towing LEXUS RX400H 2008 Owners Manual

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
RX400h_U
3
2-2. Instrument cluster..................... 138Gauges and meters ..................... 138
Indicators and warning lights ... 140
Multi-information display........... 143
Trip information display (without navigation
system)............................................ 146
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers ................... 148
Headlight switch ............................ 148
Fog light switch ................................ 151
Windshield wipers and washer............................................. 152
Rear window wiper and washer............................................. 155
Headlight cleaner switch ........... 156
2-4. Using other driving systems.... 157 Cruise control ................................ 157
Dynamic laser cruise control ... 160
Driving assist systems.................. 169
2-5. Driving information ................... 173 Utility vehicle precautions ......... 173
Cargo and luggage ...................... 178
Vehicle load limits .......................... 181
Winter driving tips ........................ 182
Trailer towing .................................. 187
Dinghy towing ................................ 196 3-1. Using the air conditioning
system and defogger ............. 198
Automatic air conditioning system ............................................. 198
Rear window and outside rear view mirror defoggers,
and windshield wiper
de-icer ........................................... 204
3-2. Using the front audio system ....................................... 205
Audio system type ...................... 205
Using the radio.............................. 207
Using the CD player.................... 214
Playing back MP3 and WMA discs.................................. 220
Optimal use of the audio system ............................................ 228
Using the steering wheel audio switches ............................. 231
3-3. Using the rear audio system ....................................... 233
Rear seat entertainment system features .......................... 233
Using the DVD player (DVD video)................................ 239
Using the DVD player (video CD) ................................... 246
Using the DVD player (audio CD/ CD text) ............... 248
3Interior features

32
1-1. Hybrid system
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of injury.
●Pull your vehicle off the road, put the shift lever in P, apply the parking brake, turn
the hybrid system off and remove the key.
●Do not touch the high voltage parts, cables and connectors.
●If electric wires are exposed inside or outside your vehicle, an electric shock may
occur. Never touch exposed electric wires.
●If a fluid leak occurs, do not touch it as it may be strong alkaline electrolyte from
the hybrid battery (traction battery). If it comes into contact with your skin or
eyes, wash it off immediately with a large amount of water or if possible, boric
acid solution. Seek immediate medical attention.
●If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicle, leave the vehicle as soon as possible. Never
use a fire extinguisher that is not meant for electric fires. Using even a small
amount of water may be dangerous.
●If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with the front wheels (for 2WD models)
or four wheels (for AWD models) raised. If the wheels with the electric motor
(traction motor) are on the ground when towing, the motor may continue to gen-
erate electricity. This may cause an electricity leakage leading to a fire.(
→P. 3 7 8 )
■Nickel-metal hydride battery
Your vehicle contains a sealed nickel-metal hydride battery. If disposed of improp-
erly, it is hazardous to the environment and there is a risk of severe burns and elec-
trical shock that may result in death or serious injury.
■If the system activates
●Carefully check to see if there are exposed high voltage parts or cables. Never
touch the parts or cables. (
→P. 2 7 )
●Carefully inspect the ground under the vehicle. If you find that liquid has leaked
onto the ground, the fuel system may have been damaged. Leave the vehicle as
soon as possible.

54
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■Seat adjustment
●Do not recline the seat more than necessary when the vehicle is in motion to
reduce the risk of sliding under the lap belt. If the seat is too reclined, the lap belt
may slide past the hips and apply restraint forces directly to the abdomen or your
neck may contact the shoulder belt, increasing the risk of death or serious injury
in the event of an accident.
●Be careful not to get hands or feet pinched between the rear console box and the
rear seat when folding down the rear seatback.
■When returning the seatback to the upright position
Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so may result in death or serious
injury.
●Press forward and rearward on the top of the seatback.
●Check that the seat belts are not twisted or caught under the seat.
●Arrange the seat belts in the proper positions for ready use.
NOTICE
■Stowing the seatbelts
The seat belts and the buckles must be stowed before you fold down the rear
seatbacks.

