2021 LEXUS RX450h service

691-4. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the actual item.
Warning label
Hybrid battery (traction battery)
Rear electric motor (traction motor)
Service plug
High voltage cables (orange)
Front electric motor (traction motor)
Power control unit
Air conditioning compressor
■Running out of fuel
When the vehicle has run out of fuel and the
hybrid system cannot be started, refuel the
vehicle with at least enough gasoline to
make the low fuel level warning light
(  P.421) go off. If there is only a small
amount of fuel, the hybrid system may not be able to start. (The
standard amount of
fuel is about 2.9 gal. [11.0 L, 2.4 Imp. gal.],
when the vehicle is on a level surface. This
value may vary when the vehicle is on a
slope. Add extra fuel when the vehicle is
inclined.)
Hybrid system precautions
Take care when handling the hybrid system, as it is a high voltage system (about
650 V at maximum) as well as contains parts that become extremely hot when
the hybrid system is operating. Obey th e warning labels attached to the vehi-
cle.
System components
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B
C
D
E
F
G
H

701-4. Hybrid system
■Electromagnetic waves
●High voltage parts and cables on hybrid
vehicles incorporate electromagnetic
shielding, and therefore emit approxi-
mately the same amount of electromag-
netic waves as conventional gasoline
powered vehicles or home electronic
appliances.
●Your vehicle may cause sound interfer-
ence in some third party-produced radio
parts.
■Hybrid battery (traction battery)
The hybrid battery (traction battery) has a
limited service life. The lifespan of the
hybrid battery (traction battery) can
change in accordance with driving style and
driving conditions.
WARNING
■High voltage precautions
This vehicle has high voltage DC and AC
systems as well as a 12-volt system. DC
and AC high voltage is very dangerous
and can cause severe burns and electric
shock that may result in death or serious
injury.
●Never touch, disassemble, remove or
replace the high voltage parts, cables
or their connectors.
●The hybrid system will become hot
after starting as the system uses high
voltage. Be careful of both the high
voltage and the high temperature, and
always obey the warning labels
attached to the vehicle.
●Never try to open the service plug
access hole located under the rear
seat. The service plug is used only
when the vehicle is serviced and is
subject to high voltage.
■Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions to
reduce the risk of de ath or serious injury:
●Pull your vehicle off the road, shift the
shift lever to P, apply the parking brake,
and turn the hybrid system off.
●Do not touch the high voltage parts,
cables and connectors.
●If electric wires are exposed inside or
outside your vehicle, an electric shock
may occur. Never touch exposed elec-
tric wires.
●If a fluid leak occurs, do not touch the
fluid as it may be st rong alkaline elec-
trolyte from the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery). If it comes into contact
with your skin or eyes, wash it off
immediately with a large amount of
water or, if possible, boric acid solu-
tion. Seek immediate medical atten-
tion.
●If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicle,
leave the vehicle as soon as possible.
Never use a fire extinguisher that is not
meant for electric fires. Using even a
small amount of water may be danger-
ous.

711-4. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
The air intake/discharge vents for the
hybrid battery (traction battery) are
located under the rear seats and in lug-
gage compartment respectively. If the
air intake vents are blocked, it could
lead to a reduction in hybrid battery
(traction battery) output.
WARNING
●If your vehicle needs to be towed, do
so with all four wheels raised. If the
wheels connected to the electric
motor (traction motor) are on the
ground when towing, the motor may
continue to generate electricity. This
may cause a fire. ( P.413)
●Carefully inspect the ground under the
vehicle. If you find that liquid has
leaked onto the ground, the fuel sys-
tem may have been damaged. Leave
the vehicle as soon as possible.
■Hybrid battery (traction battery)
●Never resell, hand over or modify the
hybrid battery. To prevent accidents,
hybrid batteries that have been
removed from a disposed vehicle are
collected through your Lexus dealer.
Do not dispose of the battery yourself.
Unless the battery is properly col-
lected, the following may occur, result-
ing in death or serious injury:
• The hybrid battery may be illegally dis- posed of or dumped, and it is hazard-
ous to the environment or someone
may touch a high voltage part, result-
ing in an electric shock.
• The hybrid battery is intended to be used exclusively with your hybrid vehi-
cle. If the hybrid battery is used outside
of your vehicle or modified in any way,
accidents such as electric shock, heat
generation, smoke generation, an
explosion and electrolyte leakage may
occur.
When reselling or handing over your
vehicle, the possibility of an accident is
extremely high because the person
receiving the vehicle may not be aware
of these dangers.
●If your vehicle is disposed of without
the hybrid battery having been
removed, there is a danger of serious
electric shock if hi gh voltage parts,
cables and their connectors are
touched. In the event that your vehicle
must be disposed of, the hybrid battery
must be disposed of by your Lexus
dealer or a qualified service shop. If
the hybrid battery is not disposed of
properly, it may cause electric shock
that can result in death or serious
injury.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (tra ction battery) air
intake/discharge vents
Do not carry large amounts of water
such as water cooler bottles in the vehi-
cle. If water spills onto the hybrid battery
(traction battery), the battery may be
damaged. Have the vehicle inspected by
your Lexus dealer.
Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) air intake/discharge vents

