
3834-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL_U
◆EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn the
steering wheel
◆E-Four
Electronic On-Demand AWD system. Automatically switches from front-
wheel drive to all-wheel drive (AWD) according to the driving conditions,
helping to ensure reliable handling and st ability. Examples of conditions where
the system will switch to AWD are when cornering, going uphill, starting off or
accelerating, and when the road surface is slippery due to snow, rain, etc.
◆Adaptive Variable Suspension System (if equipped)
Controls the damping force of the shock absorber of each wheel according to
the road and driving conditions, helpin g achieve a comfortable ride, excellent
driveability and a high level of stability.
If SPORT S+ mode is selected using the driving mode select switch, the
damping force will become more su itable for sporty driving. (P. 380)
◆VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the ABS, brake assist, TRAC, VSC, hill-start
assist control and EPS systems
Helps to maintain vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road surfaces by
controlling the brakes and hybrid system output

3864-5. Using the driving support systems
RX450h_RX450hL_U
■ECB operating sound
ECB operating sound may be heard in the followi ng cases, but it does not indicate that a
malfunction has occurred.
●Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal is oper-
ated.
●Motor sound of the brake system heard from the front part of the vehicle when the
driver’s door is opened.
●Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when one or two minutes
passed after the stop of the hybrid system.
■EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Automatic reactivation of TRAC, Tr ailer Sway Control and VSC systems
After turning the TRAC, Trailer Sway Contro l and VSC systems off, the systems will be
automatically re-enabled in the following situations:
●When the power switch is turned off
●If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC will turn on when vehicle speed
increases
If both the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, automatic re-enabling will not
occur when vehicle speed increases.
■Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from overheating
when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The steering
wheel may feel heavy as a result . Should this occur, refrain from excessive steering input
or stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid system off. The EPS system should return to nor-
mal within 10 minutes.
WARNING
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
●The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (such as excessively
worn tires on a snow covered road).
●The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick roads.
■Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of normal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehi cle’s stopping distance. Always maintain a
safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, especially in the following situations:
●When driving on dirt, grav el or snow-covered roads
●When driving with tire chains
●When driving over bumps on the road
●When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces
■TRAC/VSC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable wh ile driving on slippery road
surfaces, even if the TRAC/VSC system is op erating. Drive the vehicle carefully in con-
ditions where stability and power may be lost.

3894-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL_U
◆Delays
Repeated acceleration and deceleration, as well as long waits at traffic lights,
will lead to bad fuel economy. Check traffic reports before leaving and avoid
delays as much as possible. When drivin g in a traffic jam, gently release the
brake pedal to allow the vehicle to move forward slightly while avoiding over-
use of the accelerator pedal. Doing so can help control excessive gasoline
consumption.
◆Highway driving
Control and maintain the vehicle at a co nstant speed. Before stopping at a toll
booth or similar, allow plenty of ti me to release the accelerator and gently
apply the brakes. A greater amount of electrical energy can be regenerated
when slowing down.
◆Air conditioning
Use the air conditioning only when necessary. Doing so can help reduce
excessive gasoline consumption.
In summer: When the ambient temperature is high, use the recirculated air
mode. Doing so will help to reduce the burden on the air conditioning system
and reduce fuel consumption as well.
In winter: Because the gasoline engine will not automatically cut out until it
and the interior of the vehicle are warm , it will consume fuel. Also, fuel con-
sumption can be improved by av oiding overuse of the heater.
◆Checking tire inflation pressure
Make sure to check the tire inflation pr essure frequently. Improper tire infla-
tion pressure can cause poor fuel economy.
Also, as snow tires can cause large amou nts of friction, their use on dry roads
can lead to poor fuel economy. Use tires that are appropriate for the season.
◆Luggage
Carrying heavy luggage will lead to poor fuel economy. Avoid carrying
unnecessary luggage. Installing a large roof rack will also cause poor fuel
economy.
◆Warming up before driving
Since the gasoline engine starts up an d cuts out automatically when cold,
warming up the engine is unnecessary. Moreover, frequently driving short dis-
tances will cause the engine to repeated ly warm up, which can lead to excess
fuel consumption.

