towing Lexus IS250 2012 Do-it-yourself maintenance / LEXUS 2012 IS250,IS350 OWNERS MANUAL (OM53A87U)

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2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle ........................ 130
Engine (ignition) switch ................ 141
Automatic transmission.............. 146
Manual transmission .................... 152
Turn signal lever ............................ 154
Parking brake ................................. 155
Horn.................................................... 157
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ..................... 158
Indicators and warning lights................................................. 164
Multi-information display........... 167
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch ............................. 172
Fog light switch .............................. 176
Windshield wipers and washer............................................. 178
Headlight cleaner switch ........... 185 2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control ................................ 186
Intuitive parking assist ................. 190
Driving assist systems.................. 196
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ..................... 202
Vehicle load limits ....................... 205
Winter driving tips ....................... 206
Trailer towing .................................. 210
Dinghy towing (vehicles with an automatic
transmission) .................................. 211
Dinghy towing (vehicles with a manual
transmission) ................................ 212
2When driving

When driving2
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2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle.................. 130
Engine (ignition) switch .......... 141
Automatic transmission ........ 146
Manual transmission .............. 152
Turn signal lever ....................... 154
Parking brake ........................... 155
Horn ............................................ 157
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ................ 158
Indicators and warning lights ......................................... 164
Multi-information display ..... 167
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch...................... 172
Fog light switch ......................... 176
Windshield wipers and washer ..................................... 178
Headlight cleaner switch...... 185 2-4. Using other driving
systems
Cruise control.......................... 186
Intuitive parking assist ........... 190
Driving assist systems ............ 196
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ............... 202
Vehicle load limits .................. 205
Winter driving tips ................. 206
Trailer towing ........................... 210
Dinghy towing (vehicles with an
automatic transmission)...... 211
Dinghy towing (vehicles with a
manual transmission) .......... 212

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2-4. Using other driving systems
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When driving
CAUTION
■To avoid operating the cruise control by mistake
Switch the cruise control off using the “ON-OFF” button when not in use.
■Situations unsuitable for cruise control
Do not use cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in loss of control and could cause an accident resulting in death
or serious injury.
●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 hills
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
●During emergency towing

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2-4. Using other driving systems
■Sensor detection information
●Certain vehicle conditions and the surrounding environment may affect the
ability of the sensor to correctly detect obstacles. Particular instances where this
may occur are listed below.
• There is dirt, snow or ice on the sensor.
• The sensor is frozen.
• The sensor is covered in any way.
• The vehicle is leaning considerably to one side.
• On an extremely bumpy road, on an incline, on gravel, or on grass.
• The vicinity of the vehicle is noisy due to vehicle horns, motorcycle engines,
air brakes of large vehicles, or other loud noises producing ultrasonic waves.
• There is another vehicle equipped with parking assist sensors in the vicinity.
• The sensor is coated with a sheet of spray or heavy rain.
• The vehicle is equipped with a fender pole or wireless antenna.
• Towing eyelets are installed.
• The bumper or sensor receives a strong impact.
• The vehicle is approaching a tall or curved curb.
• In harsh sunlight or intense cold weather.
In addition to the examples above, there are instances in which, because of their
shapes, signs and other object s may be judged by the sensor to be closer than they
are.
●The shape of the obstacle may prevent th e sensor from detecting it. Pay particu-
lar attention to the following obstacles.
• Wires, fences, ropes etc.
• Cotton, snow and other materials that absorb radio waves
• Sharply-angled objects
•Low obstacles
• Tall obstacles with upper sections projec ting outwards in the direction of your
vehicle
■When the display flashes an d a message is displayed
 P. 4 8 1

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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
(6)If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will betransferred to your vehicle. Consul t this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehi-
cle.
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Your vehicle is
not designed for trailer towing.
Example on your vehicle
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity
When 2 people with the combined weight of 366 lb. (166 kg) are riding
in your vehicle, which has a total load capacity of 825 lb. (375 kg), the
available amount of cargo and luggag e load capacity will be as follows:
825 lb. — 366 lb. = 459 lb. (375 kg —166 kg = 209 kg)
In this condition, if 3 mo re passengers with the combined weight of 388 lb.
(176 kg) get on, the available cargo and luggage load will be reduced as fol-
lows:
459 lb. — 388 lb. = 71 lb. (209 kg — 176 kg = 33 kg)
As shown in the example above, if the number of occupants increases,
the cargo and luggage load will be re duced by an amount that equals the
increased weight due to the addition al occupants. In other words, if an
increase in the number of occupants ca uses an excess of the total load
capacity (combined weight of occupants plus cargo and luggage load),
you must reduce the cargo and luggage on your vehicle.

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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
Vehicle load limits
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information label.
(  P. 4 2 4 )
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tire s, but also degrade steering and braking
ability, resulting in an accident.
Vehicle load limits include total lo ad capacity, seating capacity, towing
capacity and cargo capacity.
■ Total load capacity: 825 lb. (375 kg)
Total load capacity means the combined 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.
■Towing capacity
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.

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2-5. Driving information
Trailer towing
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 Lexus is not designed
for trailer towing or for the us e of tow hitch mounted carriers.

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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
Dinghy towing (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the
ground) behind a motor home.

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2-5. Driving information
Dinghy towing (vehicles with a manual transmission)
Towing your vehicle with 4 wheels on the groundTo prevent damage to your vehicle, perform the following procedures
before towing. Shift the shift lever to neutral.
Switch to ACCESSORY mode. ( P. 143)
Ensure that the audio system and other powered devices have been
turned off.
Release the parking brake.
After towing, leave the engine in idle for at least 3 minutes before driv-
ing the vehicle.
■Necessary equipment and accessories
Specialized equipment and accessories are required for dinghy towing. Contact
the service branch of the motor home manufacturer regarding recommended
equipment.
Your vehicle can be dinghy towed in a forward direction (with 4 wheels on
the ground) behind a motor home.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
NOTICE
■Dinghy towing direction
■To prevent the steering from locking
Ensure the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in ACCESSORY mode.
Do not tow the vehicle backwards.
Doing so may cause serious damage.