load capacity LEXUS NX300 2020 Owners Manual

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

1554-1. Before driving
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
4
Driving
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire
and loading information label. ( P.351)
Contact your Lexus dealer for further
information about ad ditional require-
ments such as a towing kit, etc.
■Matching trailer ball height to trailer
coupler height
No matter which class of tow hitch applies,
for a more safe trailer hookup, the trailer
ball setup must be the proper height for the
coupler on the trailer.
WARNING
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires,
but also degrade steering and braking
ability, resulting in an accident.
Trailer towing (vehicles with
t
owing package)
Your vehicle is designed primarily
as a passenger-and-load-carrying
vehicle. Towing a trailer can have an
adverse impact on handling, per-
formance, braking, durability, and
fuel consumption. For your safety
and the safety of others, you must
not overload your vehicle or trailer.
You must also ensure that you are
using appropriate towing equip-
ment, that the towing equipment
has been installed correctly and
used properly, and that you employ
the requisite driving habits.
Vehicle-trailer stability and braking
performance are affected by trailer
stability, brake performance and
setting, trailer brakes, the hitch and
hitch systems (if equipped).
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme
care and drive the vehicle in accor-
dance with your trailer’s character-
istics and operating conditions.
Lexus warranties do not apply to
damage or malfunction caused by
towing a trailer for commercial pur-
poses.

2634-5. Using the driving support systems
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
4
Driving
WARNING
●The vehicle hydroplanes while driving
at high speed on wet or slick roads.
■Stopping distance when the ABS is
operating may exceed that of normal
conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the
vehicle’s stopping di stance. Always main-
tain a safe distance from the vehicle in
front of you, especially in the following
situations:
●When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-
covered roads
●When driving with tire chains
●When driving over bumps in the road
●When driving over roads with potholes
or uneven surfaces
■TRAC/VSC may not operate effec-
tively when
Directional control and power may not
be achievable while driving on slippery
road surfaces, even if the TRAC/VSC
system is operating. Drive the vehicle
carefully in conditions where stability and
power may be lost.
■Active Cornering Assist does not
operate effectively when
●Do not overly rely on Active Corner-
ing Assist. Active Cornering Assist
may not operate effectively when
accelerating down slopes or driving on
slippery road surfaces.
●When Active Cornering Assist fre-
quently operates, Active Cornering
Assist may temporarily stop operating
to ensure proper operation of the
brakes, TRAC and VSC.
■Hill-start assist control does not oper-
ate effectively when
●Do not overly rely on hill-start assist
control. Hill-start assist control may
not operate effectively on steep
inclines and roads covered with ice.
●Unlike the parking brake, hill-start
assist control is not intended to hold
the vehicle stationary for an extended
period of time. Do not attempt to use
hill-start assist control to hold the vehi-
cle on an incline, as doing so may lead
to an accident.
■When the TRAC/VSC/ Trailer Sway
Control is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always
drive carefully. Reckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular
care when the indicator light flashes.
■When the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway
Control systems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed
appropriate to the road conditions. As
these are the systems to help ensure
vehicle stability and driving force, do not
turn the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Con-
trol systems off unless necessary. Trailer
Sway Control is part of the VSC system
and will not operate if VSC is turned off
or experiences a malfunction.
■Replacing tires
Make sure that all ti res are of the speci-
fied size, brand, tread pattern and total
load capacity. In addition, make sure that
the tires are inflated to the recom-
mended tire inflation pressure level. The
ABS, TRAC, Trailer Sway Control and
VSC systems will not function correctly if
different tires are installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Lexus dealer for further
information when replacing tires or
wheels.
■Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or
modifying the suspensi on will affect the
driving assist systems, and may cause a
system to malfunction.