3944-6. Driving tips
RX450h_RX450hL_U
●Specific design characteristics give it a higher center of gravity than ordinary
passenger cars. This vehicle design feature causes this type of vehicle to be
more likely to rollover. And, utility vehi cles have a significantly higher rollover
rate than other types of vehicles.
●An advantage of the higher ground cl earance is a better view of the road
allowing you to anticipate problems.
●It is not designed for cornering at the same speeds as ordinary passenger cars
any more than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily
under off-road conditions. Therefore, sharp turns at excessive speeds may
cause the vehicle to rollover.
Utility vehicle precautions
This vehicle belongs to the utility vehicl e class, which has higher ground clear-
ance and narrower tread in relation to the height of its center of gravity.
Utility vehicle feature
WARNING
■Utility vehicle precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death, serious injury
or damage to your vehicle:
●In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is si gnificantly more likely to die than a person
wearing a seat belt. Therefore, the driver and all passengers should always fasten
their seat belts.
●Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers, if at all possible.
Failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or vehicle rollover
causing death or serious injury.
●Loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier will make the ce nter of the vehicle gravity
higher. Avoid high speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden braking or abrupt
maneuvers, otherwise it may re sult in loss of control or vehicle rollover due to failure
to operate this vehicle correctly.
●Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. Be cause of its profile and higher center of
gravity, your vehicle is more sensitive to side winds than an ordinary passenger car.
Slowing down will allow you to have better control.
●Do not drive horizontally across steep slopes . Driving straight up or straight down is
preferred. Your vehicle (or any similar off- road vehicle) can tip over sideways much
more easily than forward or backward.

4085-1. Basic Operations
RX450h_RX450hL_U
■Adjusting the volume
The volume of the Mobile Assist ant can be adjusted using the
“PWR·VOL” knob or
steering wheel volume switch es. The Mobile Assistant and phone call volumes are syn-
chronized.
■Microphone
It is not necessary to speak directly into the microphone when using the Mobile Assis-
tant.
●Wait for the listening beeps before using the Mobile Assistant.
●The Mobile Assistant may not recognize commands in the following situations:
• When spoken too quickly.
• When spoken at a low or high volume.
• When the roof or windows are open.
• When passengers are talking while th e Mobile Assistant is being used.
• When the air conditioning syst em’s fan speed is set high.
• When the air conditioning vents are turned toward the microphone.
■Mobile Assistant precautions
●The available features and functions may vary based on the iOS version installed on the
connected device.
●Some Siri features are limited in Eyes Free mode. If you attempt to use an unavailable
function, Siri will inform you that the function is not available.
●If Siri is not enabled on the ce llular phone connected via Bluetooth, an error message
will be displayed on the screen.
●While a phone call is active, the Mobile Assistant cannot be used.
●If using the navigation feature of the cellular phone, ensure the active audio source is
Bluetooth audio or iPod in order to hear turn by turn direction prompts.

4425-6. Using an external device
RX450h_RX450hL_U
■Error messages
If the following error messages appear on th e screen, refer to the table and take the
appropriate measures. If the pr oblem is not rectified, take the vehicle to your Lexus
dealer.
MessageCause/Correction procedures
“Connection error.
Please consult your
Owner’s Manual for
instructions on how to
connect the iPod.”
This indicates a problem in the iPod or its connection.
“There are no songs
available for playback.
Please add compatible
files to your iPod.”
This indicates that there is no music data in the iPod.
“No items available.”This indicates that songs are not found in a selected play-
list.
“Please check the iPod
firmware version.”This indicates that the softwa re version is not compatible.
Please check the co mpatible models. (P. 443)
“Unable to authorize the
iPod.”This indicates that the Lexu s Display Audio system failed
to authorize the iPod.
Please check your iPod.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to th e iPod or its terminals
●Depending on the size and shape of the iPod that is connected to the system, the con-
sole box may not close fully. In this case, do not forcibly close the console box as this
may damage the iPod or the terminal, etc.
●Do not leave the iPod in the vehicle. The temperature inside the vehicle may become
high.
●Do not push down on or apply unnecessary pr essure to the iPod while it is connected.
●Do not insert foreign objects into the port.

