
Hybrid
2010 Model
© 2009 Toyota Motor Corporation
All rights reserved. This document may not be
altered without the written permission of Toyota Motor Corporation.
10 Lexus RX 450h ERG REV – (06/05/09)

-i-
Foreword
In April 2005, Lexus released the Lexus RX 400h gasoline-electric
hybrid vehicle in North America. To educate and assist emergency
responders in the safe handling of Lexus RX 400h technology, Lexus
published the 2006 Lexus RX 400h Emergency Response Guide.
With the release of the Lexus RX 450h in March 2009, a new 2010
Lexus RX 450h Emergency Response Guide was published for
emergency responders. While many features from the RX 400h model
are similar, emergency responders should recognize and understand the
new, updated features of the RX 450h covered in this guide.
High voltage electricity powers the electric motors, generator, and
inverter/converter. All other automotive electrical devices such as the
headlights, radio, and gauges are powered from a separate 12 Volt
auxiliary battery. Numerous safeguards have been designed into the
RX 450h to help ensure the high voltage, approximately 288 Volt,
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Hybrid Vehicle (HV) battery pack is
kept safe and secure in an accident.
The RX 450h utilizes the following electrical systems:
• Maximum 650 Volts AC
• Nominal 288 Volts DC
• Maximum 46 Volts AC / DC
• Nominal 12 Volts DC
RX 450h Features:
• Complete model change with a new exterior and interior design.
•
Adoption of the smart access system with push button start.
•
A boost converter in the inverter/converter that boosts to 650 Volts
the available voltage to the electric motors.
• A high voltage Hybrid Vehicle (HV) battery pack rated at 288 Volts.
• High voltage motor driven Air Conditioning (A/C) compressor
rated at 288 Volts.
• An Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist motor rated at 46 Volts.
• Optional Active Stabilizer Suspension System motors rated at 46
Volts.
• A body electrical system rated at 12 Volts, negative chassis ground.
• Both Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD)
models are available.
• Front and rear (AWD models only) 650 Volt electric motors.
• Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) – dual stage frontal airbags,
front and rear seat mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags, front
and rear seat belt pretensioners, and front knee airbags.
High voltage electrical safety remains an important factor in the
emergency handling of the RX 450h Lexus Hybrid Drive. It is
important to recognize and understand the disabling procedures and
warnings throughout the guide.
Additional topics in the guide include:
• RX 450h identification.
•
Major Lexus Hybrid Drive component locations and descriptions.
•
Extrication, fire, recovery, and additional emergency response
information.
•
Roadside assistance information.
2010 Model Year
RX 450h
2006 – 2009 Model Year
RX 400h
This guide is intended to assist emergency responders in the safe
handling of a RX 450h vehicle during an incident.
NOTE:
Emergency Response Guides for Lexus hybrid vehicles may be viewed at
http://techinfo.lexus.com.

-ii-
Table of Contents Page
About the RX 450h 1
RX 450h Identification 2
Lexus Hybrid Drive Component Locations & Descriptions 5
Smart Access System with Push Button Start 8
Lexus Hybrid Drive Operation 11
Hybrid Vehicle (HV) Battery Pack 12
46 Volt System 13
Low Voltage Battery 14
High Voltage Safety 15
SRS Airbags & Seat Belt Pretensioners 16
Emergency Response 18
Extrication 18
Fire 25
Overhaul 26
Recovering/Recycling of NiMH HV Battery Pack 26
Spills 27
First Aid 27
Submersion 28
Roadside Assistance 29

-1-
About the RX 450h
The RX 450h continues into its 2nd generation as a gasoline-electric
hybrid vehicle. Lexus Hybrid Drive means that the vehicle contains a
gasoline engine and electric motors for power. The two hybrid power
sources are stored on board the vehicle:
1. Gasoline stored in the fuel tank for the gasoline engine.
2. Electricity stored in a high voltage Hybrid Vehicle (HV) battery pack
for the electric motors.
The result of combining these two power sources is improved fuel
economy and reduced emissions. The gasoline engine also powers an
electric generator to recharge the battery pack; unlike a pure all electric
vehicle, the RX 450h never needs to be recharged from an external
electric power source.
Depending on the driving conditions one or both sources are used to
power the vehicle. The following illustration demonstrates how the RX
450h operates in various driving modes.
During light acceleration at low speeds, the vehicle is powered by
the electric motors. The gasoline engine is shut off.
During normal driving, the vehicle is powered mainly by the
gasoline engine. The gasoline engine also powers the generator to
recharge the battery pack.
During full acceleration, such as climbing a hill, both the gasoline
engine and the electric motor(s) power the vehicle.
During deceleration, such as when braking, the vehicle regenerates
the kinetic energy from the wheels to produce electricity that
recharges the battery pack.
While the vehicle is stopped, the gasoline engine and electric
motors are off, however the vehicle remains on and operational.

-2-
RX 450h Identification
In appearance, the 2010 model year RX 450h is nearly identical to the
conventional, non-hybrid Lexus RX 350. The RX 450h is a 5-door SUV.
Exterior, interior, and engine compartment illustrations are provided to
assist in identification.
The alphanumeric 17 character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is
provided in the front windshield cowl, on the floor under the passenger
front seat (models for USA only) and on the driver door pillar.
Example VIN: JTJZB1BAF82020211(FWD Models)
JTJBC1BA
F82020211(AWD Models)
A RX 450h is identified by the first 8 alphanumeric characters
JTJZB1BA or JTJBC1BA.
Driver Side Windshield and Passenger Side Floor
Driver Side B Pillar
Exterior
logo on the back door.
logo on the rear door moldings.
Front bumper and grill that are unique to the hybrid model.
Exterior Driver Side View
Exterior Front and Rear View
Exterior Rear and Driver Side View
Models for USA only

-3-
RX 450h Identification (Continued)
Interior
The instrument cluster (speedometer, fuel gauge, warning lights)
located in the dash behind the steering wheel, is different than the
one on the conventional, non hybrid RX 350.
In place of a tachometer, a power meter is used to show power output.
NOTE:
If the vehicle is shut off, the instrument cluster gauges will be
“blacked out”, not illuminated.
Interior View
Instrument Cluster View

-4-
RX 450h Identification (Continued)
Engine Compartment
3.5-liter aluminum alloy gasoline engine.
LEXUS HYBRID DRIVE logo on the plastic engine cover.
Engine Compartment View

-5-
Lexus Hybrid Drive Component Locations & Descriptions
Component Location Description
12 Volt
Auxiliary
Battery
Cargo Area A lead-acid battery that supplies power to
the low voltage devices.
Hybrid
Vehicle (HV)
Battery Pack
Cabin Area,
Mounted to Cross
Member under
Rear Seat
288 Volt Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH)
battery pack consisting of 30 low voltage
(9.6 Volt) modules connected in series.
Power
Cables
Undercarriage
and Engine
Compartment
Orange colored power cables carry high
voltage Direct Current (DC) between the
HV battery pack, inverter/converter, and
A/C compressor. These cables also carry 3phase Alternating Current (AC) between the
inverter/converter, electric motors, and
generator.
Inverter/
Converter
Engine
Compartment
Boosts and inverts the high voltage
electricity from the HV battery pack to 3phase AC electricity that drives the electric
motors. The inverter/converter also
converts AC electricity from the electric
generator and electric motors (regenerative
braking) to DC that recharges the HV
battery pack.
Gasoline
Engine
Engine
Compartment
Provides two functions:
1) Powers vehicle.
2) Powers generator to recharge the HV
battery pack.
The engine is started and stopped under
control of the vehicle computer.
Front
Electric
Motor
Engine
Compartment
3-phase high voltage AC permanent magnet
electric motor contained in the front
transaxle. It is used to power the front
wheels.
Electric
Generator
Engine
Compartment
3-phase high voltage AC generator that is
contained in the transaxle and recharges the
HV battery pack.
Lexus Hybrid Drive Components
Components (Top View) and High Voltage Power Cables