When driving2
121
RX400h_U
2-1. Driving procedures ........ 122Driving the vehicle.................. 122
Engine (ignition) switch .......... 131
Transmission.............................. 135
Turn signal lever ....................... 136
Parking brake ........................... 137
2-2. Instrument cluster ......... 138 Gauges and meters ................ 138
Indicators and warning lights ......................................... 140
Multi-information display ..... 143
Trip information display (without navigation
system)..................................... 146
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers........ 148
Headlight switch...................... 148
Fog light switch ......................... 151
Windshield wipers and washer ..................................... 152
Rear window wiper and washer ..................................... 155
Headlight cleaner switch...... 156 2-4. Using other driving
systems .......................... 157
Cruise control........................... 157
Dynamic laser cruise control ..................................... 160
Driving assist systems ............. 169
2-5. Driving information........ 173 Utility vehicle precautions ............................ 173
Cargo and luggage ................ 178
Vehicle load limits .................... 181
Winter driving tips .................. 182
Trailer towing ........................... 187
Dinghy towing.......................... 196

179
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX400h_U(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehi-
cle.
Example on your vehicle
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity
When 2 people with the combined weight of 366 lb. (166 kg) are riding
in your vehicle, which has a total load capacity of 925 lb. (420 kg), the
available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity will be as follows:
925 lb. — 366 lb. = 559 lb. (420 kg —166 kg = 254 kg)
In this condition, if 3 more passengers with the combined weight of 388 lb.
(176 kg) get on, the available cargo and luggage load will be reduced as fol-
lows:
559 lb. — 388 lb. = 171 lb. (254 kg — 176 kg = 78 kg)
As shown in the above example, if the number of occupants increases,
the cargo and luggage load equaling the combined weight of the occu-
pants who got on later, by an amount. In other words, if an increase in the
number of occupants causes an excess of the total load capacity (com-
bined weight of occupants plus cargo and luggage load), you must
reduce the cargo and luggage on your vehicle.

181
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX400h_U
Vehicle load limits
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information label.
(→ P. 3 4 0 )
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires, but also degrade steering and braking
ability, resulting in an accident.
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity, towing
capacity and cargo capacity.
■Total load capacity: 925 lb. (420 kg)
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants, cargo and
luggage.
■Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximum number of occupants whose esti-
mated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
Even if the number of occupants are within the seating capacity, do not
exceed the total load capacity.
■Towing capacity
Without towing package: 2000 lb. (907 kg)
With towing package: 3500 lb. (1588 kg)
Towing capacity means the maximum gross trailer weight (trailer weight
plus its cargo weight) that your vehicle is able to tow.
■Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight and
the number of occupants.

187
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
RX400h_U
Trailer towing (if equipped)
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-and-load carrying vehi-
cle. Towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on handling, performance,
braking, durability, and fuel consumption. For your safety and the safety of
others, do not overload the vehicle or trailer.
Lexus warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction caused by towing
a trailer for commercial purposes.
■ Weight limits
Confirm that the total trailer weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue load are all within the limits.
■ Gross vehicle weight
The gross vehicle weight must not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) indicated on the Certification Label. The gross
vehicle weight is the sum weight of the unloaded vehicle, driver, pas-
sengers, luggage, hitch and trailer tongue load. Also included is the
weight of any special equipment installed on your vehicle.
■ Gross axle weight
The load on either the front or rear axle resulting from distribution of
the gross vehicle weight on both axles must not exceed the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the Certification Label.
Certification Label

188
2-5. Driving information
RX400h_U
Towing a trailerContact your Lexus dealer for further information about additional
requirements such as a towing kits, etc.
Hitch and tow hitch receiver■ Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by
the hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be rated for tow-
ing a higher weight, the operator must never exceed the maximum
weight rating specified for the trailer hitch.
■Trailer tongue load
The trailer cargo load should be distributed so that the tongue load
is 9 to 11% of the total trailer weight, not exceeding the following.
Without towing package: 200 lb. (90 kg)
With towing package: 350 lb. (158 kg)
(Tongue load / Total trailer weight x 100 = 9 to 11%)
The total trailer weight and tongue load can be measured with plat-
form scales found at a highway weighing stations, building supply
companies, trucking companies, junk yards, etc.
Total trailer weight
Tongue load

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.

190
2-5. Driving information
RX400h_U
Connecting trailer lightsWith tow hitch receiver
Use the socket located under the rear bumper.
Without tow hitch receiver
Use the wire harness stored in the rear end under body.
■Front Emblem
■Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
●The vehicle's tires are properly inflated. ( →P. 3 4 0 )
●Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer's recommendation.
●All trailer lights work
●All lights work each time you connect them.
●The trailer ball is set up at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.
●The vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is hitched. Do not
drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper tongue load, 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.
With towing package
Without towing package
On vehicles with a towing package, the
front emblem has openings, which are
designed to improve the cooling perfor-
mance.