tow Lexus GX460 2010 Owner's Guide

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Vehicle load limits
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity, towing
capacity and cargo capacity.
■Total load capacity:
Vehicles without rear height control air suspension
With third seats — 1315 lb. (595 kg)
Without third seats — 1525 lb. (690 kg)
Vehicles with rear height control air suspension 1280 lb. (580 kg)
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
■ Seating capacity:
With third seats — 7 occupants (Front 2, Rear 5)
Without third seats — 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.
■ Towing capacity: 6500 lb. (2948 kg)
Towing capacity means the maximum gross trailer weight (trailer
weight plus its cargo weight) that your vehicle is able to tow.
■ Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants.
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Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-and-load carrying vehi-
cle. Towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on handling, performance,
braking, durability, and fuel consumption. For your safety and the safety of
others, do not overload the vehicle or trailer.
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accor-
dance with the trailer’s characteristics and operating conditions. The vehi-
cle stability and braking performance are affected by trailer stability, brake
setting and performance, and the hitch.
Lexus warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction caused by towing
a trailer for commercial purposes.
Contact your Lexus dealer for further information about additional
requirements such as a towing kits, etc.
■ Weight limits
Confirm that the total trailer weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue load are all within the limits.
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■Trailer tongue load
● A recommended tongue load varies in accordance with the types
of trailers or towing as described below.
● In order to ensure the recommended values shown below, the
trailer must be loaded by referring to the following instructions.
The trailer cargo load should be distributed so that the tongue
load is 9 to 11 % of the total trailer weight, not exceeding 650 lb.
(294 kg). (Tongue load/Total trailer weight × 100 = 9 to 11 %)
If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lbs. (900 kg), it is neces-
sary to use a sway control device with sufficient capacity.
If the gross trailer weight is over 5000 lbs. (2268 kg), it is neces-
sary to use a weight distributing hitch with sufficient capacity.
If using a weight distributing hitch when towing, keep your vehicle
level with the ground.
The total trailer weight and tongue load can be measured with
platform scales found at a highway weighing stations, building
supply companies, trucking companies, junk yards, etc.
Total trailer weight
Tongue load
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Towing related term
To w i n g r e l a t e d t e r mMeaning
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)
The maximum allowable gross vehicle
weight. The gross vehicle weight is the total
weight of the vehicle. When towing a
trailer, it is the sum of the vehicle weight
(including the occupants, cargo and any
optional equipment installed on the vehi-
cle) and the tongue load.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)The maximum allowable gross axle weight.
The gross axle weight is the load placed on
each axle (front and rear).
GCWR (Gross Combination
We i g h t R a t i n g )
The maximum allowable gross combina-
tion weight. The gross combination weight
is the sum of the total vehicle weight
(including the occupants, cargo and any
optional equipment installed on the vehi-
cle) and the weight of the trailer being
towed (including the cargo in the trailer).
Gross trailer weightThe sum of the trailer weight and the
weight of the cargo in the trailer.
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Towing a trailerContact your Lexus dealer for further information about additional
requirements such as a towing kit etc.
HitchTrailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by
the hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be rated for towing
a higher weight, the operator must never exceed the maximum weight
rating specified for the trailer hitch.
Towing related termMeaning
Towing capacity
The maximum allowable gross trailer
weight. Towing capacity is calculated con-
sidering the base vehicle with necessary
vehicle equipment and occupants. Addi-
tional optional equipm ent, passengers and
cargo in the vehicle will reduce the towing
capacity, gross trailer weight includes the
trailer, cargo and necessary equipment for
towing.
To n g u e l o a dThe load placed on the trailer hitch ball.
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■Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
●The vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. (→P. 76 2 )
●Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recommenda-
tion.
●All trailer lights work.
●All lights work each time you connect them.
●The trailer ball is set up at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.
●The vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is hitched. Do not
drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper tongue load, overloading,
worn suspension, or other possible causes.
●The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
●The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or local
regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for towing pur-
poses.
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■Break-in schedule
Lexus recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new
power train components (engine, transmission, differential, wheel bearings, etc.) to
tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of driving.
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. (See “Warranty and Services Guide”, “Owner’s Manual
Supplement” or “Scheduled Maintenance”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
CAUTION
■Trailer towing precautions
●Follow all the instructions described in this section. Failure to do so could cause
an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
●Exceeding the towing capacity, GVWR, GCWR and GAWR can cause an acci-
dent resulting in death or serious personal injuries.
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CAUTION
■To avoid accident or injury
●The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus the weight of cargo) must not exceed
6500 lb. (2948 kg).
●If a trailer and cargo weigh over 2000 lbs. (900 kg), use a sway control device of
sufficient capacity.
●If the gross trailer weight is over 5000 lbs. (2268 kg), it is necessary to use a
weight distributing hitch with sufficient capacity.
●If using a weight distributing hitch when towing, keep your vehicle level with the
ground.
●The gross combined weight (sum of your vehicle weight plus its load and the total
trailer weight) must not exceed 13100 lb. (5492 kg).
●Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
●Never load more weight in the back than in the front of the trailer. About 60 % of
the load should be in the front half of the trailer, and the remaining 40 % in the
rear.
●The tow hitch receiver installed on your vehicle must never be used on another
vehicle.
●Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) or the posted towing speed limit, whichever is
lower. A instability (swaying) of the towing vehicle-trailer combination increases
as speed increases, exceeding 45 mph (72 km/h) may cause loss of control.
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CAUTION
■To avoid accident or injury
●Do not use cruise control when you are towing.
●Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill grades. Do
not make sudden downshifts.
●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.
■Hitches
●If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Lexus dealer.
●Use only a hitch that 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.
●Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer. After removing
the hitch, seal any mounting hole in the vehicle body to prevent entry of any sub-
stances into the vehicle.
■When towing a trailer
●If the total trailer weight exceeds 1000 lb. (453 kg), trailer brakes are required.
●Never tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehicle’s brak-
ing 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
a risk of the trailer wandering into another lane.
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NOTICE
■When installing a trailer hitch
●Use only the position recommended by your Lexus dealer. Do not install 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,
wheel bearings, wheels or tires.
■Brakes
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all applicable federal and
state/provincial regulations.
■Safety chain
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 the case that it
becomes damaged or separated. For the correct safety chain installation proce-
dure, ask your Lexus dealer.
■Do not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing trailer lights may damage your vehicle’s electrical system and
cause a malfunction.
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