tow Lexus IS300h 2013 Owner's Guide

2034-1. Before driving
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
CAUTION
When the gross vehicle mass limit or maximum permissible axle capacity is
exceeded
Do not exceed the established speed limit for towing a trailer in built-up areas
or 100 km/h (62 mph), whichever is the lower.

2044-1. Before driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
Installation positions for the towing hitch/bracket and hitch ball
436 mm (17.2 in.)
475 mm (18.7 in.)
476 mm (18.7 in.)
502 mm (19.8 in.)520 mm (20.5 in.)
560 mm (22.0 in.)
622 mm (24.5 in.)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
307 mm (12.1 in.)
318 mm (12.5 in.)
342 mm (13.5 in.)
394 mm (15.5 in.)
704 mm (27.7 in.)
1138 mm (44.8 in.)
58 mm (2.3 in.)53 mm (2.1 in.)
42 mm (1.7 in.)
34 mm (1.3 in.)
6 mm (0.2 in.)
11 mm (0.4 in.)
390 mm (15.4 in.)8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

2054-1. Before driving
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
Tire information
Increase the tire inflation pressure to 20.0 kPa (0.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 3 psi) greater
than the recommended value when towing. (P. 570)
Increase the air pressure of the trailer tires in accordance with the total trailer
weight and according to the values recommended by the manufacturer of your
trailer.
Break-in schedule
Lexus recommends that vehicles fitted with new power train components should
not be used for towing trailers for the first 800 km (500 miles).
Safety checks before towing
Check that the maximum load limit for the towing hitch/bracket hitch ball is not
exceeded. Bear in mind that the coupling weight of the trailer will add to the
load exerted on the vehicle. Also make sure that you will not be towing a load
that exceeds the maximum permissible axle capacity.
Ensure that the trailer load is secure.
Supplementary outside rear view mirrors should be added to the vehicle if the
traffic behind cannot be clearly seen with standard mirrors. Adjust the extend-
ing arms of these mirrors on both sides of the vehicle so that they always pro-
vide maximum visibility of the road behind.
Maintenance
Maintenance must be performed more frequently when using the vehicle for
towing due to the greater weight burden placed on the vehicle compared to nor-
mal driving.
Retighten all bolts securing the hitching ball and bracket after towing for
approximately 1000 km (600 miles).
NOTICE
When the rear bumper strengthening material is aluminum
Ensure the steel bracket part does not come directly in contact with that area.
When steel and aluminum come into contact, there is a reaction similar to cor-
rosion, which will weaken the section concerned and may result in damage.
Apply a rust inhibitor to parts that will come in contact when attaching a steel
bracket.

2064-1. Before driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. In order to
avoid accident, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind when
towing:
Checking connections between trailer and lights
Stop the vehicle and check the operation of the connection between the
trailer and lights after driving for a brief period as well as before start-
ing off.
Practicing driving with a coupled trailer
Get the feel for turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer cou-
pled by practicing in an area with no or light traffic.
When reversing with a coupled trailer, hold the section of the steer-
ing wheel nearest to you and rotate clockwise to turn the trailer left
or counterclockwise to turn it right. Always rotate a little at a time to
prevent steering error. Have someone guide you when reversing to
lessen the risk of an accident.
Increasing vehicle-to-vehicle distance
At a speed of 10 km/h (6 mph), the distance to the vehicle running
ahead of you should be equivalent to or greater than the combined
length of your vehicle and trailer. Avoid sudden braking that may cause
skidding. Otherwise, the vehicle may spin out of control. This is espe-
cially true when driving on wet or slippery road surfaces.
Sudden acceleration/steering input/cornering
Executing sharp turns when towing may result in the trailer colliding
with your vehicle. Decelerate well in advance when approaching turns
and take them slowly and carefully to avoid sudden braking.
Important points regarding turning
The wheels of the trailer will travel closer to the inside of the curve
than the wheels of the vehicle. To make allowance for this, take the
turns wider than you would normally do.
Guidance

2074-1. Before driving
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
Important points regarding stability
Vehicle movement resulting from uneven road surfaces and strong
crosswinds will affect handling. The vehicle may also be rocked by
passing buses or large trucks. Frequently check behind when moving
alongside such vehicles. As soon as such vehicle movement occurs,
immediately start to decelerate smoothly by slowly applying the
brakes. Always steer the vehicle straight ahead while braking.
Passing other vehicles
Consider the total combined length of your vehicle and trailer and
ensure that the vehicle-to-vehicle distance is sufficient before execut-
ing lane changes.
Transmission information
To maintain engine braking efficiency, when using engine braking
when driving on a long steep downward grade, do not use the transmis-
sion in D. The vehicle must be driven in gear shift position “4” in S
mode. (P. 219)
If the engine overheats
Towing a loaded trailer up a long, steep incline in temperatures exceed-
ing 30C (85F) may result in the engine overheating. If the engine
coolant temperature gauge indicates that the engine is overheating, turn
the air conditioning off immediately, leave the road and stop the vehi-
cle in a safe place.
(P. 555)
When parking the vehicle
Always place wheel chocks under the wheels of both the vehicle and
trailer. Firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to P.

