Lexus RX400h 2006 User manual

Hybrid 2006 Model
Emergency Response Guide

i
FOREWORD
In October 2006, Lexus released the Lexus
RX400h petrol-electric hybrid vehicle in
Australia. Except where noted in this guide,
basic vehicle systems and features for the
RX400h are the same as those on the
conventional, non-hybrid, Lexus RX330/350.
To educate and assist emergency responders in
the safe handling of the RX400h hybrid
technology, Lexus published this RX400h
Emergency Response Guide.
High voltage electricity powers the electric
motors, generator, inverter/converter, and
power steering. All other automotive electrical
devices such as the headlights, radio, and
gauges are powered from a separate 12-Volt
battery. Numerous safeguards have been
designed into the RX400h 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 RX400h utilises the following electrical
systems:
• Maximum 650-Volts AC
• Nominal 288-Volts DC
• Nominal 42-Volts DC
• Nominal 12-Volts DC
RX400h Features:
• Adoption of Hybrid Synergy Drive as the
name for the Lexus Petrol - Electric
Hybrid System.
•Hybrid Synergy Drive includes a boost
converter in the inverter assembly that
boosts to 650-Volts the available voltage
to the electric motors.
• The high voltage hybrid vehicle
battery pack rated at 288-Volts.
• A high voltage electric motor driven
air conditioning compressor rated
at 288-Volts.
• A high voltage Electric Power Steering (EPS)
assist motor rated at 42-Volts.
• Body electrical system rated at 12-Volts
negative chassis ground.
• RX400h is only availbale in Australia as a
four wheel drive (4WD).
• 4WD models include an additional 650-Volt
electric motor to drive the rear wheels.
• Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) - dual
stage frontal airbags, driver knee airbag,
front seat mounted side airbags, side curtain
airbags, and front seat belt pretensioners.
High voltage electrical safety is an important
factor in the emergency handling of the
RX400h Hybrid Synergy Drive system. It is
important to recognise and understand the
disabling procedures and warnings throughout
the guide.
Additional topics contained in the guide
include:
• Lexus RX400h identification.
• Major Hybrid Synergy Drive component
locations and descriptions.
• Extrication, fire, recovery, and additional
emergency response information.
• Roadside assistance information.
By following the information in this guide,
emergency responders should be able to safely
perform a rescue involving the Lexus RX400h
hybrid vehicle.
2006 RX400h

ii
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
About the RX400h................................................................................................................................. 1
RX400h Identification ........................................................................................................................... 2
Hybrid Synergy Drive Component Locations and Descriptions ....................................................... 5
Hybrid Synergy Drive Operation ......................................................................................................... 6
Hybrid Vehicle (HV) Battery Pack and Auxiliary Battery .................................................................... 7
High Voltage Safety............................................................................................................................... 9
SRS Airbags and Seat Belt Pretensioners........................................................................................... 10
Emergency Response ........................................................................................................................... 11
Extrication .................................................................................................................................... 11
Fire ................................................................................................................................................ 14
Overhaul ....................................................................................................................................... 15
Recovery/Recycling of the NiMH HV Battery Pack .................................................................... 16
Spills ............................................................................................................................................. 16
First Aid......................................................................................................................................... 17
Submersion.................................................................................................................................. 17
Roadside Assistance ............................................................................................................................. 18
Product Safety Data Sheet.................................................................................................................... 20

