weight LEXUS RX400H 2008 User Guide

189
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX400h_U■
Tow hitch receiver
A tow hitch receiver installed
under the rear bumper is rated for
weight that does not exceed the
vehicle's total towing weight.
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 at least 2
threads.
Shank diameter
Matches the ball mount hole diam-
eter size.

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.

269
3-5. Using the storage features
3
Interior features
RX400h_U
Overhead consoleThe overhead console is useful for
temporarily storing sunglasses and
similar small items.
Cup holders Front (type A)
To open, press in and release the
front cup holder.
CAUTION
■Items that should not be left in the overhead console
Do not leave glasses or lighters in the console.
If the interior of the vehicle becomes hot, lighters may explode and glasses may
warp or become cracked.
■Caution while driving
Do not leave the overhead console open while driving.
Items may fall out and cause injury.
■Maximum storage weight
Do not place any object heavier than 0.22 lb. (100 g) in it.
The console may be opened and cause injury.
Overhead console and cup holders

281
3-6. Other interior features
3
Interior features
RX400h_U
NOTICE
■To prevent seat heater damage
Do not put unevenly weighted objects on the seat and do not stick sharp objects
(needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Turn the switches off when the hybrid system is off.

286
3-6. Other interior features
RX400h_U
Automatic retract function of luggage coverThe knob is in the active position, the luggage cover is retracted automat-
ically when the back door is opened. Active position
Inactive position
CAUTION
■When the cargo hooks are not in use
To avoid injury, always return the cargo hooks to their positions when they are not in
use.
NOTICE
■Shopping bag hook weight capacity
Do not hang any object heavier than 4 lb. (2 kg) on shopping bag hooks.

336
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX400h_U
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of the replaced tire is greater than 1 /2 of the Gross
Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) of either the front axle or the rear axle, whichever is
greater.
As for the maximum load of the tire, see the load limit at maximum cold tire inflation
pressure mentioned on the sidewall of the tire, and as for the Gross Axle Weight
Ratings (GAWR), see the Certification Label. (
→P. 3 4 0 , 4 4 5 ) .
■Tire types
1 Summer tiresSummer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway driving
under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same traction perfor-
mance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for driving on snow-covered
or icy roads. For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires
is recommended. When installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
2 All season tires All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to be ade-
quate for driving in most winter conditions, as well as for use year round. All sea-
son tires, however, do not have adequate traction performance compared with
snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Also, al l season tires fall short in acceleration
and handling performance compared with summer tires in highway driving.
3Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend using snow tires.
If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, construction and load capac-
ity as the originally installed tires. Since your vehicle has radial tires as original
equipment, make sure your snow tires also have radial construction. Do not install
studded tires without first checking local regulations for possible restriction.
Snow tires should be installed on all wheels. ( →P. 1 8 2 )
■Initializing the tire pressure warning system
Initialize the tires with the tire inflation pressure adjusted to the specified level.

342
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX400h_U
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure may result in the following:
●Reduced fuel efficiency
●Reduced driving comfort and tire life
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent refilling, have it checked by your Lexus dealer.
■Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure, observe the following:
●Check only when the tires are cold.
If your vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours and has not been driven for
more than 1 mile or 1.5 km, you will get an accurate cold tire inflation pressure
reading.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge.
The appearance of the tire can be misleading. In addition, tire inflation pressures
that are even just a few pounds off can degrade ride and handling.
●Do not bleed or reduce tire inflation pressure after driving. It is normal for the tire
inflation pressure to be higher after driving.
●Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle is balanced.

344
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX400h_U
Wheels
■When replacing wheels
The wheels of your Lexus are equipped with tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters that allow the tire pressure warning system to provide advanced warning in
the event of a loss in tire inflation pressure. Whenever wheels are replaced, the tire
pressure warning valves and transmitters must be installed. (→P. 3 3 2 )
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be replaced. Oth-
erwise, the tire may separate from the wheel or cause loss of handling con-
trol.
■Wheel selection
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure that they
are equivalent to those removed in load capacity, diameter, rim
width, and offset.
Replacement wheels are available at your Lexus dealer.
Lexus does not recommend using:
• Wheels of different sizes or types
• Used wheels
• Bent wheels that have been straightened
■ Aluminum wheel precautions
● Use only Lexus wheel nuts and wrenches designed for use with
your aluminum wheels.
● When rotating, repairing or changing your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight after driving 1000 miles (1600 km).
● Be careful not to damage the aluminum wheels when using tire
chains.
● Use only Lexus genuine balance weights or equivalent and a
plastic or rubber hammer when balancing your wheels.

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)