Lexus NX 300h 2016, Owner'S Manual

Page: 193 / 680

193
4-1. Before driving
4
Dr
iving
NX300h_OM_USA_OM78082U
●
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
prolonged 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 dis-
tance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of speed, allow at least
one vehicle and trailer length.
●
Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in the trailer jackknifing and a
loss of vehicle 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 turn.
●
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 wider than normal
turning radius.
●
Slow down before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slippery surfaces,
etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.
●
Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires considerable dis-
tance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your trailer, and be
sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
●
To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system performance
when using engine braking, do not put the transmission in D. (

P. 208)
●
Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long downhill
grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do not make sudden
downshifts while descending steep or long downhill grades.
●
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.
●
Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may overheat on hot
days (at temperatures over 85

F [30

C]) when driving up a long or steep
grade. If the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates overheating, imme-
diately turn off the air conditioning (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and
stop in a safe spot. (

P. 599)