trailer Lexus GX460 2010 Using The Bluetooth Audio System /

375
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
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.

376
2-5. Driving information
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
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 droppi ng 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 dama ge your vehicle’s electrical system and
cause a malfunction.

377
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
Trailer towing tipsYour vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. The 3 main
causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed and
improper trailer loading. Keep the following in mind when towing:
● Before starting out, check the trai ler lights and the vehicle-trailer con-
nections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer attached in an
area away from traffic until you be come accustomed to the feel of the
vehicle.
● Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice Grip
the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the left to
move the trailer to the left. Move yo ur hand to the right to move the
trailer to right. (This is generally opposite to reversing without a trailer
attached.) Avoid sharp or prolon ged turning. Have someone guide
you when reversing to reduce the risk of an accident.
● As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increas ed. For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of
speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and loss
of control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.

378
2-5. Driving information
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)●
Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before making
turns.
● Note that when making a turn, the tr ailer wheels will be closer than the
vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making a
larger than normal turning radius.
● Crosswinds and rough roads will adve rsely affect handling of your
vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Periodically check the rear to prepare
for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may cause your vehi-
cle and trailer to sway. If swaying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel,
reduce speed immediately but gradua lly, and steer straight ahead.
Never increase speed. If you make no extreme correction with the
steering or brakes, your vehi cle and trailer will stabilize.
● Take care when passing other vehicl es. Passing requires considerable
distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your
trailer, and be sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
● In order to maintain efficient eng ine braking and electrical charging
performance, do not use overdrive. Transmission shift range position
must be in 5, in S mode.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may overheat
on hot days (at temperatures over 85 °F [30 °C]) when driving up a
long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in use), pull
your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. (
P. 74 4 )

379
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)●
Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and the trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the pa rking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do so
only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and
trailer wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in the P posit ion, start the engine. Be sure
to keep the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into 3, 2, L, or R position (if reversing).
Release the parking brake and br ake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
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818
Alphabetical index
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
Fog light switch ................................... 233
Hazard light Switch .......................... 674
Heated steering wheel switch.....549
Height control off switch................. 310
Ignition switch........................................ 179
Light switches ...................................... 220
Power door lock switch ...................... 51
Power window switch ........................ 101
“RSCA OFF” switch.......................... 138
Rear window defogger switch ................................................... 404
Transmission shift switch................. 189
Window lock switch ........................... 101
Wipers and washer switch ........... 235
Tachometer .............................................. 195
Tail lights Replacing light bulbs........................ 670
Switch ...................................................... 220
Talk switch
*............................................482
Telephones switch
*.............................482
Theft deterrent system Alarm .......................................................... 116
Engine immobilizer system ..............114
Tire inflation pressure ......................... 634
Tire information Glossary..................................................772
Size ........................................................... 768
Tire identification number ............. 767
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.... 770
Tires Chains .......................................................361
Checking ............................................... 627
If you have a flat tire .......................... 720
Inflation pressure................................ 760
Information............................................ 765 Pressure warning system ............... 627
Replacing ...............................................720
Rotating tires......................................... 627
Size ........................................................... 760
Snow tires................................................ 361
Spare tire ................................................720
Tire pressure warning

system................................................... 627
Tools........................................................... 720
Total load capacity ............................... 359
Towing Dinghy towing ....................................380
Emergency towing ........................... 675
Trailer towing ...................................... 365
TRAC ..........................................................331
Traction control.......................................331
Trailer towing ......................................... 365
Transmission shift switches................ 189
Trip information display ....................... 212
Trip meter ................................................. 195
Turn signal lights Replacing light bulbs ........... 666, 667
Switch ........................................................ 192
Wattage ................................................... 761
Vanity lights Vanity lights.......................................... 532
Wattage ................................................... 761
Vanity mirrors ........................................... 532
Vehicle identification number...........751
Vehicle load limits ................................ 359
Ventilators ................................................ 551
VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) ....330
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