brakes LEXUS RX350 2011 Owner's Manual

267
2-5. Driving information
2

When driving
CAUTION
nTrailer towing precautions
lFollow all the instructions described in this section. Failure to do so could cause
an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
lExceeding the towing capacity, GVWR or GAWR can cause an accident result-
ing in death or serious personal injuries.
nTo avoid accident or injury
lDo not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
lNever load more weight in the back than in the front of the trailer. About 60% of
the load should be in the front half of the trailer, and the remaining 40% in the
rear.
lDo not use cruise control when you are towing.
lThe tow hitch receiver installed on your vehicle must never be used on another
vehicle.
lDo not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) or the posted towing speed limit, whichever is
lower. As instability (swaying) of the towing vehicle-trailer combination increases
as speed increases, exceeding 45 mph (72 km/h) may cause loss of control.
lSlow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill grades. Do
not make sudden downshifts.
lAvoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes too fre-
quently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking
efficiency.
lDo not tow the vehicle with the compact spare tire installed.

268
2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
nHitches
lIf you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Lexus dealer.
lUse only a hitch that conforms to the gross trailer weight requirement.
lFollow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
lLubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
lRemove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer. After removing
the hitch, seal any mounting hole in the vehicle body to prevent entry of any sub-
stances into the vehicle.
nWhen towing a trailer
lIf the gross trailer weight exceeds 1000 lb. (450 kg), trailer brakes are required.
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all applicable federal and
state/provincial regulations.
lNever tap into your vehicle's hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehicle's
braking effectiveness.
lNever tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both the
trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, there is
danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.

526
5-1. Essential information
Emergency towing
If a tow truck is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using a cable or
chain secured to the emergency
towing eyelet(s). This should only
be attempted on hard, surfaced
roads for short distances at low
speeds.
A driver must be in the vehicle to
steer and operate the brakes. The
vehicle’s wheels, drive train, axles,
steering and brakes must be in
good condition.
Installing towing eyelets
Remove the eyelet cover using a
flathead screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a
rag between the screwdriver and
the vehicle body, as shown in the
illustration.
Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by hand.
STEP1
STEP2

5

When trouble arises
529
5-1. Essential information
If you use chains or cables to tie
down your vehicle, the angles
shaded in black must be 45°.
Do not overly tighten the tie downs
or the vehicle may be damaged.
nBefore emergency towing
Release the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to ACCESSORY (engine off )
or IGNITION ON (engine running) mode.
nLocation of the emergency towing eyelet
→P. 5 6 5
CAUTION
nCaution while towing
lUse extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive stress on
the emergency towing eyelets and the cables or chains. Always be cautious of the
surroundings and other vehicles while towing.
lIf the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering will not
function, making steering and braking more difficult.
nInstalling towing eyelets to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelets are installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelets may come loose during towing. This may
lead to accidents that cause serious injury or even death.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

542
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
nWhen the power steering warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
If the steering wheel becomes heavier than usual when operating, hold firmly and
operate it using more force than usual.
nIf the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could cause loss of
vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
lStop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire inflation pres-
sure immediately.
lIf the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjust-
ment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires. If a tire is flat, change
it with the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired by the nearest Lexus dealer.
lAvoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you could
lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
nIf a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.

554
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
(If equipped)
Indicates that intuitive
parking assist is dirty or
covered with ice
A buzzer also sounds.
Clean the sensor.
(Flashes)
(If equipped)
Indicates that the radar
cruise control sensor is
dirty or covered with ice
A buzzer also sounds.
Clean the sensor.
(Flashes)
(If equipped)
Indicates that the radar
cruise control system is
unable to judge vehicle-
to-vehicle distance
A buzzer also sounds.
If the windshield wipers
are on, turn them off or set
them to a mode other than
“AUTO” or high speed
wiper operation.
(Flashes)
(If equipped)
Indicates that your vehi-
cle is nearing the vehicle
ahead (in radar cruise
mode)
At the same time,
will appear on
the head-up display.
Slow the vehicle by apply-
ing the brakes.
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection procedure

