2021 LEXUS RX450h maintenance

RX450hL-RX450h_U
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Pictorial indexSearch by illustration
For safety
and securityMake sure to read through them
(Main topics: Child seat, theft deterrent system)
Vehicle status
information and
indicatorsReading driving-related information
(Main topics: Meters, multi-information display)
Before drivingOpening and closing the doors and windows,
adjustment before driving
(Main topics: Keys, doors, seats)
DrivingOperations and advice which are necessary for driving
(Main topics: Starting hybrid system, refueling)
Interior featuresUsage of the interior features
(Main topics: Air conditioner, storage features)
Maintenance
and careCaring for your vehicle and maintenance procedures
(Main topics: Interior and exterior, light bulbs)
When trouble
arisesWhat to do in case of malfunction and emergency
(Main topics: Battery discharge, flat tire)
Vehicle
specificationsVehicle specifications, customizable features
(Main topics: Fuel, oil, tire inflation pressure)
For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat belt,
SRS airbag and headlight aim instructions for Canadian
owners
IndexSearch by symptom
Search alphabetically

4TABLE OF CONTENTS
6-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehi-cle exterior ................................... 356
Cleaning and protecting the vehi- cle interior .................................... 359
6-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ..... 362
General maintenance ................ 363
Emission inspection and mainte- nance (I/M) programs ............ 366
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions........................................................... 367
Hood.................................................. 369
Positioning a floor jack............... 369
Engine compartment................... 371
12-volt battery................................ 376
Tires ................................................... 380
Tire inflation pressure ................. 387
Wheels.............................................. 389
Air conditioning filter..................390
Windshield wiper inserts........... 392
Electronic key battery ................ 393
Checking and replacing fuses ........................................................... 395
Headlight aim................................. 397
Light bulbs ....................................... 399
7-1. Essential information Emergency flashers...................... 410
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency .............................. 410If 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 warn- ing buzzer sounds...................... 418
If a warning messa ge is displayed
.......................................................... 428
If you have a flat tire .................... 432
If the hybrid syst em 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 oper- ate properly ................................. 447
If the 12-volt battery is discharged .......................................................... 449
If your vehicle overheats ........... 454
If the vehicle becomes stuck ... 457
8-1. Specifications Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) ................................................. 460
Fuel information............................ 469
Tire information .............................. 471
8-2. Customization Customizable features .............. 480
8-3. Init

ialization
Items to initialize ........................... 493
6Maintenance and care
7When trouble arises
8Vehicle specifications

681-4. Hybrid system
seats when the hybrid system starts or
stops.
●Relay operating sounds such as a snap or
soft clank will be emitted from the hybrid
battery (traction battery), behind the rear
seats, when the hybrid system is started
or stopped.
●Sounds from the hybrid system may be
heard when the back door is open.
●Sounds may be heard from the transmis-
sion when the gasoline engine starts or
stops, when driving at low speeds, or
during idling.
●Engine sounds may be heard when
accelerating sharply.
●Sounds may be heard due to regenera-
tive braking when the brake pedal is
depressed or as the accelerator pedal is
released.
●Vibration may be felt when the gasoline
engine starts or stops.
●Cooling fan sounds may be heard from
the air intake vents under the rear seats.
■Maintenance, repair, recycling, and dis-
posal
Contact your Lexus dealer regarding main-
tenance, repair, recycling and disposal. Do
not dispose of the vehicle yourself.
■Customization
Some functions can be customized.
(  P.480)
When driving with the gasoline engine
stopped, a sound, which changes in
accordance with the driving speed, will
be played in order to warn people
nearby of the vehicle’s approach. This
sound may be heard inside the vehicle.
The sound will stop when the vehicle
speed exceeds approximately 22 mph
(35 km/h).
■Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System
In the following cases, the Acoustic Vehicle
Alerting System may be difficult for sur-
rounding people to hear.
●In very noisy areas
●In the wind or the rain
Also, as the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Sys-
tem is installed on the fr ont of the vehicle, it
may be more difficult to hear from the rear
of the vehicle compared to the front.
Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Sys-
tem

