trailer Lexus GX460 2014 Owner's Guide

178
GX 460 _O M_ OM6 0K 80 U_ (U)4-1. Before driving
CAUTION
■To avoid accident or injury
●Do not exceed the TWR, unbraked TWR, GCWR, GVWR or GAWR.
●If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lb. (907 kg), a sway control device with suffi-
cient capacity is required.
●If the gross trailer weight is over 5000 lb. (2268 kg), a weight distributing hitch with
sufficient capacity is required.
●Adjust the tongue weight within the appropriate range. Place heavier loads as close
to the trailer axle as possible.
●Do not exceed 65 mph (104 km/h), the posted towing speed limit or the speed limit
for your trailer as set forth in your trailer owner’s manual, whichever is lowest. Slow
down sufficiently before making a turn, in
crosswinds, on wet or slippery surface, etc.
to help avoid an accident. If you experience a vehicle-trailer instability from reducing
a certain speed, slow down and make sure you keep your vehicle speed under the
speed of which you expe rience the instability.
●Do not make jerky, abrupt or sharp turns.
●Do not apply the brakes suddenly as you ma y skid, resulting in jackknifing and loss of
vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.
●Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue weight capacities.
●Do not use cruise control when towing.
●Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill grades. Do not
make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long downhill grades.
●Vehicle-trailer instability is more likely on steep long down hills. Before descending
steep or long downhill grades, slow down and downshift. Do not make sudden down-
shifts when descending steep or long do wnhill grades. Avoid holding the brake pedal
down too long or applying the brakes too frequently. This could cause the brakes to
overheat and result in reduced braking efficiency.
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GX 460 _O M_ OM6 0K 80 U_ (U)
1794-1. Before driving
4
Driving
CAUTION
■Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the hitch manu-
facturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of towing a higher weight,
the operator must determine the maximum weight rating of the particular hitch assem-
bly and never exceed the maximum weight rating specified for the trailer-hitch.
Exceeding the maximum weight rating set by the trailer-hitch manufacturer can cause
an accident resulting in death or serious personal injuries.
■When towing a trailer
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable federal and
state/provincial regulations.
●If the gross trailer weight exceeds unbraked TWR, trailer brakes are required. Lexus
recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all applicable federal and state/pro-
vincial regulations.
●Never tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehicle’s braking
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 danger of
the trailer wandering into another lane.
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 directly splice trailer lights
Do not directly splice trailer lights. Direct ly splicing trailer lights may damage your
vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction.
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198
GX 460 _O M_ OM6 0K 80 U_ (U)4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
●In the situations below, the system may not be able to correctly detect the surrounding
brightness levels, and may flash or expose nearby pedestrians to the high beam. There-
fore, you should consider turning the high be
am on or off manually rather than relying
on the Automatic High Beam system.
• In bad weather (rain, snow, fog, sandstorms etc.)
• The windshield is obscured by fog, mist, ice, dirt etc.
• The windshield is cracked or damaged.
• The inside rear view mirror or camera sensor is deformed or dirty.
• The camera sensor temperature is extremely high.
• Surrounding brightness levels are equal to those of headlights, tail lights or fog lights.
• Vehicles ahead have headlights that are either switched off, dirty, are changing color, or are not aimed properly.
• When driving through an area of interm ittently changing brightness and darkness
• When frequently and repeated ly driving ascending/descending roads, or roads with
rough, bumpy or uneven surfaces (such as stone-paved roads, gravel tracks etc.)
• When frequently and repeatedly taking curves or driving on a winding road
• There is a highly reflective object ahead of the vehicle, such as a sign or a mirror.
• The back of a vehicle ahead is highly reflective, such as a container on a truck.
• The vehicle’s headlights are damaged or dirty.
• The vehicle is listing or tilting, due to a flat tire, a trailer being towed etc.
• The Automatic High Beam indicator is flashing.
• The high beam and low beam are repeatedly being switched between in an abnor- mal manner.
• The driver believes that the high beam may be causing problems or distress to other
drivers or pedestrians nearby.
■If the Automatic High Beam indicator flashes...
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Temporary lowering sensor sensitivity
The sensitivity of the sensor can be temporarily lowered.
To lower the sensitivity, push and hold the “AUTO” button on the inside rear view mirror
for 15 to 20 seconds, and release. The indicator light on the inside rear view mirror will
flash to indicate that the sensitivity has been lowered.
When the engine switch is turned off, the sens itivity will be returned to its normal level.
