towing Lexus GS350 2012 User Guide

2024-1. Before driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Installation positions for the towing hitch/bracket and hitch
ball
436 mm (17.2 in.)
455 mm (17.9 in.)
454 mm (17.9 in.)
475 mm (18.7 in.)
476 mm (18.7 in.)500 mm (19.7 in.)
520 mm (20.5 in.)
543 mm (21.4 in.)
560 mm (22.0 in.)1
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2044-1. Before driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Tire information
Increase the tire inflation pressure to 20.0 kPa (0.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 3 psi)
greater than the recommended value when towing. (P. 850)
Increase the air pressure of the trailer tires in accordance with the total
trailer weight and according to the values recommended by the manufac-
turer of your trailer.
Break-in schedule
Lexus recommends that vehicles fitted with new power train components
should not be used for towing trailers for the first 800 km (500 miles).
Safety checks before towing
Check that the maximum load limit for the towing hitch/bracket hitch ball is
not exceeded. Bear in mind that the coupling weight of the trailer will add
to the load exerted on the vehicle. Also make sure that you will not be tow-
ing a load that exceeds the maximum permissible axle capacity.
Ensure that the trailer load is secure.
Supplementary outside rear view mirrors should be added to the vehicle if
the traffic behind cannot be clearly seen with standard mirrors. Adjust the
extending arms of these mirrors on both sides of the vehicle so that they
always provide maximum visibility of the road behind.
Maintenance
Maintenance must be performed more frequently when using the vehicle
for towing due to the greater weight burden placed on the vehicle compared
to normal driving.
Retighten all bolts securing the hitching ball and bracket after towing for
approximately 1000 km (600 miles).

2054-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. In order
to avoid accident, death or serious injury, keep the following in
mind when towing:
Checking connections between trailer and lights
Stop the vehicle and check the operation of the connection
between the trailer and lights after driving for a brief period as
well as before starting off.
Practicing driving with a coupled trailer
Get the feel for turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer
coupled by practicing in an area with no or light traffic.
When reversing with a coupled trailer, hold the section of the
steering wheel nearest to you and rotate clockwise to turn the
trailer left or counterclockwise to turn it right. Always rotate a
little at a time to prevent steering error. Have someone guide
you when reversing to lessen the risk of an accident.
NOTICE
When the rear bumper strengthening material is aluminum
Ensure the steel bracket part does not come directly in contact with that
area.
When steel and aluminum come into contact, there is a reaction similar to
corrosion, which will weaken the section concerned and may result in dam-
age. Apply a rust inhibitor to parts that will come in contact when attaching
a steel bracket.
Guidance

2064-1. Before driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Increasing vehicle-to-vehicle distance
At a speed of 10 km/h (6 mph), the distance to the vehicle run-
ning ahead of you should be equivalent to or greater than the
combined length of your vehicle and trailer. Avoid sudden brak-
ing that may cause skidding. Otherwise, the vehicle may spin out
of control. This is especially true when driving on wet or slippery
road surfaces.
Sudden acceleration/steering input/cornering
Executing sharp turns when towing may result in the trailer col-
liding with your vehicle. Decelerate well in advance when
approaching turns and take them slowly and carefully to avoid
sudden braking.
Important points regarding turning
The wheels of the trailer will travel closer to the inside of the
curve than the wheels of the vehicle. To make allowance for this,
take the turns wider than you would normally do.
Important points regarding stability
Vehicle movement resulting from uneven road surfaces and
strong crosswinds will affect handling. The vehicle may also be
rocked by passing buses or large trucks. Frequently check behind
when moving alongside such vehicles. As soon as such vehicle
movement occurs, immediately start to decelerate smoothly by
slowly applying the brakes. Always steer the vehicle straight
ahead while braking.
Passing other vehicles
Consider the total combined length of your vehicle and trailer
and ensure that the vehicle-to-vehicle distance is sufficient
before executing lane changes.
Transmission information
To maintain engine braking efficiency, when using engine brak-
ing, when driving on a long steep downgrade, do not use the

2084-1. Before driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
If the engine overheats
Towing a loaded trailer up a long, steep incline in temperatures
exceeding 30C (85F) may result in the engine overheating. If
the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheating, turn the air conditioning off immediately, leave the
road and stop the vehicle in a safe place. (P. 829)
When parking the vehicle
Always place wheel chocks under the wheels of both the vehicle
and trailer. Firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever
to P.
CAUTION
To avoid accident or injury
Do not tow a trailer when the compact spare tire is installed on your vehi-
cle.
Do not tow the vehicle when the tire installed is repaired with the emer-
gency tire puncture repair kit.
Vehicle speed in towing
Observe the legal maximum speeds for trailer towing.
Before descending hills or long declines
Reduce speed and downshift. However, never downshift suddenly while
descending steep or long downhill grades.
Operation of the brake pedal
Do not hold the brake pedal depressed often or for long periods of time.
Doing so may result in the brake overheating or reduce braking effects.
NOTICE
For vehicles with an emergency tire puncture repair kit (if equipped)
Do not tow anything if a tire that has been repaired using the emergency tire
puncture repair kit is installed. The load on the tire may cause unexpected
damage to the tire.

2574-5. Using the driving support
4
Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
CAUTION
To avoid operating the cruise control by mistake
Switch the cruise control off using the “ON-OFF” button when not in use.
Situations unsuitable for cruise control
Do not use cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in loss of control and could cause an accident resulting
in death or serious injury.
In heavy traffic
On roads with sharp bends
On winding roads
On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
On steep hills
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
When your vehicle is towing a trailer or during emergency towing

2714-5. Using the driving support
4
Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
CAUTION
To avoid inadvertent cruise control activation
Switch the cruise control off using the “ON-OFF” button when not in use.
Situations unsuitable for dynamic radar cruise control
Do not use dynamic radar cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in inappropriate speed control and could cause an acci-
dent resulting in death or serious injury.
In heavy traffic
On roads with sharp bends
On winding roads
On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
On steep downhills, or where there are sudden changes between sharp up
and down gradients
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
At entrances to expressways
When weather conditions are bad enough that they may prevent the sen-
sors from functioning correctly (fog, snow, sandstorm, heavy rain, etc.)
When an approach warning buzzer is heard often
When your vehicle is towing a trailer or during emergency towing

2824-5. Using the driving support
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
CAUTION
Situations unsuitable for LKA
Do not use LKA in any of the following situations.
Otherwise, the system may not function correctly and could result in an
accident.
When driving with snow tires, tire chains, a spare tire, or similar equip-
ment
When the tires have been excessively worn, or when the tire inflation
pressure is low
When there are objects or structures along the roadside that might be mis-
interpreted as lane markers (such as guardrails, curb, reflector posts, etc.)
When driving on snowy roads
When pavement lane markers are difficult to see due to rain, snow, fog,
etc.
When there are visible lines on the pavement from road repairs, or if the
remains of old lane markers are still visible on the road
When driving on slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or
snow
When driving in a lane other than the driving or passing lanes on a free-
way or highway
When driving on a road with lane closures due to maintenance, or when
driving in a temporary lane
When towing a trailer
NOTICE
To prevent damage to or incorrect operation of the LKA system
Do not modify the headlights or attach stickers to the surface of the lights.
Do not modify the suspension, or replace them with non-genuine parts.
Do not install or place anything on the hood or the grille. Also, do not
install a grille guard (bull bars, kangaroo bar etc.).
Do not modify the sun visor or replace it with anything other than a genu-
ine Lexus product.
If your windshield needs repairs, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.

2944-5. Using the driving support
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Lexus parking assist-sensor display
When an obstacle is detected while the rear view monitor system, is in use,
the warning indicator will appear in the top right of the screen even if the dis-
play setting has been set to off.
Sensor detection information
The sensor’s detection areas are limited to the areas around the vehicle’s
front corner and rear bumpers.
Certain vehicle conditions and the surrounding environment may affect the
ability of the sensor to correctly detect obstacles. Particular instances where
this may occur are listed below.
• There is dirt, snow or ice on the sensor. (Wiping the sensors will resolve
this problem.)
• The sensor is frozen. (Thawing the area will resolve this problem.)
In especially cold weather, if a sensor is frozen the screen may show an
abnormal display, or obstacles may not be detected.
• The sensor is covered in any way.
• The vehicle is leaning considerably to one side.
• On an extremely bumpy road, on an incline, on gravel, or on grass.
• The vicinity of the vehicle is noisy due to vehicle horns, motorcycle
engines, air brakes of large vehicles, or other loud noises producing
ultrasonic waves.
• There is another vehicle equipped with parking assist sensors in the
vicinity.
• The sensor is coated with a sheet of spray or heavy rain.
• The vehicle is equipped with a fender pole or wireless antenna.
• Towing eyelets are installed.
• The bumper or sensor receives a strong impact.
• The vehicle is approaching a tall or curved curb.
• In harsh sunlight or intense cold weather.
• The area directly under the bumpers is not detected.
• If obstacles draw too close to the sensor.
• A non-genuine Lexus suspension (lowered suspension etc.) is installed.
• People may not be detected if they are wearing certain types of clothing.
In addition to the examples above, there are instances in which, because of
their shape, signs and other objects may be judged by the sensor to be closer
than they are.

3574-5. Using the driving support
4
Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Conditions under which the Blind Spot Monitor system may not function cor-
rectly
The Blind Spot Monitor system may not detect vehicles correctly in the fol-
lowing conditions:
• During bad weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow etc.
• When ice or mud etc. is attached to the rear bumper
• When driving on a road surface that is wet due to rain, standing water
etc.
• When there is a significant difference in speed between your vehicle and
the vehicle that enters the detection area
• When a vehicle is in the detection area from a stop and remains in the
detection area as your vehicle accelerates
• When driving up or down consecutive steep inclines, such as hills, a dip
in the road etc.
• When multiple vehicles approach with only a small gap between each
vehicle
• When vehicle lanes are wide, and the vehicle in the next lane is too far
away from your vehicle
• When the vehicle that enters the detection area is traveling at about the
same speed as your vehicle
• When there is a significant difference in height between your vehicle and
the vehicle that enters the detection area
• Directly after the BSM switch is set to on
• When your vehicle is towing a trailer
Instances of the Blind Spot Monitor unnecessarily detecting a vehicle and/
or object may increase under the following conditions:
• When there is only a short distance between your vehicle and a guardrail,
wall etc.
• When there is only a short distance between your vehicle and a following
vehicle
• When vehicle lanes are narrow and a vehicle driving 2 lanes across from
your vehicle enters the detection area
The outside rear view mirror indicators visibility
When under strong sunlight, the outside rear view mirror indicator may be
difficult to see.
When there is a malfunction in the system
If a system malfunction is detected due to any of the following reasons,
warning messages will be displayed: (P. 762, 768)
There is a malfunction with the sensors
The sensors have become dirty