ECU Lexus GX470 2005 Pictorial Index / LEXUS 2005 GX470 (OM60B11U) Repair Manual

DRIVING TIPS
477
Brakes and safety chains
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to
any applicable federal and state/provincial regulations.
 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 case it becomes damaged or separated.
For correct safety chain procedures, consult your
Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
If the total trailer weight exceeds 453 kg (1000 lb.),
trailer brakes are required.
 Never tap into your vehicle's hydraulic system as it
will lower its 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 possible danger of the trailer wandering over
into another lane.
Service connector for towing brake controller
Your vehicle is equipped with a service connector for the
towing brake controller as shown. Link the connector to the
towing brake controller via the sub wire harness stored in the
glove box. The detailed explanation of the sub wire harness
circuit is packed together with the sub wire harness. Be sure
to position the towing brake controller where it does not prevent
the driver from operating the pedal. Lexus recommends that
the sub wire harness be stored in the glove box when it is not
in use.

DRIVING TIPS
479
Connecting a trailer
Stop your vehicle and a trailer in line and perform the following:
1. Put the rear height control air suspension in the ªLOº (low)
mode. Turn the ignition switch off or push the ªHEIGHT
CONTROL OFFº switch to turn off the rear height control air
suspension.
2. Connect a trailer.
3. Turn the ignition switch on or push the ªHEIGHT CONTROL
OFFº switch to turn on the rear height control air suspension.
Select the ªNº (normal) mode with the height select switch.
Disconnecting a trailer
Stop your vehicle and a trailer in line and perform the following:
1. Put the rear height control air suspension in the ªLOº (low)
mode. (Make sure the vehicle height is in the ªLOº (low) mode
by pushing the height select switch on the ª º side.)
2. Turn the ignition switch off or push the ªHEIGHT CONTROL
OFFº switch to turn off the rear height control air suspension.
3. Set the supporting leg of a trailer on the ground and raise the
hitch by 100 mm (4 in.).
4. Turn the ignition switch on or push the ªHEIGHT CONTROL
OFFº switch to turn on the rear height control air suspension. 5. Wait for about 20 seconds until the rear vehicle height is
lowered by the automatic leveling function.
6. Make sure the hitch is disconnected. If not, raise the hitch
higher and repeat steps 2 through 5.
7. Move the vehicle forward in the ªLOº (low) mode where the
hitch does not touch anything in the ªNº (normal) mode.
8. Put the rear height control air suspension in the ªNº (normal)
mode.
Pre±towing safety check

Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or
unloaded tra iler is hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has an
abnormal nose±up or nose±down condition, and check for
improper tongue load, overload, worn suspension or other
possible causes.
 Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded so that it
cannot shift.
 Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any federal,
state/provincial or local regulations. If they do not, install
required rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes.

DRIVING TIPS
485
CARGO AND LUGGAGE
Stowage precautions
When stowing cargo and luggage in the vehicle,
observe the following:
Put cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment
when at all possible. Be sure all items are secured
in place.
 Be careful to keep the vehicle level. Placing the
weight as far forward as possible helps maintain
vehicle balance.
 For better fuel economy, do not carry unnecessary
weight.
CAUTION
To prevent cargo and luggage from sliding
forward during braking, do not stack anything
in the luggage compartment higher than the
seatbacks. Keep cargo and luggage low, as
close to the floor as possible.
Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage
compartment. It is not designed for
passengers. They should ride in their seats
with their seat belts properly fastened.
Otherwise, they are much more likely to suffer
serious bodily injury, in the event of sudden
braking or a collision.
 Do not place anything on the luggage cover
behind the rear seatback. Such items may
be thrown about and possibly injure people
in the vehicle during sudden braking or an
accident.
 Do not drive with objects left on top of the
instrument panel. They may interfere with the
driver's field of view. Or they may move
during sharp vehicle acceleration or turning,
and impair the driver's control of the vehicle.
In an accident they may injure the vehicle
occupants.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
500
40PY040

1Jack
2Spare tire
3Tool tray
1. Get the tool, jack and spare tire.To remove the tool tray, turn the knob
counterclockwise and open the cover, then pull the
tray out.
To prepare yourself for an emergency, you should
familiarize yourself with the use of the jack and each
tool, and their storage locations.
When storing the jack, put it into place and secure
to prevent it from flying forward during a collision or
sudden braking.

