tow lexus LS400 1996 Audio System / 1996 LS400: DRIVING TIPS

147
SECTION 3 ± 2
STARTING AND DRIVING
Driving tips
Break±in period 148
Operation in foreign countries 148
Tips for driving in various conditions 148
Winter driving tips 149
Trailer towing 150
How to save fuel and make your vehicle
last longer 156

DRIVING TIPS
148
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.
Do not drive over 88 km/h (55 mph).
Avoid overrevving. Maintain engine speed between 2000
and 4000 rpm.
Avoid full±throttle starts.
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).
OPERATION IN FOREIGN
COUNTRIES
If you plan to drive your Lexus in another country ...
First, comply with the vehicle registration laws.
Second, confirm the availability of the correct fuel (unleaded
and minimum octane number).
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN VARIOUS
CONDITIONS
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. This will allow you
much better control.
Drive slowly onto curbs and, if possible, at a right angle.
Avoid driving onto high, sharp±edged objects and other
road hazards. Failure to do so can lead to severe tire
damage resulting in tire bursts.
When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels until they
touch the curb so that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the
parking brake, and place the transmission in ªPº. If
necessary, block the wheels.
Washing your vehicle or driving through deep water may
get the brakes wet. To see whether they are wet, check that
there is no traffic near you and then press the pedal lightly.
If you do not feel a normal braking force, the brakes are
probably wet. To dry them, drive the vehicle cautiously
while lightly pressing the brake pedal with the parking
brake applied. If they still do not work safely, pull to the side
of the road and call a Lexus dealer for assistance.
CAUTION!

Before driving off, make sure the parking brake is
fully released and that the parking brake reminder
light is off.

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 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 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 adverse 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
152
Hitches

If you wish to install a trailer hitch, your Lexus dealer should
be consulted.
Use only a hitch which is recommended by the hitch
manufacturer and conforms to the total trailer weight
requirement.
Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
Lexus recommends removing the trailer hitch whenever
you are not towing a trailer to reduce the possibility of
additional damage caused by the hitch if your vehicle is
struck from behind. After removing the hitch, seal any
mounting holes in the vehicle body to prevent entry of
pollutants such as exhaust fumes, dirt, water, etc.
NOTICE
Install the trailer hitch using only the position
recommended by your Lexus dealer. Do not install
the trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause
body damage.
Do not use axle±mounted hitches as they can
cause damage to the axle housing, wheel bearings,
wheels or tires.
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, follow the hitch
or trailer manufacturer's recommendations.
CAUTION!

If the total trailer weight exceeds 450 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.

DRIVING TIPS
153
Tires

Ensure that your vehicle's tires are properly inflated. Adjust
the tire pressure to the recommended cold tire pressure
indicated below:
Tire pressure, kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
Front 220 (2.2, 32)
Rear 220 (2.2, 32)
The trailer tires should be inflated to the pressure
recommended by the trailer manufacturer in respect to the
total trailer weight.
Trailer lights

Trailer lights must comply with federal, state/provincial and
local regulations. See your local recreational vehicle dealer
or rental agency for the correct type of wiring and relays for
your trailer. Check for correct operation of the turn signals
and stop lights each time you hitch up. Direct splicing may
damage your vehicle's electrical system and cause a
malfunction of your lights.
Break±in schedule

Lexus recommends that you do not tow a trailer with a new
vehicle or a vehicle with any new power train component
(engine, transmission, differential, wheel bearing, etc.) for
the first 800 km (500 miles) of driving.
Maintenance

If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent
maintenance due to the additional load. For this
information, please refer to the scheduled maintenance
information in the ªOwner's Manual Supplement/
Maintenance Scheduleº.
Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after
approximately 1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.
Pre±towing safety check

Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or
unloaded trailer 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 regulation. If they do not, install
required rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes.

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 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.
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 ª3º position.

DRIVING TIPS
155
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 ªIf your vehicle overheatsº 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 ªPº. 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 ªPº and turn off the engine.When restarting out after parking on a slope.
1. With the transmission in ªPº position, start the engine. Be
sure to keep the brake pedal depressed.
2. Shift into the ª2º, ªLº or ªRº 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.
Slow down and downshift before descending steep
or long downhill grades. Do not make sudden
downshifts.
Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too
frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat
and result in reduced braking efficiency.