towing Lexus GS350 2009 Owner's Manual

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GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:35 am
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle ........................ 124
Engine (ignition) switch .............. 133
Automatic transmission.............. 137
Turn signal lever ............................ 142
Parking brake ................................. 143
Horn.................................................... 144
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ..................... 145
Indicators and warning lights ............................... 149
Multi-information display........... 152
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch ............................ 155
Fog light switch .............................. 158
Windshield wipers and washer............................................. 159
Headlight cleaner switch ........... 164 2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control ................................ 165
Dynamic radar cruise control............................................. 169
Intuitive parking assist .................. 181
Rear view monitor system ......... 196
AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension System) .................. 199
Driving assist systems................ 200
PCS (Pre-Collision System) ........... 207
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ...................... 212
Vehicle load limits......................... 216
Winter driving tips ......................... 217
Trailer towing ................................. 222
Dinghy towing ............................... 223
2When driving
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When driving2
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GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:37 am
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle.................. 124
Engine (ignition) switch ......... 133
Automatic transmission ........ 137
Turn signal lever ....................... 142
Parking brake ........................... 143
Horn ............................................ 144
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ................ 145
Indicators and warning lights ........................ 149
Multi-information display ...................................... 152
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch...................... 155
Fog light switch ........................ 158
Windshield wipers and washer ..................................... 159
Headlight cleaner switch...... 164 2-4. Using other driving
systems
Cruise control.......................... 165
Dynamic radar cruise control ...................................... 169
Intuitive parking assist ............ 181
Rear view monitor system .... 196
AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension System) ............ 199
Driving assist systems ........... 200
PCS (Pre-Collision System) ...... 207
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ................ 212
Vehicle load limits ................... 216
Winter driving tips .................. 217
Trailer towing .......................... 222
Dinghy towing......................... 223
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2-4. Using other driving systems
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When driving
GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:48 am
●In the following situations, the intuitive parking assist may not function correctly,
possibly leading to an accident.
• There is ice, snow or mud on the sensors. (Wiping the sensors will resolve this
problem.)
• The sensor area is frozen. (Thawing the area will resolve this problem.) In especially cold weather, if a sensor is frozen the screen may show an abnor-
mal display, or obstacles may not be detected.
• The vehicle angle is especially wide.
• In harsh sunlight or intense cold weather.
• When driving on bumpy, sloped or gravel roads, or over grass.
• If there is something producing ultrasonic waves nearby, such as another vehicle’s horn, motorcycle engine nois e, air braking sound from heavy-duty
vehicles, or another vehicle using the intuitive parking assist.
• In heavy rain, or if water is splashed on the sensors.
• If a commercial fender pole or radio antenna is installed.
• If towing eyelet is installed on your vehicle.
• If moving towards a high curb or a curb corner.
• Objects such as signs may cause the detection distance to shorten.
• The area directly under the bumpers is not detected. Objects lower than the sens ors or thin stakes etc. may be detected initially,
but as they draw closer, they may cease to be detected.
• If obstacles draw too close to the sensor.
■Obstacles that may not be detected correctly
The following obstacles may not be detected.
●Thin objects such as wire, fencing or rope.
●Objects that absorb sound wave s, such as cotton or snow.
●Objects with sharp corners.
●Objects where the upper section projects out over the lower section.
●Low objects.
■If the display flashes and a message is displayed
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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:48 am
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and lug-
gage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lb passengers in your vehi cle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 - 750 (5 × 150) = 650
lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely exc eed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a tr ailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Co nsult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo an d luggage load capacity of your
vehicle. ( →P. 216)
Lexus does not recommend towing a tra iler with your vehicle. Your vehicle
is not designed for trailer towing.
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2-5. Driving information
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Vehicle load limits
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information label.
( → P. 448)
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tire s, but also degrade steering and braking
ability, resulting in an accident.
Vehicle load limits include total lo ad capacity, seating capacity, towing
capacity and cargo capacity.
■ Total load capacity: 815 lb. (370 kg)
Total load capacity means the comb ined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
■ Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximu m number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
Even if the number of occupants ar e within the seating capacity, do
not exceed the total load capacity.
■ Towing capacity
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
■ Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may inc rease or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occu
pants.
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2-5. Driving information
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Trailer towing
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Lexus also
does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch or the use of a tow hitch
carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bicycl e, etc. Your Lexus is not designed
for trailer towing or for the us e of tow hitch mounted carriers.
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2-5. Driving information
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GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:48 am
Dinghy towing
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with 4 wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the
ground) behind a motor home.
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When trouble arises
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5-1. Essential information
GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:48 am
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towingThe following may indicate a problem with your automatic transmission.
Contact your Lexus dealer before towing.
● The engine is running, but the vehicle will not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Emergency towing
If a tow truck is not available, in an emergency your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emergency towing
eyelet. This should only be attempted on hard, surfaced roads for short
distances at low speeds.
A driver must be in the vehicle to s teer and operate the brakes. The vehi-
cle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in good condi-
tion.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by your
Lexus dealer or a commercial towing se rvice, using a lift-type truck or a flat
bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/provincial
and local laws.
If towing from the rear, the wheels and axle on the ground must be in good
condition.
If they are damaged, use a to wing dolly or flat bed truck.
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5-1. Essential information
GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:48 am
Towing eyelet
■Emergency towing procedureRelease the parking brake.
Put the shift lever in “N”.
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch must be in the ACCESSORY mode
(engine off) or the IGNITION ON mode (engine on).
CAUTION
■While towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive stress on
the emergency towing eyelet and the cable or chain.
●If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering will not
function, making steering and braking more difficult.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious damage to the automatic transmission
Never tow this vehicle from the front with the rear wheels (2WD models) or four
wheels (4WD models) on the ground.
This may cause serious damage to the automatic transmission.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
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When trouble arises
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5-1. Essential information
GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:48 am
Installing towing eyeletRemove the eyelet cover using a
flathead screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a
rag between the screwdriver and
the vehicle body, as shown in the
illustration.
Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by hand.
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut wrench.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
■Location of the emergency towing eyelet
→P. 5 3 1
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