2015 LEXUS RX350 Owners Manual

2972-5. Driving information
2
When driving (6)If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consul t this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehi-
cle.
(  P. 8 0 6 )
Calculation formula for your vehicle
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity (vehicle
capacity weight) (  P. 8 0 6 )
When 2 people with the combined weight of A lb. (kg) are riding in your
vehicle, which has a total load capacity (vehicle ca pacity weight) of B lb.
(kg), the available amount of cargo an d luggage load capacity will be C
lb. (kg) as follows:
B* 2
lb. (kg) - A* 1
lb. (kg) = C* 3
lb. (kg)
* 1
: A =Weight of people
* 2
: B =Total load capacity
* 3
: C =Available cargo and luggage load
In this condition, if 3 more passengers with the combined weight of D lb. (kg)
get on, the available cargo and luggage lo ad will be reduced E lb. (kg) as fol-
lows:
C lb. (kg) - D* 4
lb. (kg) = E* 5
lb. (kg)
* 4
: D =Additional weight of people
* 5
: E =Available cargo and luggage load

2982-5. Driving information
As shown in the example above, if the number of occupants increases,
the cargo and luggage load will be re duced by an amount that equals the
increased weight due to the addition al occupants. In other words, if an
increase in the number of occupants ca uses an excess of the total load
capacity (combined weight of occupants plus cargo and luggage load),
you must reduce the cargo and luggage on your vehicle. CAUTION■
Things that must not be carri ed in the luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage compartment: ●
Receptacles containing gasoline●
Aerosol cans■
Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury. ●
Stow cargo and luggage in the lugga ge compartment whenever possible.●
Do not stack cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment higher than the
seatbacks.
Such items may be thrown about and possib ly 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.

2992-5. Driving information
2
When driving CAUTION●
Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage compartment. It is not designed for
passengers. They should ride in their seat s with their seat belt s 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.■
Capacity and distribution ●
Do not exceed the maximum axle weight ra ting or the total vehicle weight rating. ●
Even if the total load of occupant's weight and the cargo load is less than the total
load capacity, do not apply the load unevenly. Improper loading may cause dete-
rioration of steering or braking control which may cause death or serious injury.■
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 vehicl e correctly and result in death or serious
injury.
●
If driving for long distances, on rough ro ads, or at high spee ds, stop the vehicle
now and then during the trip to make sure the cargo remains in its place.
●
Do not exceed 165 lb. (75 kg) cargo weight on the roof luggage carrier.
●
To reduce wind noise when there is no luggage loaded on the roof luggage car-
rier, move the front cross rail to the front-most position and the rear cross rail to
the rearmost position. ●
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. 8 0 6 )Cross rails
Roof rails

3002-5. Driving information
NOTICE■
When loading cargo
Be careful not to scratch the surface of the moon roof.

3012-5. Driving information
2
When driving Vehicle load limits
■
Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on th e tire and loading information label.
(  P. 6 9 3 )
CAUTION■
Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tire s, but also degrade steering and braking
ability, resulting in an accident. Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity, TWR
(Trailer Weight Rating) and cargo capacity.
■ Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): (  P. 806)Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants, cargo and
luggage.
■ Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3) Seating capacity means the maximum number of occupants whose esti-
mated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
■ TWR (Trailer weight rating): (  P. 310, 806)TWR means the maximum gross trailer weight (trailer weight plus its
cargo weight) that your vehicle is able to tow.
■ Cargo capacity Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight and
the number of occupants.

3022-5. Driving information
Winter driving tips Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving the
vehicle in winter. Always drive the ve hicle in a manner appropriate to the
prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
● Use fluids that are appropria te to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspec t 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 accord ing to the driving conditions:
● Do not try to forcibly open a w indow 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 accumu lated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
● Check for and remove any exce ss 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.

3032-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Selecting tire chains
Use the correct tire chain size when mounting the tire chains. Chain size
is regulated for each tire size.
Side chain:
0.12 in. (3 mm) in diameter
0.98 in. (25 mm) in length
0.43 in. (10.8 mm) in width
Cross chain:
0.15 in. (3.9 mm) in diameter
1.00 in. (25.3 mm) in length
0.54 in. (13.8 mm) in width
Regulations on the use of tire chains
Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary depending on location
and type of road. Always check local regulations before installing chains. ■ When driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you and
the vehicle ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to road
conditions.
■ When parking the vehicle
Park the vehicle and move the shif t lever to P without setting the
parking brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from
being released. If necessary, bl ock the wheels to prevent inadvert-
ent sliding or creeping.

3042-5. Driving information
■
Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains: ●
Install and remove tire chains in a safe location. ●
Install tire chains on the front tires only. Do not install tire chains on the rear tires.●
Install the tire chains on front tires as tightly as possible. Re tighten chains after
driving 1 /4  1/2 mile (0.5  1.0 km).●
Install tire chains following the instructions provided with the tire chains.
CAUTION■
Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or serious
injury. ●
Use tires of the size specified for your vehicle.●
Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.●
Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h ), regardless of the type of snow tires
being used.●
Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.■
Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely, and may
cause death or serious injury. ●
Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being used,
or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
●
Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
●
Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt stee ring, sudden braking and shifting opera-
tions that cause sudden engine braking.
●
Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle control is
maintained.