3416-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manu-
al_USA_OM78212U 6
Maintenance and care pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning
valves and transmitte rs are installed,
new ID codes must be registered in the
tire pressure warning computer and
the tire pressure warning system must
be initialized. Have tire pressure warn-
ing valve and transmitter ID codes reg-
istered by your Lexus dealer.
( → P.343) ■
When replacing the tires and wheels
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter is not registered, the
tire pressure warning system will not work
properly. After driving for about 20 min-
utes, the tire pressure warning light blinks
for 1 minute and stays on to indicate a sys-
tem malfunction. ■
The tire pressure warning system
must be initialized in the following
circumstances:
When adjusting the tire inflation
pressure
When the tire inflation pressure is
changed such as when changing
traveling speed.
When rotating the tires
When changing the tire.
When the tire pressure warning system
is initialized, the current tire inflation
pressure is set as the benchmark pres-
sure. ■
How to initialize the tire pressure
warning system
1 Park the vehicle in a safe place and
turn the power switch off. Initialization cannot be performed while
the vehicle is moving.
2 Adjust the tire inflation pressure to
the specified cold tire inflation pres-
sure level.
Make sure to adjust the tire pressure to the NOTICE■
Repairing or replacing tires, wheels,
tire pressure warning valves, trans-
mitters and tire valve caps●
When removing or fitting the wheels,
tires or the tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters, contact your
Lexus dealer as the tire pressure warn-
ing valves and transmitters may be
damaged if not handled correctly.
●
Make sure to install the tire valve caps.
If the tire valve caps are not installed,
water could enter the tire pressure
warning valves and the tire pressure
warning valves could be bound.
●
When replacing tire valve caps, do not
use tire valve caps other than those
specified. The cap may become stuck. ■
To avoid damage to the tire pressure
warning valves and transmitters
When a tire is repaired with liquid seal-
ants, the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter may not operate properly. If a
liquid sealant is used , contact your Lexus
dealer or other qualified service shop as
soon as possible. After use of liquid seal-
ant, make sure to re place the tire pres-
sure warning valve and transmitter when
repairing or replacing the tire. ( → P.338,
345)
Initializing the tire pressure
warning system
344 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manu-
al_USA_OM78212U 1 Remove the tire valve cap.
2 Press the tip of the tire pressure
gauge onto the tire valve.
3 Read the pressure using the gauge
gradations.
4 If the tire inflation pressure is not at
the recommended level, adjust the
pressure.
If you add too much air, press the
center of the valve to deflate.
5 After completing the tire inflation
pressure measurem ent and adjust-
ment, apply soapy water to the
valve and check for leakage.
6 Put the tire valve cap back on. ■
Tire inflation pressure check interval
You should check tire inflation pressure
every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Do not forget to check the spare. ■
Effects of incorrect tire inflation pres-
sure
Driving with incorrect ti re inflation pressure
may result in the following: ●
Reduced fuel economy●
Reduced driving comfort and poor han-
dling●
Reduced tire life due to wear●
Reduced safety●
Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent inflating, have it
checked by your Lexus dealer.
■
Instructions for checking tire inflation
pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure,
observe the following:
●
Check only when the tires are cold.
If your vehicle has been parked for at
least 3 hours or has not been driven for
more than 1 mile or 1.5 km, you will get an
accurate cold tire in flation pressure read- ing. ●
Always use a tire pressure gauge.
It is difficult to judge if a tire is properly
inflated based only on its appearance. ●
It is normal for the ti re inflation pressure
to be higher after driving as heat is gen-
erated in the tire. Do not reduce tire infla-
tion pressure after driving. ●
Never exceed the vehicle capacity
weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should
be placed so that the vehicle is balanced.
WARNING■
Proper inflation is critical to save tire
performance
Keep your tires properly inflated.
If the tires are not properly inflated, the
following conditions may occur which
could lead to an accident resulting in
death or serious injury: ●
Excessive wear ●
Uneven wear ●
Poor handling ●
Possibility of blowouts resulting from
overheated tires ●
Air leaking from between tire and
wheel
●
Wheel deformation and/or tire dam-
age
●
Greater possibility of tire damage
while driving (due to road hazards,
expansion joints, sharp edges in the
road, etc.)
NOTICE
■
When inspecting and adjusting tire
inflation pressure
Be sure to put the tire valve caps back on.
If a valve cap is not installed, dirt or mois-
ture may get into the valve and cause an
air leak, resulting in decreased tire infla-
tion pressure.
3456-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manu-
al_USA_OM78212U 6
Maintenance and care When replacing wheels, care should
be taken to ensure that they are equiv-
alent to those removed in load capac-
ity, diameter, rim width and inset *
.
Replacement wheels are available at
your Lexus dealer. *
: Conventionally referred to as offset.
Lexus does not recommend using the
following:
Wheels of different sizes or types
Used wheels
Bent wheels that have been straight-
ened ■
When replacing wheels
The wheels of your vehicle are equipped
with tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters that allow the tire pressure warning
system to provide advance warning in the
event of a loss in tire inflation pressure.
Whenever wheels are replaced, tire pres-
sure warning valves an d transmitters must
be installed. ( → P.338, 345) Use only Lexus wheel nuts and
wrenches designed for use with
your aluminum wheels.
When rotating, repairing or chang-
ing your tires, check that the wheel
nuts are still tight after driving 1000
miles (1600 km).
Be careful not to damage the alumi-
num wheels when using tire chains.
Use only Lexus genuine balance
weights or equivalent and a plastic
or rubber hammer when balancing
your wheels.Wheels If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily
corroded, it should be replaced.