■Customization that can be configured at your Lexus dealer
The Automatic High Beam can be turned off.
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216
GX 460 _O M_ OM6 0K 80 U_ (U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Automatic cruise control cancelation
Cruise control will stop maintaining the vehicle speed in any of the following situations:
●Actual vehicle speed falls more than approximately 10 mph (16 km/h) below the preset
vehicle speed.
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
●Actual vehicle speed is below approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).
●VSC is activated.
●The center differential lock/unlock is not completed within 5 seconds while the cruise
control system is on.
■If the warning message for the cruise contro
l is shown on the multi-information display
Press the “ON-OFF” button once to deactivate the system, and then press the button
again to reactivate the system.
If the cruise control speed cannot be set or if the cruise control cancels immediately after
being activated, there may be a malfunction in the cruise control system. Have the vehi-
cle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
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 (with towing hitch) or during emergency towing
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226
GX 460 _O M_ OM6 0K 80 U_ (U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
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 accident result-
ing 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 su
dden 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 sensors from
functioning correctly (fog, snow, sandstorm, heavy rain, etc.)
●When an approach warning buzzer is heard often
●When your vehicle is towing a trailer (with towing hitch) or during emergency towing
■When the sensor may not be correctly detecting the vehicle ahead
Apply the brakes as necessary when any of the following types of vehicles are in front of
you.
As the sensor may not be able to correctly detect these types of vehicles, the approach
warning ( →P. 221) will not be activated, and a fatal or serious accident may result.
●Vehicles that cut in suddenly
●Vehicles traveling at low speeds
●Vehicles that are not moving
●Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers with no load on board etc.)
●Motorcycles traveling in the same lane
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330
GX 460 _O M_ OM6 0K 80 U_ (U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
CAUTION
■The rear height control air suspension must be turned off
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Otherwise, the automatic leveling func-
tion may cause vehicle height to change, an
d you may catch part of your body in the
vehicle, resulting in an accident:
●When jacking up the vehicle, installing tire chains or tying the vehicle with chains/
wires for transportation via flat bed truck, turn off the rear height control air suspen-
sion and stop the engine.
●When the vehicle must be towed or disconnecting a trailer, put the vehicle height in N
mode and turn off the rear height control air suspension.
●When the vehicle is stuck, turn off the rear height control air suspension.
■Selecting the correct height mode
●HI mode should only be used when drivin g on rough roads, for example when driving
off-road.
Because the vehicle’s center of gravity w ill become higher when in the mode, the
vehicle may become unstable when turning abruptly, resulting in an accident.
●Do not select HI mode when loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier.
Because the vehicle’s center of gravity w ill become higher when in the mode, the
vehicle may become unstable when turning abruptly, resulting in an accident.
●Before lowering vehicle height, check that there is no one under the vehicle.
NOTICE
■Be careful in any place where overhead space is limited
The vehicle height will rise when a higher mo de is selected or cargo is unloaded. This
may cause damage to the vehicle.
■Do not select LO mode when driving on bumpy roads
If the underbody of the vehicle touches a rugged road surface, the vehicle may be
damaged.
■Changing vehicle height
Do not change vehicle height frequently.
The compressor may overheat and stop operation.
■When on the extremely uneven roads with rocks
Sometimes the vehicle height is not adjusted because it is judged as uneven road driv-
ing.
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342
GX 460 _O M_ OM6 0K 80 U_ (U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
◆Active TRAC (Traction Control) for L4 position*
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the 4 wheels from spinning when starting
the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads, or in off-road conditions
◆Hill-start assist control (if equipped)
Helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwa
rd when starting on an incline or slip-
pery slope
◆KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System)
KDSS helps to enhance ride comfort and handling response by using a hydraulic con-
trol system to control the suspension stabiliz er bars in response to road surface and
driving conditions during co rnering or off-road driving
◆PCS (Pre-Collision system) (if equipped)
→P. 3 5 7
◆Tr a i l e r S w a y C o n t r o l
Helps the driver to control trailer sway by selectively applying brake pressure for indi-
vidual wheels and reducing engine torque when trailer sway is detected.
Trailer Sway Control is part of the VSC sy stem and will not operate if VSC turned off
or experiences a malfunction.
*: The function only works in vehicles with Multi-terrain Select when Multi-terrain
Select is switched on
If the vehicle is in danger of slipping or
rolling backward when starting on an
incline, or if any of the drive wheels
spins, the slip indicator light flashes to
indicate that the TRAC or Active
TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control/hill-
start assist control systems are operat-
ing.