731-5. Theft deterrent system
1
For safety and security
1-5.Theft deterrent systemThe indicator light flashes after the
power switch has been turned off to
indicate that the system is operating.
The indicator light stops flashing after
the power switch has been turned to
ACCESSORY or ON mode to indi-
cate that the system has been can-
celed.
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type
immobilizer system.
■Conditions that may cause the system to
malfunction
●If the grip portion of the key is in contact
with a metallic object
●If the key is in close proximity to or touch-
ing a key registered to the security sys-
tem (key with a built-in transponder chip)
of another vehicle
■Certification for the immobilizer system
Except for vehicles sold in Canada
Immobilizer system
The vehicle’s keys have built-in tran-
sponder chips that prevent the
hybrid system from starting if a key
has not been previously registered
in the vehicle’s on-board computer.
Never leave the keys inside the
vehicle when you leave the vehicle.
This system is designed to help pre-
vent vehicle theft but does not
guarantee absolute security
against all vehicle thefts.
Operating the system

751-5. Theft deterrent system
1
For safety and security
■Items to check before locking the
vehicle
To prevent unexpected triggering of
the alarm and vehicle theft, make sure
of the following:
 Nobody is in the vehicle.
 The windows, moon roof (if
equipped) and panoramic moon
roof (if equipped) are closed before
the alarm is set.
 No valuables or other personal
items are left in the vehicle.
■Setting
Close the doors and hood, and lock all
the doors. The system will be set auto-
matically after 30 seconds.
The indicator light changes from being on
to flashing when the system is set.
■Canceling or stopping
Do one of the following to deactivate
or stop the alarm:
 Unlock the doors.
 Turn the power switch to ACCES-
SORY or ON mode, or start the
hybrid system. (The alarm will be
deactivated or stopped after a few
seconds.)
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type
alarm system.
■Triggering of the alarm
The alarm may be triggered in the following
situations:
(Stopping the alarm deactivates the alarm
system.)
●For Canada: The doors are unlocked
using the mechanical key.
Alarm
The alarm uses light and sound to
give an alert when an intrusion is
detected.
The alarm is triggered in the follow-
ing situations when the alarm is set:
 Except for Canada: A locked
door is unlocked or opened in any
way other than using the entry
function, wireless remote control
or mechanical key. (The doors will
lock again automatically.)
 For Canada: A locked door is
unlocked or opened in any way
other than using the entry func-
tion or wireless remote control.
(The doors will lock again auto-
matically.)
 The hood is opened.
Setting/canceling/stopping the
alarm system

872-1. Instrument cluster
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Vehicle status information and indicators
■Display items
 Odometer
Displays the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
Trip meter A/trip meter B
Displays the distance the vehicle has been
driven since the meter was last reset. Trip
meters A and B can be used to record and
display different distances independently.
 Distance until next engine oil
change
Displays the distance the vehicle can be
driven until an oil change is necessary.
■Changing the display
Each time the “ODO TRIP” switch is
pressed, the displayed item will be changed. When the trip meter is dis-
played, pressing and holding the switch
will reset the trip meter.
■Pop-up display
Distance until next engine oil change
Displays the distance until the next engine
oil change. This display will be displayed in
the following situations:
 When the power switch is turned to
ON mode.
 When a warning message indicating
that oil maintenance should be per-
formed soon or is required is dis-
played.
The brightness of the instrument panel
lights can be adjusted.
If the brightness is adjusted when the sur-
roundings are bright and the tail lights are
on (day mode bright ness adjustment), the
brightness level of night mode will be
adjusted at the same time.
WARNING
For example, there is a lag between the
driver’s shifting and the new gear number
appearing on the display. This lag could
cause the driver to downshift again,
causing rapid and excessive engine brak-
ing and possibly an accident resulting in
death or injury.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and
its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the
tachometer enter the red zone, which
indicates the maximum engine speed.
●The engine may be overheating if the
engine coolant temperature gauge is
in the red zone (H). In this case, imme-
diately stop the vehicle in a safe place,
and check the engine after it has
cooled completely. ( P.454)
Odometer and trip meter dis-
play
Changing the instrument panel
light brightness

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

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”.