Otherwise, the tire may separate
from the wheel or cause a loss of
handling control.
Wheel selection
WARNING
■
When replacing wheels
●
Do not use wheels that are a different
size from those recommended in the
Owner’s Manual, as this may result in a
loss of handling control. ●
Never use an inner tube in a leaking
wheel which is designed for a tubeless
tire. Doing so may result in an acci-
dent, causing death or serious injury. ■
Use of defective wheels prohibited
Do not use cracked or deformed wheels.
Doing so could cause the tire to leak air
during driving, possibly causing an acci-
dent.
NOTICE■
Replacing tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters ●
Because tire repair or replacement
may affect the tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters, make sure to
have tires serviced by your Lexus
dealer or other qua lified service shop.
In addition, make sure to purchase
your tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters at your Lexus dealer. ●
Ensure that only genuine Lexus wheels
are used on your vehicle.
Tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters may not work properly with
non-genuine wheels.
Aluminum wheel precautions
3597-1. Essential information
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manu-
al_USA_OM78212U 7
When trouble arises press it briefly 3 times or more in
succession.
5 Stop the vehicle in a safe place by
the road. WARNING■
If the hybrid system has to be turned
off while driving
Power assist for the steering wheel will
be lost, making th e steering wheel
heavier to turn. Decelerate as much as
possible before turning off the hybrid sys-
tem.
360 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manu-
al_USA_OM78212U 7-2.Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be
towed If towing is ne cessary, we recom-
mend having your vehicle towed by
your Lexus dealer or commercial
towing service, using a wheel-lift
type truck or flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all
towing, and abide by all state/pro-
vincial and local laws.
If towing your vehicle with a wheel-
lift type truck, use a towing dolly.
( → P.361, 360) WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury. ■
When towing the vehicle
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 damaged, 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. ■
While towing ●
When towing using a cables or chains,
avoid sudden starts, etc. which place
excessive stress on the towing eyelets,
cables or chains. The towing eyelets,
cables or chains may become dam-
aged, broken debris may hit people,
and cause serious damage. ●
Do not turn the power switch off.
There is a possibility that the steering
wheel is locked and cannot be oper-
ated. ■
Installing towing eyelets to the vehi-
cle
Make sure that towing eyelets are
installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelets
may come loose during towing.
NOTICE■
To prevent damage to the vehicle
when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck ●
Do not tow the vehicle from the rear
when the power switch is off. The
steering lock mechanism is not strong
enough to hold the front wheels
straight.
●
When raising the vehicle, ensure ade-
quate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle.
Without adequate clearance, the vehi-
cle could be damaged while being
towed.
■
To prevent damage to the vehicle
when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either
from the front or rear.
3617-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manu-
al_USA_OM78212U 7
When trouble arises
The following may indicate a problem
with your hybrid tr ansmission. Contact
your Lexus dealer or commercial tow-
ing service before towing. ( → P.360)
The hybrid warning message shows
on the multi-information display and
the vehicle does not move.
The vehicle makes an abnormal
sound.
Do not tow with a sling-type truck to
prevent body damage.
From the front
Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.
From the rear
Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.
If your vehicle is transported by a flat-
bed truck, it should be tied down at the
locations shown in the illustration.NOTICE■
Recreational towing (behind motor
home, etc.)
Never dinghy tow your vehicle to pre-
vent causing serious damage to the
Hybrid AWD system and transmission.
( → P.167)
Situations when it is necessary to
contact dealers before towing
Towing with a sling-type truck Towing with a wheel-lift type
truck
Using a flatbed truck
362 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manu-
al_USA_OM78212U If you use chains or cables to tie down
your vehicle, the angles shaded in
black must be 45°.
Do not overly tighten the tie downs or
the vehicle may be damaged.
If a tow truck is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed using cables or chains
secured to the emergency towing eye-
lets. 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 steer
and operate the brakes. The vehicle’s
wheels, drivetrain, ax les, steering and
brakes must be in good condition.
To have your vehicle towed by another vehicle, the towing eyelet must be
installed to your vehicle. Install the tow-
ing eyelet by following the specified
procedure.
1 Take out the towing eyelet.
( → P.378)
2 Remove the eyelet cover using a
flathead screwdriver. To protect the bodywork, place a rag
between the screwdriver and the vehicle
body as shown in the illustration.
Type A
Type B
Emergency towing procedure
To have your vehicle towed
3637-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manu-
al_USA_OM78212U 7
When trouble arises 3 Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by hand.
4 Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut wrench.
5 Securely attach cables or chains to
the towing eyelet.Take care not to damage the vehicle body.
6 Enter the vehicle being towed and
start the hybrid system.If the hybrid system does not start, turn the
power switch to ON mode.
7 Shift the shift lever to N and release
the parking brake.When the shift lever cannot be shifted:
→ P.174
■
While towing
If the hybrid system is off, the power assist
for the brakes and steering will not function,
marking steering and braking more difficult.
■
Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installed in luggage
compartment. ( → P.378) Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air condi-
tioning after use is normal.)
Flat-looking tires or uneven tire
wear
Engine coolant temperature gauge
needle continually points higher
than normal
Changes in exhaust sound
Excessive tire squeal when corner-
ing
Strange noises related to the sus-
pension system
Pinging or other noises related to
the hybrid system
Engine misfire or misses, stumbling
or running roughly
Appreciable loss of power
Vehicle pulls heavily to one side
when brakingIf you think something is
wrong If you notice any of the following
symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Con-
tact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms