2021 LEXUS RX450h parking brake

2894-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
4-6.Driving tips
When using Eco drive mode, the
torque corresponding to the accelera-
tor pedal depression amount can be
generated more smoothly than it is in
normal conditions. In addition, the
operation of the air conditioning sys-
tem (heating/cooling) will be mini-
mized, improving the fuel economy.
( P.281)
The Eco-friendly driving is possible by
keeping the indicator needle (except F
SPORT models) or bar display (F
SPORT models) of Hybrid System
Indicator within Eco area. ( P.85)
Shift the shift lever to D when stopped
at a traffic light, or driving in heavy traf-
fic, etc. Shift the shift lever to P when
parking. When using the N, there is no
positive effect on fuel consumption. In
the N, the gasoline engine operates
but electricity cannot be generated.
Also, when using the air conditioning
system, etc., the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery) power is consumed. 
Drive your vehicle smoothly. Avoid
abrupt acceleration and decelera-
tion. Gradual acceleration and
deceleration will make more effec-
tive use of the electric motor (trac-
tion motor) without having to use
gasoline engine power.
 Avoid repeated acceleration.
Repeated acceleration consumes
hybrid battery (traction battery)
power, resulting in poor fuel con-
sumption. Battery power can be
restored by driving with the acceler-
ator pedal slightly released.
Make sure to operate the brakes gently
and in a timely manner. A greater
amount of electrical energy can be
regenerated when slowing down.
Repeated acceleration and decelera-
tion, as well as long waits at traffic
lights, will lead to bad fuel economy.
Check traffic reports before leaving
and avoid delays as much as possible.
When driving in a traffic jam, gently
release the brake pedal to allow the
vehicle to move forward slightly while
avoiding overuse of the accelerator
pedal. Doing so can help control
excessive gasoline consumption.
Hybrid vehicle driving tips
For economical and ecological
driving, pay attention to the follow-
ing points:
Using Eco drive mode
Use of Hybrid System Indicator
Shift lever operation
Accelerator pedal/brake pedal
operation
When braking
Delays

2924-6. Driving tips
immediately to prevent it from
freezing.
 To ensure proper operation of the
climate control system fan, remove
any snow that has accumulated on
the air inlet vents in front of the
windshield.
 Check for and remove any excess
ice or snow that may have accumu-
lated on the exterior lights, vehicle’s
roof, chassis, around the tires or on
the brakes.
 Remove any snow or mud from the
bottom of your shoes before getting
in the vehicle.
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a
safe distance between you and the
vehicle ahead, and drive at a reduced
speed suitable to road conditions.
 Park the vehicle and move the shift
lever to P without setting the park-
ing brake. The parking brake may
freeze up, preventing it from being
released. If the vehicle is parked
without setting the parking brake,
make sure to block the wheels. Fail-
ure to do so may be dangerous
because it may cause the vehicle to
move unexpectedly, possibly lead-
ing to an accident.
When the parking brake is in automatic
mode, release the parking brake after shift-
ing the shift lever to P. ( P.196)
 If the vehicle is parked without set-
ting the parking brake, confirm that
the shift lever cannot be moved out
of P
*.
*: The shift lever will be locked if it is
attempted to be shifted from P to any
other position with out depressing the
brake pedal. If the shift lever can be
shifted from P, there may be a problem
with the shift lock system. Have the vehi-
cle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
Use the correct tire chain size when
mounting the tire chains.
Chain size is regulated for each tire
size.
Side chain (0.12 in. [3 mm] in diam-
eter)
Side chain (0.43 in. [10.8 mm] in
width)
Side chain (0.98 in. [25 mm] in
length)
Cross chain (0.15 in. [3.9 mm] in
diameter)
Cross chain (0.54 in. [13.8 mm] in
width)
Cross chain (1.00 in. [25.3 mm] in
When driving the vehicle
When parking the vehicle
Selecting tire chains
A
B
C
D
E
F

