tow LEXUS RX350 2019 Owner's Guide

228 4-1. Before driving
RX350/RX350L_U WARNING ■
Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the hitch manu-
facturer. Even though the vehicle may be phys ically capable of towing a higher weight,
the operator must determine the maximum weight rating of the particular hitch assem-
bly and never exceed the maximum weight rating specified for the trailer-hitch.
Exceeding the maximum weight rating set by the trailer-hitch manufacturer can cause
an accident resulting in death or serious personal injuries. ■
When towing a trailer
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable federal and
state/provincial regulations. ●
If the gross trailer weight exceeds unbraked TWR, trailer brakes are required. Lexus
recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all applicable federal and state/pro-
vincial regulations. ●
Never tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehicle’s braking
effectiveness. ●
Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both the trailer
and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the co upling unit or hitch ball, there is danger of
the trailer wandering into another lane.
NOTICE ■
When installing a trailer hitch
Use only the position recommended by your Lexus dealer. Do not install the trailer
hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage. ■
Do not directly splice trailer lights
Do not directly splic e trailer lights. Directly splicin g trailer lights may damage your
vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction.

2294-1. Before driving
4
Driving
RX350/RX350L_UTrailer towing (vehicles without towing package)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.

230 4-1. Before driving
RX350/RX350L_UDinghy towing Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the ground)
behind a motor home. NOTICE ■
To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
■
To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission and Dynamic Torque Control
AWD system (AWD models)Do not tow your vehicle with the four wheels on
the ground.
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.
AWD models: Never tow this vehicle with any
of the wheels on the ground. This may cause
serious damage to the transmission and
Dynamic Torque Control AWD system.

238 4-2. Driving procedures
RX350/RX350L_U ■
S mode ●
When the shift range is 6 or lower, holding th e shift lever toward “+” sets the shift range
to 8. ●
To prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automatically occur. ●
To protect the automatic transmission, a functi on is adopted that au tomatically selects a
higher shift range when the fluid temperature is high. ■
To protect the automatic transmission
If the automatic transmission fluid temperat ure is high, “Transmission Fluid Temp High
See Owner’s Manual” will be displayed on the multi-information display and the vehicle
will go into transmission protection mode automatically. Have th e vehicle inspected by
your Lexus dealer. ■
Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifti ng operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circum stances, downshifting may not be possible even when the
shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.) ■
When driving with dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking,
engine braking will not occur because dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed
range will not be canceled. ●
While driving in D or S mode, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4. (  P. 300)●
When switching the driving mode to spor t mode while driving in the D position
(  P. 373)■
Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
When the following unusual operation is performed, the engine output may be
restrained. ●
When the shift lever is shifted from R to D, D to R, N to R, P to D, or P to R (D includes S)
with the accelerator pedal depressed, a wa rning message appears on the multi-infor-
mation display. If a warning message is shown on the multi- information display, read the
message and follow the instructions. ●
When the accelerator pedal is depressed too while the vehicle is in reverse. ■
Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent ac cidental operation of the shift lever in start-
ing.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the engine switch is in IGNITION ON
mode and the brake pedal is being depressed.

2534-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
RX350/RX350L_U With the headlights on, push the
lever away from you to turn on the
high beams. Pull the lever toward you to the center
position to turn the high beams off.
Pull the lever toward you and release
it to flash the high beams once. You can flash the high beams with the
headlights on or off.
AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System) secures excellent visibility at intersections
and on curves by automatically adjusting the direction of the light axis of the
headlights according to vehicle speed and the degree of the tire’s angle as con-
trolled by steering input. AFS operates at speeds of 6 mph (10 km/h) or higher.
●
When the steering wheel or turn signal lever is operated while the headlights
are on (low beam), a cornering light w ill turn on and light up the direction of
movement of the vehicle. The cornerin g lights are designed to ensure excel-
lent visibility when making a turn at an intersection. However, when vehicle speed is approximately 22 mph (35 km/h) or higher, the cor-
nering lights will not turn on.●
When the shift lever is in R while the headlights are on (low beam), both cor-
nering lights will turn on. This is desi gned to enhance visibility when parking.Turning on the high beam headlights 1
2
AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System) (if equipped)
Cornering lights (if equipped)

