weight LEXUS LS430 2005 User Guide

DRIVING TIPS
392
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND MAKEYOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Improving fuel economy is easy − just take it easy. It will help
make your vehicle last longer, too. Here are some specific tips
on how to save money on both fuel and repairs:
 Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check
the pressure every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel.
 Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess
weight puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater
fuel consumption.
 Avoid lengthy warmup idling. Once the engine is
running smoothly, begin driving − but gently. Remember,
however, that on cold winter days this may take a little
longer.
 Always keep the automatic transmission selector lever
in the “D” position when engine braking is not required.
Driving with the overdrive off will reduce the fuel economy
(For details, see “Automatic transmission” on page 305.)
 Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
 Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you
are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start
again later.
 Avoid engine overrevving. Use a gear position suitable
for the road on which you are traveling. 
Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down.
Stop−and−go driving wastes fuel.
 Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a
steady pace. Try to time the traf fic 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
premature 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.

DRIVING TIPS
393

Keep your vehicle tunedup 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. (For scheduled maintenance
information, please refer to the “Owner’s Manual
Supplement / Scheduled Maintenance”.)
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.
VEHICLE LOAD LIMITS
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating
capacity, towing capacity and cargo capacity . Follow the
load limits shown below. Total load capacity and seating
capacity are also described on the tire and loading
information label. For location of the tire and loading
information label, see “Checking tire inflation pressure”
on page 468.
Total load capacity: 410 kg (900 lb.)
Total load capacity means combined weight of
occupants, cargo and luggage. Tongue load is included
when trailer towing.
Seating capacity: Total 5 (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximum number of
occupants whose estimated average weight is 68 kg
(150 lb.) per person. Depending on the weight of each
person, the seating capacity given may exceed the total
load capacity.
NOTICE
Even if the number of occupants are within the
seating capacity, do not exceed the total load
capacity.

DRIVING TIPS
394
Towing capacity:907 kg (2000 lb.)
Towing capacity means the maximum gross trailer
weight (trailer weight plus its cargo weight) that your
vehicle is able to tow.
Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on
the size (weight) and the number of occupants. For
details, see “Capacity and distribution” that follows.
CAUTION
Do not apply the load more than each load limit.
That may cause not only damage to the tires, but
also deterioration to the steering ability and
braking ability, which may cause an accident.
CARGO AND LUGGAGE
Stowage precautions
When stowing cargo and luggage in the vehicle,
observe the following:
 Put cargo and luggage in the trunk 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
Do not place anything on the package tray
behind the rear seatback. Such items may be
thrown about and possibly injure people in the
vehicle during sudden braking or in 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.

DRIVING TIPS
395
NOTICE
Do not load the vehicle beyond the vehicle
capacity weight specified on the tire and loading
information label affixed on the center pillar on the
driver side.
Capacity and distribution
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the
occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) – (Total weight
of occupants)
Steps for determining correct load limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX pounds”
on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the
“XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150
lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. 1400 – 750
(5 x 150) = 650 lbs.
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.

DRIVING TIPS
396
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
For details about trailer towing, see page 386.Example on your vehicle
32SA03
 1Cargo capacity
2Total load capacity
In case that 2 people with the combined weight of 166 kg
(366 lb.) are riding in your vehicle with the total load
capacity of 410 kg (900 lb.), the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity will be as follows:
410 kg – 166 kg = 244 kg.
(900 lb. – 366 lb. = 534 lb.)
From this condition, if 3 more passengers with the
combined weight of 176 kg (388 lb.) get on, the available
cargo and luggage load will be reduced as follows:
244 kg – 176 kg = 68 kg.
(534 lb. – 388 lb. = 146 lb.)

DRIVING TIPS
397
As shown in the above example, if the number of
occupants increases, the cargo and luggage load
equaling the combined weight of occupants who got on
later must be reduced. In other words, if the increase in
the number of occupants causes the excess of the total
load capacity (combined weight of occupants plus cargo
and luggage load), you have to reduce the cargo and
luggage on your vehicle.
For details about total load capacity, see “Vehicle load
limits” on page 393.
CAUTION
Even if the total load of occupant’s weight and the
cargo load is less than the total load capacity, do
not apply the load unevenly. That may cause not
only damage to the tire but also deterioration to
the steering ability due to unbalance of the
vehicle, causing an accident.

CHASSIS
468
CAUTION
The reservoir may be hot so be careful not to burn
yourself.
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the power steering could be
damaged.
 When adding the power steering fluid, avoid spilling
it. The generator under the power steering reservoir
could be damaged if fluid is spilled on it.
CHECKING TIRE INFLATION
PRESSURE
63L027a
The recommended cold tire inflation pressure, tire
size and the combined weight of occupants and
cargo (vehicle capacity weight) are described on the
tire and loading information label.

CHASSIS
469
You should check the tire inflation pressures every two
weeks, or at least once a month. And do not forget the
spare! The pressure for the spare tire should be the
same as that for the standard tire. (See pages 463
through 465.)
The following instructions for checking tire inflation
pressure should be observed:
The pressure should be checked only when the
tires are cold. If your vehicle has been parked for at
least 3 hours and has not been driven for more than
1.5 km or 1 mile since, you will get an accurate cold
tire inflation pressure reading.
 Always use a tire pressure gauge. The appearance
of the tire can be misleading. Besides, tire inflation
pressures that are even just a few pounds off can
degrade ride and handling.
 Do not bleed or reduce tire inflation pressure after
driving. It is normal for the tire inflation pressure to
be higher after driving.
 Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be located so
that the vehicle is balanced. Inspection and adjustment procedure
63L024
 1Tire valve
2Tire pressure gauge
1. Remove the tire valve cap.
2. Press the tip of the tire pressure gauge to the tire
valve.
3. Read the pressure using the graduations of the
gauge.
4. In case the tire inflation pressure is not within the
prescribed range, insert the compressed air from the
valve. In case of app lying too much air, press the center
of the valve and release the air to adjust.
5. After completing the tire inflation pressure
measurement and adjustment, apply soapy water to the
valve and check for leakage.

CHASSIS
476
Glossary of tire terminology
Tire related termMeaning
Cold tire inflation
pressuretire pressure when the vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours or m\
ore, or it
has not been driven more than 1.5 km or 1 mile under that condition
Maximum inflation
pressurethe maximum cold inflation pressure to which a tire may be inflated and \
it is shown
on the sidewall of the tire
Recommended inflation
pressurecold tire inflation pressure recommended by a manufacturer
Accessory weight
the combined weight (in excess of those standard items which may be rep\
laced) of
automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, power windows, pow\
er
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that these items are available as
factory−installed equipment (whether installed or not)
Curb weight
the weight of a motor vehicle with standard equipment including the maxi\
mum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so equipped, air conditionin\
g and
additional weight optional engine
Maximum loaded vehicle
weight
the sum of —
(a) curb weight;
(b) accessory weight;
(c) vehicle capacity weight; and
(d) production options weight

CHASSIS
477
Tire related termMeaning
Normal occupant weight68 kg (150 lb.) times the number of occupants specified in the second \
column of
Table 1 that follows
Production options weight
the combined weight of those installed regular production options weighi\
ng over
2.3 kg (5 lb.) in excess of those standard items which they replace, n\
ot previously
considered in curb weight or accessory weight, including heavy duty brak\
es, ride
levelers, roof rack, heavy duty battery, and special trim
Vehicle capacity weight
(Total load capacity)the rated cargo and luggage load plus 68 kg (150 lb.) times the vehicl\
e’s
designated seating capacity
Intended outboard
sidewall
(a) the sidewall that contains a whitewall, bears white lettering or bearsmanufacturer, brand, and/or model name molding that is higher or deeper than
the same molding on the other sidewall of the tire, or
(b) the outward facing sidewall of an asymmetrical tire that has a particula\
r side that must always face outward when mounted on a vehicle
Occupant distributiondistribution of occupants in a vehicle as specified in the third column \
of Table 1 that
follows
Rima metal support for a tire or a tire and tube assembly upon which the ti\
re beads are
seated
Rim diameter
(Wheel diameter)nominal diameter of the bead seat