311-1. For safe use
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
1
For safety and security
cle is subjected to certain types of
severe frontal or side collision or a
vehicle rollover.
The pretensioners do not activate in the
event of a minor frontal impact, a minor
side impact or a rear impact.
■Replacing the belt after the preten-
sioner has been activated
If the vehicle is involved in multiple colli-
sions, the pretensioner will activate for the
first collision, but will not activate for the
second or subsequent collisions.
WARNING
Observe the following precautions to
reduce the risk of injury in the event of
sudden braking, sudden swerving or an
accident.
Failure to do so may cause death or seri-
ous injury.
■Seat belt pretensioners
●Do not place anything, such as a cush-
ion, on the front passenger’s seat.
Doing so will disperse the passenger’s
weight, which prevents the sensor
from detecting the passenger’s weight
properly. As a result , the seat belt pre-
tensioner for the front passenger’s seat
may not activate in the event of a colli-
sion.
●If the pretensioner has activated, the
SRS warning light will come on. In that
case, the seat belt cannot be used
again and must be replaced at your
Lexus dealer.
391-1. For safe use
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
1
For safety and security
WARNING
●Do not attach anything to or lean any-
thing against areas such as the dash-
board, steering wheel pad and lower
portion of the instrument panel.
These items can become projectiles
when the SRS driver, front passenger
and knee airbags deploy.
●Do not attach anything to areas such
as a door, windshield, side door glass,
front or rear pillar, roof side rail and
assist grip.
●Do not hang coat hangers or other
hard objects on the coat hooks. All of
these items could become projectiles
and may cause death or serious injury,
should the SRS curtain shield airbags
deploy.
●If a vinyl cover is put on the area where
the SRS knee airbag will deploy, be
sure to remove it.
●Do not use seat accessories which
cover the parts where the SRS side air-
bags and SRS seat cushion airbag
inflate as they may interfere with infla-
tion of the SRS airbags. Such accesso-
ries may prevent the side airbags and
seat cushion airbag from activating
correctly, disable the system or cause
the side airbags and seat cushion air-
bag to inflate accide ntally, resulting in
death or serious injury.
●Do not strike or apply significant levels
of force to the area of the SRS airbag
components.
Doing so can cause the SRS airbags to
malfunction.
●Do not touch any of the component
parts immediately after the SRS air-
bags have deployed (inflated) as they
may be hot.
●If breathing becomes difficult after the
SRS airbags have deployed, open a
door or window to allow fresh air in, or
leave the vehicle if it is safe to do so.
Wash off any residue as soon as possi-
ble to prevent skin irritation.
●If the areas where the SRS airbags are
stored, such as the steering wheel pad
and front and rear pillar garnishes, are
damaged or cracked, have them
replaced by your Lexus dealer.
●Do not place anything, such as a cush-
ion, on the front passenger’s seat.
Doing so will disperse the passenger’s
weight, which prevents the sensor
from detecting the passenger’s weight
properly. As a result, the SRS front air-
bags for the front passenger may not
deploy in the event of a collision.
451-1. For safe use
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
1
For safety and security
WARNING
■Front passenger occupant classifica-
tion system precautions
Observe the following precautions
regarding the front passenger occupant
classification system. Failure to do so may
cause death or serious injury.
●Wear the seat belt properly.
●Make sure the fron t passenger’s seat
belt plate has not been left inserted
into the buckle before someone sits in
the front passenger seat.
●Make sure the “AIR BAG OFF” indi-
cator light is not illuminated when
using the seat belt extender for the
front passenger seat. If the “AIR BAG
OFF” indicator light is illuminated, dis-
connect the extender tongue from the
seat belt buckle, and reconnect the
seat belt. Reconnect the seat belt
extender after making sure the “AIR
BAG ON” indicator light is illumi-
nated. If you use the seat belt extender
while the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator
light is illuminated, the SRS airbags for
the front passenger will not activate,
which could cause death or serious
injury in the event of a collision.
●Do not apply a heavy load to the front
passenger seat or equipment (e.g.
seatback pocket).
●Do not put weight on the front passen-
ger seat by putting your hands or feet
on the front passenger seat seatback
from the rear passenger seat.
●Do not let a rear passenger lift the
front passenger seat with their feet or
press on the seatback with their legs.
●Do not put objects under the front pas-
senger seat.
