2016 LEXUS RX450H towing

2274-1. Before driving
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Driving
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■Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components (such as an
engine, hybrid transmission, rear differential (AWD models) or wheel bearing), Lexus
recommends that you do not tow a trailer unt il 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 require 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 ve hicles, rough roads, etc.) can adversely
affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability.
●If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wh eel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer sway ing by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal im mediately but very gradually to reduce
speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the st eering or brakes, your vehicle and trailer
should stabilize. (if enabled, Trailer Sway Control can also he lp 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 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 vehi-
cle-trailer increases as speed increases.

2284-1. Before driving
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WARNING
■Trailer towing precautions
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accordance with the
trailer’s characteristics and operating conditions. Failure to do so could cause an acci-
dent resulting in deat h or serious injury. Vehicle stab ility 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, unbraked 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 trai ler 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 experien ce 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 experience the instability.
●Do not make jerky, abrupt or sharp turns.
●Do not apply the brakes suddenly as you ma y 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 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 descending 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 steep or long downhill grades. Avoid ho lding 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 sp are tire is installed on your vehicle.

2294-1. Before driving
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Driving
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WARNING
■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 weight 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 chain securely attached to both the trailer
and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the co upling 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. Directly splicing trailer lights may damage your
vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction.

2304-1. Before driving
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Trailer 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
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Driving
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Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy 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.

2824-5. Using the driving support systems
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WARNING
■When to disable the pre-collision system
In the following situations, di sable the system, as it may not operate properly, possibly
leading to an accident resulting in death or serious injury:
●When the vehicle is being towed
●When your vehicle is towing another vehicle
●When transporting the vehicle via truck, bo at, train or similar means of transportation
●When the vehicle is raised on a lift with the hybrid system on and the tires are allowed
to rotate freely
●When inspecting the vehicle using a drum tester such as a chassis dynamometer or
speedometer tester, or when using an on vehicle wheel balancer
●When a strong impact is applied to the fron t bumper or front grille, due to an accident
or other reasons
●If the vehicle cannot be driven in a stable manner, such as when the vehicle has been
in an accident or is malfunctioning
●When the vehicle is driven in a sporty manner or off-road
●When the tires are not properly inflated
●When the tires are very worn
●When tires of a size other than specified are installed
●When tire chains are installed
●When a compact spare tire or an emergency tire puncture repair kit is used
●If the suspension is modified
●If the front of the vehicle is raised or lo wered, such as when loaded with heavy lug-
gage

2954-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
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WARNING
■Before using LKA system
Do not rely solely upon the LKA system. LKA is not a system which automatically
drives the vehicle or reduces the amount of attention that must be paid to the area in
front of the vehicle. The driver must always assume full responsibility for driving safely
by always paying careful attention to the surrounding conditions and operate the steer-
ing wheel to correct the path of the vehicle. Also, make sure to take adequate breaks
when fatigued, such as from driving for a long period of time.
Failure to perform appropriate driving operat ions and pay careful attention may lead to
an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
■To avoid operating LKA by mistake
When not using the LKA system, use the LKA switch to turn the system off.
■Situations unsuitable for LKA
Do not use the LKA system in the following situations.
The system may not operate properly and lead to an accident, resulting in death or
serious injury.
●A spare tire, tire chains, etc., are equipped.
●When the tires have been excessively worn, or when the tire inflation pressure is low.
●Tires which differ by structure, manufacturer, brand or tread pattern are used.
●Objects or patterns that could be mistaken for white (yellow) lines are present on the
side of the road (guardrails, curbs, reflective poles, etc.).
●Vehicle is driven on a snow-covered road.
●White (yellow) lines are difficult to see due to rain, snow, fog, dust, etc.
●Asphalt repair marks, white (y ellow) line marks, etc., are present due to road repair.
●Vehicle is driven in a temporary lane or restricted lane due to construction work.
●Vehicle is driven on a road surface which is slippery due to rainy weather, fallen snow,
freezing, etc.
●Vehicle is driven in traffic lanes other than on highways and freeways.
●Vehicle is driven in a construction zone.
●When your vehicle is towing a trailer or during emergency towing
■Preventing LKA system malfunctions and operations performed by mistake
●Do not modify the headlights or place stickers, etc., on the surface of the lights.
●Do not modify the suspension etc. If the suspension etc. needs to be replaced, con-
tact your Lexus dealer.
●Do not install or place anything on the hood or grille. Also, do not install a grille guard
(bull bars, kangaroo bar, etc.).
●If your windshield needs repair s, contact your Lexus dealer.

3044-5. Using the driving support systems
RX450h_U_OM0E013U
WARNING
■Before using LDA system
Do not rely solely upon the LDA system. LDA is not a system which automatically
drives the vehicle or reduces the amount of attention that must be paid to the area in
front of the vehicle. The driver must always assume full responsibility for driving safely
by always paying careful attention to the surrounding conditions and operate the steer-
ing wheel to correct the path of the vehicle. Also, make sure to take adequate breaks
when fatigued, such as from driving for a long period of time.
Failure to perform appropriate driving operat ions and pay careful attention may lead to
an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
■To avoid operating LDA by mistake
When not using the LDA system, use the LDA switch to turn the system off.
■Situations unsuitable for LDA
Do not use the LDA system in the following situations.
The system may not operate properly and lead to an accident, resulting in death or
serious injury.
●A spare tire, tire chains, etc., are equipped.
●When the tires have been excessively worn, or when the tire inflation pressure is low.
●Tires which differ by structure, manufacturer, brand or tread pattern are used.
●Objects or patterns that could be mistaken for white (yellow) lines are present on the
side of the road (guardrails, curbs, reflective poles, etc.).
●Vehicle is driven on a snow-covered road.
●White (yellow) lines are difficult to see due to rain, snow, fog, dust, etc.
●Asphalt repair marks, white (y ellow) line marks, etc., are present due to road repair.
●Vehicle is driven in a temporary lane or restricted lane due to construction work.
●Vehicle is driven on a road surface which is slippery due to rainy weather, fallen snow,
freezing, etc.
●Vehicle is driven in traffic lanes other than on highways and freeways.
●Vehicle is driven in a construction zone.
●When your vehicle is towing a trailer or during emergency towing
■Preventing LDA system malfunctions and operations performed by mistake
●Do not modify the headlights or place stickers, etc., on the surface of the lights.
●Do not modify the suspension etc. If the suspension etc. needs to be replaced, con-
tact your Lexus dealer.
●Do not install or place anything on the hood or grille. Also, do not install a grille guard
(bull bars, kangaroo bar, etc.).
●If your windshield needs repair s, contact your Lexus dealer.