trailer Lexus ES300 2000 Owner's Manuals (in English)

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
57
Your vehicle may overheat during severe operating
conditions, such as:

Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
 Reducing speed or stopping after high speed driving.
 Idling for a long period with the air conditioning on in
stop±and±go traffic.
 Towing a trailer.
NOTICE
Do not remove the thermostat in the engine
cooling system as this may cause the engine to
overheat. The thermostat is designed to control the flow of coolant to keep thetemperature of the engine within the specifiedoperating range.
Do not continue driving with an overheatedengine. See ªIf your vehicle overheatsº onpage 342.

STARTING AND DRIVING
293
(g) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up and down
between the third and overdrive gears when climbing
a gentle slope, the overdrive should be turned off. Be
sure to turn the switch on immediately after climbing
the slope.
 When towing a trailer, in order to maintain efficient
engine braking and electrical charging performance,
do not use overdrive.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped
with the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from
creeping.
NOTICE
Do not hold the vehicle on an upgrade with the accelerator pedal. This can cause thetransmission to overheat. Always use the brakepedal or parking brake.
(h) Rocking your vehicle if stuck
CAUTION
If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc.,
then you may attempt to rock the vehicle free by moving
it forward and backward. Do not attempt this procedure
if people or objects are anywhere near the vehicle.
During the rocking operation the vehicle may suddenly
move forward or backward as it becomes un±stuck,
causing injury or damage to nearby people or objects.

SECTION 3 ± 2
316
STARTING AND DRIVING
Driving tips
Break±in period317
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Operation in foreign countries 317
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Tips for driving in various conditions 317
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Winter driving tips 319
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Trailer towing 321
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How to save fuel and make your vehicle
last longer 332
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DRIVING TIPS
317
BREAK±IN PERIOD
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
You need not follow a break±in schedule with your new
Lexus. But following a few simple tips for the first 1600
km (1000 miles) can add to the future economy and long
life of your vehicle:
Do not drive over 88 km/h (55 mph).
 Avoid overrevving. Maintain engine speed between
2000 and 4000 rpm.
 Avoid full±throttle starts.
 Try to avoid hard stops during the first 300 km (200
miles).
 Do not drive for a long time at any single speed, either
fast or slow.
 Do not tow a trailer during the first 800 km (500 miles).
OPERATION IN FOREIGN
COUNTRIES
If you plan to drive your Lexus in another country ...
First, comply with the vehicle registration laws.
Second, confirm the availability of the correct fuel
(unleaded and minimum octane rating).
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN VARIOUS CONDITIONS
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. This will
allow you much better control.
 Drive slowly onto curbs and, if possible, at a right
angle. Avoid driving onto high, sharp±edged objects
and other road hazards. Failure to do so can lead to
severe tire damage resulting in tire bursts.
 When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels until they
touch the curb so that the vehicle will not roll. Apply
the parking brake, and place the transmission in ªPº.
If necessary, block the wheels.
 Washing your vehicle or driving through deep water
may get the brakes wet. To see whether they are wet,
check that there is no traffic near you and then press
the pedal lightly. If you do not feel a normal braking
force, the brakes are probably wet. To dry them, drive
the vehicle cautiously while lightly pressing the brake
pedal with the parking brake applied. If they still do
not work safely, pull to the side of the road and call a
Lexus dealer for assistance.

DRIVING TIPS
321
Depending on where you are driving, we
recommend
you carry some emergency equipment.
Some of the things you might put in the vehicle are tire
chains, window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small
shovel, jumper cables, etc.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a
passenger±carrying vehicle. Towing a trailer will have
an adverse effect on handling, performance, braking,
durability and driving economy (fuel consumption, etc.).
Your safety and satisfaction depend on the proper use
of correct equipment and cautious driving habits. For
your safety and the safety of others, you must not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Lexus warranties do not
apply to damage or malfunction caused by towing a
trailer for commercial purposes. Ask your local Lexus
dealer for further details before towing.
NOTICE
When towing a trailer, be sure to consult your Lexus dealer for further information on additional
requirements such as a towing kit, etc.
Weight limits
Before towing, make sure the total trailer weight,
gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight and trailer
tongue load are all within the limits.
The total trailer weight and tongue load can be
measured with platform scales found at a highway
weighing station, building supply company, trucking
company, junk yard, etc.

DRIVING TIPS
322
32E001±1

Certification label
CAUTION
The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus its cargo
load) must not exceed 907 kg (2000 lb.). Exceeding
this weight is dangerous.

DRIVING TIPS
323
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight
capacities established by the hitch manufacturer.
Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of
towing a higher weight, the operator must determine
the maximum weight rating of the particular hitch
assembly and never exceed the maximum weight
rating specified for the trailer hitch. Exceeding the
maximum weight rating set by the trailer hitch
manufacturer can cause an accident resulting in
serious personal injuries.
 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,
passengers, luggage, hitch and trailer tongue load.
It also includes the weight of any special equipment
installed on your vehicle.
 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.

Tongue load
Total trailer weight x 100 = 9 to 11%
DRIVING TIPS
324
32L002

Total trailer weight
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 maximum of
90 kg (200 lb.).
 Never load the trailer with more weight in the
back than in the front. About 60 % of the trailer
load should be in the front half of the trailer and
the remaining 40 % in the rear.

DRIVING TIPS
325
Hitches
If you wish to install a trailer hitch, your Lexus dealer
should be consulted.
 Use only a hitch which is recommended by Lexus
dealer and 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.
 Lexus recommends removing the trailer hitch
whenever you are not towing a trailer to reduce the
possibility of additional damage caused by the hitch
if your vehicle is struck from behind. After removing
the hitch, seal any mounting holes in the vehicle body
to prevent entry of pollutants such as exhaust fumes,
dirt, water, etc.
NOTICE
Install the trailer hitch using only the position
recommended by your Lexus dealer. Do notinstall 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, wheelbearings, wheels or tires.

DRIVING TIPS
326
Brakes and safety chains
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that
conform to any applicable federal and
state/provincial regulations.
 A safety chain must always be used between the
towing vehicle and the trailer. Leave sufficient
slack in the chain for turns. The chain should
cross under the trailer tongue to prevent the
tongue from dropping to the ground in case it
becomes damaged or separated. For correct
safety chain procedures, follow the hitch or trailer
manufacturer's recommendations.
CAUTION
 If the total trailer weight exceeds 450 kg (1000 lb.),
trailer brakes are required.
 Never tap into your vehicle's hydraulic system as it
will lower its 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 possible danger of the trailer wandering over
into another lane.