suspension LEXUS RX270 2014 User Guide

261
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
RX350/270_EE
CAUTION
■The electronically modulated air suspension must be turned off when
The electronically modulated air suspension must be turned off in the following situ-
ations as vehicle height may change due to the automatic leveling function, and, you
may catch part of your body in the vehicle and cause an accident, resulting in death
or serious injury.
●Any of the wheels is stuck in a ditch.
●It is necessary to jack up the vehicle.
●It is necessary to tow the vehicle with part of it lifted.
●When connecting/disconnecting a trailer
For safety, stop the engine if necessary.
■“HI” mode
●“HI” mode should only be used when driving on rough roads, for example when
driving off-road. Because the vehicle's center of gravity will become higher when
in the mode, the vehicle may become unstable when turning abruptly and cause
an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
●Do not select “HI” mode when loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier.
Because the vehicle's center of gravity will become higher when in the mode, the
vehicle may become unstable when turning abruptly, and cause an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.
RX350_270_EE_48D77E.book 261 ページ ２０１４年１月２４日　金曜日　午前１０時４分

276
2-4. Using other driving systems
RX350/270_EE
CAUTION
■When the VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may cause
an accident, resulting in death or serious injury. Exercise particular care when the
indicator light flashes.
■When the TRC/VSC 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 TRC/VSC systems off unless necessary.
■Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the same size, brand, tread pattern and total load
capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the recommended tire
inflation pressure level.
The ABS and VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires are installed
on the vehicle.
Contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional, for further information when replacing tires or wheels.
■Handling of tires and suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect the driv-
ing assist systems, and may cause a system malfunction.
RX350_270_EE_48D77E.book 276 ページ ２０１４年１月２４日　金曜日　午前１０時４分

291
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX350/270_EE●Stay on established roads. When conditions are wet, driving tech-
niques should be changed or travel delayed to prevent damage to
roads.
CAUTION
■Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death or serious
injury or damage to your vehicle:
●Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving in
dangerous places.
●Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump could
jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and especially your
thumbs on the outside of the rim.
●Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in sand,
mud, water or snow.
●After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, water, etc., check that there is no
grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped to the underbody.
Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the vehicle is used with these
materials trapped or adhering to the underbody, a breakdown or fire could occur.
●When driving off-road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive speeds,
jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or vehi-
cle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also risking expensive dam-
age to your vehicle’s suspension and chassis.
RX350_270_EE_48D77E.book 291 ページ ２０１４年１月２４日　金曜日　午前１０時４分

303
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX350/270_EE
Installation positions for the towing hitch/bracket and hitch ball
Vehicles without electronically modulated air suspension
528 mm (20.8 in.)
567.4 mm (22.3 in.)
1107 mm (43.6 in.)
352 mm (13.9 in.)
363 mm (14.3 in.)
461 mm (18.1 in.)
467 mm (18.4 in.)
596 mm (23.5 in.)
25.5 mm (1.0 in.)
59 mm (2.3 in.)
81 mm (3.2 in.)
235/60R18 tires
359 mm (14.1 in.)
235/55R19 tires
357 mm (14.1 in.)
RX350_270_EE_48D77E.book 303 ページ ２０１４年１月２４日　金曜日　午前１０時４分

304
2-5. Driving information
RX350/270_EEVehicles with electronically modulated air suspension
530 mm (20.9 in.)
567.4 mm (22.3 in.)
1107 mm (43.6 in.)
390 mm (15.4 in.)
400 mm (15.7 in.)
500 mm (19.7 in.)
505 mm (19.9 in.)
635 mm (25.0 in.)
5 mm (0.20 in.)
59 mm (2.3 in.)
81 mm (3.2 in.)
235/60R18 tires
“LO” mode:
416 mm (16.4 in.)
“N” mode:
415 mm (16.3 in.)
“HI” mode:
445 mm (17.5 in.)
235/55R19 tires
“LO” mode:
418 mm (16.5 in.)
“N” mode:
418 mm (16.5 in.)
“HI” mode:
448 mm (17.6 in.)
RX350_270_EE_48D77E.book 304 ページ ２０１４年１月２４日　金曜日　午前１０時４分

305
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX350/270_EE
■When connecting and disconnecting a trailer (vehicles with electrically modu-
lated air suspension)
●Connecting
Set the electronically modulated air suspension to LO mode.
Press the height control off switch to turn off the electronically modulated
air suspension.
Turn off the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
Connect the trailer.
Turn on the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
Press the height control off switch again to turn on the electronically mod-
ulated air suspension.
Set the electronically modulated air suspension to N mode.
●Disconnecting
Set the electronically modulated air suspension to LO mode.
Press the height control off switch to turn off the electronically modulated
air suspension.
Turn off the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
Set the supporting leg of the trailer on the ground and raise the hitch by
100 mm (4 in.)
Turn on the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
Press the height control off switch again to turn on the electronically mod-
ulated air suspension.
Wait until vehicle height is stabilized.
Make sure the hitch is disconnected. If the hitch does not disconnect, raise the hitch
higher and repeat steps 2 through 7.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP6
STEP7
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP6
STEP7
RX350_270_EE_48D77E.book 305 ページ ２０１４年１月２４日　金曜日　午前１０時４分

