2022 LEXUS RX450h engine

1874-2. Driving procedures
4
DrivingTurns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on, the EV
drive mode indicator will come on. Press-
ing the switch when in EV drive mode will
return the vehicle to normal driving (using
the gasoline engine and electric motor
[traction motor]).
■Situations in which EV drive mode can-
not be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive
mode on in the following situations. If it can-
not be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a
message will be shown on the multi-infor-
mation display.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is
high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven
at high speeds, etc.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is
low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures
lower than about 32°F (0 °C) for a long
period of time, etc.
●The gasoline engine is warming up.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) is
low.
The remaining battery level indicated in
the “Energy Monitor” display is low.
(P.99)
●Vehicle speed is high.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly
or the vehicle is on a hill, etc.
●The windshield defogger is in use.
■Switching to EV drive mode when the
gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gas-
oline engine is cold, the gasoline engine will
start automatically after a short period of
time in order to warm up. In this case, you
will become unable to switch to EV drive
mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the
“READY” indicator has illuminated, press
the EV drive mode switch before the gaso-
line engine starts to switch to EV drive
mode.
■Automatic cancelation of EV drive
mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gaso-
line engine may automatically restart in the
following situations. When EV drive mode
is canceled, a buzzer will sound, the EV
drive mode indicator will go off after flash-
ing, and a message is displayed on the
multi-information display.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery)
becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in
the “Energy Monitor” display is low.
( P.99)
●Vehicle speed is high.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly
or the vehicle is on a hill, etc.
EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, electric power is
supplied by the hybrid battery
(traction battery), and only the
electric motor (traction motor) is
used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in res-
idential areas early in the morning
and late at night, or in indoor park-
ing lots, etc., without concern for
noises and gas emissions.
Operating instructions

1884-2. Driving procedures
■Possible driving distance when driving in
EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distance
ranges from a few hundred meters to
approximately 0.6 mile (1 km). However,
depending on vehicle conditions, there are
situations when EV drive mode cannot be
used.
(The distance that is possible depends on
the hybrid battery [traction battery] level
and driving conditions.)
■Fuel economy
The hybrid system is designed to achieve
the best possible fuel economy during nor-
mal driving (using the gasoline engine and
electric motor [traction motor]). Driving in
EV drive mode more than necessary may
lower fuel economy.
■If “EV Mode Unavailable” is shown on
the multi-information display
The EV drive mode is not available. The rea-
son the EV drive mode is not available (the
vehicle is idling, batter y charge is low, vehi-
cle speed is higher than the EV drive mode
operating speed range or accelerator pedal
is depressed too much) may be displayed.
Use the EV drive mode when it becomes
available.
■If “EV Mode Deactivated” is shown on
the multi-information display
The EV drive mode has been automatically
canceled. The reason the EV drive mode is
not available (the battery charge is low,
vehicle speed is higher than the EV drive
mode operating speed range or accelera-
tor pedal is depressed too much) may be
displayed. Drive the vehicle for a while
before attempting to turn on the EV drive
mode again.
WARNING
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode no
engine noise is made. As such, pedestri-
ans, people riding bicycles or other peo-
ple and vehicles in the surrounding area
may not be aware of the vehicle starting
off or approaching them. Therefore, take
extra care while driving even if the
Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System is
active.

1894-2. 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 ranges 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,
downshifting to 5 or 4. ( P.236)
●When switching the driving mode to
sport mode while driving in the D position
(P.276)
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start
Control)
P.163 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.191)
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

1904-2. 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 pe dal, there may be a
problem with the shift lock system. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
The following steps ma y 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.185, 193)
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 screwdriver with a rag.
5 Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the but- ton is pressed.

P.276
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

1914-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
1Upshifting
2 Downshifting
The selected shift rang e, from D1 to D6,
will be displayed on the meters.
The initial shift range when the “-” paddle
shift switch is operated is automatically set
to D4 or D5 according to the vehicle
speed.
To return to normal D position driving, the
“+” paddle shift switch must be held down
for a period of time.
■Shift ranges and their functions
 You can choose from 6 levels of
engine braking force.
 A lower shift range will provide
greater engine braking force than a
higher shift range, and the engine
revolutions will also increase.
■When the “-” paddle shift switch is oper-
ated with the shift lever in the D position
The shift range is downshifted to a range
that enables engine braking force that is
suitable to driving conditions.
■Automatic deactivation of shift range
selection in the D position
Shift range selection in the D position will
be deactivated in the following situations:
●When the vehicle comes to a stop
●If the accelerator pedal is depressed for
more than a certain period of time
●When the shift lever is shifted to a posi-
tion other than D
■Downshifting restriction warning
buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving perfor-
mance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstances,
downshifting may not be possible even
when the paddle shift switch is operated. (A
buzzer will sound twice.)
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to
S. Shift ranges can be selected by
operating the shift lever or paddle shift
switches, allowing you to drive in the
shift range of your choice. The shift
range can be selected by operating the
shift lever or the “-” and “+” paddle shift
switches.
1 Upshifting
2 Downshifting
The selected shift range, from S1 to S6, will
be displayed on the meters.
The initial shift range in S mode is automat-
Selecting shift ranges in the S
position

