towing LEXUS LX470 2006 Owners Manual

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GAS STATION INFORMATION
Fuel selection:
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or
higher. For improved vehicle performance, the use of
premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91
(Research Octane Number 96) or higher is recommended.
 Fuel tank capacity:
96 L (25.4 gal., 21.1 lmp.gal.)
 Engine oil:
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
Oil grade: ILSAC multigrade engine oil.
Recommended oil viscosity − SAE 5W−30 if normal
temperatures are below 38 C (100F)
Oil capacity: L (qt., lmp.qt.)
Drain and refill with filter 6.8 (7.2, 6.0)
without filter 6.4 (6.8, 5.6)
See page 410 for detailed information. 
Engine coolant:
Capacity: L (qt., lmp.qt.) 15.4 (16.3, 13.6)
Coolant type − “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or similar
high quality ethylene glycol based non −silicate, non −amine,
non−nitrite, and non −borate coolant with long −life hybrid
organic acid technology (Coolant with long −life hybrid
organic acid technology is a combination of low phosphates
and organic acids.)
Do not use plain water alone.
For checking the engine coolant, see page 413.
 Automatic transmission:
Fluid type − “Toyota Genuine ATF Type WS”
 Tire information:
See page 424 through 443 for detailed information.
 Tire inflation pressure:
Tire size: P275/60R18 111H
cold tires
kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
Normal driving Trailer towing
Front tires 200 (2.0, 29) 220 (2.2, 32) . . . . . .
Rear tires 220 (2.2, 32) 240 (2.4, 35) . . . . . .

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
49
Your vehicle may overheat during severe operating conditions,
such as:

Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
 Reducing speed or stopping after high speed driving.
 Idling for a long period with the air conditioning on in
stop−and−go traffic.
 Towing a trailer.
NOTICE
Do not remove the thermostat in the engine cooling
system as this may cause the engine to overheat. The
thermostat is designed to control the flow of coolant
to keep the temperature of the engine within the
specified operating range.
 Do not continue driving with an overheated engine.
See “If your vehicle overheats” on page 338.
ENGINE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE
13X623
 1
Normal driving 2Idling
The engine oil pressure gauge indicates engine oil
pressure when the ignition is on. Check it while driving to
make sure the needle is in the proper range.
If the engine oil pressure should stay below the normal range,
pull off the road to a safe place and stop the engine
immediately. Call a Lexus dealer or qualified repair shop for
assistance.
Engine oil pressure may not build up when the engine oil level
is too low. The engine oil pressure gauge is not designed to
indicate engine oil level, and the engine oil level must be
checked using the level dipstick.

STARTING AND DRIVING
262
31X008e
 1Brake pedal 2“D” (Drive) position
4. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to “D”.
Always use the “D” position to improve fuel economy and quiet
driving. Only in this position, shifting into the overdrive gear is
possible. However, while the engine coolant temperature is
low, the transmission will not shift into the overdrive gear even
in the “D” position. (See “(b) Using engine braking” and\
“(f)
Good driving practice” for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
5. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress
the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in first gear and
automatically shift up to the most suitable gear. On inclines,
declines or winding roads, etc., the vehicle shifts up and down
automatically according to the running conditions to obtain the
suitable driving power and engine braking.
When the lever is in the “4” position, the automatic
transmission system will select the most suitable gear for the
running conditions such as hill climbing, hard towing, etc.
If you need to accelerate rapidly while driving, depress the
accelerator pedal to the full throttle position. This provides
more acceleration by automatically downshifting the
transmission to the next lower gear or beyond, depending on
the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a long hill,
see “(b) Using engine braking”.

STARTING AND DRIVING
264
(c) Using the “3”, “2” and “L” positions
The “3”, “2” and “L” positions are used for strong engine
braking as described previously.
With the selector lever in “3”, “2” or “L”, you can start the vehicle
in motion as with the lever in “D”.
With the selector lever in “3” or “2”, the vehicle will start in firs\
t
gear and automatically shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in “L”, the transmission is engaged in
first gear.
NOTICE
 Be careful not to overrev the engine. Watch the
tachometer to keep engine rpm from going into the
red zone. The approximate maximum allowable
speed for each position is given below for your
reference:
Transmission Transfer
“L” “H”
“4” 72 km/h (45 mph) 178 km/h (111 mph)
“3” 52 km/h (32 mph) 127 km/h (79 mph)
“2” 36 km/h (22 mph) 87 km/h (54 mph)
“L” 20 km/h (12 mph) 51 km/h (32 mph)
 Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long
time in the “3”, “2” or “L” position. This may cause
severe automatic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such damage, “4” position
should be used in hill climbing or hard towing.
(d) Backing up
31X010e
 1
Brake pedal 2“R” (Reverse) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the “R” position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the vehicle is moving.
When you are backing up, you can adjust the outside rear view
mirror on the passenger’s side down quickly. For details, see
page 195.

