2021 LEXUS RX450h transmission

1824-1. Before driving
frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.
 Due to the added load of the trailer,
your 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 temperature gauge indi-
cates overheating, immediately turn
off the air conditioning (if in use),
pull your vehicle off the road and
stop in a safe spot. ( P.454)
 Always place wheel blocks under
both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s
wheels when parking. Put the trans-
mission in P and apply the parking
brake. Avoid parking on a slope, but
if unavoidable, do so only after per-
forming the following:
1 Apply the brakes and keep them
applied.
2 Have someone place wheel blocks
under both the vehicle’s and trailer’s
wheels.
3 When the wheel blocks are in
place, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
4 Shift into P and apply the parking
brake.
5 Turn off the hybrid system.
 When restarting after parking on a
slope:
1 With the transmission in P, start the
hybrid system. Be sure to keep the
brake pedal depressed. 2
Shift into a forward gear. If revers-
ing, shift into R.
3 If the parking brake is in manual
mode, release the parking brake.
(P.195)
4 Release the brake pedal, and slowly
pull or back away from the wheel
blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
5 Have someone retrieve the blocks.

1834-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be
dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the
ground) behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehi-
cle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four
wheels on the ground.
■To prevent causing serious damage to
the hybrid transmission and Hybrid
AWD system
Never tow this vehicle with any of the
wheels on the ground. This may cause
serious damage to the hybrid transmis-
sion and AWD system.

1914-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, shift the shift lever to D for normal
driving.
*2: By selecting shift ra nges using S mode,
you can control accelerating force and
engine braking force.
■When driving with dynamic radar cruise
control with full-speed range activated
Even when performing the following
actions with the intent of enabling engine
braking, engine braking will not occur
because dynamic radar cruise control with
full-speed range will not be canceled.
●While driving in D or S mode, downshift-
ing to 5 or 4. ( P.238)
●When switching the driving mode to
sport mode while driving in the D position
( P.281)
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start
Control)
 P.165 While the power switch is in ON
mode, move the shift lever with the
brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P
Hybrid transmission
Select the shift position depending
on your purpose and situation.
Shift position purpose and func-
tions
Shift posi- tionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 ( P.193)
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road sur-
faces
Be careful of downsh ifting and sudden
acceleration, as this could result in the
vehicle skidding to the side or spinning.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (t raction battery)
charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery
(traction battery) will not be charged
even when the engine is running. There-
fore, if the vehicle is left with the shift
lever in N for a long period of time, the
hybrid battery (traction battery) will dis-
charge, and this may re sult in the vehicle
not being able to start.
Shifting the shift lever

2954-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
WARNING
●Do not grip the steering wheel spokes
when driving off-road. A bad bump
could jerk the wheel and injure your
hands. Keep both hands and especially
your thumbs on the outside of the rim.
●Always check your brakes for effec-
tiveness immediately after driving in
sand, mud, water or snow.
●After driving through tall grass, mud,
rock, sand, rivers, etc., check that there
is no grass, bush, paper, rags, stone,
sand, etc. adhering or trapped on the
underbody. Clear off any such matter
from the underbody. If the vehicle is
used with these materials trapped or
adhering to the underbody, a break-
down or fire could occur.
●When driving off-road or in rugged
terrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns, strike
objects, etc. This may cause loss of
control or vehicle rollover causing
death or serious injury. You are also
risking expensive damage to your
vehicle’s suspension and chassis.
NOTICE
■To prevent water damage
Take all necessary sa fety measures to
ensure that water da mage to the hybrid
battery (traction battery), hybrid system
or other components does not occur.
●Water entering the engine compart-
ment may cause severe damage to the
hybrid system. Water entering the inte-
rior may cause the hybrid battery
(traction battery) stowed under the
rear seats to short circuit.
●Water entering the hybrid transmis-
sion and rear electr ic motor (traction
motor) will cause deterioration in
transmission quality. The malfunction
indicator may come on, and the vehi-
cle may not be drivable.
●Water can wash the grease from wheel
bearings, causing rusting and prema-
ture failure, and may also enter the
hybrid transmission case, reducing the
gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
■When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when
crossing shallow streams, first check the
depth of the water and the bottom of the
riverbed for firmness. Drive slowly and
avoid deep water.
■Inspection after off-road driving
●Sand and mud that has accumulated
around brake discs may affect braking
efficiency and may damage brake sys-
tem components.
●Always perform a maintenance
inspection after each day of off-road
driving that has taken you through
rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For
scheduled maintena nce information,
refer to the “Warranty and Services
Guide/Owner’s Manual Supple-
ment/Scheduled Maintenance”.

