751-3. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
RX450h_RX450hL_U
◆When stopped/during start off
The gasoline engine stops* when the vehicle is stopped. During start off, the
electric motor (traction mo tor) drives the vehicle. At slow speeds or when
traveling down a gentle slope, the engi ne is stopped* and the electric motor
(traction motor) is used.
When the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) is not being
charged.
*: When the hybrid battery (traction battery) requires charging or the engine is warm- ing up, etc., the gasoline engine will not automatically stop. (P. 76)
◆During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predominantly used. The electric motor (traction
motor) charges the hybrid battery (traction battery) as necessary.
◆When accelerating sharply
When the accelerator pedal is depressed heavily, the power of the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) is added to that of the gasoline engine via the electric
motor (traction motor).
◆When braking (regenerative braking)
The wheels operate the electric motor (traction motor) as a power generator,
and the hybrid battery (traction battery) is charged.
When the gasoline engine is off while driving, a sound is produced to warn
pedestrians, people riding bicycles or other people and vehicles in the surround-
ing area that the vehicle is approaching. The pitch of the sound varies according
to the vehicle speed. When the vehicl e speed becomes approximately 15 mph
(25 km/h) or more, the notification sound turns off.
Vehicle proximity notification system
761-3. Hybrid system
RX450h_RX450hL_U
■Regenerative braking
In the following situations, kinetic energy is converted to electric energy and decelera-
tion force can be obtained in conjunction with the recharging of the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery).
●The accelerator pedal is released while driving with the shift lever in D or S.
●The brake pedal is depressed while driving with the shift lever in D or S.
■EV indicator
■Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automati cally. However, it may not stop automati-
cally in the following conditions:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
●During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging
●When the temperature of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is high or low
●When the heater is switched on
■Charging the hybrid battery (traction battery)
As the gasoline engine charges the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery does not
need to be charged from an ou tside source. However, if the vehicle is left parked for a
long time the hybrid battery (traction batter y) will slowly discharge. For this reason, be
sure to drive the vehicle at least once every few months for at least 30 minutes or 10
miles (16 km). If the hybrid battery (traction battery) beco mes fully discharged and you
are unable to start the hybrid system, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Charging the 12-volt battery
P. 698
■After the 12-volt battery has discharged or when the terminal has been removed and
installed during exchange, etc.
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is being driven by the hybrid battery
(traction battery). If this continues fo r a few days, contact your Lexus dealer.
The EV indicator comes on when the vehicle is
driven using only the el
ectric motor (traction
motor) or the gasoline engine is stopped.
871-4. Theft deterrent system
1
For safety and security
RX450h_RX450hL_U
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type alarm system.
■Items to check before locking the vehicle
To prevent unexpected triggering of the alarm and vehicle theft, make sure of the follow-
ing:
●Nobody is in the vehicle.
●The windows and moon roof or panoramic mo on roof are closed before the alarm is
set.
●No valuables or other personal items are left in the vehicle.
■Triggering of the alarm
The alarm may be triggered in the following situations:
(Stopping the alarm deactivates the alarm system.)
■Alarm-operated door lock
In the following cases, depending on the si tuation, the door may automatically lock to
prevent improper entry into the vehicle:
●When a person remaining in the vehicle un locks the door and the alarm is activated.
●While the alarm is activated, a person remaining in the vehicle unlocks the door.
●When recharging or replacing the 12-volt battery
●A person inside the vehicle opens a door or
hood, or unlocks the vehicle.
●The 12-volt battery is recharged or replaced
when the vehicle is locked. ( P. 698)
NOTICE
■To ensure the system operates correctly
Do not modify or remove the system. If mo dified or removed, the proper operation of
the system cannot be guaranteed.
912. Instrument cluster
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Instrument cluster
RX450h_RX450hL_U
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in any of the vehicle’s systems.
Warning lights
*1
(U.S.A.)
Brake system warning light
( P. 660)
(U.S.A.)
Parking brake indicator
( P. 661)
*1
(Canada)
Brake system warning light
( P. 660)
(Canada)
Parking brake indicator
( P. 661)
*1Brake system warning light
( P. 660)*1, 2
Brake hold operated
indicator ( P. 661)
*1
(if equipped)
Charging system warning
light ( P. 660)
*1Electric power steering
system warning light
( P. 661)
*1
(U.S.A.)
Malfunction indicator lamp
( P. 660)*1Electric power steering
system warning light
( P. 661)
*1
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp
( P. 660) LKA indicator (
P. 661)
*1SRS warning light
( P. 660)*1
Slip indicator ( P. 661)
*1
(U.S.A.)
