2021 LEXUS RX450h parking brake

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.

1844-2. Driving procedures
4-2.Driving procedures
1Check that the parking brake is set.
2 Check that the shift lever is in P.
3 Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and a message will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the hybrid system can-
not be started.
4 Press the power switch shortly and
firmly.
When operating the power switch, one
short, firm press is enough. It is not neces-
sary to press and hold the switch.
If the “READY” indicator turns on, the
hybrid system will operate normally.
Continue depressing the brake pedal until
the “READY” indicator is illuminated.
The hybrid system can be started from any
power switch mode.
5Check that the “READY” indicator
is illuminated.
The vehicle will not move when the
“READY” indicator is off.
■Power switch illumination
According to the situation, the power
switch illumination operates as follows.
●When a door is opened, or the power
switch mode is changed from ACCES-
SORY or ON mode to off, the power
switch illumination slowly blinks.
●When depressing the brake pedal with
carrying the electronic key on your per-
son, the power switch illumination rapidly
blinks.
●When the power switch is in ACCES-
SORY or ON mode, the power switch
illumination illuminates.
■If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have
been deactivated. ( P.73)
Contact your Lexus dealer.
●Check that the shift leve r is securely set in
P. The hybrid system may not start if the
shift lever is displaced out of P. “To Start
Vehicle, Put Shift Lever into P” will be dis-
played on the multi-information display.
●If the door is unlock ed with the mechani-
cal key, the hybrid system cannot be
started using the sm art access system
with push-button start. Refer to P.448to
start the hybrid system. However, if the
electronic key is carried inside the vehicle
and the doors are locked ( P.111), the
hybrid system can be started.
■When the ambient temperature is low,
such as during winter driving conditions
When starting the hybrid system, the flash-
ing time of the “READY” indicator may be
long. Leave the vehicle as it is until the
“READY” indicator is steady on, as steady
means the vehicle is able to move.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a
hybrid vehicle
 P.67
Power (ignition) switch
Performing the following opera-
tions when carryin g the electronic
key on your person starts the hybrid
system or changes power switch
modes.
Starting the hybrid system

1864-2. Driving procedures
1Stop the vehicle completely.
2 Set the parking brake ( P.195),
and shift the shift lever to P.
3 Press the power switch.
4 Release the brake pedal and check
that the display on the meters is off.
■Automatic hybrid system shut off fea-
ture
●The vehicle is equipped with a feature
that automatically shuts off the hybrid sys-
tem when the shift lever is in P with the
hybrid system operating for an extended
period.
●The hybrid system will automatically shut
off after approximately 1 hour if it has
been left running while the shift lever is in
P.
●The timer for the automatic hybrid system
shut off feature will reset if the brake
pedal is depressed or if the shift lever is in
a position other than P.
●After the vehicle is parked, if the door is
locked with the door lock switch ( P.111)
from the inside or the mechanical key
from the outside, the automatic hybrid
system shut off feature will be disabled.
The timer for the automatic hybrid system
shut off feature will be re-enabled if the
driver’s door is opened.
■Locking the door from outside with the
hybrid system operating
1 With the driver’s door open, pull the
driver’s door hand le and insert the
mechanical key.
2 Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise.
3 Pull out the mechanical key and close
the door.NOTICE
■When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to
start, have your vehicle checked by your
Lexus dealer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction
with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operat-
ing somewhat differently than usual, such
as the switch sticking slightly, there may
be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus
dealer immediately.
Stopping the hybrid system
WARNING
■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 seconds, or pr ess it briefly 3 times
or more in succession. ( P.410)
However, do not touch the power switch
while driving except in an emergency.
Turning the hybrid system off while driv-
ing will not cause loss of steering or brak-
ing 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.

1874-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Modes can be changed by pressing
the power switch with brake pedal
released. (The mode changes each
time the switch is pressed.)1
Off
*
The emergency flashers can be used.
2ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as the
audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed on the
meters.
3ON mode
All electrical components can be used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on the
meters.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than
P when turning off the hybrid system, the
power switch will be turned to ACCES-
SORY mode, not to off.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode
for more than 20 minutes or ON mode
(with the hybrid system is not operating) for
more than an hour with the shift lever in P,
the power switch will automatically turn off.
However, this function cannot entirely pre-
vent 12-volt battery discharge. Do not leave
the vehicle with the power switch in
■When parking
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon
monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Observe the following precau-
tions.
Failure to do so may cause exhaust gases
to enter the vehicle and may lead to an
accident caused by light-headedness, or
may lead to death or a serious health
hazard.
●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated
area or a closed area, such as a
garage, stop the hybrid system.
●Do not leave the vehicle with the
hybrid system operating for a long
time. If such a situation cannot be
avoided, park the vehicle in an open
space and ensure that exhaust fumes
do not enter the vehicle interior.
●Do not leave the hybrid system operat-
ing in an area with snow build-up, or
where it is snowing. If snowbanks build
up around the vehicle while the hybrid
system is operating, exhaust gases
may collect and enter the vehicle.
Changing power switch modes

1884-2. Driving procedures
ACCESSORY or ON mode for long peri-
ods of time when the hybrid system is not
operating.
If the hybrid system is stopped with the
shift lever in a position other than P, the
power switch will not be turned off but
instead be turned to ACCESSORY
mode. Perform the following proce-
dure to turn the switch off:
1Check that the parking brake is set.
2 Shift the shift lever to P.
3 Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” is
displayed on the multi-information
display and then press the power
switch once.
4 Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” on
the multi-information display is off.
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 sys-
tem 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.
When stopping the hybrid sys-
tem with the shift lever in a posi-
tion other than P
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
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 battery
discharge may occur.

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

1924-2. Driving procedures
and D, make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent
accidental operation of the shift lever in
starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only
when the power switch is in ON mode and
the brake pedal is being depressed.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is
being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your
foot on the brake pedal, there may be a
problem with the shift lock system. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
The following steps may be used as an
emergency measure to ensure that the shift
lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
1 Turn the power switch to ON mode and
check that the parking brake is set.
( P.187, 195)
2 Turn the power switch to off.
3 Depress the brake pedal.
4 Pry the cover up with a flathead screw-
driver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover the
tip of the screwd river with a rag.
5 Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the but- ton is pressed.

P.281
To drive using temporary shift range
selection, operate the “-” paddle shift
switch. Changing the shift range
enables the level of engine braking
force to be selected. The shift range
can then be selected by operating the
“-” and “+” paddle shift switches.
WARNING
■To prevent an accident when releas-
ing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override
button, make sure to set the parking
brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pe dal is accidentally
depressed instead of the brake pedal
when the shift lock override button is
pressed and the shift lever is shifted out
of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, pos-
sibly leading to an accident resulting in
death or serious injury.
Selecting the driving mode
Selecting shift ranges in the D
position

1954-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
( P.480)
■Using the manual mode
The parking brake can be set and
released manually.
U.S.A.
Canada
Parking brake light
1 Pull the parking brake switch to set
the parking brake
Parking brake
The parking brake can be set or
released automatically or manually.
In automatic mode, the parking
brake can be set or released auto-
matically according to the shift
lever operation. Also, even in auto-
matic mode, the parking brake can
be set or released manually.
Operating instructions
A
B
C