ABOUT THE RX400h
The RX400h sedan is the first 4WD petrol-electric
hybrid vehicle for Lexus in Australia. Hybrid
Synergy Drive means that the vehicle contains a
petrol engine and an electric motor for power.Two
energy sources are stored on board the vehicle:
1. Petrol stored in the fuel tank for the
petrol engine.
2. Electricity stored in a high voltage Hybrid
Vehicle (HV) battery pack for the electric motor.
The result of combining these two power sources is
improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.
The petrol engine also powers an electric generator
to recharge the battery pack; unlike a pure all
electric vehicle, the RX400h 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
RX400h operates in various driving modes.
❶During light acceleration at low speeds, the
vehicle is powered by the electric motor.
The petrol engine is shut off.
❷During normal driving, the vehicle is powered
mainly by the petrol engine. The petrol engine
also powers the generator to recharge the
battery pack.
❸During full acceleration, such as climbing a hill,
both the petrol engine and the electric motor
power the vehicle.
❹During deceleration, such as when braking, the
vehicle regenerates the kinetic energy from the
rear wheels to produce electricity that recharges
the battery pack.
❺While the vehicle is stopped, the petrol engine
and electric motor are off, however the vehicle
remains on and operational.
– 1 –

In appearance, the 2006 RX400h is nearly identical
to the conventional, non-hybrid Lexus RX 330/350.
The RX400h is a 5-door Luxury Utility Vehicle.
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, driver door post, and under the
front passenger seat.
Example VIN: JT
JHW31U850011201 (4WD)
An RX400h is identified by the first 6 alphanumeric
characters; JTJHW3 (4WD).
Exterior
logos on the
rear hatchback
door.
Petrol fuel filler door located on the passenger
side rear quarter panel.
RX400h IDENTIFICATION
– 2 –
Exterior Front View
Exterior Rear View
Exterior Driver Side View
Exterior Rear and Passenger Side View
VIN Plate Locations
❶
❷
Left Hand Side
Windshield Driver Door Post
Under Front Passenger Seat
❶
❷

Logos on Cover
Instrument Cluster View
RX400h IDENTIFICATION
Interior
❸The 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 RX330/350.
❹In place of a tachometer, a power meter
showing kW output is used.
NOTE:
If the vehicle is shut off, the instrument cluster
gauges will be "blacked out," not illuminated.
Engine Compartment
❺3.3- litre V6 aluminum alloy petrol engine.
❻High voltage inverter/converter assembly with
logos on the cover.
– 3 –
Interior View
Engine Compartment View
❻
❺
❹
❸

HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE COMPONENT
LOCATIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS
COMPONENT LOCATION DESCRIPTION
12-Volt
❶
Engine A lead-acid battery
Auxiliary Battery Compartment powera all low voltage
electrical equipment.
Hybrid
❷
Cabin Area, 288-Volt Nickel Metal
Vehicle (HV) Mounted to Hydride (NiMH) battery
Battery Pack Cross Member pack consisting of 30
and behind Rear low voltage (9.6-Volt)
Seat modules connected
in series.
Power
❸
Under Carriage Orange coloured power
Cables and Engine supply cables carry high-
Compartment voltage Direct Current
(DC) between the HV
battery pack,
inverter/converter, and
A/C compressor. These
cables also carry 3-phase
Alternating Current (AC)
between the inverter/
converter, motor, and
generator.
Inverter/ Engine Boosts and inverts the
Converter
❹
Compartment high voltage electricity
from the HV battery pack
to 3-phase AC electricity
that drives the electric
motor. The inverter/
converter also converts
AC electricity from the
electric generator and
electric motor
(regenerative braking) to
DC that recharges the HV
battery pack.
Petrol
❺
Engine Provides two functions:
Engine Compartment 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
❻
Engine 3-phase high voltage
Electric Compartment AC permanent magnet
Motor electric motor contained
in the front transaxle.
Used to power the
front wheels.
Electric
❼
Engine 3-phase high voltage
Generator Compartment AC generator contained
in the front transaxle.
Used to recharge the
HV battery pack.
– 4 –
Hybrid Synergy Drive Components
❶
❷
❸
❹
❺
❻❼
Components (Top View) and High Voltage
Power Cables
❶
❺
❹
❷
❸
❽
➒

HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE COMPONENT
LOCATIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS
Key Specifications
Petrol Engine: (155 kW), 3.3- litre V6
Aluminum Alloy Engine
Electric Motors: Front -
(123kW), Permanent Magnet Motor
Rear -
(50kW), Permanent Magnet Motor
Transmission: Automatic Only
HV Battery: 288-Volt Sealed NiMH Battery
Curb Weight: 1,981 kg
FuelTank: 65 litres
Frame Material: Steel Unibody
Body Material: Steel Panels
– 5 –
FuelTank and Fuel Line Components
Rear Electric Motor
Steel Unibody
COMPONENT LOCATION DESCRIPTION
A/C
❽
Engine 3-phase high voltage
Compressor Compartment AC electrically driven
motor compressor.
EPS DC-DC
➒
Underneath the Converts 288-Volts from
Converter cargo area by the the HV battery pack to
spare tyre 42-Volt. Yellow-coloured
cables conduct the
42-Volt power under-
neath the vehicle floor
pan to the power
steering rack via the
EPS ECU, located in the
engine compartment.
FuelTank
❿
Undercarriage, The fuel tank provides
and Fuel Driver Side petrol via a single fuel
Lines line to the engine. The
fuel line is routed along
the passenger side
under the floor pan.
Rear Electric Rear Sub-Frame 3-phase high voltage
Motor AC permanent magnet
electric motor contained
in the rear transaxle
used to power the
rear wheels.
❿

HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE OPERATION
Once the READY indicator is illuminated in the
instrument cluster, the vehicle may be driven.
However, the petrol engine does not idle like a
typical vehicle and will start and stop automatically.
It is important to recognise and understand the
READY indicator provided in the instrument
cluster. When lit, it informs the driver that the
vehicle is on and operational even though the
petrol engine may be off and the engine
compartment is silent.
Vehicle Operation
•With the RX400h, the petrol engine may stop
and start at any time while the READY indicator
is on.
•Never assume that the vehicle is shut off just
because the engine is off. Always look for the
READY indicator status. The vehicle is shut off
when the READY indicator is off.
•The vehicle may be powered by:
1. The electric motor only.
2. The petrol engine only.
3. A combination of both the electric motor
and the petrol engine.
•The vehicle computer determines the mode in
which the vehicle operates to improve fuel
economy and reduce emissions.The driver
cannot manually select the mode.
– 6 –
Instrument cluster READY Indicator

HYBRID VEHICLE (HV) BATTERY PACK
AND AUXILIARY BATTERY
The RX400h contains a next generation high
voltage, Hybrid Vehicle (HV) battery pack and a low
voltage auxiliary battery.The HV battery pack
contains non-spillable, sealed Nickel Metal Hydride
(NiMH) battery modules and the auxiliary battery is
a typical automotive lead-acid type.
HV Battery Pack
•The HV battery pack is enclosed in a metal case
and is rigidly mounted to the cabin area floor
pan cross member under the rear seat.The
metal case is isolated from high voltage and
concealed by a cover in the cabin area.
•The HV battery pack consists of 30 low voltage
(9.6-Volt) NiMH battery modules connected in
series to produce approximately 288-Volts. Each
NiMH battery module is non-spillable and
sealed in a metal case.
•The electrolyte used in the NiMH battery
module is an alkaline of potassium and sodium
hydroxide.The electrolyte is absorbed into the
battery cell plates and will form a gel that will
not normally leak, even in a collision.
•In the unlikely event the battery pack is
overcharged, the modules vent gases directly
outside the vehicle through a vent hose.
Components Powered by the HV Battery Pack
•Front Electric Motor •Rear Electric Motor
•Inverter/Converter •A/C Compressor
•Electric Generator •Power Cables
•Electric Power Steering
– 7 –
HV BATTERY PACK
Battery pack voltage 288-Volts
Number of NiMH battery
modules in the pack 30
NiMH battery module voltage 9.6-Volts
NiMH battery
pack dimensions 63x108x18cm
NiMH Battery pack weight 69kg
288-Volt HV Battery Pack
HV Battery Pack Mounted in
Cabin Area

