tow LEXUS RX200T 2017 Owner's Manual

2384-1. Before driving
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
◆Weight limits
Check the allowable towing capacity, GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass), MPAC
(Maximum Permissible Axle Capacity), and permissible drawbar load before
towing. ( P. 726)
◆Towing hitch/bracket
Lexus recommends the use of the Lexus hitch/bracket for your vehicle. Other
products of a suitable nature and comparable quality may also be used.
◆To prevent an accident
The handling of the vehicle will feel different when towing a trailer. Beware of
the 3 most common causes of towing-rel ated accidents: driver error, exces-
sive speed, and overloading.
Trailer towing (vehicles with towing package)
The strain of towing a trailer will have a negative impact on the running perfor-
mance, handling, fuel consumption and endurance of your vehicle. Use the
vehicle features in the correct manner and operate the vehicle with care for
safer driving and optimal comfort. D amage and/or malfunctions that occur as
a result of towing performed for commercial purposes are not covered by the
Lexus warranty.
Ask your local authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified
and equipped profession al for further details before towing, as there are addi-
tional legal requirements in some countries.

2394-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
■Total trailer weight and permissible drawbar load
Total trailer weight
Weight of the trailer itself plus the trailer load should be within the max-
imum towing capacity. Exceeding this weight is dangerous. ( P. 726)
Permissible drawbar load
Allocate the trailer load so that the drawbar load is greater than 25 kg
(55.1 lb.) or 4% of the towing capac- ity. Do not let the drawbar loadexceed the indicated weight.
( P. 726)
■Information tag (manufacturer’s label)
Gross vehicle mass
The combined weight of the driver, passengers, luggage, towing hitch, total curb mass and drawbar load should not exceed the gross vehicle mass by more than
100 kg (220.5 lb.). Exceedin g this weight is dangerous.
Maximum permissible rear axle capacity
The weight borne by the rear axle should not exceed the maximum permissible
rear axle capacity by 15% or more. Exceeding this weight is dangerous.
The values for towing capacity were derived from testing conducted at sea level.
Take note that engine output and towing capacity will be reduced at high altitudes.
Important points regarding trailer loads
1
2
1
2
Type AType B

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.

265
4
Driving
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Turning the end of the lever turns on the lights as follows:
The front position, tail, rear
side marker, license plate and
instrument panel lights turn on.
The headlights and all the
lights listed above turn on.
The headlights, daytime run-
ning lights ( P. 267) and all
the lights listed above turn on
and off automatically.
(When the engine switch is in
IGNITION ON mode.)
With the headlights on, push the
lever away from you to turn on the
high beams.
Pull the lever toward you to the center 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.
On vehicles with AHS (Adaptive High-bea m System), the high beams cannot be illu- minated by pulling the lever toward you when the engine switch is off.
Headlight switch
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
Operating instructions
1
2
3
Turning on the high beam headlights
1
2

2664-3. Operating the lights and wipers
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
This system allows the headlights to be turned on for 30 seconds when the
engine switch is off.
Pull the lever toward you and release it
with the light switch is in after
turning the engine switch off.
Pull the lever toward you and release it again to turn off the lights.
●When the steering wheel or turn signal lever is operated while the headlights
are on (low beam), a cornering light will turn on and light up the direction of
movement of the vehicle. The cornering lights are designed to ensure excel-
lent visibility when making a turn at an intersection.
However, when vehicle speed is approximately 35 km/h (22 mph) or higher, the cor-
nering lights will not turn on.
●When the shift lever is in R while the headlights are on (low beam), both cor-
nering lights will turn on. This is designed to enhance visibility when parking.
Follow me home system
Cornering lights (if equipped)

2734-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
RX350/RX200t_EE_OM48F32E
●Bicycles or similar objects may not be detected.
●In the following situations the system may not be able to correctly detect the surround- ing brightness level. This may cause the low beams to remain on or the high beams to
flash or dazzle pedestrians or vehicles ahead. In such a case, it is necessary to manually switch between the high and low beams.
• When driving in inclement weather (heavy rain, snow, fog, sandstorms, etc.)
• When the windshield is obscured by fog, mist, ice, dirt, etc. • When the windshield is cracked or damaged• When the camera sensor is deformed or dirty
• When the temperature of the camera sensor is extremely high • When the surrounding brightness level is equa l to that of headlights, tail lights or fog lights
• When headlights or tail lights of vehicles ah ead are turned off, dirty, changing color, or not aimed properly• When the vehicle is hit by water, snow, dust, etc. from a preceding vehicle
• When driving through an area of interm ittently changing brightness and darkness • When frequently and repeatedly driving ascending/descending roads, or roads withrough, bumpy or uneven surfaces (such as stone-paved roads, gravel roads, etc.)
• When frequently and repeatedly taking curves or driving on a winding road • When there is a highly reflective object ahead of the vehicle, such as a sign or mirror• When the back of a preceding vehicle is highly reflective, such as a container on a
truck • When the vehicle’s headlights are damaged or dirty, or are not aimed properly• When the vehicle is listing or tilting due to a flat tire, a trailer being towed, etc.
• When the headlights are changed between the high beams and low beams repeat- edly in an abnormal manner• When the driver believes that the high beams may be flashing or dazzling pedestri-
ans or other drivers • When the vehicle is used in an area in which vehicles travel on the opposite side of
the road of the country for which the vehicle was designed, for example using a vehi- cle designed for right-hand traffic in a left-hand traffic area, or vice versa
■Customization
Some functions can be customized. ( P. 740)