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2404-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_RX450hL_U
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake ( P. 253), and shift the shift lever to P.
Press the power switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that the display on the meters is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing the power switch with brake pedal released.
(The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.) Off
*
The emergency flashers can be used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as the
audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed on the
meters.
ON mode
All electrical components can be used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on
the meters.
*: If the shift le ver is in a position other than
P when turning off the hybrid system,
the power switch will be turned to
ACCESSORY mode, not to off.
Stopping the hybrid system
Changing power switch modes
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
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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
1
2
3
4
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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.
Page 246 of 792
2464-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_RX450hL_U
While 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 positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 ( P. 248)
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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
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2514-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL_U
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and 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 the shift lever in N for a
long period of time, the hybrid battery (t raction battery) will discharge, and this may
result in the vehicle not being able to start.
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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
1
2
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2544-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_RX450hL_U
The 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 the 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 light
1
2