trailer LEXUS RX400H 2008 User Guide

191
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX400h_U
■Break-in schedule
Lexus recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new
power train components (engine, transmission, differential, wheel bearings, etc.) to
tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of driving.
■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 Sup-
plement/ Scheduled Maintenance”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately 600
miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
CAUTION
■To avoid accident or injury
●The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus the weight of cargo) must not exceed
the following.
Without towing package: 2000 lb. (907 kg)
With towing package: 3500 lb. (1588 kg)
●If a trailer and cargo weigh over 2000 lb. (907 kg), use a sway control device
with sufficient capacity.
●The gross combined weight (sum of your vehicle weight plus its load and the total
trailer weight) must not exceed the following.
Without towing package: 7265 lb. (3295 kg)
With towing package: 8765 lb. (3976 kg)
●Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
●Never 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.
●The tow hitch receiver installed on your vehicle must never be used on another
vehicle.

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2-5. Driving information
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■Hitches
●If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Lexus dealer.
●Use only a hitch that conforms to the total trailer weight requirement.
●Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
●Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
●Remove 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.
■When towing a trailer
●If the total trailer weight exceeds 1000 lb. (450 kg), trailer brakes are required.
●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 coupling 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 use axle-mounted hitches, as they can cause damage to the axle housing,
wheel bearings, wheels or tires.
■Brakes
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all applicable federal and
state/provincial regulations.

193
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX400h_U
Trailer towing tipsYour vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. The 3 main
causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed and
improper trailer loading. Keep the following in mind when towing.
● Before starting out, check the trailer lights and the vehicle-trailer con-
nections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and rever sing with the trailer attached in an
area away from traffic until you become accustomed to the feel of the
vehicle.
● 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 your hand to the right to move the
trailer to right. (This is generally opposite to reversing without a trailer
attached.) Avoid sharp or prolon ged turning. Have someone guide
you when reversing to reduce the risk of an accident.
● As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of
speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
NOTICE
■Safety chain
A safety chain must always be used between the towing vehicle and the trailer.
Leave sufficient slack in the chain for turns. The chain should cross under the trailer
tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground in the case that it
becomes damaged or separated. For the correct safety chain installation proce-
dure, ask your Lexus dealer.
■Do not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing trailer lights may damage your vehicle's electrical system and
cause a malfunction.

194
2-5. Driving information
RX400h_U●
Avoid sudden braking as you may sk id, resulting in jackknifing and loss
of control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.
● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before making
turns.
● Note that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than the
vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making a
larger than normal turning radius.
● Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling of your
vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Periodically check the rear to prepare
for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may cause your vehi-
cle and trailer to sway. If swaying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel,
reduce speed immediately but gradually, and steer straight ahead.
Never increase speed. If you make no extreme correction with the
steering or brakes, your vehicle and trailer will stabilize.
● Take care when passing other vehicles. 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.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's hybrid system may
overheat on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when driv-
ing up a long or steep grade. If the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in use),
pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. ( →P. 4 2 4 )

195
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX400h_U●
Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and the trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the parking 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 and
trailer wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in place, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the hybrid system.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in the P position, start the hybrid system. Be
sure to keep the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into D or the R position (if reversing).
Release the parking brake and brake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
CAUTION
■To avoid an accident
●Do 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.
●Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill grades. Do
not make sudden downshifts.
●Avoid 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.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

356
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX400h_U■
Engine compartment (type B)
FuseAmpereCircuit
11HEATER50Air conditioning system, “WATER
PUMP” fuse
12IG130“SEAT HTR” fuse
13H-LP CLN30Headlight cleaner
14RR DEF40Rear window defogger
15RDI FAN No.140Electric cooling fan
16DC/DC120Hybrid system
17DRL7. 5Daytime running light system
18H-LP L LWR15Left-hand headlight (low beam)
19H-LP L UPR15Left-hand headlight
20H-LP R UPR15Right-hand headlight (high beam)
21PER OUTLET
NO.220Po w e r o u t l e t ( 1 1 5 VAC )
22TOW I N G30Trailer lights
23PBD30Power back door

