steering lexus LS400 1995 Gauges, Meters and Service Reminder Indicators / 1995 LS400: DRIVING TIPS

DRIVING TIPS
150Use a washer fluid containing an antifreeze solution.
This product is available at your Lexus dealer and most auto
parts stores. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for how
much to mix with water.
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any other substitute
because it may damage your vehicle’s paint.
Do not use your parking brake when there is a possibility
it could freeze.
When parking, put the transmission into “P” and block the front
wheels. Do riot 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 things you might put in the vehicle are tire chains,
window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel,
jumper cables, etc.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger−carrying
vehicle. Towing a trailer will have an effect 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.
NOTICE
When towing a trailer, be sure to consult your Lexus
dealer for further information on additional
requirements.
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.

DRIVING TIPS
154
Trailer towing tips
When towing a trailer, your vehicle will handle differently
than when not towing. The three main causes of
vehicle−trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed
and improper trailer loading. Keep these in mind when
towing:

Before starting out, check the operation of the lights and all
vehicle−trailer connections. After driving a short distance,
stop and recheck the lights and connections. Practice
turning, stopping and backing with a trailer in an area away
from traffic until you learn the feel.
Backing your trailer 1
Left turn 2
Right turn
Backing with a trailer 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 your hand to the right
to move the trailer to the right. (This procedure is generally
opposite to that when backing without a trailer.) Also, just
turn the steering wheel a little at a time, avoiding sharp or
prolonged turning. Have someone guide you when backing
to reduce the risk of an accident.

Because stopping distance may be increased,
vehicle−to−vehicle distance should be increased when
towing a trailer. For each 16 km / h (10 mph) of speed, allow
at least one vehicle and trailer length between you and the
vehicle ahead. Avoid sudden braking as you may skid,
resulting in jackknifing and loss of control. This is especially
true on wet or slippery surfaces.

Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.

Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns. The trailer could hit
your vehicle in a tight turn. Slow down before making a turn
to avoid the need of sudden braking.

Remember that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will
be closer than the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn.
Therefore, compensate for this by making a larger than
normal turning radius with your vehicle.

DRIVING TIPS
155
Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling
of your vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Pay attention to the
rear from time to time to prepare yourself for being passed
by large trucks or buses, which may cause your vehicle and
trailer to sway. If swaying happens, firmly grip the steering
wheel and reduce speed immediately but gradually. Never
increase speed. If it is necessary to reduce speed, brake
slowly. Steer straight ahead. If you make no extreme
correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle and
trailer will stabilize.

Be careful when passing other vehicles. 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 engine braking and electrical
charging performance, do not use overdrive. Transmission
must be in the “3” position.

Because of the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s
engine may overheat on hot days (at temperatures over
30C [85F]) when going up a long or steep grade with a
trailer. 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.
See “If your vehicle overheats” on page 163 of this manual.

Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly. Put
the transmission in “P”. Avoid parking on a slope with a
trailer, but if it cannot be avoided, do so only after performing
the following:1. Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle
and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release your brakes
slowly until the blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the parking brake firmly.
5. Shift into “P” and turn off the engine.
When restarting out after parking on a slope:
1. With the transmission in “P” position, start the engine. Be
sure to keep the brake pedal depressed.
2. Shift into the “2”, “L” or “R” position.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal and slowly pull
or back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply your
brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blocks.
CAUTION

Do not exceed 72 km / h (45 mph) or the posted towing
speed limit, whichever is lower. Because instability
(swaying) of a towing vehicle−trailer combination
usually increases as the speed increases, exceeding
72 km / h (45 mph) may cause loss of control.

DRIVING TIPS
157
Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a
steady pace. Try to time the traffic signals so you only need
to stop as little as possible or take advantage of through
streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper distance from
other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will also reduce
wear on your brakes.

Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.

Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes
needless wear, overheating and poor fuel economy.

Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you
drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel consumption.

Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting
the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper alignment
not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an extra load
on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.

Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc. This
not only lessens weight but also helps prevent corrosion.

Keep your vehicle tuned−up and in top shape. A dirty air
cleaner, improper valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil and
grease, brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine
performance and contribute to poor fuel economy. For
longer life of all parts and lower operating costs, keep all
maintenance work on schedule, and if you often drive under
severe conditions, see that your vehicle receives more
frequent maintenance (See Section 5).
CAUTION
Never turn off the engine to coast down hills. Your
power steering and brake booster will not function
without the engine running. Also, the emission control
system operates properly only when the engine is
running.