●Do not recline the front passenger
seatback so far that it touches a rear
seat. This may cause the “AIR BAG
OFF” indicator light to be illuminated,
which indicates that the SRS airbags
for the front passenger will not activate
in the event of a severe accident. If the
seatback touches the rear seat, return
the seatback to a position where it
does not touch the rear seat. Keep the
front passenger seatback as upright as
possible when the vehicle is moving.
Reclining the seatback excessively
may lessen the effectiveness of the
seat belt system.
●If an adult sits in the front passenger
seat, the “AIR BAG ON” indicator
light is illuminated. If the “AIR BAG
OFF” indicator is illuminated, ask the
passenger to sit up straight, well back
in the seat, feet on the floor, and with
the seat belt worn co rrectly. If the “AIR
BAG OFF” indicator still remains illu-
minated, either ask the passenger to
move to the rear seat, or if that is not
possible, move the front passenger
seat fully rearward.
●When it is unavoidable to install a for-
ward-facing child restraint system on
the front passenger seat, install the
child restraint system on the front pas-
senger seat in the proper order.
( P.51)
●Do not modify or remove the front
seats.
●Do not kick the front passenger seat or
subject it to severe impact. Otherwise,
the SRS warning light may come on to
indicate a malfunction of the front pas-
senger occupant clas sification system.
In this case, contact your Lexus dealer
immediately.
●Child restraint systems installed on the
rear seat should not contact the front
seatbacks.
●Do not use a seat accessory, such as a
cushion and seat cover, that covers the
seat cushion surface.
491-2. Child safety
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
1
For safety and security
tions for child restraint systems.
Use a child restraint system until the
child becomes large enough to
properly wear the vehicle’s seat belt.
Choose a child restraint system that
suits your vehicle and is appropriate
to the age and size of the child.
WARNING
■When a child is riding
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury.
●For effective protection in automobile
accidents and sudden stops, a child
must be properly restrained, using a
seat belt or child restraint system
which is correctly installed. For installa-
tion details, refer to the operation man-
ual enclosed with the child restraint
system. General insta llation instruction
is provided in this manual.
●Lexus strongly urges the use of a
proper child restraint system that con-
forms to the weight and size of the
child, installed on the rear seat.
According to accident statistics, the
child is safer when properly restrained
in the rear seat than in the front seat.
●Holding a child in your or someone
else’s arms is not a substitute for a child
restraint system. In an accident, the
child can be crushed against the wind-
shield or between the holder and the
interior of the vehicle.
■Handling the child restraint system
If the child re straint system is not prop-
erly fixed in place, the child or other pas-
sengers may be seriously injured or even
killed in the event of sudden braking, sud-
den swerving, or an accident.
●If the vehicle were to receive a strong
impact from an accident, etc., it is pos-
sible that the child restraint system has
damage that is not readily visible. In
such cases, do not reuse the restraint
system.
●Make sure you have complied with all
installation instructions provided with
the child restraint system manufac-
turer and that the system is properly
secured.
●Keep the child rest raint system prop-
erly secured on the seat even if it is not
in use. Do not store the child restraint
system unsecured in the passenger
compartment.
●If it is necessary to detach the child
restraint system, remove it from the
vehicle or store it securely in the lug-
gage compartment.
1524-1. Before driving
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
Cargo capacity depends on the total
weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capac-
Cargo and luggage
Take notice of the following infor-
mation about storage precautions,
cargo capacity and load.
WARNING
■Things that must not be carried in the
luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if
loaded in the luggage compartment:
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent the pedals
from being depressed properly, may
block the driver’s vision, or may result in
items hitting the driver or passengers,
possibly causing an accident.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the lug-
gage compartment whenever possi-
ble.
●Do not stack cargo and luggage in the
luggage compartment higher than the
seatbacks.
●When you fold down the rear seats,
long items should not be placed
directly behind the front seats.
●Never allow anyone to ride in the lug-
gage compartment. It is not designed
for passengers. They should ride in
their seats with their seat belts prop-
erly fastened.
●Do not place cargo or luggage in or on
the following locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• On the luggage cover
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
●Secure all items in the occupant com-
partment.
■When using a roof luggage carrier
(vehicles with roof rails)
Observe the following precautions:
●Place the cargo so that its weight is dis-
tributed evenly between the front and
rear axles.
●If loading long or wide cargo, never
exceed the vehicle overall length or
width. ( P.408)
●Before driving, make sure the cargo is
securely fastened on the roof luggage
carrier.
●Loading cargo on the roof luggage
carrier will make the center of gravity
of the vehicle higher. Avoid high
speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns,
sudden braking or abrupt maneuvers,
otherwise it may result in loss of con-
trol or vehicle rollover due to failure to
operate this vehicle correctly and
result in death or serious injury.
