2011 LEXUS RX350 towing

268
2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
nHitches
lIf you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Lexus dealer.
lUse only a hitch that conforms to the gross trailer weight requirement.
lFollow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
lLubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
lRemove 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.
nWhen towing a trailer
lIf the gross trailer weight exceeds 1000 lb. (450 kg), trailer brakes are required.
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all applicable federal and
state/provincial regulations.
lNever tap into your vehicle's hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehicle's
braking effectiveness.
lNever 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.

269
2-5. Driving information
2

When driving
NOTICE
nWhen installing a trailer hitch
lUse only the position recommended by your Lexus dealer. Do not install the
trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.
lDo not use axle-mounted hitches, as they can cause damage to the axle housing,
wheel bearings, wheels or tires.
nSafety 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.
nDo not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing trailer lights may damage your vehicle's electrical system and
cause a malfunction.

270
2-5. Driving information
Dinghy towing
NOTICE
nTo avoid serious damage to your vehicle
nTo prevent causing serious damage to the transmission and Active Torque Con-
trol 4WD system (AWD models)
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the
ground) behind a motor home.
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on
the ground.
2WD models: Never tow this vehicle from
the rear with the front wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious damage to the trans-
mission.
AW D m o d e l s : N e v e r t ow this vehicle with
any of the wheels on the ground. This may
cause serious damage to the transmission
and Active Torque Control 4WD system.

402
3-6. Using the storage features
Cup holders
Front (type A)
Press down and release the right
side of the cup holder lid.
Front (type B)
Press in and release the cup
holder.
NOTICE
nWhen stowing a bottle
Put the cap on before stowing the bottle. Do not place open bottles in the bottle
holders. The contents may spill.
Bottle holders/door pockets and cup holders

440
3-7. Other interior features
nStolen Vehicle Location
If your vehicle is stolen, Safety Connect can work with local authorities
to assist them in locating and recovering the vehicle. After filing a
police report, call the Safety Connect response center at 1-800-25-
LEXUS (1-800-255-3987) and follow the prompts for Safety Con-
nect to initiate this service.
In addition to assisting law enforcement with recovery of a stolen vehi-
cle, Safety-Connect-equipped vehicle location data may, under cer-
tain circumstances, be shared with third parties to locate your vehicle.
Further information is available at Lexus.com.
nEmergency Assistance Button (“SOS”)
In the event of an emergency on the road, push the “SOS” button to
reach the Safety Connect response center. The answering agent will
determine your vehicle’s location, assess the emergency, and dispatch
the necessary assistance required.
If you accidentally press the “SOS” button, tell the response-center agent
that you are not experiencing an emergency.
nRoadside Assistance
Subscribers can press the “SOS” button to reach a Safety Connect
response-center agent, who can help with a wide range of needs, such
as: towing, flat tire, fuel delivery, etc. For a description of the Roadside
Assistance services and their limitations, please see the Safety Con-
nect Terms and Conditions, which are available at Lexus.com.

507
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4

Maintenance and care
21PA N E L10 A
Switch illumination, navigation system,
headlight cleaner, windshield wiper
de-icer, seat heater, power back door,
audio system, multi-information dis-
play, air conditioning system
22TA I L10 A
Parking lights, side marker lights, tail
lights, license plate lights, front fog
lights, towing converter
23AIR SUS20 A
24P-S E AT R H30 APower seat (right-side)
25OBD7. 5 AOn-Board diagnosis
26FR DOOR25 AFront power window (right-side)
27RR DOOR25 ARear power window (right-side)
28FL DOOR25 AFront power window (left-side)
29RL DOOR25 ARear power window (left-side)
30FR WASH25 AWindshield wipers and washer
31RR WIP15 AWindshield wipers and washer
32RR WASH20 AWindshield wipers and washer
33FR WIP30 AWindshield wipers and washer
34ECU IG210 AStarter system, Intuitive parking assist,
AWD s y s t e m
35GAUGE NO. 27. 5 AStarter system
36RH S-HTR15 ASeat heater (right-side)
37LH S-HTR15 ASeat heater (left-side)
FuseAmpereCircuit

5

When trouble arises
525
5-1. Essential information
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towing
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Lexus dealer before towing.
lThe engine is running, but the vehicle will not move.
lThe vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by your
Lexus dealer or a commercial towing service, using a lift-type truck or a
flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/provincial
and local laws.
2WD models: If towing your vehicle with a wheel-lift type truck from the
front, the vehicle's rear wheels and axles must be in good conditions.
(→P. 527, 530)
If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flatbed truck.
AWD models: If towing your vehicle with a wheel-lift type truck, use a tow-
ing dolly. (→P. 5 2 7 , 5 3 0 )

526
5-1. Essential information
Emergency towing
If a tow truck is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using a cable or
chain secured to the emergency
towing eyelet(s). This should only
be attempted on hard, surfaced
roads for short distances at low
speeds.
A driver must be in the vehicle to
steer and operate the brakes. The
vehicle’s wheels, drive train, axles,
steering and brakes must be in
good condition.
Installing towing eyelets
Remove the eyelet cover using a
flathead screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a
rag between the screwdriver and
the vehicle body, as shown in the
illustration.
Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by hand.
STEP1
STEP2