3646-2. Maintenance
Radiator/con-
denser
The radiator and con-
denser should be free
from foreign objects.
( P.374)
Washer fluid
Is there sufficient
washer fluid?
( P.375)
Luggage compartment
ItemsCheck points
12-volt batteryCheck the connec-
tions. ( P.376)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator
pedal
• The accelerator
pedal should move
smoothly (without
uneven pedal effort
or catching).
Hybrid transmis-
sion “Park” mech-
anism
•When parked on a slope and the shift
lever is in P, is the
vehicle securely
stopped?
Brake pedal
• Does the brake pedal move
smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appro-
priate clearance
from the floor?
• Does the brake pedal have the cor-
rect amount of free
play?
ItemsCheck points
Brakes
• The vehicle should not pull to one side
when the brakes are
applied.
•The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel
spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too
close to the floor
when the brakes are
applied.
Head restraints
•Do the head restraints move
smoothly and lock
securely?
Indicators/buzz-
ers•Do the indicators and buzzers function
properly?
Lights
• Do all the lights come on?
• Are the headlights aimed correctly?
( P.397)
Parking brake
• Does the parking
brake switch oper-
ate normally?
• When parked on a slope and the park-
ing brake is on, is the
vehicle securely
stopped?
Seat belts
• Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
ItemsCheck points

4157-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
When using a flat-bed truck to trans-
port the vehicle, use tire strapping
belts. Refer to the owner's manual of
the flat-bed truck for the tire strapping
method.
In order to suppress vehicle movement
during transportation, set the parking
brake and turn the power switch off.
If a tow truck is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed using cables or chains
secured to the emergency towing eye-
lets. This should only be attempted on
hard surfaced roads for short distances
at under 18 mph (30 km/h).
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer
and operate the brakes. The vehicle’s
wheels, drive train, axles, steering and
brakes must be in good condition. To have your vehicle towed by another
vehicle, the towing eyelet must be
installed to your vehicle. Install the tow-
ing eyelet using the following proce-
dure.
1
Take out the towing eyelet.
(P.433)
2 Remove the eyelet cover.
Except F SPORT models
F SPORT models
NOTICE
■Towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck to pre-
vent body damage.
Using a flatbed truck
Emergency towing (vehicles
with towing eyelets)
Emergency towing procedure
(vehicles with towing eyelets)

4167-2. Steps to take in an emergency
3Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by hand.
4 Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut wrench
or hard metal bar.
5 Securely attach cables or chains to
the towing eyelet.
Take care not to damage the vehicle body.
6Enter the vehicle being towed and
start the hybrid system.
If the hybrid system does not start, turn the
power switch to ON.
7Shift the shift lever to N and release
the parking brake.
Turn automatic mode off. ( P.196)
When the shift lever cannot be shifted:
 P.192
■While towing
If the hybrid system is off, the power assist
for the brakes and steering will not function,
making steering and braking more difficult.
■Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installed in luggage
compartment. ( P.433)

4187-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■Brake system warning light
■Brake system warning light
■High coolant temperature warning light* (warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights comes on or
flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, bu t then goes off, this does not necessar-
ily indicate a malfunction in the system. However, if this continues to occur,
have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Actions to the warning lights or warning buzzers
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
or
(red)
(Canada)
Indicates that:
 The brake fluid level is low; or
 The brake system is malfunctioning
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(yellow)
Indicates a malfunction in:
 The regenerative braking system;
 The electronically controlled brake system; or
 The electric parking brake
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates that the engine coolant temperature is too high
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place.
Handling method ( P.454)

4207-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■SRS warning light
■ABS warning light
■Brake Override System warning light/Drive-Start Control warning light*
(warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates a malfunction in:
 The SRS airbag system;
 The front passenger occupant classification system; or
 The seat belt pretensioner system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
or
(Canada)
Indicates a malfunction in:
The ABS; or
 The brake assist system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
When a buzzer sounds:
Brake Override System is malfunctioning;
 Drive-Start Control is operating;
 Drive-Start Control is malfunctioning; or
 PKSB (Parking Support Brake) (if equipped) is operating
 Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-information display.
When a buzzer does not sound:
Brake Override System is operating
 Release the accelerator pedal and depress the brake pedal.

4237-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
■Intuitive parking assist OFF indicator (warning buzzer)
■RCTA OFF indicator (warning buzzer)
■PKSB OFF indicator (warning buzzer)
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(flashes)
(if equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in the in tuitive parking assist function
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Indicates that the system is temporarily unavailable, possibly due to a
sensor being dirty or covered with ice, etc.
 Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-information display.
(  P.257)
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(flashes)
(if equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in the RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert) function
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Indicates that the rear bumper around the radar sensor is covered with
dirt, etc. ( P.249)
 Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-information display.
(  P.262)
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(flashes)
(if equipped)
When a buzzer sounds:
Indicates a malfunction in the PK SB (Parking Support Brake) system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
When a buzzer does not sound:
Indicates that the system is temporarily unavailable, possibly due to a
sensor being dirty or covered with ice, etc.
 Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-information display.
(  P.270, 428)