2594-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
RX350/RX350L_U ●
In the following situations the system may not be able to correctly detect the surround-
ing brightness level. This may cause the lo w beams to remain on or the high beams to
flash or dazzle pedestrians or vehicles ahead. In such a case, it is necessary to manually
switch between the high and low beams.
• When driving in inclement weather (heavy ra in, snow, fog, sandstorms, etc.)
• When the windshield is obscured by fog, mist, ice, dirt, etc.
• When the windshield is cracked or damaged
• When the camera sensor is deformed or dirty
• When the temperature of the camera sensor is extremely high
• When the surrounding brightness level is equal to that of he adlights, tail lights or fog
lights
• When headlights or tail lights of vehicles ahead are turned off, dirty, changing color,
or not aimed properly
• When the vehicle is hit by water, snow, dust, etc. from a preceding vehicle
• When driving through an area of intermittently changi ng brightness and darkness
• When frequently and repeated ly driving ascendin g/descending roads, or roads with
rough, bumpy or uneven surfaces (such as stone-paved roads, gravel roads, etc.)
• When frequently and repeatedly taking curves or driving on a winding road
• When there is a highly reflective object ahea d of the vehicle, such as a sign or mirror
• When the back of a preceding vehicle is highly reflective, such as a container on a
truck
• When the vehicle's headlights are damaged or dirty, or are not aimed properly
• When the vehicle is listing or titling due to a flat tire, a trailer being towed, etc.
• When the headlights are changed between the high beams and low beams repeat-
edly in an abnormal manner
• When the driver believes that the high beams may be flashing or dazzling pedestri-
ans or other drivers■
Temporarily lowering sensor sensitivity
The sensitivity of the sensor can be temporarily lowered.
Turn the engine switch off while the following conditions are met.
• The headlight switch is in or .
• The headlight switch lever is in high beam position.
• Automatic High Beam switch is on.
Turn the engine switch to IGNITION ON mode.
Within 30 seconds after , repeat pulling th e headlight switch lever to the original
position then pushing it to the high beam position quickly 10 times, then leave the lever
in high beam position.
If the sensitivity is changed, the Automatic High Beam indicator is turn on and off 3
times.
Automatic High Beam (headlights) may turn on even when the vehicle is stopped. 1
2
3 2
4

2634-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
RX350/RX350L_U Washer/wiper dual opera-
tionPulling the lever op erates the wipers
and washer.
The wipers will automatically operate a
couple of times afte r the washer squirts.
Vehicles with headlight cleaners:
When the engine switch is in IGNI-
TION ON mode and the headlights are
on, if the lever is pulled, the headlight
cleaners will operate once. After this,
the headlight cleaners will operate
every 5th time the lever is pulled. ■
The windshield wipers and washer can be operated when
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode. ■
Dripping prevention wiper sweep (vehicle s with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
After washing and wiping operation several times, the wipers operate one more time
after a short delay to prevent dripping. However, this function will not operate while driv-
ing. ■
Effects of vehicle speed on wiper operation
Vehicle speed affects the Intermittent wiper interval. ■
Raindrop sensor (vehicles with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
●
If the wiper switch is turned to the “AUTO” position while the engine switch is in IGNI-
TION ON mode, the wipers will operate once to show that AUTO mode is activated.●
When the sensor sensitivity ring is turned toward high while in “AUTO” position, the
wipers will operate once to indicate that the sensor sensitivity is enhanced. ●
If the temperature of the raindrop sensor is 194  F (90  C) or higher, or 5  F (-15  C) or
lower, automatic operation may not occur. In this case, operate the wipers in any mode
other than AUTO mode. ■
If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked, if there is washer fluid in the washer fluid
tank. 8
●
The raindrop sensor judges the amount of
raindrops.
An optical sensor is ad opted. It may not oper-
ate properly when sunlight from the rising or
setting of the sun inte rmittently strikes the
windshield, or if bugs, etc. are present on the
windshield.

