2015 LEXUS RX450h brakes

3182-5. Driving information
● Always place wheel bloc ks under both the vehi cle’s and the trailer’s
wheels when parking. Apply the pa rking 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’s and
trailer’s wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, 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 P, start the hybrid system. Be sure to
keep the brake pedal depressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake and br ake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4

3202-5. Driving information
■
Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components (such as
an engine, transmission, differential or wheel bearing), Lexus recommends that you
do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km), you can start tow-
ing. However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the vehicle at a speed of less
than 50 mph (80 km/h) when towing a trailer, and avoid full throttle acceleration.■
Maintenance ●
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. (See “Warranty and Services Guide”, “Owner's Manual
Supplement” or “Scheduled Maintenance”.)●
Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.■
If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can adversely
affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability. ●
If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer sway ing by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator peda l immediately but very gradually to
reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle and
trailer should stabilize. ●
After the trailer swaying has stopped:
• Stop in a safe place. Get all occupants out of the vehicle.
• Check the tires of the vehicle and the trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer.
Make sure the load has not shifted.
Make sure the tongue weight is appropriate, if possible.
• Check the load in the vehicle.
Make sure the vehicle is not ov erloaded after occupants get in.
If you cannot find any problems, the speed at which trailer swaying occurred is
beyond the limit of your particular vehicle-trailer combination.
Drive at a lower speed to prevent instability. Remember that swaying of the towing
vehicle-trailer increases as speed increases.

3212-5. Driving information
2
When driving CAUTION■
Trailer towing precautions
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care an d drive the vehicle in accordance with the
trailer’s characteristics and operating conditions. Failure to do so could cause an
accident resulting in death or serious injury. Vehicle stability and braking perfor-
mance are affected by trailer stability, brake setting and performance, and the hitch.
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer.■
To avoid accident or injury ●
Do not exceed the TWR, unbraked TWR, GCWR, GVWR or GAWR.●
If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lb. (907 kg), a sway control device with
sufficient capacity is required.●
Adjust the tongue weight within the appropriate range. Place heavier loads as
close to the trailer axle as possible.●
Do not exceed 65 mph (104 km/h), the posted towing speed limit or the speed
limit for your trailer as set forth in your trailer owner’s manual, whichever is lowest.
Slow down sufficiently before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slippery
surface, etc. to help avoid an accident. If you experience a vehicle-trailer instabil-
ity from reducing a certain speed, slow down and make sure you keep your vehi-
cle speed under the speed of which you experience the instability.●
Do not make jerky, abrupt or sharp turns.●
Do not apply the brakes suddenly as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and
loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.●
Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue weight capacities.●
Do not use cruise control when towing.●
Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill grades. Do
not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long downhill grades.
●
Vehicle-trailer instability is more likely on steep long downhills. Before descend-
ing steep or long downhill grades, slow down and downshift. Do not make sudden
downshifts when descending steep or lo ng downhill grades. Avoid holding the
brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes too frequently. This could
cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking efficiency.
●
Do not tow a trailer when the compact spare tire is installed on your vehicle.

3222-5. Driving information
CAUTION■
Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the hitch
manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of towing a
higher weight, the operator must determin e the maximum weight rating of the par-
ticular hitch assembly and never exceed the maximum weight rating specified for
the trailer-hitch. Exceeding the maximum weight rating se t by the trailer-hitch man-
ufacturer can cause an accident resulting in death or serious personal injuries.■
When towing a trailer
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable federal and
state/provincial regulations. ●
If the gross trailer weight exceeds unbraked TWR, trailer brakes are required.
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all applicable federal and
state/provincial regulations.●
Never tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehicle’s brak-
ing effectiveness.●
Never 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 wand ering into another lane.
NOTICE■
When installing a trailer hitch
Use only the position recommended by your Lexus dealer. Do not install the trailer
hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.■
Do not directly splice trailer lights
Do not directly splice trailer lights. Direct ly splicing trailer li ghts may damage your
vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction.

6444-2. Maintenance
Vehicle interior Items Check points
12-volt battery Check the connections. (  P. 6 6 4 )
Accelerator pedal • The accelerator pedal should move
smoothly (without uneven pedal
effort or catching).
Brake pedal • Does the brake pedal move
smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appro-
priate clearance from the floor?
(  P. 8 0 6 )
• Does the brake pedal have the cor-
rect amount of free play?
(  P. 8 0 6 )
Brakes • The vehicle should not pull to one
side when the brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel
spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too
close to the floor when the brakes
are applied.
Head restraints • Do the head restraints move
smoothly and lock securely?
Hybrid transmission “Park” mecha-
nism • When parked on a slope and the
parking brake is on, is the vehicle
securely stopped?

7285-1. Essential information
Emergency towing
If a tow truck is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emergency towing
eyelet. This should only be attempted on hard surfaced roads for short
distance at under 18 mph (30 km/h).
A driver must be in the vehicle to s teer and operate the brakes. The vehi-
cle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in good condi-
tion.
Emergency towing procedure
Take out the towing eyelet. (  P. 764)
Type A
Insert the mechanical key (  P.
52) into the groove and release
the claws. With the mechanical key
inserted, remove the eyelet cover
by pulling it towards you. STEP 1
STEP 2

7305-1. Essential information
■
While towing
If the hybrid system is off, the power assist for the brakes and steering will not func-
tion, making steering and braking more difficult.■
Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installed in the luggage compartment. (  P. 76 4 )
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury. ■
When towing the vehicle
2WD models
AW D m o d e l s Be sure to transport the vehicle with the front
wheels raised or with all four wheels raised off
the ground. If the vehicle is towed with the
front wheels contacting the ground, the driv-
etrain and related parts may be damaged or
electricity generated by the operation of the
motor may cause a fire to occur depending
on the nature of the damage or malfunction.
Be sure to transport the vehicle with all four
wheels raised off the ground. If the vehicle is
towed with the tires contacting the ground,
the drivetrain or related parts may be dam-
aged, the vehicle may fly off the truck, or
electricity generated by the operation of the
motor may cause a fire to occur depending
on the nature of the damage or malfunction.

7405-2. Steps to take in an emergency
●
If non-genuine Lexus wheels are used (Even if you use Lexus wheels, the tire
pressure warning system may not work properly with some types of tires.)●
If tire chains are used●
Vehicles with a full-size spare tire: If the spare tire is in a location subject to poor
radio wave signal reception●
Vehicles with a full-size spare tire: If a large metallic object which can interfere
with signal reception is pu t in the luggage compartment■
If the tire pressure warning light freque ntly comes on after blinking for 1 minute
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1 minute
when the “POWER” switch is turned to ON mode, have it checked by your Lexus
dealer.■
Customization
The vehicle speed linked seat belt reminder buzzer can be disabled.
(Customizable features  P. 825)
CAUTION■
When the electric power steering system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
If the steering wheel becomes heavier than usual when operating, hold firmly and
operate using more force than usual.■
If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could cause loss of
vehicle control and result in death or serious injury. ●
Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire inflation pres-
sure immediately.●
If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjust-
ment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires. If a tire is flat, change
it with the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired by the nearest Lexus dealer.
●
Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you could
lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■
If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.