13Pictorial index
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
Windshield wipers ........................................................................................ P.184, 189
Precautions against winter season ................... ......................................................... P.266
To prevent freezing (windshield wiper de-icer)
*................................................. P.284
Precautions against car wash ........................................................................................P.321
Fuel filler door ........................................................................................................... P.19 1
Refueling method ............................................................................................................... .P.191
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity ...... ...................................................................................P.409
Tires.......................................................................................................................... .P.343
Tire size/inflation pressure ............................................................................................ P.413
Winter tires/tire chain .................................................................................................... P.26 6
Checking/rotation/tire pressure warning system.............................................. P.343
Coping with flat tires........................................................................................................ P .387
Hood ......................................................................................................................... P. 333
Opening ........................................................................................................................ ....... P.333
Engine compartment cover ......................................................................................... P.336
Engine oil ..................................................................................................................... .......... P.410
Coping with overheat .....................................................................................................P.403
Warning messages ..........................................................................................................P.384
Headlights ................................................................................................................. P.17 8
Parking lights/daytime running lights............................................................... P.178
Fog lights....................................................................................................................P .184
Cornering lights
*................................................................................................................ P.180
Turn signal lights ...................................................................................................... P.172
Tail lights .................................................................................................................... P.178
License plate lights ................................................................................................. P.178
Back-up light
Shifting the shift lever to R .............................................................................................. P.16 8
Light bulbs of the exterior lights for driving
(Replacing method: P.361, Watts: P.415)
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
2664-6. Driving tips
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
4-6.Driving tips
Use fluids that are appropriate to
the prevailing outside temperatures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
Have a service technician inspect
the condition of the battery.
Have the vehicle fitted with four
snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the front tires
*.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and
brand, and that chains match the size of the
tires.
*: Tire chains cannot be mounted on the
225/60R18 tires.
Snow tires should be used instead.
Perform the following according to the
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary prepara-
tions and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive
the vehicle in a manner appropriate
to the prevailing weather condi-
tions.
Preparation for winter
WARNING
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to
reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of
vehicle control and cause death or seri-
ous injury.
●Use tires of the specified size.
●Maintain the recommended level of air
pressure.
●Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120
km/h), regardless of the type of snow
tires being used.
●Use snow tires on all, not just some
wheels.
■Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to
reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle
being unable to be driven safely, and may
cause death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed
limit specified for the tire chains being
used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), which-
ever is lower.
●Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces
or over potholes.
●Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt
steering, sudden br aking and shifting
operations that cause sudden engine
braking.
●Slow down sufficiently before entering
a curve to ensure that vehicle control is
maintained.
●Do not use LDA (Lane Departure
Alert with steering control) (if
equipped).
●Do not use LTA (Lane Tracing Assist)
(if equipped).
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow
tires from Lexus dealers or legitimate tire
retailers.
This is because the removal and attach-
ment of snow tires affects the operation
of the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters.
Before driving the vehicle
2684-6. Driving tips
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
Vehicles with 225/65R17 and
235/55R18 tires
Side chain: 0.12 in. (3 mm) in diameter
0.39 in. (10 mm) in width
0.98 in. (25 mm) in length
Cross chain:
0.16 in. (4 mm) in diameter
0.55 in. (14 mm) in width
0.98 in. (25 mm) in length
Vehicles with 225/60R18 tires
Tire chains cannot be mounted on the
225/60R18 tires.
Snow tires should be used instead.
Regulations regarding the use of tire
chains vary depending on location and
type of road. Always check local regu-
lations before installing chains.
■Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions when
installing and removing chains:
●Install and remove tire chains in a safe
location.
●Install tire chains on the front tires only.
Do not install tire chains on the rear tires.
●Install tire chains on front tires as tightly as
possible. Retighten chains after driving
1/4 - 1/2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
●Install tire chains following the instruc-
tions provided with the tire chains.
Regulations on the use of tire
chains
A
B
C
D
E
F
NOTICE
■Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters may not function correctly
when tire chains are fitted.
3436-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
6
Maintenance and care
Check if the treadwear indicators are
showing on the tires. Also check the
tires for uneven wear, such as excessive
wear on one side of the tread.
