towing Lexus IS300h 2017 User Guide

2144-1. Before driving
IS300h_EE(OM53D89E)
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

2154-1. Before driving
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53D89E)
■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. 652)
●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 shou ld be added to the vehicle if the traffic behind cannot be clearly seen with standa rd mirrors. Adjust the extending arms of
these mirrors on both sides of the vehicle so that they always provide 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 normal 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 corrosion,
which will weaken the section concerned and may result in damage. Apply a rust inhib- itor to parts that will come in contact when attaching a steel bracket.

2164-1. Before driving
IS300h_EE(OM53D89E)
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. In order to avoid acci-
dent, 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 starting off.
■Practicing driving with a coupled trailer
●Get the feel for turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer coupled by
practicing in an area with no or light traffic.
●When reversing with a coupled traile r, hold the section of the steering
wheel nearest to you and rotate clockwis e to turn the trailer left or counter-
clockwise 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 di stance to the vehicle running ahead of
you should be equivalent to or greater than the combined length of your vehi-
cle and trailer. Avoid sudden braking th at may cause skidding. Otherwise, the
vehicle may spin out of control. This is especially true when driving on wet or
slippery road surfaces.
■Sudden acceleration/steering input/cornering
Executing sharp turns when towing may re sult 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

2174-1. Before driving
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53D89E)
■Important points regarding stability
Vehicle movement resulting from unev en road surfaces and strong cross-
winds will affect handling. The vehicle ma y also be rocked by passing buses or
large trucks. Frequently check behind when moving alongside such vehicles.
As soon as such vehicle movement o ccurs, 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 su fficient before executing lane changes.
■Transmission information
To maintain engine braking efficiency, when using engine braking when driv-
ing on a long steep downward grade, do not use the transmission in D. The
vehicle must be driven in gear shift position “4” in S mode. (P. 229)
■If the engine overheats
Towing a loaded trailer up a long, steep incline in temperatures exceeding
30 C (85F) may result in the engine overheating. If the engine coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is overheating, turn the air condition-
ing off immediately, leave the road and stop the vehicle in a safe place.
( P. 636)
■When parking the vehicle
Always place wheel chocks under the wheels of both the vehicle and trailer.
Firmly set the parking brake an d shift the shift lever to P.

2184-1. Before driving
IS300h_EE(OM53D89E)
WARNING
■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 ov erheating 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 ti re may cause unexpected damage to the tire.

2684-5. Using the driving support systems
IS300h_EE(OM53D89E)
WARNING
■When to disable the pre-collision system
In the following situations, disable the system, as it may not operate properly, possibly
leading to an accident resultin g in death or serious injury:
●When the vehicle is being towed
●When your vehicle is towing another vehicle
●When transporting the vehicle via truck, boat, train or similar means of transportation
●When the vehicle is raised on a lift with the hybrid system on and the tires are allowed to rotate freely
●When inspecting the vehicle using a drum tester such as a chassis dynamometer or
speedometer tester, or when using an on vehicle wheel balancer
●When a strong impact is applied to the fron t bumper or front grille, due to an accident
or other reasons
●If the vehicle cannot be driven in a stable manner, such as when the vehicle has been in an accident or is malfunctioning
●When the vehicle is driven in a sporty manner or off-road
●When the tires are not properly inflated
●When the tires are very worn
●When tires of a size other than specified are installed
●When tire chains are installed
●When a compact spare tire or an emergency tire puncture repair kit is used
●If equipment (snow plow, etc.) that may obstruct the radar sensor or camera sensor is
temporarily installe d to the vehicle

