2016 LEXUS NX300H towing

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Cargo and luggage
Cargo capacity depends on the to tal weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) — (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or
XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the ava ilable amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five
150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400  750 (5 150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle. (P. 1 8 6 )
Vehicles without towing package: Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with
your vehicle. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer towing.
Take notice of the following information about storage precautions, cargo
capacity and load.
Capacity and distribution

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Vehicle load limits
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): P. 6 0 6
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants, cargo and lug-
gage.
◆Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximum number of occupants whose estimated
average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
◆TWR (Trailer Weight Rating) (Vehicles with towing package):
 P. 1 9 0 , 6 0 6
TWR means the maximum gross trailer weight (trailer weight plus its cargo
weight) that your vehicle is able to tow.
◆TWR (Trailer Weight Rating) (Vehicles without towing package)
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
◆Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrea se depending on the weight and the
number of occupants.
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information label. (P. 5 2 5 )
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity, towing capac-
ity and cargo capacity.
WA R N I N G
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires, but also degrade steering and braking ability,
resulting in an accident.

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Trailer towing (vehicles with towing package)
Contact your Lexus dealer for further information about additional requirements
such as a towing kit, etc.
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-and-load-carrying vehicle.
Towing a trailer can have an adverse impact on handling, performance, brak-
ing, durability, and fuel consumption. Fo r your safety and the safety of others,
you must not overload your vehicle or trailer. You must also ensure that you
are using appropriate towing equipment, that the towing equipment has been
installed correctly and used properly, and that you employ the requisite driv-
ing habits.
Vehicle-trailer stability and braking pe rformance are affected by trailer sta-
bility, brake performance and setting, tr ailer brakes, the hitch and hitch sys-
tems (if equipped).
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme ca re and drive the vehicle in accordance
with your trailer’s characteristics and operating conditions.
Lexus warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction caused by towing a
trailer for commer cial purposes.

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■GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross com-
bination weight. The gross combina-
tion weight is the sum of the total
vehicle weight (including the occu-
pants, cargo and any optional equip-
ment installed on the vehicle) and
the weight of the trailer being towed
(including the cargo in the trailer).
■GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross vehi-
cle weight. The gross vehicle weight
is the total weight of the vehicle.
When towing a trailer, it is the sum of
the vehicle weight (including the
occupants, cargo and any optional
equipment installed on the vehicle)
and the tongue weight.
■GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross axle
weight. The gross axle weight is the
load placed on each axle (front and
rear).
Towing related terms
Front GAWR
Rear GAWR

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■TWR (Trailer Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross trailer
weight. The gross trailer weight is
the sum of the trailer weight and the
weight of the cargo in the trailer.
TWR is calculated assuming base
vehicle with one driver, one front
passenger, towing package (if avail-
able), hitch and hitch systems (if
required).
Additional optional equipment, passengers and cargo in the vehicle will reduce the
trailer weight rating so as not to exceed GCWR, GVWR and GAWR.
■Unbraked TWR (Unbraked Trailer Weight Rating)
The trailer weight rating for towing a
trailer without a trailer service brake
system.
■To n g u e We i g h t
The load placed on the trailer hitch
ball. ( P. 1 9 1 )
(With brakes)
(Without brakes)

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●A recommended tongue weight varies in accordance with the types of trailers
or towing as described below.
●To ensure the recommended values shown below, the trailer must be loaded
by referring to the following instructions. •Tongue Weight
The gross trailer weight should be dist ributed so that the tongue weight is
9% to 11%.
(Tongue weight /Gross trailer weight x 100 = 9% to 11%)
Gross trailer weight
Tongue weight
The gross trailer weight, gross axle we ight and tongue weight can be mea-
sured with platform scales found at a highway weighing station, building
supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities. Lexus recommends the
use of Lexus hitch/bracket for your vehicle. For details, contact your Lexus
dealer.
●If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Lexus dealer.
●Use only a hitch that conforms to the gross trailer weight requirement of your
vehicle.
●Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
●Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coating of grease.
●Remove 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
substances into the vehicle.
Trailer Tongue Weight
1
2
Hitch

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Weight carrying ball position:
42.1 in. (1069.9 mm)
Hitch receiver pin hole position:
33.7 in. (855.6 mm)
Please consult your dealer when installin g trailer lights, as incorrect installation
may cause damage to the vehicle’s lights. Please take care to comply with your
state’s laws when installing trailer lights.
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. Help to avoid an acci-
dent, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind when towing:
●Speed limits for towing a trailer vary by state or province. Do not exceed the
posted towing speed limit.
●Lexus recommends that the vehicle-trailer speed limit is 65 mph (104 km/h)
on a flat, straight, dry road. Do not exceed this limit, the posted towing speed
limit or the speed limit for your trailer as set forth in your trailer owner’s man-
ual, whichever is lowest. Instability of the towing vehicle-trailer combination
(trailer sway) increases as speed increases. Exceeding speed limits may cause
loss of control.
●Before starting out, check the trailer lights, tires and the vehicle-trailer con-
nections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
●Practice turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer attached in an area
away from traffic until you become accustomed to the feel of the vehicle-
trailer combination.
Positions for towing hitch receiver and hitch ball
1
2
Connecting trailer lights
Trailer towing tips

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●Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice. Grip the
bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the left to move the
trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to move the trailer to right. (This
is generally opposite to reversing without a trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or
prolonged turning. Have someone guid e you when reversing to reduce the
risk of an accident.
●As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to vehicle dis-
tance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of speed, allow at least
one vehicle and trailer length.
●Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, re sulting in the trailer jackknifing and a
loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.
●Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
●Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before making turn.
●Note that when making a turn, the traile r wheels will be closer than the vehicle
wheels to the inside of the turn. Comp ensate by making a wider than normal
turning radius.
●Slow down before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slippery surfaces,
etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.
●Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires considerable dis-
tance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your trailer, and be
sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
●To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system performance
when using engine braking, do no t put the transmission in D. (P. 2 0 8 )
●Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long downhill
grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do not make sudden
downshifts while descending steep or long downhill grades.
●Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes too fre-
quently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking
efficiency.
●Due to the added load of the trailer, yo ur vehicle’s engine may overheat on hot
days (at temperatures over 85 F [30 C]) when driving up a long or steep
grade. If the engine coolant temperat ure gauge indicates overheating, imme-
diately turn off the air cond itioning (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and
stop in a safe spot. ( P. 5 9 9 )