Lexus 2012 RX450h Owner's Manual page 388

2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
Trailer towing precautions
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To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accordance with the
trailer' s characteristics and operating conditions. Failure to do so could cause an
accident resulting in death or serious injury. Vehicle stability and braking perfor-
mance are affected by trailer stability, brake setting and performance, and the hitch.
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer.
To avoid accident or injury
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Do not exceed the TWR, unbraked TWR, GCWR, GVWR or GAWR.
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If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lb. (907 kg), a sway control device with
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sufficient capacity is required.
Adjust the tongue weight within the appropriate range. Place heavier loads as
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close to the trailer axle as possible.
Do not exceed 65 mph (104 km/h), the posted towing speed limit or the speed
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limit for your trailer as set forth in your trailer owner' s manual, whichever is lowest.
Slow down sufficiently before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slippery
surface, etc. to help avoid an accident. If you experience a vehicle-trailer instabil-
ity from reducing a certain speed, slow down and make sure you keep your vehi-
cle speed under the speed of which you experience the instability.
Do not make jerky, abrupt or sharp turns.
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Do not apply the brakes suddenly as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and
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loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.
Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
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weight and trailer tongue weight capacities.
Do not use cruise control when towing.
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Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill grades. Do
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not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long downhill grades.
Vehicle-trailer instability is more likely on steep long downhills. Before descend-
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ing steep or long downhill grades, slow down and downshift. Do not make sudden
downshifts when descending steep or long downhill grades. Avoid holding the
brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes too frequently. This could
cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking efficiency.
Do not tow a trailer when the compact spare tire is installed on your vehicle.
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