2008 LEXUS RX400H trailer

189
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX400h_U■
Tow hitch receiver
A tow hitch receiver installed
under the rear bumper is rated for
weight that does not exceed the
vehicle's total towing weight.
Selecting trailer ball
Use the correct trailer ball for your application. Trailer ball load rating
Matches or exceeds the gross
trailer weight rating of the trailer.
Ball diameter
Matches the size of the trailer cou-
pler. Most couplers are stamped
with the required trailer ball size.
Shank length
Protrudes beyond the bottom of
the lock washer and nut at least 2
threads.
Shank diameter
Matches the ball mount hole diam-
eter size.

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2-5. Driving information
RX400h_U
Connecting trailer lightsWith tow hitch receiver
Use the socket located under the rear bumper.
Without tow hitch receiver
Use the wire harness stored in the rear end under body.
■Front Emblem
■Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
●The vehicle's tires are properly inflated. ( →P. 3 4 0 )
●Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer's recommendation.
●All trailer lights work
●All lights work each time you connect them.
●The trailer ball is set up at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.
●The vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is hitched. Do not
drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper tongue load, overloading,
worn suspension, or other possible causes.
●The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
●The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or local
regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for towing pur-
poses.
With towing package
Without towing package
On vehicles with a towing package, the
front emblem has openings, which are
designed to improve the cooling perfor-
mance.

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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX400h_U
■Break-in schedule
Lexus recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new
power train components (engine, transmission, differential, wheel bearings, etc.) to
tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of driving.
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. (See “Warranty and Services Guide/ Owner's Manual Sup-
plement/ Scheduled Maintenance”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately 600
miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
CAUTION
■To avoid accident or injury
●The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus the weight of cargo) must not exceed
the following.
Without towing package: 2000 lb. (907 kg)
With towing package: 3500 lb. (1588 kg)
●If a trailer and cargo weigh over 2000 lb. (907 kg), use a sway control device
with sufficient capacity.
●The gross combined weight (sum of your vehicle weight plus its load and the total
trailer weight) must not exceed the following.
Without towing package: 7265 lb. (3295 kg)
With towing package: 8765 lb. (3976 kg)
●Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
●Never load more weight in the back than in the front of the trailer. About 60% of
the load should be in the front half of the trailer, and the remaining 40% in the
rear.
●The tow hitch receiver installed on your vehicle must never be used on another
vehicle.

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2-5. Driving information
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■Hitches
●If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Lexus dealer.
●Use only a hitch that conforms to the total trailer weight requirement.
●Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
●Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
●Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer. After removing
the hitch, seal any mounting hole in the vehicle body to prevent entry of any sub-
stances into the vehicle.
■When towing a trailer
●If the total trailer weight exceeds 1000 lb. (450 kg), trailer brakes are required.
●Never tap into your vehicle's hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehicle's
braking effectiveness.
●Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both the
trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, there is
danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.
NOTICE
■When installing a trailer hitch
●Use only the position recommended by your Lexus dealer. Do not install the
trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.
●Do not use axle-mounted hitches, as they can cause damage to the axle housing,
wheel bearings, wheels or tires.
■Brakes
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all applicable federal and
state/provincial regulations.

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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
RX400h_U
Trailer towing tipsYour vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. The 3 main
causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed and
improper trailer loading. Keep the following in mind when towing.
● Before starting out, check the trailer lights and the vehicle-trailer con-
nections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and rever sing with the trailer attached in an
area away from traffic until you become accustomed to the feel of the
vehicle.
● Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice. Grip
the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the left to
move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to move the
trailer to right. (This is generally opposite to reversing without a trailer
attached.) Avoid sharp or prolon ged turning. Have someone guide
you when reversing to reduce the risk of an accident.
● As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of
speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
NOTICE
■Safety chain
A safety chain must always be used between the towing vehicle and the trailer.
Leave sufficient slack in the chain for turns. The chain should cross under the trailer
tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground in the case that it
becomes damaged or separated. For the correct safety chain installation proce-
dure, ask your Lexus dealer.
■Do not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing trailer lights may damage your vehicle's electrical system and
cause a malfunction.

194
2-5. Driving information
RX400h_U●
Avoid sudden braking as you may sk id, resulting in jackknifing and loss
of control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.
● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before making
turns.
● Note that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than the
vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making a
larger than normal turning radius.
● Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling of your
vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Periodically check the rear to prepare
for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may cause your vehi-
cle and trailer to sway. If swaying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel,
reduce speed immediately but gradually, and steer straight ahead.
Never increase speed. If you make no extreme correction with the
steering or brakes, your vehicle and trailer will stabilize.
● Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires considerable
distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your
trailer, and be sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's hybrid system may
overheat on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when driv-
ing up a long or steep grade. If the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in use),
pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. ( →P. 4 2 4 )

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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX400h_U●
Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and the trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do so
only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and
trailer wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in place, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the hybrid system.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in the P position, start the hybrid system. Be
sure to keep the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into D or the R position (if reversing).
Release the parking brake and brake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
CAUTION
■To avoid an accident
●Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) or the posted towing speed limit, whichever is
lower. As instability (swaying) of the towing vehicle-trailer combination increases
as speed increases, exceeding 45 mph (72 km/h) may cause loss of control.
●Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill grades. Do
not make sudden downshifts.
●Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes too fre-
quently.
This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking efficiency.
STEP1
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STEP5
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX400h_U■
Engine compartment (type B)
FuseAmpereCircuit
11HEATER50Air conditioning system, “WATER
PUMP” fuse
12IG130“SEAT HTR” fuse
13H-LP CLN30Headlight cleaner
14RR DEF40Rear window defogger
15RDI FAN No.140Electric cooling fan
16DC/DC120Hybrid system
17DRL7. 5Daytime running light system
18H-LP L LWR15Left-hand headlight (low beam)
19H-LP L UPR15Left-hand headlight
20H-LP R UPR15Right-hand headlight (high beam)
21PER OUTLET
NO.220Po w e r o u t l e t ( 1 1 5 VAC )
22TOW I N G30Trailer lights
23PBD30Power back door