HYBRID VEHICLE (HV) BATTERY PACK
AND AUXILIARY BATTERY
– 8 –
HV Battery Pack Recycling
•The HV battery pack is recyclable. Contact the
nearest Lexus dealer or Lexus Australia.
The Auxiliary Battery
•The RX400h also contains a lead-acid 12-Volt
battery. The 12-Volt auxiliary battery powers
the vehicle electrical system similar to a
conventional vehicle. As with conventional
vehicles, the auxiliary battery is grounded
(negative pole) to the metal chassis of
the vehicle.
•The auxiliary battery is located in the engine
compartment area.
12-Volt Auxiliary Battery in
Engine Compartment

HIGH VOLTAGE SAFETY
– 9 –
High Voltage Safety System – Vehicle Shut
Off (READY-OFF)
High Voltage Safety System – Vehicle On
and Operational (READY-ON)
HV Battery and DC-DC Converter Cable Routing
Note: Positive and negative power cables
shown bundled as a single line
❶
❷
❸❸
❹
The HV battery pack powers the high voltage
electrical system with DC electricity. Positive and
negative high voltage power cables are routed
from the battery pack, under the vehicle floor pan,
to the inverter/converter.The inverter/converter
contains a circuit that boosts the HV battery voltage
from 288 to 650-Volts DC.The inverter creates
3-phase AC to power the motors. A set of 3 power
cables is routed from the inverter to each high
voltage motor (electric motor, electric generator,
A/C compressor, and 4WD rear motor). Occupants
in the vehicle and emergency responders are
separated from high voltage electricity by the
following system:
High Voltage Safety System
•A high voltage fuse ❶provides short circuit
protection in the HV battery pack.
•Positive and negative high voltage power cables
❷connected to the HV battery pack are
controlled by 12-Volt normally open relays ❸.
When the vehicle is shut off, the relays stop
electricity flow from the HV battery pack.
•Both positive and negative power cables ❷are
isolated from the metal chassis, so there is
no possibility of shock by touching the
metal chassis.
•A ground fault monitor ❹continuously
monitors for high voltage leakage to the metal
chassis while the vehicle is running. If a
malfunction is detected, the vehicle computer ❹
will illuminate the master warning light
in the instrument cluster and indicate
“CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM” on the
Multi-information Display.
•The HV battery pack relays will automatically
open to stop electricity flow in a collision
sufficient to activate the SRS or rear
collision sensors.
The HV battery pack also powers a 288-Volt DC to
42-Volt DC converter for the assist motor in the
electric power steering (EPS).This DC-DC converter
is located under the cargo area ❶. Both positive
and negative 42-Volt cables ❷are contained within
plastic yellow sheathing and are isolated from the
metal vehicle chassis.
NOTE:
42-Volt DC has a higher arc potential than 12-Volt DC.
WARNING:
• Power remains in the high voltage
electrical system for 5 minutes after the
HV battery pack is shut off.
•Never touch, cut, or open any orange
high voltage power cable or high voltage
component.
• Failure to follow these warnings can
cause severe burns and electric shock
that may result in death or serious injury.
❷
❶

SRS AIRBAGS & SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS
– 10 –
Standard Equipment
•Electronic frontal impact sensors (2) are
mounted in the engine compartment ❶.
•Front seat belt pretensioners are mounted near
the base of the B-pillar ❷.
•Frontal dual stage airbag for the driver ❸is
mounted in the steering wheel hub.
•Frontal dual stage airbag for the front passenger
❹is integrated into the dashboard and deploys
through the top of the dashboard.
•SRS computer ❺is mounted on the floor pan
underneath the centre console. It also contains
an impact sensor.
•Front electronic side impact sensors (2) are
mounted near the base of the B-pillars ❻.
•Rear electronic side impact sensors (2) are
mounted near the base of the C-pillars ❼.
•Front seat side impact airbags ❽are mounted
in the front seats.
•Side curtain airbags ➒are mounted along the
outer edge inside the roof rails.
•Driver knee airbag ❿is mounted on the lower
portion of the dash.
WARNING:
• The SRS computer is equipped with a backup
source that powers the SRS airbags up to
90 seconds after disabling the vehicle.
• The front seat side airbags and the side curtain
airbags may deploy independently of each other.
• The driver knee airbag deploys simultaneously with
the driver frontal airbag and seat belt pretensioner.
• Failure to follow these warnings may result in death
or serious injury from the sudden deployment of
the SRS.
Frontal, Front Seat Side, Side Curtain,
and Driver Knee Airbags.
Front Seat Side, Side Curtain, and Driver
Knee Airbag Identifiers
Side Curtain Airbag Inflator in Roof Rail
Standard Frontal Airbags and Seat
Belt Pretensioners
Front Seat, Side Curtain,
and Knee Airbags Knee Airbag and Inflator
SRS
Curtain
Airbag
SRS
Curtain
Airbag
SRS
Knee
Airbag
SRS
Side
Airbag
❶
❿
❷
❸
❹
❺
❻
❼
❽
➒
➒❽

EMERGENCY RESPONSE
– 11 –
On arrival, emergency responders should follow
their standard operating procedures for vehicle
incidents. Emergencies involving the RX400h may
be handled like other automobiles except as noted
in these guidelines for Extrication, Fire, Overhaul,
Recovery, Spills, First Aid, and Submersion.
Extrication
•Immobilise Vehicle
Chock wheels and set the parking brake.
Move the shift lever to the P(Park) position.
•Disable Vehicle
Performing either of the following two
procedures will shut the vehicle off and
disable the HV battery pack, SRS, and
petrol fuel pump.
Procedure #1
1. Turn the ignition key off.
2. Remove the key and place on dash. If the
key cannot be removed, disconnect the
12-Volt auxiliary battery in the engine
compartment.
NOTE:
Before removing the key or disconnecting
the 12-Volt auxiliary battery, reposition
power seats and tilt/telescoping steering
wheel, lower windows, open door locks and
fuel door as required. Once the 12-Volt
auxiliary battery is disconnected power
controls will not operate.
WARNING:
•Never assume the RX400h is shut off simply
because it is silent.
• Always observe the instrument cluster for the
READY indicator status to verify whether the
vehicle is on or shut off.
• Failure to shut off the vehicle before emergency
response procedures are performed may result
in serious injury or death from the unintentional
deployment of the SRS or severe burns
and electric shock from the high voltage
electrical system.
Chock Wheels
Set Parking Brake
Turn Ignition Key Off
Shift Lever in Park

EMERGENCY RESPONSE
– 12 –
Extrication (Continued)
Procedure #2 (Alternate if ignition
key is inaccessible)
1. Disconnect the 12-Volt auxiliary battery in
the engine compartment.
2. Remove the engine compartment covers.
3. Remove the fuse box cover.
4. Remove the IGCT No. 4 fuse (10A Red
coloured) in the engine compartment
junction block as illustrated. When in
doubt, pull all four fuses in the fuse block.
Stabilise Vehicle
Chock/stabilise at (4) points directly under
the front and rear pillars.
Do not place blocks under the high voltage
power cables, exhaust system, or fuel
system.
Access Patients
Glass Removal
Use normal glass removal procedures
as required.
SRS Awareness
Responders need to be cautious when
working in close proximity to undeployed
airbags and seat belt pretensioners.
Deployed front dual stage airbags
automatically ignite both stages within a
fraction of a second.
WARNING:
• After disabling the vehicle, power is maintained
for 90 seconds in the SRS system and 5 minutes
in the high voltage electrical system.
• If either of the disabling procedures above cannot
be performed, proceed with caution as there is no
assurance that the high voltage electrical system,
SRS, or fuel pump are disabled.
•Never touch, cut, or open any orange high
voltage power cable or high voltage component.
• Failure to follow these warnings may result in
death or serious injury from the sudden
deployment of the SRS or severe burns
and electric shock from the high voltage
electrical system.
Remote Hood
Release
Chocking Points
Hood Latch
Release
Remove Engine
Compartment Covers
12-Volt Auxiliary
Battery
IGCT No. 4
Fuse Location
Fuse Box Location
Fuse Box
Chocking Points
IGCT No. 4
Fuse Box