1744-1. Before driving
for a more safe trailer hookup, the trailer
ball setup must be the proper height for the
coupler on the trailer.Coupler
Trailer ball
■Before towing
Check that the following conditions are
met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are prop-
erly inflated. ( P.466)
●Trailer tires are inflated according to the
trailer manufacturer’s recommendation.
●All trailer lights work as required by law.
●All lights work each time you connect
them.
●The trailer ball is set at the proper height
for the coupler on the trailer.
●The trailer is level when it is hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not level, and
check for improper tongue weight, over-
loading, worn suspension, or other possi-
ble causes.
●The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
●The rear view mirrors conform to all
applicable federal, state/provincial or local regulations. If they do not, install
rear view mirrors appropriate for towing
purposes.
■Adaptive Variable Suspension System
(if equipped)
The suspension can be switched for
improvement in driveability. ( P.284)
■Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any
new power train components (such as an
engine, hybrid transmission, rear differential
or wheel bearing), Lexus recommends that
you do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has
been driven for over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for over
500 miles (800 km), you can start towing.
However, for the next 500 miles (800 km),
drive the vehicle at a speed of less than 50
mph (80 km/h) when towing a trailer, and
avoid full throttle acceleration.
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will
require more frequent maintenance due
to the additional load. (See “Warranty
and Services Guide”, “Owner’s Manual
Supplement” or “Scheduled Mainte-
nance”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing
ball and bracket after approximately 600
miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
■If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing
vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can adversely
affect handling of your vehicle and trailer,
causing instability.
●If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer swaying by
turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing th e accelerator pedal
immediately but very gradually to reduce
speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply
vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the
steering or brakes, your vehicle and trailer
should stabilize. (if enabled, Trailer Sway
Control can also help to stabilize the vehicle
A
B

1774-1. Before driving
4
Driving
■GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rat-
ing)
The maximum allowable gross axle
weight. The gross axle weight is the
load placed on each axle (front and
rear).
Front GAWR
Rear GAWR
■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 vehi-
cle with one driver, one front passen-
ger, towing package (if available), 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.
With brakes
■Unbraked TWR (Unbraked Trailer
Weight Rating)
The trailer weight rating for towing a
trailer without a trailer service brake
system.
Without brakes
■Tongue Weight
The load placed on the trailer hitch ball.
( P.178)
A
B
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1784-1. Before driving
The gross trailer weight must never
exceed 3500 lb. (1585 kg).
 The gross combinat ion weight must
never exceed 9500 lb. (4309 kg).
 The gross vehicle weight must never
exceed the GVWR indicated on the
Certification Label. ( P.460)
 The gross axle weight on each axle
must never exceed the GAWR indi-
cated on the Certification Label.
( P.460)
 If the gross trailer weight is over the
unbraked TWR, trailer service
brakes are required.
 If the gross trailer weight is over
2000 lb. (907 kg), a sway control
device with sufficient capacity is
required.
Confirm that the gross trailer weight,
gross combination weight, gross vehi-
cle weight, gross axle weight and
tongue weight are all within the limits.
■GCWR*
9500 lb. (4309 kg)
■TWR*
3500 lb. (1585 kg)
■Unbraked TWR*
1000 lb. (453 kg)
*: This models meet the tow-vehicle traile- ring requirement of SAE International
per SAE J2807.
 A recommended tongue weight
varies in accordance with the types
of trailers or towing as described
below.
 To ensure the recommended values
shown below, the trailer must be
loaded by referring to the following
instructions.
•Tongue Weight
The gross trailer weight should be distrib-
uted so that the tongue weight is 9% to
11%.
(Tongue weight/Gross trailer weight x 100
= 9% to 11%)
The gross trailer weight , gross axle weight
and tongue weight can be measured with
platform scales found at a highway weigh-
ing station, building supply company,
trucking company, junk yard, etc.
Weight limits
GCWR, TWR and Unbraked
TWR
Trailer Tongue Weight