2084-1. Before driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
CAUTION
To avoid accident or injury
Do not tow a trailer when a tire installed is repaired with the emergency tire
puncture repair kit.
Vehicle speed in towing
Observe the legal maximum speeds for trailer towing.
Before descending hills or long declines
Reduce speed and downshift. However, never downshift suddenly while
descending steep or long downhill grades.
Operation of the brake pedal
Do not hold the brake pedal depressed often or for long periods of time.
Doing so may result in the brake overheating or reduce braking effects.
NOTICE
For vehicles with an emergency tire puncture repair kit (if equipped)
Do not tow anything if a tire that has been repaired using the emergency tire
puncture repair kit is installed. The load on the tire may cause unexpected dam-
age to the tire.

226
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Turning the end of the lever turns on the lights as follows:
The front position, tail,
license plate and instrument
panel lights turn on.
The headlights and all lights
listed above turn on.
The headlights, daytime
running lights and all the
lights listed above turn on
and off automatically.
(When the power switch is
in ON mode.)
The daytime running lights
turn on.
With the headlights on, push the
lever away from you to turn on
the high beams.
Pull the lever toward you to the cen-
ter position to turn the high beams
off.
Pull the lever toward you and
release it to flash the high beams
once.
You can flash the high beams with
the headlights on or off.
Headlight switch
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4
Turning on the high beam headlights
1
2

2274-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
This system allows the headlights and front position lights to be turned on
for 30 seconds when the power switch is off.
Pull the lever toward you and
release it with the light switch is in
or after turning the power
switch off.
Pull the lever toward you and release
it again to turn off the lights.
Daytime running light system
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the front position lights turn
on automatically (at an increased intensity) whenever the hybrid system is started
and the parking brake is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for
use at night.
Headlight control sensor
Automatic light off system
When the light switch is in or : The headlights and front fog lights turn
off automatically if the power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned
off.
When the light switch is in : The headlights and all lights turn off automati-
cally if the power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off.
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to ON mode, or turn the light
switch off once and then back to or .
If any of the doors or trunk lid is left open, the lights automatically turn off after
20 minutes.
Follow me home system
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the wind-
shield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detect-
ing the level of ambient light and may cause
the automatic headlight system to malfunc-
tion.

2314-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
The Automatic High Beam can be operated when
The power switch is in ON mode.
Camera sensor detection information
High beam may not be automatically turned off in the following situations:
• When oncoming vehicles suddenly appear from a curve
• When the vehicle is cut in front of by another vehicle
• When oncoming or preceding vehicles are hidden from sight due to repeated
curves, road dividers or roadside trees
High beam may be turned off if an oncoming vehicle that is using fog lights
without using the headlights is detected.
House lights, street lights, red traffic signals, and illuminated billboards or signs
may cause the high beam to turn off.
The following factors may affect the amount of time taken to turn high beam on
or off:
• The brightness of headlights, fog lights, and tail lights of oncoming and pre-
ceding vehicles
• The movement and direction of oncoming and preceding vehicles
• When an oncoming or preceding vehicle only has operational lights on one
side
• When an oncoming or preceding vehicle is a two-wheeled vehicle
• The condition of the road (gradient, curve, condition of the road surface etc.)
• The number of passengers and amount of luggage
High beam may be turned on or off when unexpected by the driver.
Small vehicles, such as bicycles, may not be detected.
In the situations below, the system may not be able to correctly detect the sur-
rounding brightness levels, and may flash or expose nearby pedestrians to the
high beam. Therefore, you should consider turning the high beams on or off
manually rather than relying on the Automatic High Beam system.
• In bad weather (rain, snow, fog, sandstorms etc.)
• The windshield is obscured by fog, mist, ice, dirt etc.
• The windshield is cracked or damaged.
• The camera sensor is deformed or dirty.
• Surrounding brightness levels are equal to those of headlights, tail lights or
fog lights.
• Vehicles ahead have headlights or tail lights that are either switched off,
dirty, changing color, or have improperly adjusted aim.
• When driving through an area of intermittently changing brightness and
darkness.
• When frequently and repeatedly driving ascending/descending roads, or
roads with rough, bumpy or uneven surfaces (such as stone-paved roads,
gravel tracks etc.).
• When frequently and repeatedly taking curves or driving on a winding road.
• There is a highly reflective object ahead of the vehicle, such as a sign or a
mirror.
• The vehicle’s headlights are damaged or dirty.
• The vehicle is listing or titling, due to a flat tire, a trailer being towed etc.
• The driver believes that the high beam may be causing problems or distress
to other drivers or pedestrians nearby.

2404-3. Operating the lights and wipers
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
CAUTION
Caution regarding the use of windshield wipers in AUTO mode
The windshield wipers may operate unexpectedly if the sensor is touched or the
windshield is subject to vibration in AUTO mode. Take care that your fingers
or anything else do not become caught in the windshield wipers.
Caution regarding the use of washer fluid
When it is cold, do not use the washer fluid until the windshield becomes
warm. The fluid may freeze on the windshield and cause low visibility. This
may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.
When there is no washer fluid spray from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may be caused if the lever is pulled toward
you and held continually.
When a nozzle becomes blocked
In this case, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped professional.
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.