2013 Lexus IS300h tow

1934-1. Before driving
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
When starting off on an uphill
The hill-start assist control will activate. (P. 286)
Driving in the rain
Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the win-
dows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be especially
slippery.
Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain, because
there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road surface, preventing
the steering and brakes from operating properly.
Engine speed while driving
In the following conditions, the engine speed may become high while driving.
This is due to automatic up-shifting control or down-shifting implementation to
meet driving conditions. It does not indicate sudden acceleration.
The vehicle is judged to be driving uphill or downhill
When the accelerator pedal is released
When the brake pedal is depressed while sport mode is selected
Breaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recom-
mended:
For the first 300 km (186 miles):
Avoid sudden stops.
For the first 800 km (500 miles):
Do not tow a trailer.
For the first 1000 km (621 miles):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
Drum-in-disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum-in-disc type parking brake system. This type of brake
system needs bedding-down of the brake shoes periodically or whenever the
parking brake shoes and/or drum are replaced. Have any authorized Lexus dealer
or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional, perform the bed-
ding down operation.
Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel. (P. 564)

2004-1. Before driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
Cargo and luggage
Take notice of the following information about storage precautions,
cargo capacity and load:
CAUTION
Things that must not be carried in the trunk
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the trunk:
Receptacles containing gasoline
Aerosol cans
Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent the pedals from being depressed properly, may
block the driver’s vision, or may result in items hitting the driver or passengers,
possibly causing an accident.
Stow cargo and luggage in the trunk whenever possible.
To prevent cargo and luggage from sliding forward during braking, do not
stack anything in the enlarged trunk. Keep cargo and luggage low, as close to
the floor as possible.
When you fold down the rear seats, long items should not be placed directly
behind the front seats.
Never allow anyone to ride in the enlarged trunk. It is not designed for pas-
sengers. They should ride in their seats with their seat belts properly fastened.
Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• On the package tray
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
• In front of the navigation system screen (if equipped) or Lexus Display
Audio screen (if equipped)
Secure all items in the occupant compartment.
Load and distribution
Do not overload your vehicle.
Do not apply loads unevenly.
Improper loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking control
which may cause death or serious injury.

2014-1. Before driving
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
Weight limits
Check the allowable towing capacity, GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass),
MPAC (Maximum Permissible Axle Capacity), and permissible draw
bar load before towing. (P. 562)
Towing hitch/bracket
Lexus recommends the use of the Lexus hitch/bracket for your vehicle.
Other products of a suitable nature and comparable quality may also be
used.
To prevent an accident
The handling of the vehicle will feel different when towing a trailer.
Beware of the 3 most common causes of towing-related accidents:
driver error, excessive speed, and overloading.
Trailer towing (vehicles with a towing package)
The strain of towing a trailer will have a negative impact on the running
performance, handling, fuel consumption and endurance of your vehicle.
Use the vehicle features in the correct manner and operate the vehicle
with care for safer driving and optimal comfort. Damage and/or malfunc-
tions that occur as a result of towing performed for commercial purposes
are not covered by the Lexus warranty.
Ask your local authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qual-
ified and equipped professional for further details before towing, as there
are additional legal requirements in some countries.

2024-1. Before driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
Total trailer weight and permissible drawbar load
Total trailer weight
Weight of the trailer itself plus the
trailer load should be within the
maximum towing capacity.
Exceeding this weight is danger-
ous. (P. 562)
When the total trailer weight is
greater than the vehicle weight,
we recommend the use of a fric-
tion stabilizer (sway control
device).
Permissible drawbar load
Allocate the trailer load so that the drawbar load is greater than 25 kg (55.1
lb.) or 4% of the towing capacity. Do not let the drawbar load exceed the
indicated weight. (P. 562)
Information tag (manufacturer’s label)
Gross vehicle mass
The combined weight of the driver, passengers, towing hitch, total curb
mass and drawbar load should not exceed the gross vehicle mass by more
than 100 kg (220.5 lb.). Exceeding this weight is dangerous.
Maximum permissible rear axle capacity
The weight borne by the rear axle should not exceed the maximum permis-
sible axle capacity by 15% or more. Exceeding this weight is dangerous.
The values for towing capacity were derived from testing conducted at sea
level. Take note that engine output and towing capacity will be reduced at
high altitudes.
Important points regarding trailer loads
1
2
Ty p e ATy p e B
1
2

2034-1. Before driving
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
CAUTION
When the gross vehicle mass limit or maximum permissible axle capacity is
exceeded
Do not exceed the established speed limit for towing a trailer in built-up areas
or 100 km/h (62 mph), whichever is the lower.