EMERGENCY RESPONSE
– 13 –
Extrication (Continued)
Door Removal/Displacement
Doors can be removed by conventional
rescue tools such as hand, electric, and
hydraulic. In certain situations, it may be
easier to pry back the body to expose and
unbolt the hinges.
Roof Removal
The vehicle contains side curtain airbags.
If undeployed, it is not recommended to
remove or to displace the roof.The side
curtain airbags may be identified as
illustrated.
Dash Displacement
The vehicle contains side curtain airbags.
Do not remove or displace the roof during a
dash displacement to avoid cutting into
undeployed airbags or inflators. As an
alternative, dash displacement may be
performed by using a Modified Dash Roll.
Rescue Lift Air Bags
Responders should not place chocks or
rescue lift airbags under the high voltage
power cables, exhaust system, or fuel
system.
Repositioning Steering Wheel and Seat
Power tilt/telescopic steering wheel and seat
controls are shown in the illustrations.
Underbody View
Front Seat Side, Side Curtain, and
Driver Knee Airbag Identifiers.
Chocking Points
SRS Curtain
Airbag
SRS Curtain
Airbag
SRS Side
Airbag
SRS Knee
Airbag
Power Front Seat Controls PowerTilt andTelescoping Controls

EMERGENCY RESPONSE
– 14 –
Fire
Approach and extinguish a fire using proper vehicle fire
fighting practices.
•Extinguishing Agent
Water has been proven to be a suitable extinguishing agent.
•Initial Fire Attack
Perform a fast, aggressive fire attack.
Divert the runoff from entering watershed areas.
Attack teams may not be able to identify a RX400h until the
fire has been knocked down and overhaul operations
have commenced.
•Fire in the HV Battery Pack
Should a fire occur in the NiMH HV battery pack, attack crews
should utilise a water stream or fog pattern to extinguish
any fire within the luggage compartment except for the
HV battery pack.
When allowed to burn themselves out, the RX400h NiMH battery
modules burn rapidly and can quickly be reduced to ashes except
for the metal.
Offensive Fire Attack
Normally flooding the NiMH HV battery pack with copious
amounts of water at a safe distance will effectively control the HV
battery pack fire by cooling the adjacent NiMH battery modules
to a point below their ignition temperature.The remaining
modules on fire, if not extinguished by the water, will burn
themselves out.
However, flooding the RX400h HV battery pack is not
recommended due to battery design and forward location
preventing the responder from properly applying water through
the available vent openings safely. It is recommended that the
incident commander allow the RX400h HV battery pack to burn
itself out.
WARNING:
• Potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide are key ingredients in the
NiMH battery module electrolyte.
• The modules are contained within a metal case and access is limited to
duct openings under the rear seat.
• The HV battery cover should never be breached or removed under any
circumstances including fire.
• Failure to follow these warnings can cause severe burns and electric shock
that may result in death or serious injury.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Defensive Fire Attack
If the decision has been made to fight the fire using a defensive
attack, the fire attack crew should pull back a safe distance and
allow the NiMH battery modules to burn themselves out. During
this defensive operation, fire crews may utilise a water stream or
fog pattern to protect exposures or to control the path of smoke.
Overhaul
During overhaul, immobilise and disable the vehicle if not already
done. See illustrations on page 11.
•Immobilise Vehicle
Chock wheels and set the parking brake.
Move the shift lever to the P(Park) position.
•Disable Vehicle
Performing any one of the following two procedures will shut
the vehicle off and disable the HV battery pack, SRS, and petrol
fuel pump.
Procedure #1
Turn the ignition key off.
1. Remove the key and place on dash.
2. If the key cannot be removed, disconnect the 12-Volt
auxiliary battery in the engine compartment.
Procedure #2 (alternate if ignition key is inaccessible)
1. Disconnect the 12-Volt auxiliary battery in the engine
compartment.
2. Remove engine compartment covers.
3. Remove the fuse box cover.
4. Remove the IGCT No. 4 Fuse (10A Red coloured) in the
engine compartment junction block. When in doubt, pull all
four fuses in the fuse block.
– 15 –
WARNING:
• After disabling the vehicle, power is maintained for 90 seconds in the SRS
system and 5 minutes in the high voltage electrical system.
• If either of the disabling steps above cannot be performed, proceed with
caution as there is no assurance that the high voltage electrical system,
SRS, or fuel pump are disabled.
•Never touch, cut, or open any orange high voltage power cable or high
voltage component.
• Failure to follow these warnings may result in death or serious injury from
the sudden deployment of the SRS or severe burns and electric shock
from the high voltage electrical system.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Recovery/Recycling of NiMH HV
Battery Pack
Clean up of the HV battery pack can be accomplished by the vehicle
recovery crew without further concern of runoff or spillage.
For information regarding recycling of the HV battery pack, contact the
nearest Lexus dealer or Lexus Australia.
Spills
The RX400h contains the same common automotive fluids used in
other non-hybrid Lexus vehicles, with the exception of NiMH
electrolyte used in the HV battery pack.The NiMH battery electrolyte is
a caustic alkaline (pH 13.5) that is damaging to human tissues.
The electrolyte, however, is absorbed in the cell plates and will not
normally spill or leak out even if a battery module is cracked.
A catastrophic crash that would breach both the metal battery pack
case and the plastic battery module would be a rare occurrence.
Similar to the use of baking soda to neutralise a lead-acid battery
electrolyte spill, a dilute boric acid solution or vinegar can be used to
neutralise a NiMH battery electrolyte spill.
In an emergency, check the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
on page 20.
•Handle NiMH electrolyte spills using the following
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
Splash shield or safety goggles. Fold down helmet shields are
not acceptable for acid or electrolyte spills.
Rubber, latex or nitrile gloves.
Apron suitable for alkaline.
Rubber boots.
•Neutralise NiMH Electrolyte
Use a boric acid solution or vinegar.
Boric acid solution - 800 grams boric acid to 20 litres water.
– 16 –