A buzzer (intermittent) sounds to indicate that VSC is operating.
The stop lights and high mounted stoplight turn on when the hill-start assist control
system is operating.
When the TRAC or Active TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control/hill-start
assist control systems are operating
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GX 460 _O M_ OM6 0K 80 U_ (U)
3434-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, the TRAC or Active TRAC/VSC/
Trailer Sway Control systems may reduce power from the engine to the wheels.
You may need to turn the system off to enable you to rock the vehicle in order to
free it.
■Turning off TRAC or Active TRAC system only
To turn the TRAC or Active TRAC
system off, quickly press and release
the switch.
The “TRAC OFF” will be shown on
the multi-information display.
Press the switch again to turn the sys-
tem back on.
■Turning off both TRAC or Active TRAC and VSC/Trailer Sway Control sys-
tems
To turn the TRAC or Active TRAC
and VSC/Trailer Sway Control sys-
tems off, press and hold the switch
for 3 seconds and more while the
vehicle is stopped.
The VSC OFF indicator light will
come on and the “TRAC OFF” will
be shown on the multi- information
display.
Press the switch again to turn the sys-
tem back on.
■When the “TRAC OFF” is displayed on the multi-information display even if the VSC
OFF switch has not been pressed
TRAC/Active TRAC, hill-start assist control, downhill assist control and Crawl Control
cannot be operated. Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Hill-start assist control operation conditions
●The shift lever is in D or S.
●The brake pedal is not depressed.
Disabling the TRAC or Active TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control sys-
tems
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GX 460 _O M_ OM6 0K 80 U_ (U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS/Multi Terrain ABS, brake assist, TRAC/
Active TRAC, VSC/Trailer Sway Control and hill-start assist control systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is started or just
after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate that a malfunction has
occurred in any of these systems.
●Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are operating.
None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS/Multi Terrain ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS/Multi Terrain ABS is acti-
vated.
■Reactivation of the TRAC or Active TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems after
turning off the engine
Turning off the engine after turning off the TRAC or Active TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway
Control systems will automatically re-enabled them.
■Reactivation of the TRAC or Active TRAC system linked to vehicle speed
When only the TRAC or Active TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC or Active TRAC
system will turn on when vehicle speed increases. However, when both TRAC or Active
TRAC and VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems ar e turned off, the systems will not turn on
even when vehicle speed increases.
■When the brake system operates continuously
The brake actuator may overheat. In this case, the TRAC or Active TRAC and hill-start
assist control systems will stop operating, a buzzer will sound and the “TRAC OFF” will
be shown on the multi-information display. Refrain from using the system until the mes-
sage goes off. (There is no proble m with continuing normal driving.)
■If the slip indicator comes on...
It may indicate a malfunction in the TRAC/Active TRAC, VSC/Trailer Sway Control or
hill-start assist control system. Consult your Lexus dealer.
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GX 460 _O M_ OM6 0K 80 U_ (U)
3454-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
CAUTION
■The ABS/Multi Terrain ABS does not operate effectively when
●The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (such as excessively
worn tires on a snow covered road).
●The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on the wet or slick road.
■Stopping distance when the ABS/Multi Terrain ABS is operating may exceed that of
normal conditions
The ABS/Multi Terrain ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance.
Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicl e in front of you, especially in the follow-
ing situations:
●When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
●When driving with tire chains
●When driving over bumps in the road
●When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces
■TRAC/Active TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slippery road
surfaces, even if the TRAC/Active TRAC system is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.
■Hill-start assist control does not operate effectively when
Do not overly rely on the hill-start assist control. The hill-start assist control may not
operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered with ice.
■When the VSC/Trailer Sway Control is activated
The slip indicator light flashes and a warn ing buzzer sounds. Always drive carefully.
Reckless driving may cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator
light flashes and a buzzer sounds.
■When the TRAC or Active TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road conditions. As these
are the systems to ensure vehicle stability an d driving force, do not turn the TRAC or
Active TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems off unless necessary.
■Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the same size, brand, tread pattern and total load capac-
ity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the recommended tire inflation
pressure level.
The ABS/Multi Terrain ABS, TRAC/Active TRAC and VSC/Trailer Sway Control will
not function correctly if different tires are installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Lexus dealer for further information when replacing tires or wheels.
■Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modi fying the suspension will affect the driving
assist systems, and may cause the system to malfunction.
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