Lexus GS450h 2007 Using the audio system / LEXUS 2007 GS450H THROUGH JUNE 2006 PROD. OWNER'S MANUAL (OM30727U)

171
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Co nsult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle. ( P. 1 7 3)
Example on your vehicle
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity
When 2 people with the combined wei ght of 366 lb
. (166 kg) are riding
in your vehicle, which has a total load capacity of 815 lb. (370 kg), the
available amount of cargo and luggag e load capacity will be as follows:
815 lb. — 366 lb. = 449 lb. (370 kg —166 kg = 204 kg)
In this condition, if 3 mo re passengers with the combined weight of 388 lb.
(176 kg) get on, the available cargo and luggage load will be reduced as fol -
lows:
449 lb. — 388 lb. = 61 lb. (204 kg — 176 kg = 28 kg)
As shown in the above example, if the number of occupants incr
eases,
the cargo and luggage load equaling the combined weight of the occu-
pants who got on later, by an amount. In other w
ords, if an increase in the
number of occupants causes an excess of the total load capacity (com -
bined weight of occupants plus car go and luggage load), y
ou must
reduce the cargo and luggage on your vehicle.

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2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■Storage precautions
●Do not place anything on the package tray behind the rear seatback. 
Such items may be thrown about and possib ly injure people in the vehicle during
sudden braking or in an accident.
●Do not drive with objects on top of the instrument panel. 
They may interfere with the driver’s field of view or move during sharp accelera-
tion or turning, thus impairing the driver ’s control of the vehicle. In an accident
they may injure the vehicle occupants.
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment, as they may shift and injure some-
one during an accident or sudden braking.
■Weight of the load
●Improper loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking control result-
ing in an accident which may cause death or serious injury.
●Do not exceed the maximum axle weight ra ting or the total vehicle weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occupant's weight and the cargo load is less than the total
load capacity, do not apply the load unevenly. Improper loading may cause dete-
rioration of steering or braking control which may cause death or serious injury.

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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Vehicle load limits
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the ti
re and loading information label. 
(  P. 3 8 5
)
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 load capacity, seating capacity, towing
capacity and cargo capacity.
■ Total load capacity: 815 lb. (370 kg)
Total load capacity means the comb ined w
eight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
■ Seating capacity: 5 occupants (F
ront 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximu m number of occupants whose
estimated a
verage 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.
■ T
owing capacity
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
■ Car
go capacity
Cargo capacity ma y incr
ease or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants.

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2-5. Driving information
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving the
vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate to the
prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that ar
e appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera -
tures.
• Engine oil
• Engine/inverter coolant
• Washer fluid
● Ha
ve a service technician inspect th e level and specific gravity of
battery electrolyte.
● Ha
ve the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of
tire chains for the rear tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same si ze and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.
● Tire inflation pressure falls in winter as the outside temperature
falls. Add 2.8 to 4.3 psi (20 to 30 kPa, 0.2 to 0.3 kgf/cm2 or bar)
to the standard tire inflation pressure.

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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions.
● D
o not try to forcibly open a w indow or move a wiper that is fro-
zen. Pour warm water over the frozen ar
ea to melt the ice. Wipe
away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● T
o ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
● R
emove any ice that has accumul ated on the vehicle chassis.
● P
eriodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow that
may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the brakes.
■ When driving the v
ehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly and dr iv
e at a reduced speed suitable
to road conditions.
■ When parking the v
ehicle
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to “P” without setting the
parking br
ake. The parking brake ma y freeze up, preventing it from
being released.

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2-5. Driving information
Regulations on the use of snow chains
●Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary according to location
and type of road. Alwa ys check local regulations before installing
chains.
● Use S
AE Class “S” type radial tire chains, with the exception of radial
cable chains or V-bar type chains.
• Install the chains on the rear tires.
• Refer to the explanation that comes with the tir
e chains for installa-
tion instructions.
● R
etighten the chains after driving 1 /4 - 1 /2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
Shifting the windshield wiper position
You can shift the wipers to the rest position manually. (In heavy snow or
icy condition etc.)
Grip the hook section of the wiper arm firmly when shif
ting the wiper
position.
To rest position
Raise the wiper in line with the
wind
shield.
You can stand the wipers up for the
rest position.
*: More than 3.9 in. (10 cm)

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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
To retract positionLower the wipers by pressing on
the upper par
t of the hook section.
■Snow chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains.
●Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
●Install tire chains on the rear tires.
●Install tire chains following the inst ructions provided in the accompanying
instructions.
CAUTION
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents. 
Failing to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or serious
injury.
●Use tires of the size specified for your vehicle.
●Maintain the specified level of tire inflation pressure.
●Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of snow tires
being used.
●Snow tires should be installed on all wheels.

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2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■Driving with snow chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents. 
Failing to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely, and may
cause death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being used,
or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
●Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
●Avoid sudden turns and braking, as use of chains may adversely affect vehicle
handling.
●Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle control is
maintained.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs of and obtain replacement snow tires from Lexus dealers or legiti-
mate tire retailers. 
This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affects the operation of
the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
■Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not function correctly when
tire chains are fitted.

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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
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, bicycle, 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
Dinghy towing
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the
ground) behind a motor home.