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How to activate Maintenance Mode

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Old Feb 26, 2018 | 06:19 AM
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Default How to activate Maintenance Mode

Does anyone know how to activate Maintenance Mode on the RX450h?

I would like to do a coolant change but need to get the engine to stay running in order for the coolant to get to operating temperature so that its possible to bleed the cooling system.

I am guessing the procedure might be something similar to this:
http://carspecmn.com/putting-your-to...-stay-running/

Last edited by tempestv8; Feb 26, 2018 at 06:37 AM.
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Old Feb 26, 2018 | 06:35 AM
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OK, I've worked it out on the MY13. Firstly, ensure vehicle is switched off and on level ground, otherwise engage Park Brake to avoid unexpected vehicle movement due to Step #4 below.

To activate maintenance mode (Without using Toyota's Intelligent Tester computer):

1. With foot off the brake pedal, tap the power switch twice to put it into Ignition On mode. (If you see a green READY light come on, you've actually done it with your foot depressing the brake pedal)
2. Leave the shifter in the P position, and then fully depress and release the accelerator pedal fully twice.
3. Move the shift lever to the N position (need to press the shift lock button to allow the lever to shift out of P), and then fully depress and release the accelerator pedal fully twice.
4. Move the shift lever back to the P position, and then fully depress and release the accelerator pedal fully twice. At this point the display will say something like "FWD Maintenance Mode"
5. Then depress the brake pedal and press the power button to start the engine.

Do all of this inside 60 seconds.

Important: Do not drive vehicle when in maintenance mode.

Hope this helps!

Last edited by tempestv8; Mar 1, 2018 at 12:16 AM. Reason: Clarified procedure and added safety message
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Old Feb 27, 2018 | 08:08 PM
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Don’t forget to keep a half-empty Starbucks Latté in the frontmost cupholder, and wear white socks.

Really?!?

I had to look to see if this post was made on April 1st.

How in the heck did you figure this out?!?

Wuh

(Nice work - if this is legit)
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Old Feb 27, 2018 | 10:11 PM
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Try it and see if it works for you vehicle....

This is legit because the coolant replacement procedure requires the engine to be running ALL the time, not whenever it feels like the hybrid battery is sufficiently charged, and turns itself off to save fuel.
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Old May 26, 2019 | 06:36 PM
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Does anyone knows how to deactive maintenance mode after work done? Thank you
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Old May 27, 2019 | 06:18 AM
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From memory, just turn off the engine by pressing the start-stop button. The next time you start the vehicle, it will be back to the "normal" mode.



Hope this helps!
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Old May 27, 2019 | 05:37 PM
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Originally Posted by tempestv8
From memory, just turn off the engine by pressing the start-stop button. The next time you start the vehicle, it will be back to the "normal" mode.



Hope this helps!
Thank you very much
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Old Jan 29, 2020 | 02:05 PM
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Why should you not drive in maintenance mode?
I was trying to turn maintenance mode off and couldn't see a way so I figured out you just shut the vehicle off.
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Old Jan 30, 2020 | 03:46 PM
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Apparently it can cause damage, driving the vehicle in maintenance mode. I wasn't game to test out this statement from Lexus.
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Old Aug 11, 2022 | 05:07 PM
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I never got around to doing the coolant change 4 and a half years ago, so today was the day to do it.
I've cut and paste the steps from that site here and reworded it slightly to suit our model, just in case the URL is no longer working in the future.
  • Turn the vehicle to accessory mode, Ready-off by pressing the start button twice with your foot off the brake pedal. The display will not show Ready but will otherwise be lit, the car in park.
  • Depress the accelerator two times fully.
  • Put the vehicle in neutral.
  • Depress the accelerator two times fully.
  • Put the vehicle back into park.
  • Depress the accelerator two times fully.
You’ll know you’ve done it correctly when "fwd maintenance mode" appears on the display.

How to activate Maintenance Mode-erz7ve0m.jpg

Maintenance Mode Indicated

After you see the confirmation warming or message, depress the brake pedal and start the RX450h (Ready-on). The engine will immediately start to idle and will do so until you turn off the car. Be careful with maintenance mode: traction control and many other self-preservation systems are disabled when the car is in maintenance mode. Driving while it is in this mode can result in complete inverter failure.

Last edited by tempestv8; Nov 7, 2022 at 10:19 PM. Reason: Added image
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Old Mar 27, 2025 | 08:16 PM
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Just want to split hair and add the insertions in purple below
(your 2018 post was off where you added "need to press the shift lock button to allow the lever to shift")

Originally Posted by tempestv8
  • Turn the vehicle to accessory mode, Ready-off by pressing the start button twice with your foot off the brake pedal. The display will not show Ready but will otherwise be lit, the car in park.
  • Depress the accelerator two times fully.
  • Foot on Brake - Put the vehicle in neutral.
  • Depress the accelerator two times fully.
  • Foot on Brake - Put the vehicle back into park.
  • Depress the accelerator two times fully.
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Old Nov 11, 2025 | 01:46 AM
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Works
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