LEXUS RX350 2011 Owners Manual

521
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4

Maintenance and care
nDischarge headlights (if equipped)
If voltage to the discharge bulbs is insufficient, the bulbs may not come on, or may
go out temporarily. The discharge bulbs will come on when normal power is
restored.
nLED bulbs
The stop lights, side turn signal lights, license plate lights and high mounted stoplight
consist of a number of LEDs. If any of the LEDs burn out, take your vehicle to your
Lexus dealer to have the light replaced.
nCondensation build-up on the inside of the lens
Contact your Lexus dealer for more information in the following situations. Tempo-
rary condensation build-up on the inside of the headlight lens does not indicate a
malfunction.
lLarge drops of water are built up on the inside of the lens.
lWater has built up inside the headlight.

522
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
nReplacing light bulbs
lTurn off the lights. Do not attempt to replace the bulb immediately after turning
off the lights.
The bulbs become very hot and may cause burns.
lDo not touch the glass portion of the light bulb with bare hands. Hold the bulb by
the plastic or metal portion.
If the bulb is scratched or dropped it may blow out or crack.
lFully install light bulbs and any parts used to secure them. Failing to do so may
result in heat damage, fire, or water entering the headlight unit. This may damage
the headlights or cause condensation to build up on the lens.
nDischarge headlights (if equipped)
lContact your Lexus dealer before replacing discharge headlights (including light
bulbs).
lDo not touch the discharge headlight’s high voltage socket when the headlights
are turned on.
An extremely high voltage of 20000 V will be discharged and could result in
serious injury or death by electric shock.
lDo not attempt to take apart or repair the low beam discharge headlight bulbs,
connectors, power supply circuits, or related components.
Doing so could result in electric shock and serious injury or death.
nTo prevent damage or fire
Make sure bulbs are fully seated and locked.

524
5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers
NOTICE
nTo prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the emergency flashers on longer than necessary when the engine is
not running.
Use the emergency flashers if the vehicle malfunctions or is involved in an
accident.
Press the switch to flash all the
turn signal lights. To turn them
off, press the switch once again.

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
531
5-1. Essential information
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
nVisible symptoms
lFluid leaks under the vehicle.
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
lFlat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
lEngine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points
higher than normal.
nAudible symptoms
lChanges in exhaust sound
lExcessive tire squeal when cornering
lStrange noises related to the suspension system
lPinging or other noises related to the engine
nOperational symptoms
lEngine missing, stumbling or running rough
lAppreciable loss of power
lVehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
lVehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
lLoss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touches
the floor