2018 LEXUS RX450h tow

3514-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
Situations in which the Intelligent Clearance Sonar function may operate even if there
is no possibility of a collision
In some situations such as the following, the Intelligent Clearanc e Sonar function may
operate even though there is no possibility of a collision. ●
Vehicle surroundings
• When driving toward a banner, flag, low- hanging branch or boom barrier (such as
those used at railroad crossing s, toll gates and parking lots).
• When driving on a narrow path surrounded by a structure, such as in a tunnel or on
an iron bridge
• When parallel parking
• When there is a rut or hole in the surface of the road
• When driving on a metal cover (grating), such as those used for drainage ditches
• When driving on a steep slope
• If a sensor is hit by a large amount of wa ter, such as when driving on a flooded road●
Weather
• If a sensor is covered with ice, snow, dirt, etc. (when cleared, the system will return to
normal)
• If heavy rain or water strikes a sensor
• When driving in inclemen t weather such as fog, snow or a sandstorm●
Other ultrasonic waves sources
• When vehicle horns, vehicle detectors, motorcycle engines, air brakes of large vehi-
cles, the clearance sonar of other vehicles or other devices which produce ultra-
sonic waves are near the vehicle
• If a sticker or an electronic component, su ch as a backlit license plate (especially flu-
orescent type), fog lights, a fender pole or wireless antenna is installed near a sensor●
Changes in the vehicle posture
• If the vehicle is significantly tilted
• If the front of the vehicle is raised or lowered due to the carried load
• If the orientation of a sens or has been changed due to a collision or other impact• When driving on a narrow road
• When driving on a gravel road or in an
area with tall grass

3554-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UNOTICE ■
To prevent the system from malfunctioning ●
If the area around a sensor is subjected to an impact, the system may not operate
properly due to the sensor being misaligned. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Lexus dealer. ●
When using a high pressure washer to wa sh the vehicle, do not spray the sensors
directly, as doing so may cause a sensor to malfunction. ●
When using steam to clean the vehicle, do not direct steam too close to the sensors
as doing so may cause a sensor to malfunction. ■
To prevent a radar sensor from malfunctioning ●
If the area around a radar sensor is subjected to an impact, the system may not oper-
ate properly due to a sensor malfunction. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer. ●
Observe the radar sensor handling precautions. ( → P. 322)■
To prevent unnecessary operation of the Intelligent Clearance Sonar system
In the following situations, disable the Inte lligent Clearance Sonar system as the system
may operate even though there is no possibility of a collision.●
When inspecting the vehicle using a chassi s roller, chassis dynamo or free roller●
When loading the vehicle onto a boat, truck or other transport vessel ●
If the suspension has been modified or tires of a size other than specified are installed●
If the front of the vehicle is raised or lowered due to the carried load ●
If towing eyelets are installed

360 4-5. Using the driving support systems
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
Situations in which the system may operate ev en though there is no possibility of a colli-
sion
In some situations such as the following, th e Rear Cross Traffic Auto Brake function may
operate even though there is no possibility of a collision. ●
When the parking space faces a street and
vehicles are being driven on the street ●
When a detected vehicle turns while
approaching the vehicle
●
When a vehicle passes by the side of your
vehicle
●
When the distance between your vehicle and
metal objects, such as a guardrail, wall, sign,
or parked vehicle, which may reflect electrical
waves toward the rear of the vehicle, is short
• When there are spinning objects near
your vehicle such as the fan of an air condi-
tioning unit
• When water is splashed or sprayed toward
the rear bumper, such as from a sprinkler

3614-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
Situations in which the Rear Cross Traffic Auto Brake function may not operate prop-
erly
In some situations such as the following , this function may not operate properly.●
Objects and vehicles which the radar sensors are not designed to detect
• Stationary objects
• Vehicles which are moving away from your vehicle
• Pedestrians, motorcycles, bicycles, etc.*
• Objects which are extremely close to a radar sensor
• Vehicles which are approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle at a
traveling speed of less than approximately 5 mph (8 km/h)
• Vehicles which are approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle at a
traveling speed of more than approximately 15 mph (24 km/h)
* : Depending on conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or object may occur.●
Situations in which the radar sensors may not be able to detect an object
• When a sensor or the area around a sensor is extremely hot or cold
• If the rear bumper is covere d with ice, snow, dirt, etc.
• If heavy rain or water strikes the vehicle
• When the detection area of a radar sensor is obstructed by an adjacent vehicle
• If the vehicle is significantly tilted
• If towing eyelets are installed
• If the suspension has been modified or tires of a size othe r than specified are
installed
• If the front of the vehicle is raised or lowered due to the carried load
• If a sticker or an electronic component, su ch as a backlit license plate (especially flu-
orescent type), fog lights, a fender pole or wireless antenna is installed near a radar
sensor
• If the orientation of a rada r sensor has been changed due to a collision or other
impact or removal and installation
• When multiple vehicles are approaching wi th only a small gap between each vehicle
• When a vehicle is approaching at high speed ●
Situations in which the radar sensor may not detect a vehicle
• When a vehicle approaches from the right
or left at the rear of the vehicle while you
are turning while backing up
• When turning while backing up
• When backing out of a shallow angle park-
ing spot

