tow LEXUS LS430 2006 Owner's Manual

157
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
• As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increas ed. For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of
speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
• Avoid sudden braking as you may sk id, r
esulting 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 turn s, and slo
w down before making a
turn.
• Note that when making a turn, the tr ailer wheels will be closer than the
v
ehicle wheels to the inside of th e turn. Compensate by making a
larger than normal turning radius.
• Crosswinds and rough roads will ad v
ersely affect handling of your
vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Peri odically check the rear to prepare
for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may cause your vehi-
cle and trailer to sway. If s
waying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel,
reduce speed immediately but gradually, and steer straight ahead.
Never increase speed. If you make no extreme correction with the
steering or brakes, your vehi cle and trailer will stabilize.
• Take care when passing other vehicl es. P
assing 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 br
aking and electrical charging
performance, do not use overdrive. Transmission shift range position
must be in “4”, in the “S” mode.
• Due to the added load of the traile r
, your vehicle’s engine may overheat
on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when driving up a
long or steep grade. 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” ( P.359 ).

159
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■To avoid an accident
●Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) or the posted towing speed limit, whichever is
lower. As instability (swaying) of the towing vehicle-trailer combination increases
as speed increases, exceeding 45 mph (72 km/h) 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

160
2-5. Driving information
Dinghy towing
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with four wheels on the
ground) behind a motorhome.

240
3-5. Other interior features
Drive the vehicle at 5 mph (8 km/
h) or lower in a circle until a direc-
tion is displayed.
If there is not enough space to
drive in a circle, drive around the
block until the direction is dis -
played.
■Factors affecting compass accuracy
The compass may not show the correct direction in the following conditions:
• The vehicle is stopped immediat
ely after turning.
• The vehicle is on an inclined surface.
• The vehicle is in a place where the earth’s magnetic field is subject to interfer -
ence by artificial magnetic fields 
(underground parking, under a steel tower, between buildings, roof parking,
ne
ar a crossing, near a large vehicle, etc.).
• The vehicle is magnetized. 
(There is a magnet or a metal object near the inside rear view mirror.)
• The battery has been disconnected.
• A door is open.
CAUTION
■While the vehicle is moving
Do not adjust the display. Be sure to adjust the display only when the vehicle is
stopped.
■When doing the circling calibration
Be sure to secure a wide space, and watch out for people and vehicles in the neigh -
bood. Do not violate any local traffic rule s
while performing circling calibration.

256
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions
Do-it-yourself maintenancePa r t s a n d t o o l s
Battery condition 
( P. 2 7 3 )
•Warm water
• Baking soda
•Grease
• Conventional wrench 
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Blade type fuses
( P. 2 9 8 )
• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Brake fluid level 
(P. 2 7 0 )
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake
fluid
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Cartridge type fuses 
(P. 3 0 9 )
• Genuine Lexus fuse or equivalent with same
amperage rating as original
Engine coolant level 
(P. 2 6 8 )
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or similar
high quality ethylene glycol based non-silicate,
non-amine, non-nitrate and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed
with 50% coolant and 50% de-ionized water
(vehicles sold in the U.S.A.), 55% coolant 45%
de-ionized water (vehicles sold in Canada).
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level
( P. 2 6 3 )
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding oil)
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct procedure
given in these sections.

257
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Do-it-yourself maintenancePa r t s a n d t o o l s
Headlight aim 
( P.311)
• Phillips-head screwdriver
Power steering fluid
level
(P. 2 7 2 )
• Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON ll or
lll
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding power steering fluid)
Radiator and 
condenser 
(P. 2 6 9 )

Tire inflation pressure 
(P. 2 8 3 )
• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Wa s h e r f l u i d 
(P. 2 7 7 )
• Washer fluid containing antifreeze 
(for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding washer fluid)

272
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Power steering fluid
■Fluid level
The fluid level should be within the
appropriate range.
Full line when cold
Add fluid if at or below line
when cold.
Full line when hot
Add fluid if at or below line
when hot.
Hot : If the vehicle has been driven around 50 mph (80 km/h) for 20 min -
utes (slightly longer in frigid te mper
atures), the fluid is hot (140F -
175
F or 60C - 80C).
Cold : If the engine has not been run for about
five hours, the fluid is cold.
(about room temperature, 50
F - 85F or 10C - 30C).
■ Checking the fluid level
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary items before
checking.
Clean all dirt off the reservoir.
Remove the reservoir cap by tu rning it counter
clockwise and
wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinstall the reservoir cap.
Remove the reservoir cap again and look at the fluid le
vel.
1
2
3
4
Fluid typeAutomatic transmission fluid DEXRON II or III
ItemsRag or paper towel and funnel (only for adding fluid)

5When trouble arises
319
5-1. Essential information............ 320If your vehicle needs to be 
towed .......................................... 320
If you think something is 
wrong.......................................... 324
Fuel pump shut off system ..... 325
Event data recorder................. 326 5-2. Steps to take in an

emergency ........................... 328
If a warning light turns on... ... 328
If a warning message 
appears... ................................... 334
If you have a flat tire .................. 347
If the engine will not star
t....... 353
If the transmission selector 
lever cannot be shifted 
from P ......................................... 354
If you lose your keys................. 355
If the vehicle has a 
discharged battery................ 356
If your vehicle overheats........ 359
If the vehicle becomes 
stuck .............................................. 361

320
5-1. Essential information
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Never tow your vehicle with a sling
type truck.

We recommend having your vehicle
t
owed with a wheel lift type truck or
flat bed truck by your Lexus dealer
or a commercial tow truck service.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by the state/provincial and
loca
l laws. 
If towing from the rear, the vehicle’s fr
ont wheels and axles on the ground
must be in good condition. ( P.322)
If they are damaged, use a to wing dolly
or flat bed truck.
■Before towing
In the following cases, there may be a problem with your transmission. Con -
tact your Lexus dealer before towing.
• The engine is running, but the vehicle will not move.
• The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.

5
When trouble arises
321
5-1. Essential information
Emergency towing
If a tow truck is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed by a cable or chain secur
ed to the emergency towing eye-
let(s). This should only attempted on har
d, surfaced roads for short
distance at low speeds. 
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and oper
ate the brakes. The vehi-
cle's wheels, drive train, axles, steer ing and br
akes must be in good con-
dition.
Towing eyelet
1
■Emergency towing proceduresRelease the parking brake.
Put the transmission in “N”.
The ignition switch must be in ACC (eng
ine off) or ON (engine running).
CAUTION
■Caution while towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehi cle. Avoid sudden starts or erratic
driving maneuvers which place excessive stress on the emergency towing eyelets
and the cable or chain.
●If the engine is not running, the power assi st for the brakes and steering will not
function, making steering and braking more difficult.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3