2834-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX350/RX350L_U WARNING ■
When to disable the pre-collision system
In the following situations, di sable the system, as it may not operate properly, possibly
leading to an accident resultin g in death or serious injury:●
When the vehicle is being towed ●
When your vehicle is towing another vehicle ●
When transporting the vehicle via truck, bo at, train or similar means of transportation●
When the vehicle is raised on a lift with the engine running and the tires are allowed to
rotate freely ●
When inspecting the vehicle using a drum tester such as a chassis dynamometer or
speedometer tester, or when using an on vehicle wheel balancer ●
When a strong impact is applied to the fron t bumper or front grille, due to an accident
or other reasons ●
If the vehicle cannot be driven in a stable manner, such as when the vehicle has been
in an accident or is malfunctioning ●
When the vehicle is driven in a sporty manner or off-road●
When the tires are not properly inflated ●
When the tires are very worn ●
When tires of a size other than specified are installed ●
When tire chains are installed ●
When a compact spare tire or an emergency tire puncture repair kit is used ●
If equipment (snow plow, etc.) that may obstruct the radar sensor or camera sensor is
temporarily installed to the vehicle

2874-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RX350/RX350L_U • When there is a metal object (manhole cover, steel plate, etc.), steps, or a protrusion
on the road surface or roadside
• When rapidly closing on an electric toll ga te barrier, parking area barrier, or other
barrier that opens and closes
• When using an automatic car wash
• When the vehicle is hit by water, sn ow, dust, etc. from a vehicle ahead
• When driving through steam or smoke
• When there are patterns or paint on the road or a wall that may be mistaken for a
vehicle or pedestrian
• When driving near an object that reflects radio waves, such as a large truck or
guardrail
• When driving near a TV tower, broadcasting station, electric power plant, or other
location where strong radio waves or electrical noise may be present• When a crossing pedestrian approaches
very close to the vehicle
• When passing through a place with a low
structure above the road (low ceiling, traffic
sign, etc.)
• When passing under an object (billboard,
etc.) at the top of an uphill road
• When driving through or under objects
that may contact the vehicle, such as thick
grass, tree branches, or a banner

294 4-5. Using the driving support systems
RX350/RX350L_U WARNING ■
Before using LKA system
Do not rely solely upon the LKA system. LKA is not a system which automatically
drives the vehicle or reduces the amount of attention that must be paid to the area in
front of the vehicle. The driver must always assume full responsibility for driving safely
by always paying careful attention to the surrounding conditions and operate the steer-
ing wheel to correct the path of the vehicle. Also, make sure to take adequate breaks
when fatigued, such as from driv ing for a long period of time.
Failure to perform appropriate driving operat ions and pay careful attention may lead to
an accident, resulting in death or serious injury. ■
To avoid operating LKA by mistake
When not using the LKA system, use the LKA switch to turn the system off. ■
Situations unsuitable for LKA
Do not use the LKA system in the following situations.
The system may not operate properly and lead to an accident, resulting in death or
serious injury. ●
A spare tire, tire chains, etc., are equipped. ●
When the tires have been excessively worn, or when the tire inflation pressure is low. ●
Tires which differ by structure, manufacturer, brand or tread pattern are used. ●
Objects or patterns that could be mistaken for white (yellow) lines are present on the
side of the road (guardrails, cu rbs, reflective poles, etc.).●
Vehicle is driven on a snow-covered road. ●
White (yellow) lines are difficult to see due to rain, snow, fog, dust, etc.●
Asphalt repair marks, white (y ellow) line marks, etc., are present due to road repair.●
Vehicle is driven in a temporary lane or restricted lane due to construction work.●
Vehicle is driven on a road surface which is slippery due to rainy weather, fallen snow,
freezing, etc. ●
Vehicle is driven in traffic lanes ot her than on highways and freeways.●
Vehicle is driven in a construction zone. ●
When your vehicle is towing a trailer or during emergency towing ■
Preventing LKA system malfunctions and operations perf ormed by mistake●
Do not modify the headlights or place stickers, etc., on the surface of the lights.●
Do not modify the suspension etc. If the suspension etc. needs to be replaced, con-
tact your Lexus dealer. ●
Do not install or place anything on the hood or grille. Also, do not install a grille guard
(bull bars, kangaroo bar, etc.). ●
If your windshield needs repair s, contact your Lexus dealer.