1998 Lexus LS400 trailer

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.

INDEX (T W)
284
T
Tachometer 35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Telescopic steering column 76. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft deterrent system 117. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft prevention labels 119. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tilt steering wheel 76. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires
Chains 245. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing 202. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flat tire 197. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inflation 241. . . . . . . . . .
Rotation 242. . . . . . . . . .
Snow 245. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spare 198. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire information 241. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types 179. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Uniform tire quality grading 244. . . . . . . . . . .
Tools 222. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing
Emergency towing 208. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle needs to be towed 205. . . . . . .
Trailer 183. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction control system 173. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer towing 183. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transporting your Lexus by flat bed 206. . . . . .
Trip meter 36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trunk lid 63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trunk lid opener 64. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn signals 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Twin trip meter 36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 179. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
V
Vanity mirrors 48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle skid control system 174. . . . . . . . . . . . .
W
Warning buzzers 36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warning messages 44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washer fluid, Adding 261
Washing and waxing 271
Wheels, Aluminum 247. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield wiper and washer switch 25. . . . . . .
Winter driving tips 182. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wireless remote control transmitter 11. . . . . . . . .