towing LEXUS RX200T 2017 User Guide

2404-1. Before driving
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
WARNING
■When the gross vehicle mass or maximum permissible axle capacity is exceeded
Failing to observe this precaution may lead to an accident causing death or serious injury.
●Add an additional 20.0 kPa (0.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 3 psi) to the recommended tire infla-tion pressure value. ( P. 737)
●Do not exceed the established speed limit for towing a trailer in built-up areas or 100
km/h (62 mph), whichever is lower.

2424-1. Before driving
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
■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. 737)
●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 standard 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 towingdue 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).

2434-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
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 an d reversing with the trailer coupled by
practicing in an area with no or light traffic.
●When reversing with a coupled trailer, hold the section of the steering
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 vehi-
cle and trailer. Avoid sudden braking that 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 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 clos er 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

2444-1. Before driving
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
■Important points regarding stability
Vehicle movement resulting from unev en road surfaces and strong cross-
winds 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 executing lane changes.
■Transmission information
To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system performance,
when using engine braking, do not use the transmission in D. If in the M mode,
the transmission shift range position must be in 4 or lower. ( P. 251)
■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. 718)
■When parking the vehicle
Always place wheel chocks under the wheels of both the vehicle and trailer.
Set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to P.

2454-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
WARNING
Follow all the instructions described in this section. Failure to do so could cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Trailer towing precautions
When towing, make sure that none of the weight limits are exceeded. ( P. 239)
■To avoid accident or injury
●Vehicles with a compact spare tire: Do not tow a trailer when the compact spare tire is installed on your vehicle.
●Vehicles with the emergency tire puncture repair kit:
Do not tow a trailer when the tire installed is repaired with the emergency tire punc- ture repair kit.
●Do not use the following systems when trailer towing.
• Cruise control*• Dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range*• LKA (Lane-Keeping Assist)*
• PCS (Pre-Crash Safety system)*• BSM (Blind Spot Monitor)*
*: If equipped
■Vehicle speed in towing
Observe the legal maximum sp eeds 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
■Do not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing trailer lights may damage yo ur vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction.

3034-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
WARNING
■When to disable the pre-crash safety system
In the following situations, disable the syst em, as it may not operate properly, possibly leading to an accident resulting 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 th e engine running 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 beenin 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 installed to the vehicle

3174-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
WARNING
■Before using LKA system
Do not rely solely upon the LKA system. LKA is not a system which automatically drives the vehicle or reduces 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 always paying careful attention to the surrounding conditions and operate the steer-ing wheel to correct the path of the vehicle. Also, make sure to take adequate breaks
when fatigued, such as from driv ing 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 LKA by mistake
When not using the LKA system, use the LKA switch to turn the system off.
■Situations unsuitable for LKA
Do not use the LKA 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 other than on highways and freeways.
●Vehicle is driven in a construction zone.
●When your vehicle is towing a trailer or during emergency towing
■Preventing LKA system malfunctions and operations performed by mistake
●Do not modify the headlights or place stic kers, etc., on the surface of the lights.
●Do not modify the suspension etc. If the suspension etc. needs to be replaced, con- tact any authorized Lexus dealer or repair er, or another duly qualified and equipped
professional.
●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 any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, oranother duly qualified an d equipped professional.

3314-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
WARNING
■Situations unsuitable for dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range
Do not use dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range 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 pedestrians, cyclers, 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 downgradients
Vehicle speed may exceed the set sp eed 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 fron t 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

3444-5. Using the driving support systems
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
WARNING
■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 orserious injury.
●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 hills Vehicle speed may exceed the set sp eed when driving down a steep hill.
●When your vehicle is towing a trailer or during emergency towing

3644-5. Using the driving support systems
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
■Conditions under which the BSM function may not function correctly
●The BSM function may not detect vehicles correctly in the following situations:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to a strong impact to the sensor or its surround-
ing area • When mud, snow, ice, a sticker, etc. is covering the sensor or surrounding area onthe rear bumper
• When driving on a road surface that is wet with standing water during bad weather, such as heavy rain, snow, or fog• When multiple vehicles are approaching wi th only a small gap between each vehicle
• When the distance between your vehicle and a following vehicle is short • When there is a significant difference in speed between your vehicle and the vehiclethat enters the detection area
• When the difference in speed between your vehicle and another vehicle is changing • When a vehicle enters a detection area traveling at about the same speed as yourvehicle
• As your vehicle starts from a stop, a vehicle remains in the detection area • When driving up and down consecutive steep inclines, such as hills, dips in the road, etc.
• When driving on roads with sharp bends, consecutive curves, or uneven surfaces • When vehicle lanes are wide, or when driving on the edge of a lane, and the vehiclein an adjacent lane is far away from your vehicle
• When towing a trailer (vehicles with towing package) • When items such as a bicycle carrier are installed on the rear of the vehicle• When there is a significant difference in height between your vehicle and the vehicle
that enters the detection area • Immediately after the BSM function is turned on
●Instances of the BSM function unnecessarily detecting a vehicle and/or object mayincrease in the following situations:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to a strong impact to the sensor or its surround- ing area• When the distance between your vehicle and a guardrail, wall, etc. that enters the
detection area is short • When driving up and down consecutive steep inclines, such as hills, dips in the road, etc.
• When vehicle lanes are narrow, or when driving on the edge of a lane, and a vehicle traveling in a lane other than the adjacent lanes enters the detection area• When driving on roads with sharp bends, consecutive curves, or uneven surfaces
• When the tires are slipping or spinning • When the distance between your vehicle and a following vehicle is short• When a bicycle carrier or other accessory is installed to the rear of the vehicle
• When towing a trailer (vehicles with towing package)