2002 Lexus ES300 trailer

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
47
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
stopandgo 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 263.
TACHOMETER
13E064
The tachometer indicates engine speed in thousands of
rpm (revolutions per minute). Use it while driving to
prevent engine overrevving.
Driving with the engine running too fast causes excessive
engine wear and poor fuel economy. Remember, in most
cases the slower the engine speed, the greater the fuel
economy.
NOTICE
Do not let the indicator needle get into the red zone. This
may cause severe engine damage.

STARTING AND DRIVING
228
(e) Parking
 1Brake pedal 2Parking brake pedal
3“P” (Park) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Depress the parking brake fu lly to securely apply the
parking brake.
3. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the “P” position.
CAUTION
Never attempt to move the selector lever into “P” under
any circumstances while the vehicle is moving. Serious
mechanical damage and loss of vehicle control may
result.
(f) Good driving practice
 If the transmission repeatedly shifts up and down between
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
Do not hold the vehicle on an upgrade with the
accelerator pedal. This can cause the transmission to
overheat. Always use the brake pedal or parking brake.

SECTION 3 – 2
243
STARTING AND DRIVING
Driving tips
Breakin period244
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . .
Operation in foreign countries 244
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tips for driving in various condition s 244. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving tips 246
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . .
Dinghy towing 247
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Trailer towing 248
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . .
How to save fuel and make your vehicle
last longer 254
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . .

DRIVING TIPS
244
BREAKIN PERIOD
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
You need not follow a breakin schedule with your new Lexus.
But following a few simple tips for the first 1600 km (1000 miles)
can add to the future economy and long life of your vehicle:
Do not drive over 88 km/h (55 mph).
 Avoid overrevving. Maintain engine speed between 2000
and 4000 rpm.
 Avoid fullthrottle starts.
 Try to avoid hard stops during the first 300 km (200 miles).
 Do not drive for a long time at any single speed, either fast
or slow.
 Do not tow a trailer during the first 800 km (500 miles).
OPERATION IN FOREIGN
COUNTRIES
If you plan to drive your Lexus in another country ...
First, comply with the vehicle registration laws.
Second, confirm the availability of the correct fuel (unleaded
and minimum octane rating).
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN VARIOUS CONDITIONS
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. This will allow you
much better control.
 Drive slowly onto curbs and, if possible, at a right angle.
Avoid driving onto high, sharpedged objects and other
road hazards. Failure to do so can lead to severe tire
damage resulting in tire bursts.
Drive slowly when passing over bumps or travelling on a
bumpy road. Otherwise, the impact could cause severe
damage to the tires and/or wheels.
 When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels until they touch
the curb so that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the parking
brake, and place the transmission in “P”. If necessary, block
the wheels.
 Washing your vehicle or driving through deep water may get
the brakes wet. To see whether they are wet, check that
there is no traffic near you and then press the pedal lightly.
If you do not feel a normal braking force, the brakes are
probably wet. To dry them, drive the vehicle cautiously while
lightly pressing the brake pedal with the parking brake
applied. If they still do not work safely, pull to the side of the
road and call a Lexus dealer for assistance.

DRIVING TIPS
248
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passengercarrying
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.
We recommend you to use a weight carrying hitch when towing
a trailer.
NOTICE
When towing a trailer, be sure to consult your Lexus
dealer for further information on additional
requirements such as a towing kit etc.
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.
Certification label
CAUTION
 The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus its cargo
load) must not exceed 907 kg (2000 lb.). Exceeding
this weight is dangerous.

Tongue load
Total trailer weight x 100 = 9 to 11%
DRIVING TIPS
249

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.
 The gross vehicle weight must not exceed the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) indicated on the
Certification Label. The gross vehicle weight is the
sum weight of the unloaded vehicle, driver,
passengers, luggage, hitch and trailer tongue load.
It also includes the weight of any special equipment
installed on your vehicle.
 The load on either the front or rear axle resulting from
distribution of the gross vehicle weight on both axles
must not exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) listed on the Certification Label.
32L002
Total trailer weight Tongue load
The trailer cargo load should be distributed so that
the tongue load is 9 to 11 % of the total trailer weight,
not exceeding the maximum of 90 kg (200 lb.).
 Never load the trailer with more weight in the back
than in the front. About 60 % of the trailer load should
be in the front half of the trailer and the remaining 40
% in the rear.

DRIVING TIPS
250
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 re moving 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 not install
the trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body
damage.
 Do not use axlemounted hitches as they can cause
damage to the axle housing, wheel bearings, wheels
or tires.
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, follow the hitch or
trailer manufacturer’s recommendations.
CAUTION
If the total trailer weight exceeds 500 kg (1102 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.

DRIVING TIPS
251
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 200 (2.0, 29)
Rear 200 (2.0, 29)
 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 rec reational 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.
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 noseup or nosedown 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.