ABS warning light
( P. 661)*1, 3PCS warning light
( P. 662)
*1
(Canada)
ABS warning light
( P. 661)*1, 2
(if equipped)
ICS OFF indicator
( P. 662)
992. Instrument cluster
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Instrument cluster
RX450h_RX450hL_U
■The meters and display illuminate when
The power switch is in ON mode.
■Hybrid System IndicatorCharge area
Shows regenerative charging.
Hybrid Eco area
Shows that gasoline en gine power is not being used very often.
The gasoline engine will automatically stop and restart under various conditions.
Eco area
Shows that the vehicle is being dr iven in an Eco-friendly manner.
Power area
Shows that an Eco-friendly driving range is being exceeded (during full power driving
etc.)
●Depending on the selected driving mode, th e Hybrid System Indicator or tachometer
will be displayed. The Hybrid System Indica tor or tachometer can be set to always be
displayed on of the mult i-information display. (P. 108)
●The Hybrid System Indicator is disp layed in the following situations:
• When the tachometer setting is set to ch ange according to the driving mode and a
driving mode other than sport mode is selected
• When the tachometer setting is set to al ways display the Hybrid System Indicator
●By keeping the indicator needle (except F SPORT models) or bar display (F SPORT
models) within the Eco area, more Eco-friendly driving can be achieved.
●Charge area indicates “regeneration”* status. Regenerated energy will be used to
charge the hybrid battery (traction battery).
*: When used in this manual, re generation refers to the conversion of energy created by
the movement of the vehicle into electrical energy.
Except F SPORT modelsF SPORT models
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1262. Instrument cluster
RX450h_RX450hL_U
These images are examples only, and may vary slightly from actual conditions.
When the vehicle is
powered by the gaso-
line engine
When the vehicle is
charging the hybrid
battery (traction bat-
tery)
When there is no
energy flow
Hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery) status
LowFullLowFull
Audio system screenMulti-information display
1343-1. Key information
RX450h_RX450hL_U
■Electronic key battery depletion
●The standard battery life is 1 to 2 years.
●If the battery becomes low, an alarm will so und in the cabin when the hybrid system is
stopped. ( P. 630)
●As the electronic key always receives ra dio waves, the battery will become depleted
even if the electronic key is not used. The following symptoms indicate that the elec-
tronic key battery may be depleted. Replace the battery when necessary. ( P. 630)
• The smart access system with push-button start or the wireless remote control does
not operate.
• The detection area becomes smaller.
• The LED indicator on the key surface does not turn on.
●To reduce key battery depletion when the electronic key is to not be used for long peri-
ods of time, set the electronic key to the battery-saving mode. ( P. 160)
●To avoid serious deterioration, do not leave the electronic key within 3 ft. (1 m) of the
following electrical appliances that produce a magnetic field:
•TVs
• Personal computers
• Cellular phones, cordless phones and battery chargers
• Recharging cellular phones or cordless phones
• Induction cookers
•Table lamps
■Replacing the battery
P. 630
■Confirmation of the registered key number
The number of keys already registered to the vehicle can be confirmed. Ask your Lexus
dealer for details.
■If a wrong key is used
The key cylinder rotates freely, isol ated from the internal mechanism.
2324-1. Before driving
RX450h_RX450hL_U
●To maintain engine braking efficien cy and charging system performance
when using engine braking, do no t put the transmission in D. (P. 246)
●Instability happens more fr equently when descending steep or long downhill
grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do not make sudden
downshifts while descending st eep or long downhill grades.
●Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes too fre-
quently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking
efficiency.
●Due to the added load of the trailer, yo ur vehicle’s engine may overheat on hot
days (at temperatures over 85 F [30 C]) when driving up a long or steep
grade. If the engine coolant temperat ure gauge indicates overheating, imme-
diately turn off the air conditioning (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and
stop in a safe spot. ( P. 702)
●Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s wheels
when parking. Put the transmission in P and apply the parking brake. Avoid
parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do so only after performing the follow-
ing:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and trailer’s
wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in place, release the brakes slowly until the
blocks absorb the load.
Shift into P and apply the parking brake.
Turn off the hybrid system.
●When restarting afte r parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the hybrid system. Be sure to keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
If the parking brake is in manual mode, release the parking brake.
( P. 254)
Release the brake pedal, and slowly pull or back away from the wheel
blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
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