LEXUS RX350 2015 Owners Manual

3112-5. Driving information
2
When driving Trailer Tongue Weight
● A recommended tongue weight varies in accordance with the types of
trailers or towing as described below.
● To ensure the recommended values shown below, the trailer must be
loaded by referring to the following instructions.
• Tongue Weight
The gross trailer weight should be distributed so that the tongue
weight is 9% to 11%. (Tongue weight /Gross trailer weight x 100 =
9% to 11%)
Gross trailer weight
Tongue weight
If using a weight distri buting hitch when towing , return the front axle
to the same weight as before the trailer connection.
If front axle weight cannot be mea sured directly, measure the front
fender height above the front axle before connection. Adjust weight
distributing hitch torque until fr ont fender is returned to the same
height as before connection.
The gross trailer weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight can be
measured with platform scales foun d at a highway weighing station,
building supply company, truck ing company, junk yard, etc.

3122-5. Driving information
Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have differ ent weight capacities. Lexus recom-
mends the use of Lexus hitch/bracket for your vehicle. For details, con-
tact your Lexus dealer.
● If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Lexus dealer.
● Use only a hitch that conforms to the gross tr ailer weight requirement
of your vehicle.
● Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
● Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coating of grease.
● Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer. After
removing the hitch, seal any mount ing hole in the vehicle body to pre-
vent entry of any substances into the vehicle.

3132-5. Driving information
2
When driving Selecting trailer ball
Use the correct trailer ball for your application.
Trailer ball load rating Matches or exceeds the gross
trailer weight rating of the trailer.
Ball diameter Matches the size of the trailer cou-
pler. Most couplers are stamped
with the required trailer ball size.
Shank length Protrudes beyond the bottom of
the lock washer and nut by at least
2 threads.
Shank diameter
Matches the ball mount hole diam-
eter size.Trailer class Typical trailer ball
size
IV 2 5/16 in.
II and III 2 in.
I 1 7/8 in.

3142-5. Driving information
Positions for towing hitch receiver and hitch ball
Weight carrying ball position:
45.1 in. (1145 mm)
Connecting trailer lights
Use the wire harness stored in the
rear end under body.

3152-5. Driving information
2
When driving ■
Auto current cut-off function
In case of over current, the auto cut-off function stops the power flowing to the
trailer lights to prevent damage to the vehicle’s electrical system.
This function is activated when the rated current of any of the following trailer light
circuit components is exceeded: ●
Tail lights: maximum 7.8 A ●
Stop/turn signal light (right): maximum 4.5 A●
Stop/turn signal light (left): maximum 4.5 A■
When the auto current cut function is activated
If a trailer light does not come on due to the activation of the auto current cut func-
tion, the light system will need to be reset.
Follow the reset procedure shown below. ●
If a tail light does not come on, turn off the headlight switch.●
If the right-side stop/turn signal light does not come on, put the turn signal in the
off position or remove foot from the brake pedal.●
If the left-side stop/turn signal light does not come on, put the turn signal in the
off position or remove foot from the brake pedal.
If the emergency flashers do not operate, press the emergency flasher switch to
turn them off.
After the light system is reset, operate the light switches again to see if the lights
operate normally.
If the lights do not operate normally, have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer.

3162-5. Driving information
Trailer towing tips
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. Help to avoid an
accident, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind when towing:
● Speed limits for towing a trailer va ry by state or province. Do not
exceed the posted towing speed limit.
● Lexus recommends that the vehicle-trailer speed limit is 65 mph (104
km/h) on a flat, straight, dry road. Do not exceed this limit, the posted
towing speed limit or the speed limit for your trailer as set forth in your
trailer owner’s manual, whichever is lowest. Instability of the towing
vehicle-trailer combination (trailer sway) increases as speed increases.
Exceeding speed limits may cause loss of control.
● Before starting out, check the trailer lights, tires and the vehicle-trailer
connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and reversing with th e trailer attached in an
area away from traffic until you be come accustomed to the feel of the
vehicle-trailer combination.
● Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice. Grip
the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the left to
move the trailer to the left. Move yo ur hand to the right to move the
trailer to the right. (This is gene rally opposite to reversing without a
trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have someone
guide you when reversing to redu ce the risk of an accident.
● As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increas ed. For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of
speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in the trailer jackknif-
ing and a loss of vehicle control. Th is is especially true on wet or slip-
pery surfaces.
● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.

3172-5. Driving information
2
When driving ● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before making a
turn.
● Note that when making a turn, the tr ailer wheels will be closer than the
vehicle wheels to the inside of th e turn. Compensate by making a
wider than normal turning radius.
● Slow down before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slippery sur-
faces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.
● Take care when passing other vehi cles. Passing requires considerable
distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your
trailer, and be sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
● To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not put the transmission in D.
● Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do not
make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long downhill
grades.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes
too frequently. This could cause th e brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may overheat
on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when driving up a
long or steep grade. If the eng ine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, immediately turn off th e air conditioning (if in use), pull
your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. (  P. 799)

3182-5. Driving information
● Always place wheel bloc ks under both the vehi cle’s and the trailer’s
wheels when parking. Apply the pa rking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do so
only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and
trailer’s wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start th e engine. Be sure to keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake and br ake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4

3192-5. Driving information
2
When driving ■
Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler height
■
Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met: ●
Ensure that your vehicle’s ti res are properly inflated. (  P. 8 1 5 )●
Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recommenda-
tion.●
All trailer lights work as required by law.●
All lights work each time you connect them.●
The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.●
The trailer is level when it is hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not level, and check for improper tongue weight,
overloading, worn suspension , or other possible causes.
●
The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
●
The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or local
regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for towing pur-
poses. No matter which class of tow hitch applies,
for a more safe trailer hookup, the trailer ball
setup must be the proper height for the cou-
pler on the trailer.
Coupler
Trailer ball

3202-5. Driving information
■
Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components (such as
an engine, transmission, differential or wheel bearing), Lexus recommends that you
do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km), you can start tow-
ing. However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the vehicle at a speed of less
than 50 mph (80 km/h) when towing a trailer, and avoid full throttle acceleration.■
Maintenance ●
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. (See “Warranty and Services Guide”, “Owner's Manual
Supplement” or “Scheduled Maintenance”.)●
Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.■
If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can adversely
affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability. ●
If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer sway ing by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator peda l immediately but very gradually to
reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle and
trailer should stabilize. ●
After the trailer swaying has stopped:
• Stop in a safe place. Get all occupants out of the vehicle.
• Check the tires of the vehicle and the trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer.
Make sure the load has not shifted.
Make sure the tongue weight is appropriate, if possible.
• Check the load in the vehicle.
Make sure the vehicle is not ov erloaded after occupants get in.
If you cannot find any problems, the speed at which trailer swaying occurred is
beyond the limit of your particular vehicle-trailer combination.
Drive at a lower speed to prevent instability. Remember that swaying of the towing
vehicle-trailer increases as speed increases.