tow Lexus GX470 2005 Scheduled Maintenance Guide / LEXUS 2005 GX470 (OM60B11U) Owner's Guide

AUDIO
317
(c) Remote control holder
The remote control can be stowed in the holder when it is
not in use. The holder can be hooked on the back of the
driver's or front passenger's seatback.
CAUTION
To reduce the chance of injury in case of an accident or
a sudden stop while driving, stow the remote control in
the holder when it is not in use.

STARTING AND DRIVING
405

1Brake pedal2ªDº (Drive) position
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to ªDº.
Always use the ªDº position to improve fuel economy and quiet
driving. Only in this position, shifting into the overdrive gear is
possible. However, while the engine coolant temperature is
low, the transmission will not shift into the overdrive gear even
in the ªDº position. (See ª(b) Using engine brakingº and\
ª(f)
Good driving practiceº for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress
the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in first gear and
automatically shift up to the most suitable gear. On inclines,
declines or winding roads, etc., the vehicle shifts up and down
automatically according to the running conditions to obtain the
suitable driving power and engine braking.
When the lever is in the ª4º position, the automatic
transmission system will select the most suitable gear for the
running conditions such as hill climbing, hard towing, etc.
If you need to accelerate rapidly while driving, depress the
accelerator pedal to the full throttle position. This provides
more acceleration by automatically downshifting the
transmission to the next lower gear or beyond, depending on
the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a long hill,
see ª(b) Using engine brakingº.

STARTING AND DRIVING
407
(c) Using the ª3º, ª2º and ªLº positions
The ª3º, ª2º and ªLº positions are used for strong engine\
braking
as described previously.
With the selector lever in ª3º, ª2º or ªLº, you can start the vehicle
in motion as with the lever in ªDº.
With the selector lever in ª3º or ª2º, the vehicle will star\
t in first
gear and automatically shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in ªLº, the transmission is engaged in
first gear.
NOTICE
Be careful not to over±rev the engine. Watch the tachometer to keep engine rpm from going into thered zone. The approximate maximum allowablespeed for each position is given below for yourreference:
Transmission Transfer ªLº ªHº
ª3º 60 km/h (37 mph) 154 km/h (96 mph) ª2º 41 km/h (25 mph) 105 km/h (65 mph)ªLº 24 km/h (15 mph) 61 km/h (38 mph)
Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long time in the ª3º, ª2º or ªLº position. This may causesevere automatic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such damage, ª4º positionshould be used in hill climbing or hard towing.

STARTING AND DRIVING
410
When towing a trailer, in order to maintain efficient engine
braking and electrical charging performance, do not use
overdrive.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped
with the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from
creeping.
NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or parking brake to hold the
vehicle on an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold the vehicle using the accelerator pedal, as this can causethe transmission to overheat.

STARTING AND DRIVING
427
NOTICE
When jacking up or installing tire chains, be sure toturn off the rear height control air suspension withthe ªHEIGHT CONTROL OFFº switch and stop theengine. Otherwise, the vehicle height may changebecause of the automatic leveling function resultingin accident.
If your vehicle must be towed, put the vehicle heightin the ªNº mode and turn off the rear height control airsuspension. Otherwise, the vehicle height may
change because of the automatic leveling functionresulting in accident.
If your vehicle gets ditched, turn off the rear heightcontrol air suspension with the ªHEIGHT CONTROLOFFº switch. Otherwise, the vehicle height maychange because of the automatic leveling functionresulting in accident.

SECTION 3 ± 2
458
STARTING AND DRIVING
Driving tips
Off±road vehicle precautions459
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Break±in period 460
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation in foreign countries 461
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tips for driving in various conditions s 461. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Off±road driving precautions 464
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving tips 467
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dinghy towing 469
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer towing 470
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer 482
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\

Vehicle load limits 483
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cargo and luggage 485
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

DRIVING TIPS
460
When driving off±road or in rugged terrain, do not
drive at excessive speeds, jump, make sharp turns,
strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or
vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You
are also risking expensive damage to your vehicle's
suspension and chassis.
 Do not drive horizontally across steep slopes.
Driving straight up or straight down is preferred.
Your vehicle (or any similar off±road vehicle) can tip
over sideways much more easily than forward or
backward.BREAK±IN PERIOD
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
You need not follow a break±in schedule with your new Lexus.
But following a few simple tips for the first 1600 km (1000 miles)
can add to the future economy and long life of your vehicle:
Avoid full throttle acceleration when starting and driving.
 Avoid racing the engine.
 Try to avoid hard stops during the first 300 km (200 miles).
 Do not drive for a long time at any single speed, either fast
or slow.
 Do not tow a trailer during the first 800 km (500 miles).

DRIVING TIPS
469
Do not use your parking brake when there is a possibility
it could freeze.
When
parking, put the transmission into ªPº and block the front
wheels. Do not use the parking brake, or snow or water
accumulated in and around the parking brake mechanism may
freeze the parking brake, making it hard to release.
Keep ice and snow from accumulating under the fenders.
Ice and snow built up under your fenders can make steering
difficult. During bad winter driving, stop and check under the
fenders occasionally.
Depending on where you are driving, we recommend you
carry some emergency equipment.
Some of the thi ngs you might put in the vehicle are tire chains,
window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel,
jumper cables, etc.
DINGHY TOWING
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with four
wheels on the ground) behind a motorhome.
NOTICE
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground. This may cause serious damage to your vehicle.

DRIVING TIPS
470
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger±and±load
carrying vehicle. Towing a trailer will have an adverse ef fect on
handling, performance, braking, durability and driving
economy (fuel consumption, etc.). Your safety and satisfaction
depend on the proper use of correct equipment and cautious
driving habits. For your safety and the safety of others, you
must not overload your vehicle or trailer. Lexus warranties do
not apply to damage or malfunction caused by towing a trailer
for commercial purposes. Ask your local Lexus dealer for
further details before towing.
CAUTION
When disconnecting a trailer, put the vehicle height in
the ªLOº (low) mode and push the ªHEIGHT CONTROL
OFFº switch to turn off the rear height control air
suspension. Otherwise, the vehicle height may be
changed in the automatic leveling function, resulting in
accident. For details see ªRear height control air
suspensionº on page 422.
Weight limits
Before towing, make sure the total trailer weight, gross
vehicle weight, gross axle weight and trailer tongue load
are all within the limits.
The total trailer weight and tongue load can be measured with
platform scales found at a highway weighing station, building
supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.

Certification label

DRIVING TIPS
471

Weight distributing hitch receiver
CAUTION
The maximum gross trailer weight (trailer weight plus
cargo weight) must never exceed 2948 kg (6500 lb.)
for vehicle with equipped.
If towing a trailer and cargo weighing over 907 kg
(2000 lb.), Lexus recommends to use a sway control
device with sufficient capacity. The combination of
the gross trailer weight added to the total weight of
the vehicle, occupants and vehicle cargo must never
exceed a total of 5443 kg (12000 lb.).
Exceeding the maximum weight of the trailer, the
vehicle, or the vehicle and trailer combination, can
cause an accident resulting in serious personal
injuries.
 Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight
capacities established by the hitch manufacturer.
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
assembly 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
serious personal injuries.