1998 Lexus LS400 tow

DRIVING TIPS
187
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
vehicletrailer 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, vehicletovehicle
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 ”4” position.

DRIVING TIPS
188Because 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 ”If your vehicle overheats” on
page 196 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 ”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.

SECTION 4
192
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
If your engine stalls while driving 193. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle will not start 193. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle overheats 196. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you have a flat tire 197. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle needs to be towed 205. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever 209. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you lose your keys or lock yourself out 210. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
204
40L0151
10. Reinstall the wheel ornament.
Put the wheel ornament into position and then tap it firmly with the
side or heel of your hand to snap it into place.
CAUTION
Take due care in handling the ornament to avoid unexpected
personal injury.
11. After changing the wheel, check the air pressure of the
replaced tire. Stow all the tools, jack and flat tire securely.
If the pressure of the replaced tire is low, drive slowly to the nearest
service station and fill to the correct pressure.
Do not forget to reinstall the tire valve cap as dirt and moisture could
get into the valve core and possible cause air leakage. If the cap is
missing, put a new one on as soon as possible.
This is the same procedure for changing or rotating your tires.
CAUTION
Before driving, make sure all the tools, jack and flat tire are
securely in place in their storage location to reduce the
possibility of personal injury during a collision or sudden
braking.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
205
IF YOUR VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE
TOWED
If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done by your
Lexus dealer or a commercial tow truck service. In consultation
with them, have your vehicle towed using either (a) or (b).
(a) Towing with a wheel lift type truck
(b) Using a flat bed truck
(c) Never tow with a sling type truck
Only when you cannot receive a towing service from a Lexus
dealer or commercial tow truck service, tow your vehicle
carefully in accordance with the instructions given in ”(d)
Emergency towing” on page 208.
Proper equipment will help ensure that your vehicle is not damaged
while being towed. Commercial operators are generally aware of the
state/provincial and local laws pertaining to towing.
Your vehicle can be damaged if it is towed incorrectly. Although
most operators know the correct procedure, it is possible to make a
mistake. To avoid damage to your vehicle, make sure the following
few precautions are observed. If necessary, show this page to the tow
truck driver.
TOWING PRECAUTIONS:
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by the
state/provincial and local laws. The wheels and axle on the ground
must be in good condition. If they are damaged, use a towing dolly.
(a) Towing with a wheel lift type truck
From front
40L021
Use a towing dolly under the rear wheels.
NOTICE
Never tow a vehicle with an automatic transmission from the
front with rear wheels on the ground, as this may cause serious
damage to the transmission.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
206From rear
40L0221
Place the ignition key in the ”ACC” position.
NOTICE
Do not tow with the key removed or in the ”LOCK” position,
as the steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold
the front wheels straight.
When lifting wheels, take care to ensure adequate ground
clearance for towing at the opposite end of the raised vehicle.
Otherwise, the bumper and/or underbody of the towed vehicle
will be damaged during towing.
(b) Using a flat bed truck
40L016
Tie down points
40L017-2

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
207
40L0182
If your Lexus is transported by a flat bed, it should be tied down
at locations A and B as shown above.
40L0191
Rear emergency towing eyelets
NOTICE
Do not use the rear emergency towing eyelets.
For vehicles sold in U.S.A., before your vehicle is transported
by flat bed, the height control switch, if so equipped, must be
in the ”HIGH” mode.
Tie down angle
40L0201
If you use chains or wires to tie down your vehicle, the angles
shaded black must be at 45.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
208
(c) Towing with a sling type truck
40L0231
NOTICE
Do not tow with a sling type truck, either from the front or rear.
This may cause body damage.
(d) Emergency towing
40L0311
If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done by your
Lexus dealer or a commercial tow truck service.
If towing service is not available in an emergency, your vehicle
may be temporarily towed by a cable or chain secured to the
emergency towing eyelet. Use extreme caution when towing the
vehicle.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it and operate the brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done only on hardsurfaced roads for
a short distance and at low speeds. Also, the wheels, axles, drive
train, steering and brakes must all be in good condition.