of time.
■Shift ranges and their functions
●You can choose from 6 levels of engine braking force.
●A lower shift range will provide greate r engine braking force than a higher
shift range, and the engine revolutions will also increase.
Selecting the driving mode
Selecting shift ranges in the D position
(vehicles with paddle shift switches)
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2

2484-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_RX450hL_U
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to S. Shift ranges can be selected by operat-
ing the shift lever or paddle shift switches (if equipped), allowing you to drive in
the shift range of your choice. The shift range can be selected by operating the
shift lever or the “-” and “+” padd le shift switches (if equipped).
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from S1 to S6,
will be displayed on the meters.
The initial shift range in S mode is auto-
matically set to S4 or S5 according to
the vehicle speed.
■Shift ranges and their functions
●You can choose from 6 levels of acce lerating force and engine braking
force.
●A lower shift range will provide gr eater accelerating force and engine
braking force than a higher shift rang e, and the engine revolutions will also
increase.
●If you accelerate while in ranges 1 to 4, the shift range may automatically
increase in accordance with the vehicle speed.
Selecting shift ranges in the S position
1
2

2494-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL_U
■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 lever 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.

2504-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_RX450hL_U
■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 pressed4
5

2534-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL_U
The parking brake is set or released automatically 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 light
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