2014 LEXUS RX270 Owners Manual

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2
When driving
RX350/270_EE
2-5. Driving information
Utility vehicle precautions
Off-road vehicle feature
●Specific design characteristics give it a higher center of gravity than
ordinary passenger cars. This vehicle design feature causes this type of
vehicle to be more likely to rollover. And, utility vehicles have a signifi-
cantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
●An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better view of the
road allowing you to anticipate problems.
●It is not designed for cornering at the same speeds as ordinary passen-
ger cars any more than low-slung sports cars designed to perform sat-
isfactorily under off-road conditions. Therefore, sharp turns at
excessive speeds may cause rollover.
This vehicle belongs to the utility vehicle class, which has higher
ground clearance and narrower tread in relation to the height of its
center of gravity to make it capable of performing in a wide variety of
off-road applications.
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2-5. Driving information
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Off-road driving
When driving your vehicle off-road, please observe the following precau-
tions to ensure your driving enjoyment and to help prevent the closure of
areas to off-road vehicles.
●Drive your vehicle only in areas where off-road vehicles are permitted
to travel.
●Respect private property. Get owner’s permission before entering pri-
vate property.
●Do not enter areas that are closed. Honor gates, barriers and signs
that restrict travel.
CAUTION
■Off-road vehicle precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death or serious
injury or damage to your vehicle:
●In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than a
person wearing a seat belt. Therefore, the driver and all passengers should fasten
their seat belts whenever the vehicle is moving.
●Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers, if at all possible.
Failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or vehicle roll-
over causing death or serious injury.
●Loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier will make the center of the vehicle
gravity higher. Avoid high speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden braking or
abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it may result in loss of control or vehicle rollover
due to failure to operate this vehicle correctly.
●Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. Because of its profile and higher center of
gravity, your vehicle is more sensitive to side winds than an ordinary passenger
car. Slowing down will allow you to have better control.
●Do not drive horizontally across steep slopes. Driving straight up or straight down
is preferred. Your vehicle (or any similar off-road vehicle) can tip over sideways
much more easily than forward or backward.
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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
RX350/270_EE●Stay on established roads. When conditions are wet, driving tech-
niques should be changed or travel delayed to prevent damage to
roads.
CAUTION
■Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death or serious
injury or damage to your vehicle:
●Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving in
dangerous places.
●Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump could
jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and especially your
thumbs on the outside of the rim.
●Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in sand,
mud, water or snow.
●After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, water, etc., check that there is no
grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped to the underbody.
Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the vehicle is used with these
materials trapped or adhering to the underbody, a breakdown or fire could occur.
●When driving off-road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive speeds,
jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or vehi-
cle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also risking expensive dam-
age to your vehicle’s suspension and chassis.
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2-5. Driving information
RX350/270_EE
NOTICE
■To prevent water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the engine or
other components does not occur.
●Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.
●Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift quality,
locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ultimately dam-
age.
●Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and premature
failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and transfer case (AWD
models), reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
■When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check the
depth of the water and the bottom of the stream for firmness. Drive slowly and avoid
deep water.
■Inspection after off-road driving
●Sand and mud that has accumulated around brake discs may affect braking effi-
ciency and may damage brake system components.
●Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driving that
has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water.
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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
RX350/270_EE
Cargo and luggage
CAUTION
■Things that must not be carried in the luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage compartment:
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
Take notice of the following information about storage precautions, cargo
capacity and load:
●Stow cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment whenever
possible.
●Be sure all items are secured in place.
●Be careful to keep the vehicle level. Placing the weight as far for-
ward as possible helps maintain vehicle balance.
●For better fuel economy, do not carry unnecessary weight.
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2-5. Driving information
RX350/270_EE
CAUTION
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment whenever possible.
●Do not stack cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment higher than the
seatbacks.
Such items may be thrown about and possibly injure people in the vehicle in the
event of sudden braking or in an accident.
●Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations as the items may
get under the brake or accelerator pedal and prevent the pedals from being
depressed properly, block the driver’s vision, or hit the driver or passengers,
causing an accident:
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• On the luggage cover
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment, as they may shift and injure some-
one in the event of sudden braking, sudden swerving or an accident.
●Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage compartment. It is not designed for
passengers. They should ride in their seats with their seat belts properly fastened.
Otherwise, they are much more likely to suffer death or serious bodily injury, in
the event of sudden braking, sudden swerving or an accident.
■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.
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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
RX350/270_EE
CAUTION
■Roof luggage carrier precautions (if equipped)
To use the roof rails as a roof luggage carrier, you must fit the roof rails with two or
more genuine Lexus cross rails or their equivalent.
When you load cargo on the roof luggage carrier, observe the following:
●Before driving, make sure the cargo is securely fastened on the roof luggage car-
rier.
●Loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier will make the center of gravity of the
vehicle higher. Avoid high speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden braking or
abrupt maneuvers, otherwise the result may be a loss of control or vehicle roll-
over due to failure to operate this vehicle correctly and result in death or serious
injury.
●If driving for long distances, on rough roads, or at high speeds, stop the vehicle
now and then during the trip to make sure the cargo remains in its place.
●Do not exceed 75 kg (165 lb.) cargo weight on the roof luggage carrier.
NOTICE
■When loading cargo
Be careful not to scratch the surface of the moon roof.
●Place the cargo so that its weight is distrib-
uted evenly between the front and rear
axles.
●If loading long or wide cargo, never exceed
the vehicle’s overall length or width.
(→P. 606)
Roof rails
Cross rails
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2-5. Driving information
RX350/270_EE
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving the
vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate to the
prevailing weather conditions.
■Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
●Have a service technician inspect the condition of the battery.
●Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of
tire chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is fro-
zen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe
away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
●To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
●Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have
accumulated on the exterior lights, vehicle's roof, chassis, around
the tires or on the brakes.
●Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before
getting in the vehicle.
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