2016 LEXUS RX450H LEXUS RX450h 2016 Owners Manual

2254-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U ●
To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system performance
when using engine braking, do no t put the transmission in D. (  P. 2 3 9 )●
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 74 )●
Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s wheels
when parking. Put the transmission in P and apply the parking brake. Avoid
parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do so only after performing the follow-
ing:
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 place, release the brakes slowly until the
blocks absorb the load.
Shift into P and apply the parking brake.
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.
If the parking brake is in manual mode, release the parking brake.
(  P. 2 4 6 )
Release the brake pedal, and slowly pull or back away from the wheel
blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks. 1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5

226 4-1. Before driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U ■
Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler height
■
Before towing
Check that the followin g conditions are met:●
Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. (  P. 5 8 9 )●
Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recommendation. ●
All trailer lights work as required by law. ●
All lights work each time you connect them. ●
The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.●
The trailer is level when it is hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not level, an d check for improper to ngue weight, overload-
ing, worn suspension, or other possible causes. ●
The trailer cargo is securely loaded. ●
The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or local regula-
tions. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes. ■
AVS (adaptive variable suspension system) (if equipped)
The suspension can be switched fo r improvement in driveability. (  P. 3 8 2 )No matter which class of tow hitch
applies, for a more safe trailer hookup,
the trailer ball setup must be the proper
height for the coupler on the trailer.
Coupler
Trailer ball 1
2

2274-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U ■
Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components (such as an
engine, hybrid transmission, rear differenti al (AWD models) 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 towing.
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 requir e more frequent maintenance due to the addi-
tional load. (See “Warranty and Services Guide”, “Owner’s Manual Supplement” or
“Scheduled Maintenance”.) ●
Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ba ll 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 pedal i mmediately 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. (if enabled, Trailer Sway Cont rol can also help to stabilize the vehicle and
trailer.) ●
After the trailer sw aying 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 overloaded 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 vehi-
cle-trailer increases as speed increases.

228 4-1. Before driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U WA R N I N G ■
Trailer towing precautions
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accordance with the
trailer’s characteristics and op erating conditions. Failure to do so could cause an acci-
dent resulting in death or serious injury. Vehicle stability and braking performance 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, unbrak ed TWR, GCWR, GVWR or GAWR.●
If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lb. (907 kg), a sway control device with suffi-
cient capacity is required. ●
Adjust the tongue weight within the approp riate 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 cr oss winds, on wet or slippery surface, etc.
to help avoid an accident. If you experience a vehicle-trailer instability from reducing
a certain speed, slow down and make sure you keep your vehicle speed under the
speed of which you expe rience the instability.●
Do not make jerky, abrupt or sharp turns. ●
Do not apply the brakes suddenly as you ma y skid, resulting in ja ckknifing 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 the following systems when trailer towing.
•Cruise control
*• Dynamic radar cruise control
*• Dynamic radar cruise cont rol with full-speed range
*• LDA (Lane-Departure Alert with steering control)
*• LKA (Lane-Keeping Assist)
*• PCS (Pre-Crash Safety system)
*• BSM (Blind Spot Monitor)
* : If equipped ●
Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill grades. Do not
make sudden downshifts while descen ding steep or long downhill grades.●
Vehicle-trailer instability is more likely on steep long downhills. Before descending
steep or long downhill grades, slow down and downshift. Do not make sudden down-
shifts when descending stee p or long 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.

2294-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013U WA R N I N G ■
Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the hitch manu-
facturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of towing a higher weight,
the operator must determine the maximum weig ht rating of the particular hitch assem-
bly and never exceed the maximum weight rating specified for the trailer-hitch.
Exceeding the maximum weight rating set by the trailer-hitch manufacturer 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/pro-
vincial regulations. ●
Never tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehicle’s braking
effectiveness. ●
Never tow a trailer without using a safety ch ain 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 wandering 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. Dire ctly splicing trailer lights may damage your
vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction.

230 4-1. Before driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013UTrailer towing (vehicles without towing package) Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Lexus also does
not recommend the installation of a tow hitch or the use of a tow hitch carrier
for a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer
towing or for the use of tow hitch mounted carriers.

2314-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RX450h_U_OM0E013UDinghy towing Your vehicle is not designed to be ding hy towed (with 4 wheels on the ground)
behind a motor home.
NOTICE ■
To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four wheels on the ground. ■
To prevent causing serious damage to the hybrid transmission and Hybrid AWD sys-
tem (AWD models)
2WD models: Never tow this vehicle from the
rear with the front wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious damage to the hybrid
transmission.
AWD models: Never tow this vehicle with any
of the wheels on the ground. This may cause
serious damage to the hybrid transmission and
AWD system.

232
RX450h_U_OM0E013U 4-2. Driving procedures
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal. and a message will be displayed on the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the hybrid system cannot be started.
Press the power switch. If the “READY” indicator turns on, the
hybrid system will operate normally.
Continue depressing the brake pedal
until the “READY” indicator is illumi-
nated.
The hybrid system can be started from
any power switch mode.
Check that the “READY” indicator is illuminated. The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.Power (ignition) switch Performing the following op erations when carrying the electronic key on your
person starts the hybrid system or changes power switch modes.
Starting the hybrid system 1
2
3
4
5