trailer Lexus GX470 2008 Do-it-yourself maintenance / LEXUS 2008 GX470 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM60D82U)

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2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers ................... 135
Headlight switch ............................ 135
Fog light switch .............................. 137
Windshield wipers and washer............................................. 138
Rear window wiper and washer............................................... 141
2-4. Using other driving systems.... 142 Cruise control ................................ 142
Four-wheel drive system............ 146
Rear height control air suspension..................................... 149
Electronic modulated suspension..................................... 156
DAC (Downhill Assist Control system)............................................ 157
Driving assist systems.................. 159
2-5. Driving information ................... 163 Off-road precautions .................. 163
Cargo and luggage ...................... 168
Vehicle load limits ......................... 174
Winter driving tips ........................ 176
Trailer towing .................................. 180
Dinghy towing ................................ 190 3-1. Using the air conditioning
system and defogger ............. 192
Automatic air conditioning system ............................................. 192
Rear cooler syst em....................... 198
Rear window and outside rear view mirror defoggers ............. 199
3-2. Using the audio system............ 201 Audio system type ........................ 201
Using the radio.............................. 203
Using the CD player...................... 211
Playing MP3 and WMA discs ................................................. 218
Optimal use of the audio system ............................................ 224
Using the AUX adapter ............ 227
Using the steering switches ..... 228
3-3. Using the rear audio system ........................................ 231
Rear seat entertainment system features (if equipped)
................. 231
Using the DVD player (DVD video)................................ 236
Using the DVD player (video CD) ................................... 243
Using the DVD player (audio CD/CD text) ................ 245
3Interior features

When driving2
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2-1. Driving procedures ........ 110Driving the vehicle................... 110
Engine (ignition) switch .......... 118
Automatic transmission ......... 121
Turn signal lever ....................... 124
Parking brake ........................... 125
2-2. Instrument cluster .......... 126 Gauges and meters ................ 126
Indicators and warning lights ......................................... 129
Trip information display ......... 132 2-3. Operating the lights and
windshield wipers ........ 135
Headlight switch ..................... 135
Fog light switch ........................ 137
Windshield wipers and washer ..................................... 138
Rear window wiper and washer ...................................... 141
2-4. Using other driving systems .......................... 142
Cruise control.......................... 142
Four-wheel drive system....... 146
Rear height control air suspension.............................. 149
Electronic modulated suspension.............................. 156
DAC (Downhill Assist Control system) ..................... 157
Driving assist systems ............ 159
2-5. Driving information........ 163 Off-road precautions ............ 163
Cargo and luggage ................ 168
Vehicle load limits .................... 174
Winter driving tips ................... 176
Trailer towing ........................... 180
Dinghy towing .......................... 190

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the windows
may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
●Drive carefully when it starts to rain, be cause the road surface will be especially
slippery.
●Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain, because
there may be a layer of water between th e tires and the road surface, preventing
the steering and brakes from operating properly.
■Breaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, the following precautions are recommended to
observe:
●For the first 200 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
●For the first 500 miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
●For the first 600 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in the low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
■Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability of the
correct fuel. ( P. 4 1 4 )

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2-5. Driving information
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely exc eed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a tr ailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consu lt this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo an d luggage load capacity of your
vehicle. ( P. 1 74 )
Example on your vehicle
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity
When 2 people with the combined weight of 366 lb. (166 kg) are riding
in your vehicle, the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity
will be as follows:
• With third seats — total load capacity: 1200 lb. (544 kg)
1200 lb. - 366 lb. = 834 lb. (544 kg - 166 kg = 378 kg)
• Without third seats — total load capacity: 1000 lb. (454 kg) 1000 lb. - 366 lb. = 634 lb. (454 kg - 166 kg = 288 kg)

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2-5. Driving information
Vehicle load limits
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity, towing
capacity and cargo capacity.
■ Total load capacity:
With third seats — 1200 lb. (544 kg)
Without third seats — 1000 lb. (454 kg)
Total load capacity means the comb ined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
■ Seating capacity:
With third seats — Total 8 (Front 2, Rear 6)
Without third seats — Total 5 (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximu m number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
Even if the number of occupants ar e within the seating capacity, do
not exceed the total load capacity.
■ Towing capacity: 6500 lb. (2948 kg)
Towing capacity means the maximu m gross trailer weight (trailer
weight plus its cargo weight) that your vehicle is able to tow.
■ Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may inc rease or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants.