3446-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires is
recommended. When installing snow
tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
●All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide
better traction in snow and to be ade-
quate for driving in most winter condi-
tions as well as for use year-round. All
season tires, however, do not have ade-
quate traction performance compared
with snow tires in heavy or loose snow.
Also, all season tires fall short in accelera-
tion and handling performance com-
pared with summer tires in highway
driving.
●Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads or icy
roads, we recommend using snow tires. If
you need snow tires,
select tires of the
same size, construction and load capacity
as the originally installed tires. Since your
vehicle has radial tires as original equip-
ment, make sure your snow tires also
have radial construction. Do not install
studded tires without first checking local
regulations for possible restrictions.
Snow tires should be installed on all
wheels. ( P.266)
■If the tread on snow tires wears down
below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is
lost.
Rotate the tires in the order shown.
To equalize tire wear and extend tire life,
Lexus recommends that tire rotation is car-
ried out at the same in terval as tire inspec-
tion.
Do not fail to initialize the tire pressure
warning system after tire rotation.
WARNING
■When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to
prevent accidents.
Failure to do so may cause damage to
parts of the drive train as well as danger-
ous handling characteristics, which may
lead to an accident resulting in death or
serious injury.
●Do not mix tires of different makes,
models or tread patterns.
Also, do not mix tires of remarkably
different treadwear.
●Do not use tire sizes other than those
recommended by Lexus.
●Do not mix differently constructed
tires (radial, bias-belted or bias-ply
tires).
●Do not mix summer, all season and
snow tires.
●Do not use tires that have been used
on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not know
how they were used previously.
●Do not tow if your vehicle has a com-
pact spare tire installed.
NOTICE
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on
roads with loose surfaces or potholes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire
inflation pressure, reducing the cushion-
ing ability of the tires. In addition, driving
on rough roads may cause damage to
the tires themselves, as well as the vehi-
cle’s wheels and body.
■If tire inflation pressure of each tire
becomes low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires
and/or wheels may be ruined.
Tire rotation

4108-1. Specifications
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
■Oil capacity (Drain and refill [Reference*])
*: The engine oil capacity is a reference quantity to be used when changing the engine oil.
Warm up the engine and turn off the engine, wait more than 5 minutes, and check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■Engine oil selection
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” is used in
your Lexus vehicle. Use Lexus
approved “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil”
or equivalent to satisfy the following
grade and viscosity.
Oil grade: ILSAC GF-5 multigrade
engine oil
Recommended viscosity: SAE 0W-20
SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for
good fuel economy and good starting
in cold weather.
If SAE 0W-20 is not available, SAE
5W-20 oil may be used. However, it
must be replaced with SAE 0W-20 at
the next oil change.
Outside temperature
Oil viscosity (0W-20 is explained here
as an example): • The 0W in 0W-20 indicates the
characteristic of the oil which allows
cold startability. Oils with a lower
value before the W allow for easier
starting of the engine in cold
weather.
• The 20 in 0W-20 indicates the vis- cosity characteristic of the oil when
the oil is at high temperature. An oil
with a higher viscosity (one with a
higher value) may be better suited if
the vehicle is operated at high
speeds, or under extreme load con-
ditions.
How to read oil container label:
The International Lubricant Specifica-
tion Advisory Committee (ILSAC)
Certification Mark is added to some oil
containers to help you select the oil you
should use.
Lubrication system
With filter5.2 qt. (4.9 L, 4.3 Imp.qt.)
Without filter5.0 qt. (4.7 L, 4.1 Imp.qt.)
A

4228-1. Specifications
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
nation, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
Glossary of tire terminology
Tire related
termMeaning
Cold tire infla-
tion pressure
Tire pressure when the
vehicle has been parked
for three hours or more, or
has not been driven more
than 1 mile or 1.5 km under
that condition
Maximum
inflation pres-
sureThe maximum cold inflated
pressure to which a tire
may be inflated, shown on
the sidewall of the tire
Recom-
mended infla-
tion pressureCold tire inflation pressure
recommended by a manu-
facturer
Accessory
weight
The combined weight (in
excess of thos e standard
items which may be
replaced) of transmission,
power steering, power
brakes, power windows,
power seats, radio and
heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equip-
ment (whether installed or
not)
Curb weight
The weight of a motor
vehicle with standard
equipment, including the
maximum capacity of fuel,
oil and coolant, and if so
equipped, air conditioning
and additional weight
optional engine
Maximum
loaded vehi-
cle weight
The sum of:
(a) Curb weight
(b) Accessory weight
(c) Vehicle capacity weight
(d) Production options
weight
Normal occu-
pant weight
150 lb. (68 kg) times the
number of occupants
specified in the second
column of Table 1
* that fol-
lows
Occupant
distribution
Distribution of occupants
in a vehicle as specified in
the third column of Table 1
*
below
Production
options
weight
The combined weight of
installed regu lar produc-
tion options weighing over
5 lb. (2.3 kg) in excess of
the standard items which
they replace, not previ-
ously considered in curb
weight or accessory
weight, including heavy
duty brakes, ride levelers,
roof rack, heavy duty bat-
tery, and special trim
Rim
A metal support for a tire
or a tire and tube assembly
upon which the tire beads
are seated
Rim diameter
(Wheel diam-
eter)Nominal diameter of the
bead seat
Rim size des-
ignationRim diameter and width
Tire related termMeaning

