2264-1. Before driving
RX450h_RX450hL_U
■TWR (Trailer Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross trailer
weight. The gross trailer weight is
the sum of the trailer weight and the
weight of the cargo in the trailer.
TWR is calculated assuming base
vehicle with one driver, one front
passenger, towing package (if avail-
able), hitch and hitch systems (if
required).
Additional optional equipment, passengers and cargo in the vehicle will reduce the
trailer weight rating so as not to exceed GCWR, GVWR and GAWR.
If the gross trailer weight exceeds 3000 lb. (1360 kg), it is recommended to use a
trailer with 2 or more axles.
■Unbraked TWR (Unbraked Trailer Weight Rating)
The trailer weight rating for towing a
trailer without a trailer service brake
system.
■Tongue Weight
The load placed on the trailer hitch
ball. ( P. 228)
(With brakes)
(Without brakes)
2434-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL_U
WARNING
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resu lting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the ve hicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering lock
in this circumstance may lead to an acci dent, resulting in death or serious injury.
■Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the vehicle, press
and hold the power switch for more than 2 se conds, or press it briefly 3 times or more
in succession. ( P. 653)
However, do not touch the power switch while driving except in an emergency. Turning
the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control,
however, power assist to the steering will be lost. This will make it more difficult to steer
smoothly, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
●Do not leave the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods of
time without the hybrid system on.
●If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the meters while the hybrid
system is not operating, the power switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the
power switch off.
●Do not stop the hybrid system when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If the
hybrid system is stopped in another shift lever position , the power switch will not be
turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehicle is left in
ACCESSORY mode, 12-volt ba ttery discharge may occur.
■When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to star t, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfun ction with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating somewhat differen tly than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, ther e may be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
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.
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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
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2554-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL_U
■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 for 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.
2564-2. Driving procedures
RX450h_RX450hL_U
Turns 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 display. 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-information 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 inform 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.
2574-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL_U
■When the parking brake is set automatically while the system is holding the brakes
Perform any of the following operat ions to release the parking brake.
●Depress the accelerator pedal. (The parking brake will not be released automatically if
the seat belt is not fastened.)
●Operate the parking brake switch with the brake pedal depressed.
Make sure that the parking brake indicator light goes off. ( P. 253)
■When an inspection at your Lexus dealer is necessary
When the brake hold standby indicator (green) does not illuminate even when the brake
hold switch is pressed with the brake hold system operating conditions met, the system
may be malfunctioning. Ha ve the vehicle inspected at your Lexus dealer.
■If “Brake Hold Fault Depress Brake to Deacti vate Visit Your Dealer” is displayed on the
multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
■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 hold operated indicator flashes
P. 660
WARNING
■When the vehicle is on a steep incline
When using the brake hold system on a steep incline exercise caution. The brake hold
function may not hold the vehicle in such a situation.
■When stopped on a slippery road
The system cannot stop the vehicle when the gripping ability of the tires has been
exceeded. Do not use the system when stopped on a slippery road.
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
The brake hold system is not designed for use when parking the vehicle for a long
period of time. Turning the power switch off while the system is holding the brakes may
release the brakes, which would cause the vehicle to move. When operating the power
switch, depress the brake pedal, shift the shift lever to P and set the parking brake.
2604-3. Operating the lights and wipers
RX450h_RX450hL_U
■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 tail 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 automatically 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 light and may cause the
automatic headlight system to malfunction.
2654-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL_U
●In the following situations the system may not be able to correctly detect the surround-
ing brightness level. This may cause the low beams to remain on or the high beams to
flash or dazzle pedestrians or vehicles ahead. In such a case, it is necessary to manually
switch between the high and low beams.
• When driving in inclement weather (heavy rain, snow, fog, sandstorms, etc.)
• When the windshield is obscured by fog, mist, ice, dirt, etc.
• When the windshield is cracked or damaged
• When the camera sensor is deformed or dirty
• When the temperature of the camera sensor is extremely high
• When the surrounding brightness level is equal to that of headlights, tail lights or fog
lights
• When headlights or tail lights of vehicles ahead are turned off, dirty, changing color,
or not aimed properly
• When the vehicle is hit by water, snow, dust, etc. from a preceding vehicle
• When driving through an area of intermittently changing brightness and darkness
• When frequently and repeated ly driving ascending/descending roads, or roads with
rough, bumpy or uneven surfaces (such as stone-paved roads, gravel roads, etc.)
• When frequently and repeatedly taking curves or driving on a winding road
• When there is a highly reflective object ahea d of the vehicle, such as a sign or mirror
• When the back of a preceding vehicle is highly reflective, such as a container on a truck
• When the vehicle’s headlights are damaged or dirty, or are not aimed properly
• When the vehicle is listing or titling due to a flat tire, a trailer being towed, etc.
• When the headlights are changed between the high beams and low beams repeat-
edly in an abnormal manner
• When the driver believes that the high beams may be flashing or dazzling pedestri- ans or other drivers
■Temporarily lowering sensor sensitivity
The sensitivity of the sensor can be temporarily lowered.
Turn the power switch off while the following conditions are met.
• The headlight switch is in or .
• The headlight switch lever is in high beam position.
• Automatic High Beam switch is on.
Turn the power switch to ON mode.
Within 30 seconds after , repeat pulling th e headlight switch lever to the original
position then pushing it to the high beam position quickly 10 times, then leave the lever
in high beam position.
If the sensitivity is changed, the Automatic High Beam indicator is turn on and off 3
times.
Automatic High Beam (headlights) may turn on even when the vehicle is stopped.
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