Check the spare tire condition and
pressure if not rotated.
New tread
Worn tread
Treadwear indicator
The location of treadwear indicators is
shown by a “TWI” or mark, etc.,
molded into the sidewall of each tire.
Replace the tires if the treadwear indica- tors are showing on a tire.
■When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●The treadwear indicators are showing on
a tire.
●You have tire damage such as cuts, splits,
cracks deep enough to expose the fabric,
and bulges indicating internal damage.
●A tire goes flat repe atedly or cannot be
properly repaired due to the size or loca-
tion of a cut or other damage.
If you are not sure, consult with your Lexus
dealer.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked
by a qualified technician even if it has sel-
dom or never been used or damage is not
obvious.
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of the
replacement tire is greater than 1/2 of the
Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) of
either the front axle or the rear axle, which-
ever is greater.
For the GAWR, see the Certification Label.
For the maximum load of the tire, see the
load limit at maximum cold tire inflation
pressure mentioned on the sidewall of the
tire. ( P.418)
■Tire types
●Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed perfor-
mance tires best suited to highway driv-
ing under dry conditions. Since summer
tires do not have the same traction per-
formance as snow tires, summer tires are
inadequate for driving on snow-covered
or icy roads. For driving on snow-covered
Tires
Replace or rotate tires in accor-
dance with maintenance schedules
and treadwear.
Checking tires
A
B
C
3536-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
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 and transmitters must
be installed. ( P.345, 354)
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.
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.
3606-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
Type A
Adjustment bolt A
Adjustment bolt B
Type BAdjustment bolt A
Adjustment bolt B
Make sure the vehicle has a full tank
of gasoline and the area around the
headlight is not deformed.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Make sure the tire inflation pressure is at the specified level.
Have someone sit in the driver’s
seat.
Bounce the vehicle several times.
1 Using a Phillips-head screwdriver,
turn bolt A in either direction.
Remember the turning direction
and the number of turns.
Type A
Type B
2 Turn bolt B the same number of
turns and in the same direction as
step 1.
If the headlight cannot be adjusted using
this procedure, take the vehicle to your
Lexus dealer to adjust the headlight aim.
Headlight aim
Vertical movement adjusting
bolts
Before checking the headlight
aim
A
B
A
B
Adjusting the headlight aim
3697-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
7
When trouble arises
7-2.Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be
t
owed
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.
2WD models: If towing your vehicle
with a wheel-lift type truck from the
front, the vehicle’s rear wheels and
axles must be in good conditions.
( P.369, 371)
If they are damaged, use a towing
dolly or flatbed truck.
AWD models: If towing your vehi-
cle with a wheel-lift type truck, use
a towing dolly. ( P.369, 371)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury.
■When towing the vehicle
2WD models
Be sure to transport the vehicle with the
front wheels raised or with all four wheels
raised off the ground. If the vehicle is
towed with the front wheels contacting
the ground, the drivetrain and related
parts may be damaged.
AWD models
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 driv etrain or related
parts may be damaged, the vehicle may
fly off the truck.
■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.
4138-1. Specifications
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
8
Vehicle specifications
*: Minimum pedal clearance when depressed with a force of 110 lbf (490 N, 50.0 kgf)
while the engine is running.
Type A
Brakes
Pedal clearance*3.94 in. (100 mm) Min.
Brake pad wear limit0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Pedal free play0.04 — 0.24 in. (1.0 — 6.0 mm)
Fluid type• FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703
• FMVSS No. 116 DOT 4 or SAE J1704
Steering
Free playLess than 1.2 in. (30 mm)
Tires and wheels
Tire size225/65R17 102H
Tire inflation pressure
(Recommended cold tire inflation
pressure)
Driving under normal conditions
Front
35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Rear
35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Driving at high speeds (above 100 mph [160
km/h]) (in countries where such speeds are permit-
ted by law)
Add 1 psi (10 kPa, 0.1 kgf/cm
2 or bar) to the front
and rear tires. Never exceed the maximum cold tire
inflation pressure indica ted on the tire sidewall.
Wheel size17 7 J
Wheel nut torque76 ft• lbf (103 N• m, 10.5 kgf• m)