2084-3. Operating the lights and wipers
●If the wiper switch is turned to the
“AUTO” position while the power switch
is in ON mode, the wipers will operate
once to show that AUTO mode is acti-
vated.
●When the sensor sensitivity ring is turned
toward high while in “AUTO” position, the
wipers will operate once to indicate that
the sensor sensitiv ity is enhanced.
●If the temperature of the raindrop sensor
is 194°F (90°C) or higher, or 5°F (-15°C)
or lower, automatic operation may not
occur. In this case, operate the wipers in
any mode other than AUTO mode.
■If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not
blocked, if there is washer fluid in the
washer fluid tank.
■Front door opening linked windshield
wiper stop function
When “AUTO” is selected and the wind-
shield wipers are operatin g, if a front door is
opened, the operation of the windshield
wipers will be stopped to prevent anyone
near the vehicle from being sprayed by
water from the wipers, provided the vehicle
is stopped with the parking brake applied or
the shift lever in P. When the front door is
closed, wiper operation will resume.
■Customization
Some functions can be customized.
(  P.480)
When the windshield wipers are not
being used, they retract to below the
hood. To enable the windshield wipers
to be lifted when parking in cold condi-
tions or when replacing a windshield
wiper insert, change the rest position of
the windshield wipers to the service
position using the wiper lever.
WARNING
■Caution regarding the use of wind-
shield wipers in AUTO mode
The windshield wipers may operate
unexpectedly if the sensor is touched or
the windshield is subj ect to vibration in
A U T O m o d e . T a k e c a r e t h a t y o u r f i n g e r s ,
etc. do not become caught in the wind-
shield wipers.
■Caution regarding the use of washer
fluid
When it is cold, do not use the washer
fluid until the windshield becomes warm.
The fluid may freeze on the windshield
and cause low visibility. This may lead to
an accident, resulting in death or serious
injury.
NOTICE
■When the washer fluid tank is empty
Do not operate the switch continually as
the washer fluid pump may overheat.
■When a nozzle becomes blocked
In this case, contact your Lexus dealer.
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other
object. The nozzle will be damaged.
Changing the windshield wiper
rest position/Lifting the wind-
shield wipers

2094-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
■Raising the wipers to the service
position
Within approximately 40 seconds of
turning the power switch off, move the
wiper lever to the (U.S.A.) or
(Canada) position and hold it for
approximately 2 se conds or more.
The wipers will move to the service posi-
tion.
■Lifting the windshield wipers
While holding the hook portion of the
wiper arm, lift the windshield wiper
from the windshield. Hook portion
■Lowering the windshield wipers to the
retracted position
With the windshield wipers placed on the
windshield, turn the power switch to ON
mode and then move the wiper lever to an
operating position. Wh en the wiper switch
is turned off, the windshield wipers will stop
at the retracted position.
NOTICE
■When lifting the windshield wipers
●Do not lift the wind shield wipers when
they are in the retracted position
below the hood. Otherwise, they may
contact the hood, possibly resulting in
damage to a windshield wiper and/or
the hood.
●Do not lift a windshield wiper by the
wiper blade. Otherwise, the wiper
blade may be deformed.
●Do not operate the wiper lever when
the windshield wipe rs are lifted. Oth-
erwise, the windshield wipers may
contact the hood, possibly resulting in
damage to the windshield wipers
and/or hood.
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