2044-1. Before driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
Installation positions for the towing hitch/bracket and hitch ball
436 mm (17.2 in.)
475 mm (18.7 in.)
476 mm (18.7 in.)
502 mm (19.8 in.)520 mm (20.5 in.)
560 mm (22.0 in.)
622 mm (24.5 in.)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
307 mm (12.1 in.)
318 mm (12.5 in.)
342 mm (13.5 in.)
394 mm (15.5 in.)
704 mm (27.7 in.)
1138 mm (44.8 in.)
58 mm (2.3 in.)53 mm (2.1 in.)
42 mm (1.7 in.)
34 mm (1.3 in.)
6 mm (0.2 in.)
11 mm (0.4 in.)
390 mm (15.4 in.)8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

2054-1. Before driving
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
Tire information
Increase the tire inflation pressure to 20.0 kPa (0.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 3 psi) greater
than the recommended value when towing. (P. 570)
Increase the air pressure of the trailer tires in accordance with the total trailer
weight and according to the values recommended by the manufacturer of your
trailer.
Break-in schedule
Lexus recommends that vehicles fitted with new power train components should
not be used for towing trailers for the first 800 km (500 miles).
Safety checks before towing
Check that the maximum load limit for the towing hitch/bracket hitch ball is not
exceeded. Bear in mind that the coupling weight of the trailer will add to the
load exerted on the vehicle. Also make sure that you will not be towing a load
that exceeds the maximum permissible axle capacity.
Ensure that the trailer load is secure.
Supplementary outside rear view mirrors should be added to the vehicle if the
traffic behind cannot be clearly seen with standard mirrors. Adjust the extend-
ing arms of these mirrors on both sides of the vehicle so that they always pro-
vide maximum visibility of the road behind.
Maintenance
Maintenance must be performed more frequently when using the vehicle for
towing due to the greater weight burden placed on the vehicle compared to nor-
mal driving.
Retighten all bolts securing the hitching ball and bracket after towing for
approximately 1000 km (600 miles).
NOTICE
When the rear bumper strengthening material is aluminum
Ensure the steel bracket part does not come directly in contact with that area.
When steel and aluminum come into contact, there is a reaction similar to cor-
rosion, which will weaken the section concerned and may result in damage.
Apply a rust inhibitor to parts that will come in contact when attaching a steel
bracket.

2064-1. Before driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. In order to
avoid accident, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind when
towing:
Checking connections between trailer and lights
Stop the vehicle and check the operation of the connection between the
trailer and lights after driving for a brief period as well as before start-
ing off.
Practicing driving with a coupled trailer
Get the feel for turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer cou-
pled by practicing in an area with no or light traffic.
When reversing with a coupled trailer, hold the section of the steer-
ing wheel nearest to you and rotate clockwise to turn the trailer left
or counterclockwise to turn it right. Always rotate a little at a time to
prevent steering error. Have someone guide you when reversing to
lessen the risk of an accident.
Increasing vehicle-to-vehicle distance
At a speed of 10 km/h (6 mph), the distance to the vehicle running
ahead of you should be equivalent to or greater than the combined
length of your vehicle and trailer. Avoid sudden braking that may cause
skidding. Otherwise, the vehicle may spin out of control. This is espe-
cially true when driving on wet or slippery road surfaces.
Sudden acceleration/steering input/cornering
Executing sharp turns when towing may result in the trailer colliding
with your vehicle. Decelerate well in advance when approaching turns
and take them slowly and carefully to avoid sudden braking.
Important points regarding turning
The wheels of the trailer will travel closer to the inside of the curve
than the wheels of the vehicle. To make allowance for this, take the
turns wider than you would normally do.
Guidance