2018 LEXUS RX450h towing

2354-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UWARNING ■
Trailer towing precautions
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accordance with the
trailer’s characteristics and operating conditio ns. 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 an d 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 cr oss winds, on wet or slippery surface, etc.
to help avoid an accident. If you experien ce a vehicle-trailer in stability 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 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.
• Dynamic radar cruise cont rol with full-speed range
• LKA (Lane-Keeping Assist)
• PCS (Pre-Collision 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 do wnhill 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.

236 4-1. Before driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UWARNING ■
Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the hitch manu-
facturer. Even though the vehicle may be phys ically 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 splic e trailer lights. Directly splicin g trailer lights may damage your
vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction.

2374-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UTrailer 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.

238 4-1. Before driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UDinghy 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
Never tow this vehicle with any of the wheels
on the ground. This may cause serious damage
to the hybrid transmission and AWD system.

2894-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UWARNING ■
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 resultin g 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 th e 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 equipment (snow plow, etc.) that may obstruct the radar sensor or camera sensor is
temporarily installed to the vehicle

300 4-5. Using the driving support systems
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UWARNING ■
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 driv ing 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, cu rbs, 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 ot her 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 perf ormed 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.

308 4-5. Using the driving support systems
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UWARNING ■
Situations unsuitable for dynamic rada r cruise control with full-speed range
Do not use dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range in any of the following
situations.
Doing so may result in inappropriate speed control and could cause an accident result-
ing in death or serious injury. ●
Roads where there are pedestrians, cyclers, etc. ●
In heavy traffic ●
On roads with sharp bends ●
On winding roads ●
On slippery roads, such as thos e covered with rain, ice or snow●
On steep downhills, or where there are sudden changes between sharp up and down
gradients
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.●
At entrances to freeways and highways ●
When weather conditions are bad enough that they may prevent the sensors from
detecting correctly (fog, snow, sandstorm, heavy rain, etc.)●
When there is rain, snow, etc. on the fron t surface of the radar sensor or camera sen-
sor ●
In traffic conditions that require frequent repeated a cceleration and deceleration●
When your vehicle is towing a trailer or during emergency towing ●
When an approach warning buzzer is heard often

326 4-5. Using the driving support systems
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
Conditions under which the BSM function may not function correctly ●
The BSM function may not detect vehicles correctly in the following situations:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to a stro ng impact to the sensor or its surround-
ing area
• When mud, snow, ice, a sticke r, etc. is covering the sensor or surrounding area on
the rear bumper
• When driving on a road surf ace that is wet with standi ng water during bad weather,
such as heavy rain, snow, or fog
• When multiple vehicles are approaching wi th only a small gap between each vehicle
• When the distance between your vehicle and a following vehicle is short
• When there is a significant difference in speed between your vehicle and the vehicle
that enters the detection area
• When the difference in speed between your vehicle and another vehicle is changing
• When a vehicle enters a detection area traveling at about the same speed as your
vehicle
• As your vehicle starts from a stop, a vehicle remains in the detection area
• When driving up and down cons ecutive steep inclines, such as hills, dips on the road,
etc.
• When driving on roads with sharp bends, consecutive curves, or uneven surfaces
• When vehicle lanes are wide, or when driving on the edge of a lane, and the vehicle
in an adjacent lane is far away from your vehicle
• When towing a trailer (vehicles with towing package)
• When items such as a bicycle carrier are installed on the rear of the vehicle
• When there is a significant difference in height between your vehicle and the vehicle
that enters the detection area
• Immediately after the BSM function is turned on ●
Instances of the BSM function unnecessarily detecting a vehicle and/or object may
increase in the following situations:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to a stro ng impact to the sensor or its surround-
ing area
• When the distance between your vehicle and a guardrail, wall, etc. that enters the
detection area is short
• When driving up and down cons ecutive steep inclines, such as hills, dips on the road,
etc.
• When vehicle lanes are narrow, or when driv ing on the edge of a lane, and a vehicle
traveling in a lane other than the ad jacent lanes enters the detection area
• When driving on roads with sharp bends, consecutive curves, or uneven surfaces
• When the tires are slipping or spinning
• When the distance between your vehicle and a following vehicle is short
• When a bicycle carrier or other accessory is installed to the rear of the vehicle
• When towing a trailer (vehicles with towing package)