-6-
Lexus Hybrid Drive Component Locations & Descriptions
(Continued)
Component Location Description
A/C
Compressor
(with
Inverter)
Engine
Compartment
3-phase high voltage AC electrically driven
motor compressor.
Fuel Tank
and Fuel Line
Undercarriage
and Center
The fuel tank provides gasoline via a fuel
line to the engine. The fuel line is routed
under the center of vehicle.
Rear Electric
Motor
(AWD
models only)
Rear Sub-Frame 3-phase high voltage AC permanent magnet
electric motor contained in the rear
transaxle. It is used to power the rear
wheels.
DC-DC
Converter
for EPS and
optional
Active
Stabilizer
Suspension
System
Under Center
Console
Converts 288 Volts from the HV battery
pack to 46 Volts for EPS and optional
active stabilizer suspension system power.
Fuel Tank and Fuel Line

-7-
Lexus Hybrid Drive Component Locations & Descriptions
(Continued)
Key Specifications:
Gasoline Engine: 245 hp (183 kW), 3.5-liter Aluminum Alloy Engine
Electric Motors
Front:
Rear:
165 hp (123 kW), Permanent Magnet Motor
67 hp (50 kW), Permanent Magnet Motor (AWD
models only)
Transmission: Automatic Only (electrically controlled continuously
variable transaxle)
HV Battery: 288 Volt Sealed NiMH
Battery
Curb Weight: 4,642 lbs/2,110 kg
Fuel Tank: 17.2 gals/65.0 liters
Fuel Economy
Ratings: 32/28 (City/Hwy) miles/US gal (for FWD models)
31/27 (City/Hwy) miles/US gal (for AWD models)
7.4/8.4 (City/Hwy) liters/100 km (for FWD models)
7.6/8.7 (City/Hwy) liters/100 km (for AWD models)
Frame Material: Steel Unibody
Body Material: Steel Panels
Seating Capacity: 5 passenger
Steel Unibody

-8-
Smart Access System with Push Button Start
The RX 450h smart access system with push button start consists of a
smart key transceiver that communicates bi-directionally, enabling the
vehicle to recognize the smart key in proximity to the vehicle. Once
recognized, the smart key will allow the user to lock and unlock the
doors without pushing smart key buttons, and start the vehicle without
inserting it into an ignition switch.
Smart key features:
•
Passive (remote) function to lock/unlock the doors, open/close the
optional power back door, and start the vehicle.
•
Wireless transmitter buttons to lock/unlock all 5 doors.
•
A wireless transmitter button to operate the optional power back door
opener.
•
Hidden metal cut key to lock/unlock the doors and glove box.
The RX 450h is equipped with two types of smart keys:
• Smart key (fob)
• Card smart key
The card smart key is designed to be stored in a wallet and has all the
same functions as the smart key (fob), except push buttons.
Door (Lock/Unlock)
There are several methods available to lock/unlock the doors.
• Pushing the smart key lock button will lock all doors including the back
door. Pushing the smart key unlock button once unlocks the driver door,
twice unlocks all doors.
• Touching the sensor on the backside of the driver door exterior handle, with
the smart key in proximity to the vehicle, unlocks the driver door. Touching
the sensor on the backside of the front passenger door exterior handle, with
the smart key in proximity to the vehicle, unlocks all doors. Touching the
lock sensor on either front door, or the lock button for the back door will
lock all doors.
• Inserting the hidden metal cut key in the driver door lock and turning
clockwise once unlocks the driver door, twice unlocks all doors. To lock
all doors turn the key counter clockwise once. Only the driver door
contains an exterior door lock for the metal cut key.
Smart Key (Fob) Hidden Metal Cut Key for Door Lock
Card Smart Key and Hidden Metal Cut Key for Door Lock
Driver Door Unlock Touch Sensor and
Lock Touch Sensors
Front Driver Door Lock
Release Button
Release Button
Unlock Touch
Sensor
Lock Touch
Sensor
Use the Hidden Metal Cut Key