4147-2. Steps to take in an emergency
The following may indicate a problem
with your transmission. Contact your
Lexus dealer or commercial towing service before towing.

The hybrid system warning message
is shown on the multi-information
display and the vehicle does not
move.
 The vehicle makes an abnormal
sound.
From the front
Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.
From the rear
Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the vehicle
when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck
●Do not tow the vehicle from the rear
when the power switch is off. The
steering lock mechanism is not strong
enough to hold the front wheels
straight.
●When raising the vehicle, ensure ade-
quate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle.
Without adequate clearance, the vehi-
cle could be damaged while being
towed.
■To prevent damage to the vehicle
when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either
from the front or rear.
■To prevent damage to the vehicle
during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the
suspension components.
■Recreational towing (behind motor
home, etc.)
Never dinghy tow your vehicle to pre-
vent causing serious damage to the
Hybrid AWD system and transmission.
(  P.183)
Situations when it is necessary to
contact dealers before towing
Towing with a wheel-lift type
truck

4658-1. Specifications
8
Vehicle specifications
*: The fluid capacity is a reference quantity.If replacement is necessary, contact your Lexus dealer.
*: The fluid capacity is a reference quantity.If replacement is necessary, contact your Lexus dealer.
Electrical system (12-volt battery)
Open voltage at 68°F (20°C):
12.6 V or higher: Fully charged
12.2  12.4 V: Half charged
12.0 V or lower: Discharged
(Voltage is checked 20 minutes after the hybrid
system and all lights are turned off.)
Charging rates5 A max.
Hybrid transmission
Fluid capacity*5.1 qt. (4.8 L, 4.2 Imp. qt.)
Fluid typeToyota Genuine ATF WS
NOTICE
■Hybrid transmission fluid type
Using transmission fluid other than the above type may cause abnormal noise or vibra-
tion, or ultimately damage the transmission of your vehicle.
Rear differential (rear electric motor)
Fluid capacity*1.9 qt. (1.8 L, 1.6 Imp. qt.)
Fluid typeToyota Genuine ATF WS
NOTICE
■Hybrid transmission fluid type
Using transmission fluid other than the above type may cause abnormalnoise or vibration,
or ultimately damage the tr ansmission of your vehicle.
Brakes
Pedal clearance*3.7 in. (95 mm) Min.
Pedal free play0.04  0.24 in. (1.0  6.0 mm)