STARTING AND DRIVING
265
(e) Parking
31X011d
 1Brake pedal 2Parking brake lever
3“P” (Park) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Apply the parking brake fully.
3. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the “P” position.
CAUTION
While the vehicle is moving, never attempt to move the
selector lever into “P” under any circumstances.
Serious mechanical damage and loss of vehicle control
may result.
(f) Good driving practice
 If the transmission repeatedly shifts up and down between
the fourth and overdrive gears when climbing a gentle
slope, shift the selector lever to the “4” position. Be sure to
shift the selector lever to the “D” position after climbing the
slope.
 When towing a trailer, in order to maintain efficient engine
braking and electrical charging performance, do not use
overdrive.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped
with the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from
creeping.
NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or parking brake to hold the
vehicle on an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold the
vehicle using the accelerator pedal, as this can cause
the transmission to overheat.

SECTION 3 – 2
309
STARTING AND DRIVING
Driving tips
Off−road vehicle precautions 310
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Break−in period 311
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Operation in foreign countries 311
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Tips for driving in various conditions 312
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Off −road driving precautions 313
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Winter driving tips 315
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Dinghy towing 317
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Trailer towing 317
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How to save fuel and make your vehicle
last longer 327
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Vehicle load limits 328
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Cargo and luggage 329
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. .

DRIVING TIPS
317
DINGHY TOWING
32x602
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with four
wheels on the ground) behind a motorhome.
NOTICE
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious damage to your vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger−and−load
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.
CAUTION
When disconnecting a trailer, put the vehicle height in
the “LO” (Low) mode and push the height control
switch to turn off the active height control suspension.
Otherwise, the vehicle height may be changed because
of the automatic leveling function, resulting in an
accident. For details, see “Active height control
suspension (AHC)” on page 279.

DRIVING TIPS
318
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.
32X600b
Certification label
CAUTION
 The maximum gross trailer weight (trailer weight plus
cargo weight) must never exceed 2948 kg (6500 lb.)
for vehicles with equipped. For details, contact your
Lexus dealer. If towing a trailer and cargo weighing
over 907 kg (2000 lb.), it is necessary to use a sway
control device with sufficient capacity. The
combination of the gross trailer weight added to the
total weight of the vehicle, occupants and vehicle
cargo must never exceed a total of 5625 kg (12400 lb.).
Exceeding the maximum weight of the trailer, the
vehicle, or the vehicle and trailer combination, can
cause an accident resulting in serious personal
injuries.
 Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight
capacities established by the hitch manufacturer.
Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of
towing a higher weight, the operator must determine
the maximum weight rating of the particular hitch
assembly and never exceed the maximum weight
rating specified for the trailer hitch. Exceeding the
maximum weight rating set by the trailer hitch
manufacturer can cause an accident resulting in
serious personal injuries.

DRIVING TIPS
320
Hitches
If you wish to install a trailer hitch, you should consult with
your Lexus dealer.
 Use only a hitch recommended by the hitch manufacturer
and the one which conforms to the total trailer weight
requirement.
 The hitch must be bolted securely to the vehicle frame and
installed according to the hitch manufacturer’s instructions.
 The hitch ball and king pin should have 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
Do not use axlemounted hitches as they can cause
damage to the axle housing, wheel bearings, wheels or
tires. Also, never install a hitch which may interfere with
the normal function of an Energy Absorbing Bumper, if
so equipped.
Trailer ball
Follow these easy steps to properly determine the correct
trailer ball for your application:
1. Determine the correct trailer ball size for the trailer coupler.
Most couplers are stamped with the required trailer ball size.
The sizes you’ll most likely find stamped on the coupler are:
Trailer Class
Typical Trailer Ball Size
III 2 in.
II 2 in.
I 1 7/8 in.
2. Select the appropriate trailer ball to match or exceed the
gross trailer weight rating of the trailer. The trailer ball load
rating should be printed on the top of the ball.

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.