2814-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53D89E)
WARNING
■Before using LDA system
Do not rely solely upon the LDA system. The LDA system does not automatically drive
the vehicle or reduce the amount of attention that must be paid to the area in front of
the vehicle. The driver must always assume full responsibility for driving safely by pay- ing careful attention to the surrounding cond itions and operating the steering wheel to
correct the path of the vehicle. Also, th e driver must take adequate breaks when
fatigued, such as from driving for a long period of time. Failure to perform appropriate driving operat ions and pay careful attention may lead to
an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
■To avoid operating LDA system by mistake
When not using the LDA system, use the LDA switch to turn the system off.
■Situations unsuitable for LDA system
Do not use the LDA system in the following situations. The system may not operate properly and le ad to an accident, resulting in death or
serious injury.
●A spare tire, tire chains, etc. are equipped.
●When the tires have been excessively worn, or when the tire inflation pressure is low.
●Tires which differ by structure, manufacturer, brand or tread pattern are used.
●Objects or patterns that could be mistaken for white (yellow) lines are present on the side of the road (guardrails, cu rbs, reflective poles, etc.).
●Vehicle is driven on a snow-covered road.
●White (yellow) lines are difficult to see due to rain, snow, fog, dust, etc.
●Asphalt repair marks, white (yellow) line marks, etc. are present due to road repair.
●Vehicle is driven in a temporary lane or restricted lane due to construction work.
●Vehicle is driven on a road surface which is slippery due to rainy weather, fallen snow, freezing, etc.
●Vehicle is driven in traffic lanes ot her than on highways and freeways.
●Vehicle is driven in a construction zone.
●When your vehicle is towing a trailer or during emergency towing
■Preventing LDA system malfunctions and operations performed by mistake
●Do not modify the headlights or place stickers, etc. on the surface of the lights.
●Do not modify the suspension etc. If the suspension etc. needs to be replaced, con-
tact your authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer.
●Do not install or place anything on the hood or grille. Also, do not install a grille guard
(bull bars, kangaroo bar, etc.).
●If your windshield needs repairs, contact your authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus
authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.

2954-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53D89E)
WARNING
■Situations unsuitable for dynamic radar cruise control
Do not use dynamic radar cruise contro l in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in inappropriate speed control and could cause an accident result-
ing in death or serious injury.
●Roads where there are pede strians, cyclists, etc.
●In heavy traffic
●On roads with sharp bends
●On winding roads
●On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
●On steep downhills, or where there are sudden changes between sharp up and down gradients
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
●At entrances to freeways and highways
●When weather conditions are bad enough that they may prevent the sensors from
detecting correctly (fog, snow, sandstorm, heavy rain, etc.)
●When there is rain, snow, etc. on the front surface of the radar sensor or camera sen- sor
●In traffic conditions that require frequent repeated acceleration and deceleration
●When your vehicle is towing a trailer or during emergency towing
●When an approach warning buzzer is heard often

3084-5. Using the driving support systems
IS300h_EE(OM53D89E)
WARNING
■To avoid operating the cruise control by mistake
Switch the cruise control off using t he “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.
●When your vehicle is towing a trailer or during emergency towing

3164-5. Using the driving support systems
IS300h_EE(OM53D89E)
WARNING
■Sensor detection information
●The sensor’ detection areas are limited to the areas around the vehicle’ bumper.
●Certain vehicle conditions and surrounding environments, such as the following, may
affect the ability of the sensor s to correctly detect objects. Pay particular attention in the following situations. Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being driven
unsafely, possibly leading to an accident.
• There is dirt, snow or ice on the sensor. (Wiping the sensors will resolve this prob- lem.)
• The sensor is frozen. (Thawing th e area will resolve this problem.)
In especially cold weather, if a sensor is frozen the screen may show an abnormal dis- play, or obstacles may not be detected.
• 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 lo ud 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.
• The area directly under the bumpers is not detected.
• If obstacles draw too close to the sensor. • A non-genuine Lexus suspension (low ered suspension etc.) is installed.
• People may not be detected if they are wearing certain types of clothing.
In addition to the examples above, there ar e instances in which, because of their shape, signs and other objects may be judged by a sensor to be closer than they are.
●The shape of the obstacle may prevent a sensor from detecting it. Pay particular
attention to the following obstacles:
• Wires, fences, ropes, etc.
• Cotton, snow and other materi als that absorb sound waves
• Sharply-angled objects • Low obstacles
• Tall obstacles with upper sections projec ting outwards in the direction of your
vehicle • People, animals and other moving objects
• People wearing certain types of clothing