574
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
nUsing the tire jack
Improper use of the tire jack may cause the vehicle to suddenly fall off the jack,
leading to death or serious injury.
lDo not use the tire jack for any purpose other than replacing tires or installing and
removing tire chains.
lOnly use the tire jack that comes with this vehicle for replacing a flat tire.
Do not use it on other vehicles, and do not use other tire jacks for replacing tires
on this vehicle.
lAlways check that the tire jack is securely set to the jack point.
lDo not put any part of your body under the vehicle is supported by the jack.
lDo not start or run the engine while your vehicle while it is supported by the jack.
lDo not raise the vehicle while someone is in it.
lWhen raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under the jack.
lDo not raise the vehicle to a height greater than that required to replace the tire.
lUse a jack stand if it is necessary to get under the vehicle.
Take particular care when lowering the vehicle to ensure that no one working on or
near the vehicle may be injured.
nReplacing a flat tire
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of death or serious injury:
lDo not touch the disc wheels or the area around the brakes immediately after the
vehicle has been driven.
After the vehicle has been driven the disc wheels and the area around the brakes
will be extremely hot. Touching these areas with hands, feet or other body parts
while changing a tire, etc. may result in burns.
lNever use oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
Oil and grease may cause the wheel nuts to be excessively tightened, leading to
bolt or disc wheel damage. In addition, the oil or grease can cause the wheel nuts
to loosen and the wheel may fall off, causing a serious accident. Remove any oil or
grease from the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.

5

When trouble arises
591
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency
CAUTION
nIf the engine has to be turned off while driving
Power assist for the brakes and steering wheel will be lost, making the brake pedal
harder to depress and the steering wheel heavier to turn. Decelerate as much as
possible before turning off the engine.
Only in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the vehicle
in the normal way, stop the vehicle using the following procedure:
Steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet and firmly
depress it.
Do not pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the
effort required to slow the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to N.
If the shift lever is shifted to N
After slowing down, stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Stop the engine.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted to N
Keep depressing the brake pedal with both feet to reduce vehi-
cle speed as much as possible.
Stop the engine by pressing and
holding the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch for 3 consecutive
seconds or more.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP3
Press and hold for 3 seconds or more
STEP4
STEP5

601
6-1. Specifications
6

Vehicle specifications
Transfer (AWD models)
*:Your Lexus vehicle is filled with “Toyota Genuine Differential Gear Oil” at the
factory. Use Lexus approved “Toyota Genuine Differential Gear Oil” or an
equivalent oil of matching quality that satisfies the above specifications. Please
contact your Lexus dealer for further details.
Rear differential (AWD models)
*:Your Lexus vehicle is filled with “Toyota Genuine Differential Gear Oil” at the
factory. Use Lexus approved “Toyota Genuine Differential Gear Oil” or an
equivalent oil of matching quality that satisfies the above specifications. Please
contact your Lexus dealer for further details.
Brakes
*1:Minimum pedal clearance when depressed with a force of 112 lbf (500 N, 51
kgf) while the engine is running
*2: Parking brake pedal travel when depressed with a force of 67 lbf (300 N, 30
kgf)
Oil capacity0.8 qt. (0.8 L, 0.7 Imp. qt.)
Oil type and viscosity*Toyota Genuine Differential gear oil LT
75W-85 GL-5 or equivalent
Oil capacity0.5 qt. (0.5 L, 0.4 Imp. qt.)
Oil type and viscosity*Toyota Genuine Differential gear oil LT
75W-85 GL-5 or equivalent
Pe d a l c l e a r a n c e*13.3 in. (84 mm) Min.
Pedal free play0.04 ⎯ 0.24 in. (1 ⎯ 6 mm)
Brake pad wear limit0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Parking brake lining wear limit0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Parking brake pedal travel*25 ⎯ 8 clicks
Fluid typeSAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3

615
6-1. Specifications
6

Vehicle specifications
Warning: The temperature grades for this tire are established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Glossary of tire terminology
Tire related termMeaning
Cold tire inflation pres-
sure
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-
sure
The maximum cold inflated pressure to which a tire
may be inflated, shown on the sidewall of the tire
Recommended inflation
pressure
Cold tire inflation pressure recommended by a man-
ufacturer
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those standard
items which may be replaced) of automatic transmis-
sion, power steering, power brakes, power windows,
power seats, radio and heater, to the extent that these
items are available as factory-installed equipment
(whether installed or not)
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with standard equip-
ment, including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and
coolant, and if so equipped, air conditioning and
additional weight optional engine
Maximum loaded vehicle
weight
The sum of:
(a) Curb weight
(b) Accessory weight
(c) Vehicle capacity weight
(d) Production options weight
Normal occupant weight150 lb. (68 kg) times the number of occupants speci-
fied in the second column of Table 1* that follows