towing LEXUS RX350 2011 Owner's Manual

440
3-7. Other interior features
nStolen Vehicle Location
If your vehicle is stolen, Safety Connect can work with local authorities
to assist them in locating and recovering the vehicle. After filing a
police report, call the Safety Connect response center at 1-800-25-
LEXUS (1-800-255-3987) and follow the prompts for Safety Con-
nect to initiate this service.
In addition to assisting law enforcement with recovery of a stolen vehi-
cle, Safety-Connect-equipped vehicle location data may, under cer-
tain circumstances, be shared with third parties to locate your vehicle.
Further information is available at Lexus.com.
nEmergency Assistance Button (“SOS”)
In the event of an emergency on the road, push the “SOS” button to
reach the Safety Connect response center. The answering agent will
determine your vehicle’s location, assess the emergency, and dispatch
the necessary assistance required.
If you accidentally press the “SOS” button, tell the response-center agent
that you are not experiencing an emergency.
nRoadside Assistance
Subscribers can press the “SOS” button to reach a Safety Connect
response-center agent, who can help with a wide range of needs, such
as: towing, flat tire, fuel delivery, etc. For a description of the Roadside
Assistance services and their limitations, please see the Safety Con-
nect Terms and Conditions, which are available at Lexus.com.

507
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4

Maintenance and care
21PA N E L10 A
Switch illumination, navigation system,
headlight cleaner, windshield wiper
de-icer, seat heater, power back door,
audio system, multi-information dis-
play, air conditioning system
22TA I L10 A
Parking lights, side marker lights, tail
lights, license plate lights, front fog
lights, towing converter
23AIR SUS20 A
24P-S E AT R H30 APower seat (right-side)
25OBD7. 5 AOn-Board diagnosis
26FR DOOR25 AFront power window (right-side)
27RR DOOR25 ARear power window (right-side)
28FL DOOR25 AFront power window (left-side)
29RL DOOR25 ARear power window (left-side)
30FR WASH25 AWindshield wipers and washer
31RR WIP15 AWindshield wipers and washer
32RR WASH20 AWindshield wipers and washer
33FR WIP30 AWindshield wipers and washer
34ECU IG210 AStarter system, Intuitive parking assist,
AWD s y s t e m
35GAUGE NO. 27. 5 AStarter system
36RH S-HTR15 ASeat heater (right-side)
37LH S-HTR15 ASeat heater (left-side)
FuseAmpereCircuit

5

When trouble arises
525
5-1. Essential information
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towing
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Lexus dealer before towing.
lThe engine is running, but the vehicle will not move.
lThe vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by your
Lexus dealer or a commercial towing service, using a lift-type truck or a
flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/provincial
and local laws.
2WD models: If towing your vehicle with a wheel-lift type truck from the
front, the vehicle's rear wheels and axles must be in good conditions.
(→P. 527, 530)
If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flatbed truck.
AWD models: If towing your vehicle with a wheel-lift type truck, use a tow-
ing dolly. (→P. 5 2 7 , 5 3 0 )

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
527
5-1. Essential information
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut wrench.
Towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck
From the front (2WD models)
Release the parking brake.
STEP3

528
5-1. Essential information
From the front (AWD models)
Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.
From the rear
Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.
Using a flatbed truck
If your Lexus is transported by a
flatbed truck, it should be tied
down at the locations shown in the
illustration.

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

530
5-1. Essential information
NOTICE
nTo prevent body damage when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.
nTo prevent causing serious damage to the transmission and Active Torque Con-
trol 4WD system (AWD models) when towing using a wheel-lift type truck
nTo prevent damaging the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type truck
When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at the
opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the vehicle could
be damaged while being towed.
nRecreational towing (behind motor home, etc.)
Never dinghy tow your vehicle to prevent causing serious damage to the Active
Torque Control 4WD system (AWD models) and transmission. (→P. 2 7 0 )
2WD models: Never tow this vehicle from
the rear with the front wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious damage to the trans-
mission. If towing from the rear, use a towing
dolly.
AW D m o d e l s : N e v e r t ow this vehicle with
any of the wheels on the ground. This may
cause serious damage to the transmission
and Active Torque Control 4WD system.
Use a towing dolly.

5

When trouble arises
565
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
nLocation of the spare tire, jack and tools
Vehicles with a compact spare tire
Vehicles with a full-size spare tire
Towing eyelet
Tool bag
Jack handle
Wr e n c h
JackSpare tire
Towing eyelet
To o l b a g
Jack handleWre n c h
JackSpare tire

590
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the vehicle becomes stuck
CAUTION
nWhen attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to push the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the surround-
ing area is clear to avoid striking other vehicles, objects or people. The vehicle may
also lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes free. Use extreme cau-
tion.
nWhen shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an
accident and resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
nTo avoid damage to the transmission and other components
lAvoid spinning the wheels.
lIf the vehicle remains stuck even after these procedures are performed, the vehi-
cle may require towing to be freed.
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle becomes
stuck in mud, dirt, or snow:
Stop the engine. Set the parking brake and shift the shift lever
to P.
Remove the mud, snow, or sand from around the stuck tire.
Place wood, stones or some other material under the tires to
help provide traction.
Restart the engine.
AWD models: Active all-wheel drive lock mode (→P. 237)
Shift the shift lever to the D or R position and carefully apply
the accelerator to free the vehicle.
Turn off the TRAC and VSC systems if these functions are hamper-
ing your attempts to free the vehicle. (→ P. 2 3 3 )
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP6