towing LEXUS RX450h 2018 Owner's Guide

5997-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near the
low level mark, add engine oil of the
same type as that already in the
engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before adding
oil.
Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.■
Engine oil consumption
A certain amount of engine oil will be consumed while driving. In th e following situations,
oil consumption may increase, and engine oil may need to be refilled in between oil
maintenance intervals. ●
When the engine is new, for example directly after purchasing the vehicle or after
replacing the engine ●
If low quality oil or oil of an inappropriate viscosity is used●
When driving at high engine speeds or with a heavy load, when towing, or when driving
while accelerating or decelerating frequently ●
When leaving the engine idling for a long time, or when drivin g frequently through
heavy trafficEngine oil selection → P. 714
Oil quantity (Low → Full) 1.9 qt. (1.8 L, 1.6 Imp. qt.)
Items Clean funnel1
2
3

654
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
The following may indicate a problem wi th your hybrid transmission. Contact
your Lexus dealer or commercial towing service before towing. ●
The hybrid warning message shows on and the vehicle does not move. ●
The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Do not tow with a sling-type truck to
prevent body damage.If your vehicle needs to be towed If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by your
Lexus dealer or commercial towing se rvice, using a wheel-lift type truck or
flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/provincial and
local laws.
If towing your vehicle with a wheel-lift type truck, use a towing dolly.
( → P. 655, 657)
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing
Towing with a sling-type truck

6558-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UIf your vehicle is transported by a flat-
bed truck, it should be tied down at the
locations shown in the illustration.
If you use chains or cables to tie down
your vehicle, the angles shaded in black
must be 45 ° .
Do not overly tighten the tie downs or
the vehicle may be damaged.Towing with a wheel-lift type truck 
From the front 
From the rear
Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels. Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.
Using a flatbed truck Front

656 8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UTake out the towing eyelet. ( → P. 674)
Remove the eyelet cover.
Insert the towing eyelet into the hole
and tighten partially by hand.
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut wrench
or hard metal bar.
Securely attach cables or chains to the towing eyelet.
Take care not to damage the vehicle body.
Enter the vehicle being towed and start the hybrid system.
If the hybrid system does not start, turn the power switch to ON mode.
Shift the shift lever to N and release the parking brake.
When the shift lever cannot be shifted: → P. 250Emergency towing procedure (vehicles with a towing eyelet) 1
2
3
4
5
6
7

6578-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U■
While towing
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering will not function,
marking steering and braking more difficult. ■
Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installe d in luggage compartment. ( → P. 674)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury. ■
When towing the vehicle
■
While towing ●
When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. which place excessive
stress on the towing eyelets, cables or chains. The towing eyelets, cables or chains
may become damaged, broken debris ma y hit people, and cause serious damage.●
Do not turn the power switch off.
There is a possibility that the steering wheel is locked and cannot be operated.■
Installing towing eyelets to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyel ets are installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing ey elets may come loose during towing.Be sure to transport the vehicle with all four
wheels raised off the ground. If the vehicle is
towed with the tires contacting the ground, the
drivetrain or related parts may be damaged,
the vehicle may fly off th e truck, or electricity
generated by the operation of the motor may
cause a fire to occur depending on the nature
of the damage or malfunction.

658 8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UNOTICE ■
To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type truck●
Do not tow the vehicle from the rear when the power switch is off. The steering lock
mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels straight. ●
When raising the vehicle, en sure adequate ground cleara nce for towing at the oppo-
site end of the raised vehicle. Without ad equate clearance, the vehicle could be dam-
aged while being towed. ■
To prevent damage to the vehicle wh en towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear. ■
To prevent damage to the ve hicle during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components. ■
Recreational towing (behind motor home, etc)
Never dinghy tow your vehicle to prevent caus-
ing serious damage to the Hybrid AWD system
and transmission. ( → P. 238)

6758-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85U 
RX450hL
Jack handle
Wheel nut wrench
Spare tire Jack
Towing eyelet
Adapter socket1
2
3 4
5
6

6858-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85URemove the center wheel ornament by pushing from the reverse side.
Be careful not to lose the wheel ornament.
Stand the tire against the bumper
with the inner surface facing toward
you. Pass the hoist assembly and
holding bracket through the
wheel opening.
Fully depress the secondary latch
and install the bracket to the
hoist assembly . WARNING ■
Stowing the flat tire
Failure to follow steps listed under stow ing the tire may re sult in damage to
the spare tire carrier and loss of the ti re, which could result in serious injuryor death.
Stowing the flat tire, jack and all tools (RX450hL) 1
2
C
B
3
A B
C

6898-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UNOTICE ■
Be careful when driving over bumps with th e compact spare tire installed on the vehi-
cle
When driving with the compact spare tire installed, the vehi cle height will be different
than when driving with standard tires. Be careful when driving over uneven road sur-
faces, etc. ■
Driving with tire chains and the compact spare tire
Do not fit tire chains to the compact spare tire.
Tire chains may damage the vehicle body and adversely affect driving performance.■
When replacing the tires
When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valve and trans-
mitter, contact your Lexus dealer as the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter
may be damaged if not handled correctly. ■
When stowing the flat tire (RX450hL) ●
Ensure that there is no object caught between the tire and the vehicle underbody. ●
Securely tighten the spare tire clamp bolt to hold the spare wheel carrier by the hook. ●
Stow the flat tire in the spare tire location. Failure to do so may cause damage to the
spare tire carrier. Pr oper storage reduces the possibilit y of injury in a collision or
during sudden braking. ●
Have the flat tire repaired and the spare tire replaced with it as soon as possible. ■
Proper storage of the spare tire (RX450hL)
●
If the spare tire clamp bolt is turned withou t a tire on the hoist assembly, the wire cable
may not be able to be lowered. If the wire cable cannot be lowered, contact your
Lexus dealer. ●
If the hoist assembly is slanted when stowing a
tire, the hoist assembly may become stuck in
the wheel opening and the tire may not be
raised properly, causing damage to the wheel
or the wire cable.

7078-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
RX450h_RX450hL _U_OM48F85UWARNING ■
When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to push the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the surrounding
area is clear to avoid striking other vehicl es, objects or people. The vehicle may also
lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes free. Use extreme caution. ■
When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an acci-
dent resulting in deat h or serious injury.
NOTICE ■
To avoid damage to the hybrid transmission and other components●
Avoid spinning the front wheels and depre ssing the accelerator pedal more than nec-
essary. ●
If the vehicle remains stuck even after th ese procedures are performed, the vehicle
may require towing to be freed.