2023 LEXUS RX engine

12
RX500h/RX350h_QG_U
Hybrid System
This illustration is for explanation only and
may differ depending on the specifications
of the vehicle.
Charge area
Shows regeneration
* status.
Eco area
Shows that the vehicle is being driven
in an Eco-friendly manner.
Power area
Shows that an Eco- friendly driving
range is being exceeded (during full
power driving etc.)
Hybrid Eco area
Shows that gasoline engine power is
not being used very often.
The gasoline engine will automatically
stop and restart under various condi-
tions.
• By keeping the indicator needle within Eco area, more Eco-fr iendly driving can
be achieved.
• Charge area indicates regeneration
* sta-
tus. Regenerated energy will be used to
charge the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery).
*: When used in this manual, regeneration refers to the conversion of energy cre-
ated by the movement of the vehicle into
electrical energy.
Hybrid System
Your vehicle is a hybrid electric vehicle. It has characteristics different from conventional
vehicles. Be sure you are closely familiar with the characteristics of your vehicle, and
operate it with care.
The hybrid system combines the use of a gaso line engine and an electric motor (traction
motor) according to driving conditions, impr oving fuel efficiency and reducing exhaust
emissions.
For details, refer to the “Owner’s Manual”.
Hybrid System Indicator
A
B
C
D

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RX500h/RX350h_QG_U
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).
If the shift position is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be charged. To help
prevent the battery from discharging, avoid leaving the N position selected for a certain
amount of time.
In the following situations, kinetic energy is converted to electric energy and deceleration
force can be obtained in conjunction with the recharging of the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery).
• RX350h: The accelerator pedal is released while driving with the shift position in D or S.
• RX500h: The accelerator pedal is released while driving with the shift position in D or M.
• RX350h: The brake pedal is depressed while driving with the shift position in D or S.
• RX500h: The brake pedal is depressed while driving with the shift position in D or M.
Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System
Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge (RX350h)
Regenerative braking

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RX500h/RX350h_QG_U
Because there is no engine sound or vibration, it is easy to mistake the hybrid electric vehi-
cle for being off when it is actu ally still running, as indicated by the “READY” indicator being
illuminated. For safety, make sure to always shift the shift position to P and apply the parking
brake when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is operating and are
not a malfunction:
• Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
• Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) behind the rear seats when the hybrid syst em starts or stops.
• Relay operating sounds such as a snap or soft clank will be emitted from the hybrid battery
(traction battery), under the rear seats, when the hybrid sy stem is started or stopped.
• Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the back door is open.
• Sounds may be heard from the transmission 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 regenerative braking when the brake pedal is depressed or as the accelerator pedal is released.
• Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engi ne starts or stops.
• Cooling fan sounds may be heard from th e air intake vents under the rear seats.
When the vehicle has run out of fuel and the hybrid system cannot be started, refuel the
vehicle with at least enough gasoline to make the low fuel level warning light go off. If there is
only a small amount of fuel, the hybrid system may not be able to start. (The standard amount
of fuel is about 2.6 gal. [9.8 L, 2.2 Imp. gal.], when the vehicle is on a level surface. This value
may vary when the vehicle is on a slope. Add extra fuel when the vehicle is inclined.)
Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid electric vehicle
Running out of fuel

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RX500h/RX350h_QG_U
1Grip the driver’s door handle to unlock
the door. Grip any passenger door
handle to unlock all the doors.
*
Make sure to touch the sensor on the
back of the handle.
The doors cannot be unlocked for 3
seconds after the doors are locked.
*: The door unlock settings can bechanged.
2Touch the lock sensor (indentation on the su rface of the door handle) to lock all the
doors.
Check that the door is securely locked.
1Locks all the doors
Check that the door is securely locked.
2Unlocks all the doors
The doors cannot be unlocked for 3
seconds after the doors are locked.
Smart Access System with Push-button Start
The following operations can be performed si mply by carrying the electronic key on your
person, for example in your pocket. The driv er should always carry the electronic key.
For details on starting the engine, see page 19.
Unlocking and locking the doors from the outside
Unlocking and locking the power back door from the outside
For details on what to do when the electronic key does not operate properly, see page 104.

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RX500h/RX350h_QG_U
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on, the EV
drive mode indicator will come on. Pressing
the switch when in EV drive mode will
return the vehicle to normal driving (using
the gasoline engine and electric motor
[traction motor]).
EV drive mode (RX350h)
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 residential areas early in the morning and late at night, or
in indoor parking lots, etc., without concern for noises and gas emissions.

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RX500h/RX350h_QG_U
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” or “ +” paddle shift switch.
When the “ -” paddle shift switch is operated, the shift range switches to a range that enables
engine braking force that is suitable to driving conditions. When the “+” paddle shift switch is
operated, the shift range switches to a range that is one range higher than the current range.
Changing the shift range allo ws restriction of the highest gear, preventing unnecessary
upshifting and enabling the level of engine braking force to be selected.
1Upshifting
2Downshifting
The selected shift range, from D1 to D6, will
be displayed on the meter.
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
A lower shift range will provid e greater engine braking forces than a higher shift range.
Selecting shift ranges in the D position
Meter displayFunction
D2 - D6A gear in the range between 1 and the selected gear is automati-
cally chosen depending on vehi cle speed and driving conditions
D11st gear is set

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RX500h/RX350h_QG_U
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, set the shift position in D for normal driving.
You can choose gear range suitable for your driving situation by operating the paddle
shift switches.
*2: By selecting shift ranges using S mode, yo u can control accelerating force and engine
braking force.
■Driving mode
 P.48
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” paddle shift switch. Changing
the shift range enables the level of engine brak ing force to be selected. The shift range can
then be selected by operating the “-” and “+” paddle shift switches.
1Upshifting
2Downshifting
The selected shift range, from D1 to D5, will
be displayed on the meter.
The initial shift range when the “-” paddle
shift switch is operated is automatically set
to D4.
To return to normal D position driving, hold
the “+” puddle shift switch for a period of
time or operate the “+” puddle shift switch
in the D5 range.
■Shift ranges and their functions
● You can choose from 5 levels of engine braking force.
● A lower shift range will provid e greater engine braking force than a higher shift range,
and the engine revolutions will also increase.
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral (Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2
Selecting the driving mode
Selecting shift ranges in the D position

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RX500h/RX350h_QG_U
To enter S mode, shift the shift position to S. Gears can be selected by operating the paddle
shift switches, allowing you to drive in the gear of your choosing. The shift range can then be
selected by operating the “-” and “+” paddle shift switches.
1Upshifting
2Downshifting
The selected shift range, from S1 to S6, will
be displayed on the meter.
The initial shift range in S mode is automati-
cally set to S4.
■Shift ranges and their functions
● You can choose from 6 levels of accele rating force and engine braking force.
● A lower shift range will provide greater accelerating force and engine braking force than
a higher shift range, and the engi ne revolutions will also increase.
Selecting gears in the S position