516Alphabetical Index
If the electronic key does not operate properly....................................................... 447
If the fuel filler door cannot be opened ......................................................................... 446
If the hybrid system will not start ........ 444
If the vehicle is trapped in rising water411
If you have a flat tire .................................. 432
If you lose your keys................................. 446
If you think something is wrong ........... 417
If your vehicle becomes stuck............. 457
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ................................................. 410
If your vehicle needs to be towed ....... 413
If your vehicle overheats ........................ 454
Energy monitor ..................................... 99, 100
Engine ACCESSORY mode ...............................187
Compartment ............................................... 371
Engine switch................................................ 184
Hood................................................................369
How to start the hybrid system ........... 184
Identification number .................................461
If the hybrid system will not start ........ 444
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ................................................. 410
Ignition switch (power switch) ............. 184
Overheating................................................. 454
Power switch ................................................ 184
Tachometer ..................................................... 83
Engine coolant Capacity ......................................................... 464
Checking ....................................................... 373
Preparing and checking before winter........................................................................... 291
Engine coolant temperature gauge ....... 83
Engine oil Capacity ......................................................... 463
Checking ......................................................... 371
Preparing and checking before winter........................................................................... 291
Warning light .................................................419
Engine oil maintenance data .................. 373 Engine switch (power switch) ................. 184
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency .................................................. 410
EPS (Electric Power Steering) .............. 284 Warning light .................................................421
EV drive mode............................................... 189
EV indicator .......................................................67
Event data recorder (E DR) ........................... 8
F
Flat tire
Tire pressure warning system .............382
Vehicles with a spare tire....................... 432
Floor mats .......................................................... 24
Fluid Brake ............................................................... 465
Hybrid transmission................................. 465
Washer ...........................................................375
Fog lights Switch.............................................................. 206
Footwell light ...................................................321
Front automatic air conditioning system .......................................................................... 304
Front fog lights Replacing light bulbs ............................... 400
Front passenger footwell hooks ............ 345
Front passenger occupant classification system .............................................................. 39
Front seats Adjustment ....................................................... 131
Cleaning ........................................................ 359
Correct driving posture ............................ 25
Driving position memory .........................142
Head restraints............................................. 145
Memory recall function.............................143
Power easy access system .....................142
Seat heaters ................................................... 318
Seat position memory ...............................142
Seat ventilators ............................................. 318
Front side marker light Light switch .................................................. 200
Replacing light bulbs ............................... 400

518Alphabetical Index
High voltage components ....................... 69
Hybrid system precautions ..................... 69
If the hybrid system will not start ........ 444
Overheating.................................................456
Power (ignition) switch............................ 184
Regenerative braking ................................. 67
Starting the hybrid system...................... 184
Hybrid System Indicator......................85, 99
Hybrid transmission....................................... 191 M mode ............................................................193
Paddle shift switches ....................... 192, 193
Hybrid vehicle driving tips ....................... 289
I
I/M test ............................................................ 366
Identification Engine ...............................................................461
Vehicle ............................................................460
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ................................................... 410
Ignition switch (power switch) ................ 184 Auto power off function ...........................187
Changing the power switch modes ..187
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ................................................. 410
Immobilizer system .........................................73
Indicators ........................................................... 80
Initialization Items to initialize ......................................... 493
Maintenance .................................... 362, 373
Power windows............................................153
Tire pressure warning system ............ 385
Inside rear view mirror ................................149
Instrument panel light control ................... 87
Interior lights....................................................321 Front interior light ........................................ 321
Rear interior light ......................................... 321
Intuitive parking assist.....................253, 255 Function .......................................................... 255
Warning message..................................... 257
J
JackPositioning a floor jack ........................... 369
Vehicle-equipped jack ...........................433
Jack handle .................................................... 433
Jam protection function Electronic sunshade .................................. 159
Moon roof ...................................................... 156
Panoramic moon roof .............................. 159
Power back door.......................................... 119
Power windows ........................................... 153
Rear seats ........................................................132
K
Keyless entrySmart access system with push-button start ................................................................. 125
Wireless remote control ......................... 107
Keys Battery-saving function.............................126
Electronic key ............................................... 106
If the electronic key does not operate properly ....................................................... 447
If you lose your keys .................................446
Key number plate ....................................... 106
Keyless entry ....................................... 107, 125
Mechanical key ............................................ 106
Power switch................................................. 184
Replacing the battery ...............................393
Warning buzzer .......................................... 125
Wireless remote control ......................... 107
Knee airbags .................................................... 30
L
Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) Operation ...................................................... 227
Warning messages...................................235
Language (multi-information display) ... 92
LATCH anchors ............................................. 54