trailer LEXUS LX470 2006 User Guide

DRIVING TIPS
322
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, consult your
Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
If the total trailer weight exceeds 453 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.
Tires
Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. Adjust
the tire inflation pressure to the recommended cold tire
inflation pressure indicated below:
Tire inflation pressure, kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
Front 220 (2.2, 32)
Rear 240 (2.4, 35)
 The trailer tires should be inflated to the pressure
recommended by the trailer manufacturer in respect to the
total trailer weight.

DRIVING TIPS
323
Trailer lights
32x601b
Your vehicle is equipped with a wire harness stored in the
rear end underbody. Some models are fitted with a socket
for trailer lights under the rear bumper. Use either of them
to connect and operate the trailer lights. However, the 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.
Breakin 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 “Owner’s Manual Supplement /
Scheduled Maintenance”.
 Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after
approximately 1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.
Connecting a trailer
Stop your vehicle and a trailer in line and perform the following:
1. Put the active height control suspension in the “LO” (low)
mode. Turn the ignition switch off or push the height control
switch to turn off the active height control suspension.
2. Connect a trailer.
3. Turn the ignition switch on or push the height control switch
to turn on the active height control suspension. Select the “N”
(normal) mode with the height select switch.
When a vehicle loaded with 4 occupants tows a trailer of about
1800 kg (4000 lb.) with more than about 180 kg (400 lb.) tongue
load, the normal mode may not be selected with the height
control indicator “LO”. However, there is no problem to
continue normal driving. Drive with sufficient care because of
large load.

DRIVING TIPS
324
Disconnecting a trailer
Stop your vehicle and a trailer in line and perform the following:
1. Put the active height control suspension in the “LO” mode.
(Make sure the vehicle height is in the “LO” mode by pushing
the height select switch on the “
”side.)
2. Turn the ignition switch off or push the height control switch
to turn off the active height control suspension.
3. Set the supporting leg of a trailer on the ground and raise the
hitch by 100 mm (4 in.).
4. Turn the ignition switch on or push the height control switch
to turn on the active height control suspension.
5. Wait for about 20 seconds until the rear vehicle height is
lowered by the automatic leveling function.
6. Make sure the hitch is disconnected. If not, raise the hitch
higher and repeat steps 2 through 5.
7. Move the vehicle forward in the “LO” mode where the hitch
does not touch anything in the “N” mode.
8. Put the active height control suspension in the “N” mode.
Pretowing 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 regulations. If they do not, install
required rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes.

DRIVING TIPS
325
Trailer towing tips
When towing a trailer, your vehicle will handle differently
than when not towing. The three main causes of
vehicletrailer 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. T ransmission
must be “4” position.

DRIVING TIPS
326
Because of the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s
engine may overheat on hot days (at temperatures over
30 C [85 F]) 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 338.
 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 “3”, “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 vehicletrailer 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.

DRIVING TIPS
328
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 424.
Total load capacity: 545 kg (1200 lb.)
Total load capacity means combined weight of
occupants, cargo and luggage. To ngue load is included
when trailer towing.
Seating capacity: Total 8 (Front 2, Rear 6)
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
329
Towing capacity:2948 kg (6500 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 or on the
vehicle, observe the following:
 Put cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment
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
To prevent cargo and luggage from sliding
forward during braking, do not stack anything
in the luggage compartment higher than the
seatbacks. Keep cargo and luggage low, as
close to the floor as possible.

DRIVING TIPS
331
(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 317.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 545 kg (1200 lb.), the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity will be as follows:
545 kg – 166 kg = 379 kg.
(1200 lb. – 366 lb. = 834 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:
379 kg – 176 kg = 203 kg.
(834 lb. – 388 lb. = 446 lb.)

CHASSIS
420– STEERING
Free play
Less than 40 mm (1.6 in.)
Power steering fluidAutomatic transmission fluid DEXRONII or III
– SUSPENSION
Fluid type
Suspension fluid AHC
– TIRES AND WHEELS
Tire sizeP275/60R18 111H
Tire inflation pressure
Recommended cold tire inflation pressure
Normal driving
Trailer towing
Front 200 kPa (2.0 kgf/cm2 or bar, 29 psi)
Rear 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 32 psi)
Spare 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 32 psi)
Front 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar, 32 psi)
Rear 240 kPa (2.4 kgf/cm2 or bar, 35 psi)
Spare 240 kPa (2.4 kgf/cm2 or bar, 35 psi)
Wheel size18 x 8J
Wheel nut torque131 N·m (13.4 kgf·m, 97 ft·lbf.)
NOTE:
For complete information on tires (e.g. replacing tires or replacing wh\
eels), see “Checking tire inflation pressure”
through “Aluminum wheel precautions” on page 424 through 443.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
447
64x502b
Driver’s side kick panel
64X501b
Passenger’s side kick panel
No.FuseAMPERECIRCUIT
1 ABS NO.240Anti− lock brake system
2 ABS NO.150Anti−lock brake system
3 AHC50Active height control suspension
(AHC)
4 WIPS7.5No circuit
5 TOWING30Trailer lights
6 MIR HTR15Outside rear view mirror
defogger
7 RR HTR10Rear air conditioning system
8 HAZTRN15Emergency flashers, Turn signal
lights
9 ALTS7.5Charging system
10 NVIR20Lexus night view system
11 FR FOG15Fog lights
12 TOWING
BRK30Trailer lights
13 HEAD
CLNER20Headlight cleaner
14 FRIG10Charging system
15 PANEL7.5Instrument panel light
16 TOWING TAIL30Trailer lights