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2-5. Driving information
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 consumpt ion. For your safety and the safety of
others, do not overload the vehicle or trailer.
Lexus warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction caused by towing
a trailer for commercial purposes.
■ Weight limits
Confirm that the total trailer weight , gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue lo ad are all within the limits.
■ Gross vehicle weight
The gross vehicle weight must no t exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) indicated on the Certification Label. The gross
vehicle weight is the sum weight of the unloaded vehicle, driver, pas-
sengers, luggage, hitch and trail er tongue load. Also included is the
weight of any special equipment installed on your vehicle.
■ Gross axle weight
The load on either the front or rear axle resulting from distribution of
the gross vehicle weight on both axles must not exceed the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) lis ted on the Certification Label.
Certification Label

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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
Towing a trailerContact your Lexus dealer for furt her information about additional
requirements such as a towing kits, etc.
Hitch and tow hitch receiver
■ Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have differen t weight capacities established by
the hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be rated for tow-
ing a higher weight, the operator must never exceed the maximum
weight rating specified for the trailer hitch.
■ Trailer tongue load
The trailer cargo load should be d istributed so that the tongue load
is 9 to 11% for weight carrying hitch or 15% for we ight distributing
hitch of the total trailer weight, not exceeding the following.
Weight carrying hitch: 650 lb. (294 kg)
Weight distributing hitch: 975 lb. (442 kg)
(Tongue load/Total trailer weight x 100 = 9 to 11% or 15%)
The total trailer weight and tongue load can be measured with plat-
form scales found at a highway we ighing stations, building supply
companies, trucking companies, junk yards, etc.
Total trailer weight
Tongue load

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2-5. Driving information
■Tow hitch receiver
A tow hitch receiver installed
under the rear bumper is rated for
weight that does not exceed the
vehicle’s total towing weight.
Selecting trailer ball
Use the correct trailer ball for your application. Trailer ball load rating
Matches or exceeds the gross
trailer weight rating of the trailer.
Ball diameter
Matches the size of the trailer cou-
pler. Most couplers are stamped
with the required trailer ball size.
Shank length
Protrudes beyond the bottom of
the lock washer and nut at least 2
threads.
Shank diameter
Matches the ball mount hole diam-
eter size.

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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
Connecting trailer lightsUse the wire harness stored in the rear end underbody.
■When connecting and disconnecting a trailer
Connecting Set the rear height control air suspension to “LO” mode.
Turn off the engine switch or the rear height control air suspension.
Connect the trailer.
Turn on the switch that was turned off on STEP 2.
Set the rear height control air suspension to “N” mode.
Disconnecting Set the rear height control air suspension to “LO” mode.
Turn off the engine switch or the rear height control air suspension.
Set the supporting leg of the trailer on the ground and raise the hitch by
4 in. (100 mm).
Turn on the switch that was turned off on STEP 2.
Wait until vehicle height is stabilized.
Make sure the hitch is disconnected. If the hitch does not disconnect, raise
the hitch higher and repeat steps 2 through 5.
Move the vehicle forward in the “LO” mode where the hitch does not
touch anything in the “N” mode.
Set the rear height control air suspension in the “N” mode.
STEP1STEP1
STEP2STEP2
STEP1STEP3STEP3
STEP1STEP4STEP4
STEP1STEP5STEP5STEP5
STEP1STEP1
STEP2STEP2
STEP1STEP3STEP3
STEP1STEP4STEP4
STEP1STEP5STEP5STEP5
STEP1STEP5STEP6STEP6STEP6
STEP1STEP5STEP6STEP7STEP7
STEP1STEP5STEP6STEP8STEP8

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2-5. Driving information
■Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
●The vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. (P. 4 1 9 )
●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.
■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 Sup-
plement/Scheduled Maintenance”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.