tow LEXUS RX270 2014 Owner's Guide

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

306
2-5. Driving information
RX350/270_EE
■Tire info rmat ion
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. Adjust the tire pressure to
the recommended pressure. (→P. 6 1 7 )
●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.
■Trailer lights
●Check that the turn signal lights and stoplights are operating correctly every
time you hitch up the trailer. Directly wiring up to your vehicle may damage the
electrical system and stop the lights from functioning correctly.
●Please consult at any authorized dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified
and equipped professional when installing trailer lights, as incorrect installation
may cause damage to the vehicle’s lights. Please take care to comply with your
state’s laws when installing trailer lights.
■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 should be added to the vehicle if the
traffic behind cannot be clearly seen with standard mirrors. Adjust the extend-
ing 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).
RX350_270_EE_48D77E.book 306 ページ ２０１４年１月２４日　金曜日　午前１０時４分

307
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX350/270_EE
Guidance
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. In order to avoid
accident, 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 cou-
pled by practicing in an area with no or light traffic.
●When reversing with a coupled trailer, hold the section of the steer-
ing 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 vehicle and trailer. Avoid sudden braking that may cause
skidding. Otherwise, the vehicle may spin out of control. This is espe-
cially 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.
RX350_270_EE_48D77E.book 307 ページ ２０１４年１月２４日　金曜日　午前１０時４分

308
2-5. Driving information
RX350/270_EE■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.
■Important points regarding stability
Vehicle movement resulting from uneven road surfaces and strong
crosswinds 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 execut-
ing lane changes.
■Transmission information
Refrain from driving in 6 range in S mode to maintain the effectiveness
of the engine brake and the charge performance of electrical compo-
nents.
■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 temperature gauge indicates that the engine is over-
heating, turn the air conditioning off immediately, leave the road and
stop the vehicle in a safe place. (→P. 5 9 8 )
■When parking the vehicle
Always place wheel chocks under the wheels of both the vehicle and
trailer. Firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to P.
RX350_270_EE_48D77E.book 308 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

311
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX350/270_EE
Trailer towing (RX270)
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Lexus also
does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch or the use of a tow hitch
carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc. Your vehicle is not designed
for trailer towing or for the use of tow hitch mounted carriers.
RX350_270_EE_48D77E.book 311 ページ ２０１４年１月２４日　金曜日　午前１０時４分

386
3-2. Using the audio system
RX350/270_EE
■Conditions under which the system will not operate
●If using a mobile phone that does not support Bluetooth®
●If the mobile phone is switched off
●If you are outside service range
●If the mobile phone is not connected
●If the mobile phone's battery is low
●If the mobile phone is behind the seat or in the glove box or console box
●If metal is covering or touching the phone
■When using the hands-free system
●The audio system and voice guidance are muted when making a call.
●If both parties speak at the same time, it may be difficult to hear.
●If the incoming call volume is overly loud, an echo may be heard.
●Try to face toward the microphone as much as possible when speaking.
●In the following circumstances, it may be difficult to hear the other party:
• When driving on unpaved roads
• When driving at high speeds
•When a window is open
• When the air conditioning is blowing directly on the microphone
• When the air conditioning is set to high
Ti t l ePa g e
Using the phone book
■Adding a new phone number
■Changing the registered name in the phone
book
■Listing the registered data
■Setting speed dials
■Deleting the registered data
■Deleting speed dials
P. 4 1 1
RX350_270_EE_48D77E.book 386 ページ ２０１４年１月２４日　金曜日　午前１０時４分

423
3-4. Using the storage features
3
Interior features
RX350/270_EE
Cup holders
Front (Center console)
Press down the lid on the farthest
side from the driver.
Front (Instrument panel)
Press in and release the cup
holder.
NOTICE
■When stowing a bottle
Put the cap on before stowing the bottle. Do not place open bottles in the bottle
holders. The contents may spill.
Bottle holders/door pockets and cup holders
RX350_270_EE_48D77E.book 423 ページ ２０１４年１月２４日　金曜日　午前１０時４分

450
3-5. Other interior features
RX350/270_EE
CAUTION
■When the cargo hooks are not in use
To avoid injury, always return the cargo hooks to their stowed positions.
RX350_270_EE_48D77E.book 450 ページ ２０１４年１月２４日　金曜日　午前１０時４分

461
4
Maintenance and care
RX350/270_EE
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the correct pro-
cedures as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition (→P. 4 7 9 )
•Warm water
• Baking soda
•Grease
•Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
• Distilled water
Engine coolant level (→P. 4 7 7 )
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or a similar high quality ethylene
glycol-based non-silicate, non-
amine, non-nitrite and non-borate
coolant with long-life hybrid
organic acid technology. “Toyota
Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-
mixed with 50% coolant and 50%
deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding cool-
ant)
Engine oil level(→P. 4 7 2 )
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or
equivalent
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding
engine oil)
Fuses (→P. 5 0 4 )• Fuse with same amperage rating as
original
RX350_270_EE_48D77E.book 461 ページ ２０１４年１月２４日　金曜日　午前１０時４分