4238-1. Specifications
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
8
Vehicle specifications
Rim type des-
ignationThe industry manufac-
turer’s designation for a
rim by style or code
Rim widthNominal distance between
rim flanges
Vehicle
capacity
weight
(Total load
capacity)The rated cargo and lug-
gage load plus 150 lb. (68
kg) times the vehicle’s des-
ignated seating capacity
Vehicle maxi-
mum load on
the tire
The load on an individual
tire that is determined by
distributing to each axle its
share of the maximum
loaded vehicle weight, and
dividing by two
Vehicle nor-
mal load on
the tire
The load on an individual
tire that is determined by
distributing to each axle its
share of curb weight,
accessory weight, and nor-
mal occupant weight (dis-
tributed in accordance
with Table 1
* below), and
dividing by two
Weather side
The surface area of the rim
not covered by the inflated
tire
Bead
The part of the tire that is
made of steel wires,
wrapped or reinforced by
ply cords and that is
shaped to fit the rim
Bead separa-
tionA breakdown of the bond
between components in
the bead
Tire related termMeaning
Bias ply tire
A pneumatic tire in which
the ply cords that extend to
the beads are laid at alter-
nate angles substantially
less than 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread
Carcass
The tire structure, except
tread and sidewall rubber
which, when inflated, bears
the load
Chunking
The breaking away of
pieces of the tread or side-
wall
CordThe strands forming the
plies in the tire
Cord separa-
tionThe parting of cords from
adjacent rubber com-
pounds
Cracking
Any parting within the
tread, sidewall, or inner-
liner of the tire extending
to cord material
CT
A pneumatic tire with an
inverted flange tire and rim
system in which the rim is
designed with rim flanges
pointed radially inward and
the tire is designed to fit on
the underside of the rim in
a manner that encloses the
rim flanges inside the air
cavity of the tire
Extra load tire
A tire designed to operate
at higher loads and at
higher inflation pressures
than the corresponding
standard tire
Tire related termMeaning

LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
Alphabetical Index465
Outside rear view mirror switches .....136
Paddle shift switches ..................................170
Parking brake switch ................................. 172
PCS switch .....................................................201
Power back door opener and closer
switch..............................................................107
Power window switch .............................. 138
Rear window and outside rear view mir- ror defoggers switch ............................280
Rear window wiper and washer switch .......................................................................... 189
Seat heater switches ................................ 287
“SOS” button .................................................... 61
Tire pressure warning reset switch .. 349
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance switch .. 225
VSC off switch .............................................. 261
Window lock switch ..................................139
Windshield wipers and washer switch ................................................................184, 189
T
Tachometer........................................................79
Tail lights Light switch .....................................................178
Replacing light bulbs................................ 362
Theft deterrent system Alarm .................................................................. 70
Engine immobilizer system ..................... 68
Tire inflation pressure Maintenance data........................................413
Warning light .............................................. 380
Tire information ............................................. 418 Glossary......................................................... 422
Size.................................................................... 420
Tire identification number .......................419
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.............. 421 Tire pressure warning system
Function ..........................................................345
Initializing........................................................349
Installing tire pres sure warning valves
and transmitters...................................... 348
Registering ID codes .............................. 350
Tire pressure warning reset switch...349
Warning light .............................................. 380
Tires................................................................... 343 Chains ............................................................. 267
Checking .......................................................343
Glossary ......................................................... 422
If you have a flat tire ..................................387
Inflation pressure ............................... 351, 413
Replacing .......................................................343
Rotating tires ................................................344
Size ......................................................................413
Snow tires ......................................................266
Spare tire ............................................. 387, 413
Tire identification number....................... 419
Tire pressure warning system .............345
Uniform Tire Quality Grading ..............421
Warning light .............................................. 380
Tools..................................................................388
Top tether strap............................................... 58
Total load capacity ......................................408
Towing Dinghy towing .............................................. 164
Emergency towing................................... 369
Towing eyelet............................................... 372
Trailer Sway Control............................... 260
Trailer towing ......................................155, 163
TRAC (Traction Control) ........................ 260