430
RX400h_U
6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.)
Dimensions and weight
*1: Unladen vehicle
*2: Vehicle without roof rails
*3: Vehicle with roof rails
*4: Vehicle with roof rails and cross rails
Overall length187.2 in. (4755 mm)
Overall width72.6 in. (1845 mm)
Overall height *1
2WD models
66.1 in. (1680 mm) *2
67.7 in. (1720 mm) *3
68.3 in. (1735 mm) *4
AW D m o d e l s
66.3 in. (1685 mm) *2
67.9 in. (1725 mm) *3
68.5 in. (1740 mm) *4
Wheelbase106.9 in. (2715 mm)
Tr e a d
2WD models -Front-Rear62.2 in. (1580 mm)
61.6 in. (1565 mm)
AW D m o d e l s - Fr o n t -Rear62.0 in. (1575 mm)
61.2 in. (1555 mm)
Vehicle capacity weight
(Occupants + luggage)925 lb. (420 kg)
Towing capacity
(Trailer weight + cargo)
Without towing pack-
age2000 lb. (907 kg)
With towing package3500 lb. (1588 kg)

479
Alphabetical index
RX400h_U
Spare tireInflation pressure ............................... 340
Spare tire ...............................................408
Spark plug ............................................... 435
Specifications......................................... 430
Speech command switch*
Speedometer Speedometer ........................................138
Steering Column lock release ......................... 132
Steering wheel Audio switches ..................................... 231
Manual adjustment .............................. 65
Power adjustment ................................ 66
Steering wheel position memory ................................................. 55
Storage feature ..................................... 265
Stuck If your vehicle becomes stuck .....427
Sun visors.................................................. 272
Sunshade Roof ..............................................................76
Switch Engine switch ..........................................131
Fog light switch.......................................151
Ignition switch..........................................131
Light switches........................................148
Power back door switch ...................44
Power door lock switch .................... 39
Power window switch......................... 72
Rear window wiper and washer switch .....................................................155
Window lock switch ............................ 72
Wipers and washer switch............. 152 Tail lights
Replacing light bulbs ....................... 365
Switch........................................................ 148
Wattage ....................................................441
Talk switch*
Telephone switch*
Theft deterrent system Alarm.......................................................... 85
Hybrid vehicle immobilizer system .....................................................83
Theft prevention labels ......................... 88
Tire inflation pressure .........................340
Tire section names Glossary .................................................. 451
Size............................................................ 447
Tire identification number..............446
Uniform tire quality grading .........449
Tires
Chains ...................................................... 182
Checking ................................................ 331
If you have a flat tire ......................... 408
Inflation pressure ............................... 340
Inflation pressure sensor ................ 332
Information ............................................445
Replacing .............................................. 408
Rotating tires ......................................... 331
Size............................................................439
Snow tires ............................................... 182
Spare tire ............................................... 408
Tools .......................................................... 408
Total load capacity ..................................181
Towing
Dinghy towing ...................................... 196
Emergency towing............................378
Trailer towing ........................................ 187T
*: Refer to the “Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.

480
Alphabetical index
RX400h_U
Traction control ...................................... 169
Trailer towing........................................... 187
TransmissionTransmission ..........................................135
Trip information display....................... 146
Trip meter ................................................. 138
Turn signal lights Replacing light bulbs........................365
Switch ........................................................136
Wattage.................................................... 441
Valet key...................................................... 34
Vanity lights Vanity lights .......................................... 273
Wattage.................................................... 441
Vanity mirrors ........................................ 273
Vehicle identification number .......... 431
Vehicle stability control....................... 169
Video mode ............................................. 251
VDIM .......................................................... 169
VSC ............................................................. 169
Warning buzzers Brake system ...................................... 388
Key reminder ....................................... 393
Open door ............................................391
Open moon roof reminder ............391
Seat belt reminder...............................391
Warning lights Anti-lock brake system...................389
Automatic headlight leveling system ..................................................389
Brake assist system...........................389
Brake system ...................................... 388
Charging system ...............................389 Electric power steering
control system ................................. 389
Hybrid battery system .................... 389
Low fuel level......................................... 391
Low tire pressure warning light.......................................................... 391
Master warning light.......................... 391
Open door ............................................. 391
Pretensioners ...................................... 389
Seat belt reminder light .................... 391
SRS airbags.......................................... 389
Warning messages
AWD system....................................... 398
Dynamic laser cruise control ..................................... 399, 402
Engine oil maintenance.................. 402
Engine oil pressure........................... 398
Fuel lid..................................................... 407
Head light level................................... 399
Hybrid system..................................... 398
Moon roof............................................. 402
Open door ........................................... 402
Parking brake...................................... 402
Vehicle stability control........399, 401
Washer fluid ........................................ 402
Water temp.......................................... 398
Transmission selector lever ......... 402
Washer
Checking................................................329
Preparing and checking before winter...................................... 182
Switch........................................................ 152
Washing and waxing........................... 298
Weight Cargo capacity .................................... 178
Load limits.................................................181
Weight .................................................... 430
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