309
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX350/270_EE
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.
■Vehicle speed while towing
Observe the legal maximum speeds for trailer towing.
■Before descending hills or long declines
Reduce speed and downshift. However, never downshift suddenly while descend-
ing 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.
■To avoid accident or injury
●For vehicles with electronically modulated air suspension, set the vehicle height
to LO mode and turn off the electronically modulated air suspension to prevent
the vehicle height from automatically changing.
●Do not use cruise control when you are towing.
●Do not tow the vehicle with the compact spare tire installed.
RX350_270_EE_48D77E.book 309 ページ ２０１４年１月２４日　金曜日　午前１０時４分

452
RX350/270_EE
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
■Automatic car washes
●Before washing the vehicle:
•Fold the mirrors.
• Turn off the power back door system (if equipped).
●Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface and
harm your vehicle’s paint.
●In certain automatic car washes, the rear spoiler may interfere with machine
operation. This may prevent the vehicle from being cleaned properly or result in
damage to the rear spoiler.
■High pressure car washes
●Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity of the
windows and the air suspension unit (if equipped).
●Before using the car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is
closed properly.
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime condi-
tion:
●Working from top to bottom, liberally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any dirt
and dust.
●Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
●For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thor-
oughly with water.
●Wipe away any water.
●Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.
RX350_270_EE_48D77E.book 452 ページ ２０１４年１月２４日　金曜日　午前１０時４分

459
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
RX350/270_EE
■Where to go for maintenance service?
In order to maintain your vehicle in the best possible condition, Lexus recommends
that maintenance service operations as well as other inspections and repairs be
carried out by authorized Lexus dealers or repairers or other duly qualified and
equipped professionals. For repairs and services covered by your warranty, please
visit an authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, who will use genuine Lexus parts in
repairing any difficulties you may encounter. There can also be advantages in utiliz-
ing authorized Lexus dealers or repairers for non-warranty repairs and services, as
members of the Lexus network will be able to expertly assist you with any difficulties
you may encounter.
Your Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional
will perform all of the scheduled maintenance on your vehicle reliably and econom-
ically due to their experience with Lexus vehicles.
■Does your vehicle need repairs?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds, and visual tip-offs that indi-
cate service is needed. Some important clues are:
●Engine missing, stumbling or pinging
●Appreciable loss of power
●Strange engine noises
●A fluid leak under the vehicle (However, water dripping from the air condition-
ing system after use is normal.)
●Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide
leak. Drive with the windows open and have the exhaust system checked imme-
diately.)
●Flat-looking tires, excessive tire squeal when cornering, uneven tire wear
●Vehicle pulls to one side when driving straight on a level road
●Strange noises related to suspension movement
●Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake pedal, pedal almost touches
the floors, vehicle pulls to one side when braking
●Engine coolant temperature continually higher than normal
If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional, as soon as possible.
Your vehicle may need adjustment or repair.
RX350_270_EE_48D77E.book 459 ページ ２０１４年１月２４日　金曜日　午前１０時４分

467
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
RX350/270_EE
CAUTION
■When raising your vehicle
Make sure to observe the following precautions to reduce the possibility of death or
serious injury:
●When using a floor jack, follow the instructions of the manual provided with the
jack.
●Do not use the jack that was supplied with your vehicle.
●Do not put any part of your body underneath the vehicle when it is supported
only by the floor jack.
●Always use floor jack and/or automotive jack stands on a solid, flat, level surface.
●Do not start the engine while the vehicle is supported by the floor jack.
●Stop the vehicle on level, firm ground, firmly set the parking brake and shift the
shift lever to P.
●Make sure to set the floor jack properly at the jack point.
Raising the vehicle with an improperly positioned floor jack will damage the vehi-
cle and may cause the vehicle to fall off the floor jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in the vehicle.
●When raising the vehicle, do not place any objects on top of or underneath the
floor jack.
●Vehicles with electronically modulated air suspension:
Be sure to turn off the height control and stop the engine. Otherwise, the vehicle
height may change due to the automatic leveling function. (→P. 2 5 6 )
●Lift up the vehicle using a floor jack such as
the one shown in the illustration.
RX350_270_EE_48D77E.book 467 ページ ２０１４年１月２４日　金曜日　午前１０時４分