●If driving for a long distance, on rough
roads, or at high sp eeds, stop the vehi-
cle now and then during the trip to
make sure the cargo remains in its
place.
●Do not exceed 176.3 lb. (80 kg) cargo
weight on the roof luggage carrier.
NOTICE
■When loading cargo (vehicles with
moon roof)
Do not set luggage on the moon roof.
Failure to observe so may lead to cause
damage.
Capacity and distribution
1534-1. Before driving
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
4
Driving
ity) — (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit
(1) Locate the statement “The com-
bined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from XXX
kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount
equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five
150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 — 750
(5 × 150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and lug-
gage load capacity calculated in Step
4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and lug-
gage load capacity of your vehicle.
( P.154)
Vehicles without towing package: Lexus
does not recommend towing a trailer with
your vehicle. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer towing.
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity (vehicle capac-
ity weight) (
P.408)
When 2 people with the combined
weight of A lb. (kg) are riding in your
vehicle, which has a total load capacity
(vehicle capacity weight) of B lb. (kg),
the available amount of cargo and lug-
gage load capacity will be C lb. (kg) as
follows:
B
*2lb. (kg) — A*1 lb. (kg) = C*3 lb. (kg)
*1: A = Weight of people
*2: B = Total load capacity
WARNING
■Capacity and distribution
●Do not exceed the maximum axle
weight rating or the total vehicle
weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occupant’s
weight and the cargo load is less than
the total load capacity, do not apply the
load unevenly. Improper loading may
cause deterioration of steering or
braking control which may cause
death or serious injury.
Calculation formula for your
vehicle
A
B
1544-1. Before driving
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
*3: C = Available cargo and luggage load
In this condition, if 3 more passengers
with the combined weight of D lb. (kg)
get on, the available cargo and lug-
gage load will be reduced E lb. (kg) as
follows:
C lb. (kg) — D
*4 lb. (kg) = E*5 lb. (kg)
*4: D = Additional weight of people
*5: E = Available cargo and luggage load
As shown in the example above, if the
number of occupants increases, the
cargo and luggage load will be
reduced by an amount that equals the
increased weight due to the additional
occupants. In other words, if an
increase in the number of occupants
causes an excess of the total load
capacity (combined weight of occu-
pants plus cargo and luggage load),
you must reduce the cargo and lug-
gage on your vehicle.
■Total load capacity (vehicle capac-
ity weight):
P.408
Total load capacity means the com-
bined weight of occupants, cargo and
luggage.
■Seating capacity: 5 occupants
(Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximum
number of occupants whose esti-
mated average weight is 150 lb. (68
kg) per person.
■TWR (Trailer Weight Rating) (vehi-
cles with towing package):
P.160, 408
TWR means the maximum gross trailer
weight (trailer weight plus its cargo
weight) that your vehicle is able to tow.
■TWR (Trailer Weight Rating) (vehi-
cles without towing package)
Lexus does not recommend towing a
trailer with your vehicle.
■Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or
decrease depending on the weight and
the number of occupants.
Vehicle load limits
Vehicle load limits include total
load capacity, seating capacity,
towing capacity and cargo capac-
ity.
Description
1564-1. Before driving
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
Coupler
Trailer ball
■Before towing
Check that the following conditions are
met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are prop-
erly inflated. ( P.413)
●Trailer tires are inflated according to the
trailer manufacturer’s recommendation.
●All trailer lights work as required by law.
●All lights work each time you connect
them.
●The trailer ball is set at the proper height
for the coupler on the trailer.
●The trailer is level when it is hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not level, and
check for improper tongue weight, over-
loading, worn suspension, or other possi-
ble causes.
●The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
●The rear view mirrors conform to all
applicable federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, install
rear view mirrors appropriate for towing
purposes.
■AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension
System) (if equipped)
The suspension can be switched for
improvement in driveability. ( P.261)
■Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any
new power train components (such as an
engine, transmission, differential or wheel
bearing), Lexus recommends that you do
not tow a trailer until 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 additional load. (See “Warranty
and Services Guide”, “Owner’s Manual
Supplement” or “Scheduled Mainte-
nance”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing
ball and bracket after approximately 600
miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
■If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing
vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can adversely
affect handling of your vehicle and trailer,
causing instability.
●If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer
straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer swaying by
turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing th e 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.
●After the trailer swaying 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 appropri-
ate, if possible.
A
B