2008 LEXUS RX400H wheel

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2-5. Driving information
2
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.

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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.
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2-5. Driving information
RX400h_U
Dinghy towing
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with four wheels on the
ground) behind a motor home.

Interior features3
197
RX400h_U
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger ... 198
Automatic air conditioning system............. 198
Rear window and outside rear view mirror defoggers,
and windshield wiper
de-icer ................................... 204
3-2. Using the front audio system ........................... 205
Audio system type................. 205
Using the radio........................ 207
Using the CD player .............. 214
Playing back MP3 and
WMA discs........................... 220
Optimal use of the audio system .................................... 228
Using the steering wheel audio switches ....................... 231
3-3. Using the rear audio system ........................... 233
Rear seat entertainment system features ................... 233
Using the DVD player
(DVD video) .......................... 239
Using the DVD player (video CD) ............................. 246
Using the DVD player (audio CD/ CD text) .......... 248
Using the DVD player
(MP3 discs) ........................... 249
Using the video mode ............ 251 Changing the initial
setting ..................................... 253
3-4. Using the interior lights ............................. 260
Interior lights list .................... 260
• Interior lights ........................ 263
• Personal lights ..................... 264
3-5. Using the storage features ........................ 265
List of storage features......... 265
• Glove box .............................. 265
• Console boxes ..................... 266
• Coin holder........................... 268
• Overhead console.............. 269
• Cup holders .......................... 269
• Door pockets ........................ 271
3-6. Other interior features ........................ 272
Sun visors ................................. 272
Vanity mirror ........................... 273
Clock .......................................... 274
Outside temperature display...................................... 275
Multi-display light control .... 276
Power outlets ........................... 277
Seat heaters ............................ 280
Armrest .................................... 282
Floor mat .................................. 283
Luggage compartment features .................................. 284
Garage door opener ............ 287
Compass .................................. 292

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3
Interior features
RX400h_U
3-2. Using the front audio system
Audio system type
With navigation system
Owners of models equipped with a navigation system should refer to
the “Navigation System Owner's Manual”.
Without navigation system
CD player with changer and AM/FM radio
Ti t l ePa g e
Using the radioP. 2 0 7
Using the CD playerP. 2 1 4
Playing back MP3 and WMA discsP. 220
Optimal use of the audio systemP. 2 2 8
Using the steering wheel audio switchesP. 2 3 1

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3-2. Using the front audio system
3
Interior features
RX400h_U
Using the steering wheel audio switches
Turning on the powerPress when the audio system is turned OFF.
The audio system can be turned off by holding the switch down for a few sec-
onds.
Changing the audio sourcePress when the audio system is turned ON. The audio source
changes as follows each time the switch is pressed.
FM1 →FM2 →CD changer →AM→ SAT1→SAT2 →SAT3
Adjusting the volume
Press + on to increase the volume and - to decrease the volume.
Hold down the switch to continue increasing or decreasing the volume.
Some audio features can be controlled using the switches on the steering
wheel.
Power on, select audio
source
Vo l u m e
Radio: Select radio stations
CD: Select tracks, files (MP3
and WMA) and discs

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3-2. Using the front audio system
RX400h_U
Selecting a radio stationPress to select the radio mode.
Press ∧ or ∨ on the to select a radio station.
To scan for receivable stations, press and hold the switch until you hear
a beep.
Selecting a track/file
Press to select the CD mode.
Press ∧ or ∨ on to select the desired track/file.
Selecting a disc in the CD player
Press to select the CD mode.
Press and hold ∧ or ∨ on until a beep is heard.
CAUTION
■To reduce the risk of an accident
Exercise care when operating the audio switches on the steering wheel.
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