3946-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
of the flathead screwdriver with a tape.
3Remove the depleted battery.
When removing the cover, the electronic
key module may stick to the cover and the
battery may not be visible. In this case,
remove the electronic key module in order
to remove the battery.
Insert a new battery with the “+” terminal
facing up.
WARNING
■Battery precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury.
●Do not swallow the battery. Doing so
may cause chemical burns.
●A coin battery or button battery is
used in the electronic key. If a battery is
swallowed, it may cause severe chemi-
cal burns in as little as 2 hours and may
result in death or serious injury.
●Keep away new and removed batteries
from children.
●If the cover cannot be firmly closed,
stop using the electronic key and stow
the key in the place where children
cannot reach, and then contact your
Lexus dealer.
●If you accidentally swallow a battery or
put a battery into a part of your body,
get emergency medical attention
immediately.
■To prevent battery explosion or leak-
age of flammable liquid or gas
●Replace the battery with a new battery
of the same type. If a wrong type of
battery is used, it may explode.
●Do not expose batteries to extremely
low pressure due to high altitude or
extremely high temperatures.
●Do not burn, break or cut a battery.
NOTICE
■For normal operation after replacing
the battery
Observe the following precautions to
prevent accidents:
●Always work with dry hands.
Moisture may cause the battery to
rust.
●Do not touch or move any other com-
ponent inside the remote control.
●Do not bend either of the battery ter-
minals.
409
7
7
When trouble arises
When trouble arises
.7-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers................... 410
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency ........................... 410
If the vehicle is trapped in rising water.............................................. 411
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency If your vehicle needs to be towed......................................................... 413
If you think something is wrong ......................................................... 417
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds ........ 418
If a warning message is displayed ........................................................ 428
If you have a flat tire.................. 432
If the hybrid system will not start ........................................................ 444
If you lose your keys ................. 446
If the fuel filler door cannot be opened........................................ 446
If the electronic key does not operate properly .................... 447
If the 12-volt battery is discharged ........................................................ 449
If your vehicle overheats ........ 454
If the vehicle becomes stuck ........................................................ 457
4317-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
maintenance schedule*.
Comes on approximately 5000 miles
(8000 km) after the message has been
reset. (The indicator will not work properly
unless the message ha s been reset.) Per-
form the necessary maintenance. Please
reset the message after the maintenance is
performed. ( P.362)
*: Refer to the separa te “Scheduled Main-
tenance” or “Owner’s Manual Supple-
ment” for the maintenance interval
applicable to your vehicle.
■If “Oil Maintenance Required Soon” is
displayed
Indicates that the engine oil should be
scheduled to be changed.
Check the engine oil and change it if neces-
sary. After changing the engine oil, make
sure to reset the message. ( P.373)
■If “Oil Maintenance Required” is dis-
played
Indicates that the engine oil should be
changed.
Check and change the en gine oil, and oil fil-
ter by your Lexus deal er. After changing the
engine oil, make sure to reset the message.
( P.373)
■If a message that in dicates the need for
visiting your Lexus dealer is displayed
The system or part shown on the
multi-information display is malfunctioning.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
■If a message that in dicates the need for
referring to Owner’s Manual is dis-
played
●“Engine Coolant Temp High” is shown on
the multi-information display, follow the
instructions. ( P.454)
●If any of the following messages are
shown on the multi-information display, it
may indicate a malfunction. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
• “Access System with Elec. Key Malfunc-
tion”
• “Hybrid System Malfunction” •“Check Engine”
• “Hybrid Battery System Malfunction”
• “Accelerator System Malfunction”
●If any of the following messages are
shown on the multi-info
rmation display, it
may indicate a malfun ction. Immediately
stop the vehicle and contact your Lexus
dealer.
• “Braking Power Low”
• “Charging System Malfunction”
• “Oil Pressure Low”
NOTICE
■If “High Power Consumption Partial
Limit On AC/Heater Operation” is
displayed frequently
There is a possible malfunction relating
to the charging system or the 12-volt bat-
tery may be deteriorating. Have the vehi-
cle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
4337-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
RX450hJack handle
Wheel nut wrench
Spare tire
Wheel lock key
* (if equipped)
Jack
*: Documentation relating to the wheel lock key, such as the registration and I.D. card, is
inside the glove box.
Location of the spare tire, jack and tools
A
B
C
D
E
4357-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
When replacing tires on a vehicle with
wheel lock nuts, use the following pro-
cedures to remove and install the
wheel lock nuts. The wheel lock key is
stored in the tray inside the luggage
compartment. Always return the wheel
lock key to its original position after
use, so that it does not get lost.
■Removal
For ease of removal, the wheel lock nut
should always be the first one loos-
ened.
1 Place the wheel lock key on top of
the wheel lock nut, turning until the
wheel lock key and wheel lock nut
patterns engage.
2 Place the wheel nut wrench on the
wheel lock key, and while applying
pressure on the wheel lock key,
loosen the wheel lock nut.
■Installation
For ease of installation, the wheel lock nut should always be the last one tight-
ened.
1
By hand, install a wheel lock nut on
each wheel.
2 Place the wheel lock key on top of
the wheel lock nut, turning until the
wheel lock key and wheel lock nut
patterns engage.