3874-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UWARNING ■
Hill-start assist control does not operate effectively when ●
Do not overly rely on hill-start assist control. Hill-start assist control may not operate
effectively on steep inclines and roads covered with ice. ●
Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist co ntrol is not intended to hold the vehicle
stationary for an exte nded period of time. Do not atte mpt to use hill-start assist con-
trol to hold the vehicle on an incline, as doing so may lead to an accident. ■
When the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sw ay Control is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckle ss driving may cause an
accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.■
When the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road conditions. As these
are the systems to help ensure vehicle stab ility and driving force, do not turn the
TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Contro l systems off unless necessary.
Trailer Sway Control is part of the VSC syst em and will not operate if VSC is turned off
or experiences a malfunction. ■
Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, tread pattern and total load
capacity. In addition, make sure that the tire s are inflated to the recommended tire infla-
tion pressure level.
The ABS, TRAC, Trailer Sway Control and VS C systems will not function correctly if
different tires are installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Lexus dealer for further in formation when replacing tires or wheels.■
Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modi fying the suspension w ill affect the driving
assist systems, and may cause a system to malfunction. ■
Trailer Sway Control precaution
The Trailer Sway Control system is not able to reduce trailer sway in all situations.
Depending on many factors such as the condit ions of the vehicle, trailer, road surface,
and driving environment, the Trailer Sway Control system may not be effective. Refer to
your trailer owner’s manual for information on how to tow your trailer properly. ■
If trailer sway occurs
Observe the following precautions.
Failing to do so may cause death or serious injury. ●
Firmly grip the steering wh eel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer sway by turning the steering wheel.●
Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately 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. ( → P. 234)

396 4-6. Driving tips
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U [
WARNING ■
Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death, serious injury
or damage to your vehicle: ●
Drive carefully when off the road. Do not ta ke unnecessary risks by driving in danger-
ous places. ●
Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump could jerk
the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and especially your thumbs on the
outside of the rim. ●
Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in sand, mud,
water or snow. ●
After driving through tall grass, mud, rock , sand, rivers, etc., check that there is no
grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped on the underbody.
Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the vehicle is used with these materi-
als trapped or adhering to the underbody, a breakdown or fire could occur. ●
When driving off-road or in rugged terrain , do not drive at excessive speeds, jump,
make sharp turns, strike obje cts, etc. This may cause loss of control or vehicle rollover
causing death or serious injury. You are also risking expensive damage to your vehi-
cle’s suspension and chassis.
NOTICE ■
To prevent water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the hybrid battery
(traction battery), hybrid system or other components does not occur.●
Water entering the engine compartment may cause severe damage to the hybrid
system. Water entering the interior may cause the hybrid battery (traction battery)
stowed under the rear seats to short circuit.●
Water entering the hybrid transmission and rear electric motor (traction motor) will
cause deterioration in transmission qualit y. The malfunction indicator may come on,
and the vehicle may not be drivable. ●
Water can wash the grease from wheel be arings, causing rusting and premature fail-
ure, and may also enter the hybrid transmissi on case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricat-
ing qualities. ■
When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when cro ssing shallow streams, first check the depth of
the water and the bottom of the riverbed for firmness. Drive slowly and avoid deep
water. ■
Inspection after off-road driving ●
Sand and mud that has accumulated around brake discs may affect braking efficiency
and may damage brake system components. ●
Always perform a maintenance inspection afte r each day of off-road driving that has
taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For scheduled maintenance
information, refer to the “Warranty and Services Guide/Owner’s Manual Supple-
ment/Scheduled Maintenance”.

408 5-1. Basic Operations
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
Adjusting the volume
The volume of the Mobile Assist ant can be adjusted using the
“ PWR·VOL
” knob or
steering wheel volume switch es. The Mobile Assistant an d phone call volumes are syn-
chronized. ■
Microphone
It is not necessary to speak directly into the microphone when using the Mobile Assis-
tant. ●
Wait for the listening beeps before using the Mobile Assistant.●
The Mobile Assistant may not recognize commands in the following situations:
• When spoken too quickly.
• When spoken at a low or high volume.
• When the roof or windows are open.
• When passengers are talking while th e Mobile Assistan t is being used.
• When the air conditioning syst em’s fan speed is set high.
• When the air conditioning vents ar e turned toward the microphone.■
Mobile Assistant precautions ●
The available features and functions may vary based on the iOS version installed on the
connected device. ●
Some Siri features are limited in Eyes Free mode. If you attempt to use an unavailable
function, Siri will inform you that the function is not available. ●
If Siri is not enabled on the ce llular phone connected via Bluetooth 
, an error message
will be displayed on the screen. ●
While a phone call is active, the Mobile Assistant cannot be used. ●
If using the navigation featur e of the cellular phone, ensure the active audio source is
Bluetooth 
audio or iPod in order to hear turn by turn direction prompts.

494 5-12. Other function
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
Microphone
→ P. 462 ■
When using the microphone ●
It is unnecessary to speak directly into the microphone when giving a command.●
Wait for the confirmation beep before speaking a command.●
Voice commands may not be recognized if:
• Spoken too quickly.
• Spoken at a low or high volume.
• The roof or windows are open.
• Passengers are talking while voice commands are spoken.
• The air conditioning speed is set high.
• The air conditioning vents are turned towards the microphone.●
In the following conditions, the system ma y not recognize the command properly and
using voice commands may not be possible:
• The command is incorrect or unclear. No te that certain words, accents or speech
patterns may be difficult for the system to recognize.
• There is excessive background noise, such as wind noise. ■
When searching for a track ●
A USB memory or iPod must be connected to enable track searching and playback.
( → P. 409) ●
When a USB memory or iPod is connected, recognition data is created so tracks can
be searched using voice commands. ●
Recognition data is updated un der the following conditions:
• When the USB memory or iPod data has changed.
• When the voice recognition language is changed. ( → P. 413)●
While the recognition data is being created or being updated, a track search cannot be
performed using a voice command. ■
The Gracenote ®
media database