4475-6. Using an external device
5
Lexus Display Audio system
RX450h_RX450hL_U
●ID3, WMA and AAC tags
ID3 tags can be added to MP3 files, making it possible to record the track title, artist
name, etc.
The system is compatible with ID3 Ver. 1.0, 1.1, and Ver. 2.2, 2.3 ID3 tags. (The number
of characters is based on ID3 Ver. 1.0 and 1.1.)
WMA tags can be added to WMA files, making it possible to record the track title and
artist name in the same way as with ID3 tags.
AAC tags can be added to AAC files, making it possible to record the track title and
artist name in the same way as with ID3 tags.
●MP3, WMA and AAC playback
• When a device containing MP3, WMA or AA C files is connected, all files in the
USB memory device are checked. Once th e file check is finished, the first MP3,
WMA or AAC file is played. To make the file check finish more quickly, we recom-
mend that you do not include any files other than MP3, WMA or AAC files or cre-
ate any unnecessary folders.
• When a USB memory device is connected and the audio source is changed to USB memory mode, the USB memory device will st art playing the first file in the first
folder. If the same device is removed an d reconnected (and the contents have not
been changed), the USB memory device w ill resume play from the same point in
which it was last used.
●Extensions
If the file extensions .mp3, .wma and .m4a are used for files other than MP3, WMA
and AAC files, they will be skipped (not played).
●Playback
• To play MP3 files with steady sound quality, we recommend a fixed bit rate of at least 128 kbps and a sampling frequency of 44.1 kHz.
• There is a wide variety of freeware an d other encoding software for MP3, WMA
and AAC files on the market, and depending on the status of the encoding and the
file format, poor sound quality or noise at the start of playback may result. In some
cases, playback may not be possible at all.
• Microsoft, Windows, and Windows Media ar e the registered trademarks of Micro-
soft Corporation in the U.S.A. and other countries.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the USB me mory device or its terminals
●Depending on the size and shape of the USB memory that is connected to the sys-
tem, the console box may not close fully. In th is case, do not forcibly close the console
box as this may damage the USB memory or the terminal, etc.
●Do not leave the USB memory device in the vehicle. The temperature inside the vehi-
cle may become high.
●Do not push down on or apply unnecessary pressure to the USB memory device
while it is connected.
●Do not insert foreign objects into the port.

4485-6. Using an external device
RX450h_RX450hL_U
P. 409
Pressing the “MEDIA” button displays the top screen from any screen of the
selected source.
■Menu screen
P. 423
■Operating portable players co nnected to the audio system
Volume can be adjusted using the vehicle’s audio controls. All other adjustments must be
made on the portable player itself.
■When using a portable player connected to the power outlet
Noise may occur during playback. Use the power source of the portable player.
Using the AUX port
To use the AUX port, connect a portable player, press the “MEDIA” button or
select “AUX” or “External” on the “Source” screen.
Connecting a portable player
Top screen
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the port able player or its terminal
●Depending on the size and shape of the port able player that is connected to the sys-
tem, the console box may not close fully. In th is case, do not forcibly close the console
box as this may damage the portab le player or the terminal, etc.
●Do not leave portable player in the vehicle. The temperature inside the vehicle may
become high.
●Do not push down on or apply unnecessary pressure to the portable player while it is
connected.
●Do not insert foreign objects into the port.