3 Place the wheel nut wrench on the
wheel lock key, and while applying
pressure on the wheel lock key,
tighten the wheel lock nut to the
recommended torque.
1 Secure the deck board using the
hook. ( P.331)
2 Disengage the hook and take out
the jack.
RX450h: Remove the wheel nut wrench
and then the jack.
RX450hL: Remove the jack handle and
then the jack.
WARNING
●Do not raise the vehicle while some-
one is inside.
●When raising the vehicle, do not put an
object on or under the jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle to a height
greater than that required to replace
the tire.
●Use a jack stand if it is necessary to get
under the vehicle.
●When lowering the vehicle, make sure
that there is no-one near the vehicle. If
there are people nearby, warn them
vocally before lowering.
Wheel lock nut (if equipped)
NOTICE
Do not use an impact wrench. Using an
impact wrench may cause permanent
damage to wheel lock nut and wheel lock
key. If in doubt about wheel lock applica-
tion, contact your Lexus dealer.
Taking out the jack
4447-2. Steps to take in an emergency
One of the following may be the cause
of the problem:
The electronic key may not be func-
tioning properly. ( P.447)
There may not be sufficient fuel in
the vehicle’s tank.
Refuel the vehicle.
There may be a malfunction in the
immobilizer system. ( P.73)
There may be a malfunction in the
steering lock system.
The hybrid system may be malfunc-
tioning due to an electrical problem
such as electronic key battery
depletion or a blown fuse. However,
depending on the type of malfunc-
tion, an interim measure is available
to start the hybrid system. ( P.445)
One of the following may be the cause
NOTICE
■Proper storage of the spare tire
(RX450hL)
●If the hoist assembly is slanted when
stowing a tire, the hoist assembly may
become stuck in the wheel opening
and the tire may not be raised properly,
causing damage to the wheel or the
wire cable.
●If the spare tire clamp bolt is turned
without a tire on the hoist assembly, the
wire cable may not be able to be low-
ered. If the wire cable cannot be low-
ered, contact your Lexus dealer.
If the hybrid system will not
start
Reasons for the hybrid system not
starting vary depending on the situ-
ation. Check the following and per-
form the appropriate procedure:
The hybrid system will not start
even though the correct starting
procedure is being followed.
( P.184)
The interior lights and head-
lights are dim, or the horn does
not sound or sounds at a low vol-
ume.
4467-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX450h
If the fuel filler door opener switch
cannot be operated, contact your
Lexus dealer to service the vehicle.
In case where refueling is urgently
necessary, the fuel filler door can be
opened using the lever in the lug-
gage compartment.
Using the lever to open the fuel filler
door may not allow for an adequate
reduction in fuel tank pressure
before refueling. To prevent fuel
from spilling out, turn the cap slowly
when removing it.
During refueling, fuel may spill out
from the filler opening due to air
being discharged from inside the
If you lose your keys
New genuine mechanical keys can
be made by your Lexus dealer using
another mechanical key and the
key number stamped on your key
number plate.
Keep the plate in a safe place such
as your wallet, not in the vehicle.
NOTICE
■When an electronic key is lost
If the electronic key remains lost, the risk
of vehicle theft increases significantly.
Visit your Lexus deal er immediately with
all remaining electronic keys that were
provided with your vehicle.
If the fuel filler door cannot
be opened
If the fuel filler door opener switch
cannot be operated, contact your
Lexus dealer to service the vehicle.
In case where refueling is urgently
necessary, the following procedure
can be used to open the fuel filler
door.
Opening the fuel filler door
4477-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
fuel tank. Therefore, fill the fuel tank
carefully and slowly.
RX450hL
If the fuel filler door opener switch
cannot be operated, contact your
Lexus dealer to service the vehicle.
In case where refueling is urgently
necessary, remove the cover inside
the luggage compartment using a
tool, such as a flathead screwdriver,
and pull the lever to open the fuel
filler door.
When using a screwdri ver, make sure to
wrap its tip with tape to protect the cover.
Using the lever to open the fuel filler
door may not allow for an adequate
reduction in fuel tank pressure
before refueling. To prevent fuel
from spilling out, turn the cap slowly
when removing it.
During refueling, fuel may spill out
from the filler opening due to air
being discharged from inside the
fuel tank. Therefore, fill the fuel tank
carefully and slowly.
■When the electronic key does not work
properly
●Make sure that the smart access system
with push-button star t has not been dis-
abled at your Lexus dealer. If it has been
disabled, re-enable it.
●Check if battery-saving mo de is set. If it is
set, cancel the function. ( P.126)
■Unlocking the door
Use the mechanical key ( P.107) in
order to perform th e following opera-
tions:
If the electronic key does not
operate properly
If communication between the
electronic key and vehicle is inter-
rupted ( P.126) or the electronic
key cannot be used because the
battery is depleted, the smart
access system with push-button
start and wireless remote control
cannot be used. In such cases, the
doors can be opened and the hybrid
system can be started by following
the procedure below.
NOTICE
■In case of a smart access system with
push-button start malfunction or
other key-rela ted problems
Take your vehicle with all the electronic
keys provided with your vehicle to your
Lexus dealer.
Locking and unlocking the doors