– 17 –
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
First Aid
Emergency responders may not be familiar with a NiMH electrolyte
exposure when rendering aid to a patient. Exposure to the electrolyte
is unlikely except in a catastrophic crash or through improper
handling. Utilise the following guidelines in the event of exposure.
•Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Splash shield or safety goggles. Fold down helmet shields are
not acceptable for acid or electrolyte spills.
Rubber, latex or nitrile gloves.
Apron suitable for alkaline.
Rubber boots.
•Absorption
Perform gross decontamination by removing affected clothing
and properly disposing of the garments.
Rinse the affected areas with water for 20 minutes.
Transport patients to the nearest emergency medical care facility.
•Inhalation in Non-Fire Situations
No toxic gases are emitted under normal conditions.
•Inhalation in Fire Situations
Toxic gases are given off as by-products of combustion.
All responders in the Hot Zone should wear the proper PPE for
fire fighting including SCBA.
Move a patient from the hazardous environment to a safe area
and administer oxygen.
Transport patients to the nearest emergency medical care facility.
•Ingestion
Do not induce vomiting.
Allow a patient to drink large quantities of water to dilute
electrolyte (Never give water to an unconscious person).
If vomiting occurs spontaneously, keep the patient’s head
lowered and forward to reduce the risk of asphyxiation.
Transport patients to the nearest emergency medical care facility.
Submersion
When fully or partially submersed a RX400h can be safely handled by
following these recommendations:
•Remove the vehicle from the water.
•Drain the water from the vehicle if possible.
•Follow the immobilising and disabling procedures on page 11.
WARNING:
The NIMH battery electrolyte is a caustic alkaline (pH 13.5) that is damaging
to human tissues. Wear proper personal protective equipment to avoid
coming into contact with the electrolyte.