1Jack handle extension with bolt
2Jack handle extension without bolt
3Jack handle

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
501
To remove the spare tire under the luggage
compartment:
Put a jack handle and jack handle extensions together
as shown in the illustration.
CAUTION
Make sure they are securely fixed with the
screws.
When connecting the jack handle extensions, use a
Phillips±head screwdriver or jack handle to tighten the
bolts on the joints as shown in the illustration. When
connecting the jack handle with extension, tighten the
bolt on the joint securely. Make sure the hollow meets
the bolt on every joint when you tighten the bolts.
NOTICE
Tighten all the joints securely. Otherwise, theextension may come off and it may damage the
paint or vehicle body.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
503
Vehicles with kinetic dynamic suspension system Ð
When lowering the spare tire, make sure the spare
tire does not to interfere with the suspension
components. If interference occurs, raise the spare
tire, and pull it toward the rear of the vehicle, and
start again.
4. After the tire is lowered completely to the ground,
remove the holding bracket.CAUTION
Do not take out the spare tire from under the
vehicle until it is lowered completely to the
ground. When removing the spare tire, take care
that fingers are not pinched between the wheel
and holding bracket.
When storing the spare tire, place it with the outer
side of the wheel facing up. Then secure the tire,
taking care that the tire goes straight up without
catching on any other part, to prevent it from flying
forward during a collision or sudden braking.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
505
NOTICE
Tighten the spare tire clamp bolt to hold thespare wheel carrier by the hook securely.
Vehicles with kinetic dynamic suspensionsystem Ð Make sure that the spare tire does
not interfere with the suspension componentswhen the spare tire is stowed. If interference
occurs, the suspension system will bedamaged.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
509
NOTICE
Make sure to place the jack as shown inillustrations. Otherwise, your vehicle may be
damaged.
Make sure the jack is positioned on a level and solid
surface.

1Jack handle end
2Jack handle extension with bolt
3Jack handle extension without bolt
4Jack handle
Put a jack handle, jack handle extensions and jack
handle end together as shown in the illustration.
CAUTION
Make sure they are securely fixed with the
screws.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
510
When connecting a jack handle extension with a jack
handle end, use a Phillips±head screwdriver or jack
handle to tighten the bolts on the joints as shown in
the illustration. When connecting the jack handle with
extension, tighten the bolt on the jack handle securely.
Make sure the hollow meets the bolt on any joint when
you tighten the bolts.
NOTICE
Tighten all the joints securely. Otherwise, theextension may come off and it may damage the
paint or vehicle body.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
513
9. Lower the vehicle completely and tighten the
wheel nuts.
To lower the vehicle, turn the jack handle extension
counterclockwise with the handle, making sure the
handle remains firmly fitted onto the jack handle
extension.
Use only the wheel nut wrench to tighten the nuts.
Do not use other tools or any additional leverage other
than your hands, such as a hammer, pipe or your foot.
Make sure the wrench is securely engaged over the
nut.
Tighten each nut a little at a time in the order shown.
Repeat the process until all the nuts are tight.
CAUTION
When lowering the vehicle, make sure all
portions of your body and all other persons
around will not be injured as the vehicle is
lowered to the ground.
 Have the wheel nuts tightened with torque
wrench to 112 N´m (11.5 kgf´m, 83 ft´lbf), as
soon as possible after changing wheels.
Otherwise, the nuts may loosen and the
wheels may fall off, which could cause a
serious accident.