1924-2. Driving procedures
ically set to S4 or S5 according to the vehi-
cle speed.
■Shift ranges and their functions
 You can choose from 6 levels of
accelerating force and engine brak-
ing force.
 A lower shift range will provide
greater accelerating force and
engine braking force than a higher
shift range, and the engine revolu-
tions will also increase.
 If you accelerate while in ranges 1 to
4, the shift range may automatically
increase in accordance with the
vehicle speed.
■S mode
●When the shift range is S4 or lower, hold-
ing the shift lever towa rd “+” sets the shift
range to S6.
●Automatically selects a higher shift range
before the engine speed becomes too
high.1 Right turn
2 Lane change to the right (move the
lever partway and release it)
The right hand signals will flash 3 times.
3Lane change to the left (move the
lever partway and release it)
The left hand signals will flash 3 times.
4Left turn
■Turn signals can be operated when
The power switch is in ON mode.
■If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear
turn signal lights has not burned out.
■If the turn signals stop flashing before a
lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again.
■Customization
Some functions can be customized.
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions

2554-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
●Cotton, snow and other materials that
absorb sound waves
●Sharply-angled objects
●Low objects
●Tall objects with upper sections project-
ing outwards in the direction of your vehi-
cle
People may not be detected if they are
wearing certain types of clothing.
■Situations in which the system may not
operate properly
Certain vehicle conditions and the sur-
rounding environment may affect the ability
of a sensor to correctly detect objects. Par-
ticular instances where this may occur are
listed below.
●There is dirt, snow or ice on a sensor.
(Cleaning the sensors will resolve this
problem.)
●A sensor is frozen. (Thawing the area will
resolve this problem.)
In especially cold weather, if a sensor is
frozen the sensor display may be dis-
played abnormally, or objects, such as a
wall, may not be detected.
●When a sensor or the area around a sen-
sor is extremely hot or cold.
●On an extremely bumpy road, on an
incline, on gravel, or on grass.
●When vehicle horns, vehicle detectors,
motorcycle engines, air brakes of large
vehicles, the clearance sonar of other
vehicles or other devices which produce
ultrasonic waves are near the vehicle
●A sensor is coated with a sheet of spray
or heavy rain.
●If objects draw too close to the sensor.
●When a pedestrian is wearing clothing
that does not reflect ultrasonic waves (ex. skirts with gathers or frills).
●When objects that are not perpendicular
to the ground, not perpendicular to the
vehicle traveling direction, uneven, or
waving are in the detection range.
●Strong wind is blowing
●When driving in inclement weather such
as fog, snow or a sandstorm
●When an object that
cannot be detected
is between the vehicle and a detected
object
●If an object such as a vehicle, motorcycle,
bicycle or pedestrian cuts in front of the
vehicle or runs out from the side of the
vehicle
●If the orientation of a sensor has been
changed due to a collision or other
impact
●When equipment that may obstruct a
sensor is installed, such as a towing eye-
let, bumper protector (an additional trim
strip, etc.), bicycle carrier, or snow plow
●If the front of the vehicle is raised or low-
ered due to the carried load
●If the vehicle cannot be driven in a stable
manner, such as when the vehicle has
been in an accident or is malfunctioning
●When a tire chains, compact spare tire or
an emergency tire punc ture repair kit is
used
■Situations in which the system may
operate even if there is no possibility of a
collision
In some situations, such as the following, the
system may operate even though there is no
possibility of a collision.
●When driving on a narrow road
●When driving toward a banner, flag,
low-hanging branch or boom barrier

2564-5. Using the driving support systems
(such as those used at railroad crossings,
toll gates and parking lots)
●When there is a rut or hole in the surface
of the road
●When driving on a metal cover (grating),
such as those used for drainage ditches
●When driving up or down a steep slope
●If a sensor is hit by a large amount of
water, such as when driving on a flooded
road
●There is dirt, snow, water drops or ice on
a sensor. (Cleaning the sensors will
resolve this problem.)
●A sensor is coated with a sheet of spray
or heavy rain
●When driving in inclement weather such
as fog, snow or a sandstorm
●When strong winds are blowing
●When vehicle horns, vehicle detectors,
motorcycle engines, air brakes of large
vehicles, the clearance sonar of other
vehicles or other devices which produce
ultrasonic waves are near the vehicle
●If the front of the vehi cle is raised or low-
ered due to the carried load
●If the orientation of a sensor has been
changed due to a collision or other
impact
●The vehicle is approaching a tall or
curved curb
●Driving close to columns (H-shaped steel
beams, etc.) in multi-story parking
garages, construction sites, etc.
●If the vehicle cannot be driven in a stable
manner, such as when the vehicle has
been in an accident or is malfunctioning
●On an extremely bumpy road, on an
incline, on gravel, or on grass
●When a tire chains, compact spare tire or
an emergency tire punc ture repair kit is
used
■Detection range of the sensors
Approximately 3.3 ft. (100 cm)
Approximately 4.9 ft. (150 cm)
Approximately 2.0 ft. (60 cm)
The diagram shows the detection range of
the sensors. Note that the sensors cannot
detect objects that are extremely close to
the vehicle.
The range of the sensors may change
depending on the shap e of the object, etc.
Sensor detection display, object
distance
A
B
C