Page 323 of 472
DRIVING TIPS
303
Hitches
If you wish to install a trailer hitch, your Lexus dealer
should be consulted.
Use only a hitch which is recommended by Lexus
dealer and conforms to the total trailer weight
requirement.
Follow the directions supplied by the hitch
manufacturer. Lubricate the hitch ball with 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
Install the trailer hitch using only the position
recommended by your Lexus dealer. Do notinstall the trailer hitch on the bumper; this may
cause body damage.
Do not use axle±mounted hitches as they can cause damage to the axle housing, wheelbearings, wheels or tires.
Page 325 of 472

DRIVING TIPS
305
Tires
Ensure that your vehicle's tires are properly inflated.
Adjust the tire pressure to the recommended cold tire
pressure indicated below:
Tire pressure, kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
Front 220 (2.2, 32)
Rear 220 (2.2, 32)
The trailer tires should be inflated to the pressure
recommended by the trailer manufacturer in respect
to the total trailer weight.
Trailer lights
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.
Break±in 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 ºOwner's Manual
Supplement/ Maintenance Scheduleº.
Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket
after approximately 1000 km (600 miles) of trailer
driving.
Pre±towing 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 regulation. If they do
not, install required rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.
Page 426 of 472

CHASSIS
406
REPLACING WHEELS
When to replace your wheels
If you have wheel damage such as bending, cracks
or heavy corrosion, the wheel should be replaced.
If you fail to replace damaged wheels, a tire may slip off
a wheel or they may cause loss of handling control.
Replacement with used wheels is not recommended as
they may have been subjected to rough treatment or
high mileage and could fail without warning. Also, bent
wheels which have been straightened may have hidden
structural damage and therefore should not be used.
Never use an inner tube in a leaking wheel which is
designed for a tubeless tire.
Wheel selection
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to
ensure that they are equivalent to those removed in
load capacity, diameter, rim width, and offset.
Correct replacement wheels are available at your Lexus
dealer.
A wheel of a different size or type may adversely affect
handling, wheel and bearing life, brake cooling,
speedometer/odometer calibration, stopping ability,
headlight aim, bumper height, vehicle ground clearance,
and tire or snow chain clearance to the body and
chassis.
ALUMINUM WHEEL PRECAUTIONS
After driving your vehicle the first 1600 km (1000
miles), check that the wheel nuts are tight.
If you have rotated, repaired, or changed your tires,
check that the wheel nuts are still tight after driving
1600 km (1000 miles).
When using tire chains, be careful not to damage the
aluminum wheels.
Use only the Lexus wheel nuts and wrench designed
for your aluminum wheels.
When balancing your wheels, use only Lexus
balance weights or equivalent and a plastic or rubber
hammer.
As with any wheel, periodically check your aluminum
wheels for damage. If damaged, replace
immediately.