2004 Lexus GX470 Engine / LEXUS 2004 GX470 FROM JAN. 2004 THROUGH JUL. 2004 PROD. OWNER'S MANUAL (OM60A87U)

DRIVING TIPS
453

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 4º position. 
Because of the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's
engine may overheat on hot days (at temperatures over
30C [85 F]) 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 overheatsº on page 468.
 Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly. Put
the transmission in Pº. 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 Pº and turn off the engine.

DRIVING TIPS
454When restarting out after parking on a slope:
1. With the transmission in Pº position, start the engine. Be
sure to keep the brake pedal depressed.
2. Shift into the 3º, 2º, Lº or Rº 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 vehicle-trailer 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.
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND MAKE
YOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Improving fuel economy is easy Ð just take it easy. It will help
make your vehicle last longer, too. Here are some specific tips
on how to save money on both fuel and repairs:
 Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check
the pressure every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel.
 Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess
weight puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater
fuel consumption.
 Avoid lengthy warm-up idling. Once the engine is
running smoothly, begin driving Ð but gently. Remember,
however, that on cold winter days this may take a little
longer.
 Always keep the automatic transmission selector lever
in the Dº position when engine braking is not required.
Driving with the overdrive off will reduce the fuel economy.
(For details, see Automatic transmissionº on page 378.)
 Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
 Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you
are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start
again later.
 Avoid engine over-revving. Use a gear position suitable
for the road on which you are traveling.

DRIVING TIPS
455

Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down.
Stop-and-go driving wastes fuel.
 Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a
steady pace. Try to time the traffic signals so you only need
to stop as little as possible or take advantage of through
streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper distance from
other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will also
reduce wear on your brakes.
 Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.
 Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes
premature wear, overheating and poor fuel economy.
 Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you
drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel consumption.
 Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting
the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an
extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.
 Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc. This
not only lessens weight but also helps prevent corrosion. 
Keep your vehicle tuned-up and in top shape. A dirty air
cleaner, improper valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil and
grease, brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine
performance and contribute to poor fuel economy. For
longer life of all parts and lower operating costs, keep all
maintenance work on schedule, and if you often drive under
severe conditions, see that your vehicle receives more
frequent maintenance. (For scheduled maintenance
information, please refer to the Owner's Manual
Supplement/Scheduled Maintenanceº.)
CAUTION
Never turn off the engine to coast down hills. Your
power steering and brake booster will not function
without the engine running. Also, the emission control
system operates properly only when the engine is
running.

DRIVING TIPS
456
VEHICLE LOAD LIMITS
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating
capacity, towing capacity and cargo capacity. Follow
the load limits shown below.
Total load capacity:With third seats 544 kg (1200 lb.)
Without third seats 454 kg (1000 lb.)
Total load capacity means combined weight of
occupants, cargo and luggage. Tongue load is
included when trailer towing. Seating capacity:
With third seats Total 8 (Front 2, Rear 6)
Without third seats Total 5 (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximum number of
occupants whose estimated weight is 68 kg (150 lb.)
per person. Depending on the weight of each person,
the seating capacity given may exceed the total load
capacity.
NOTICE
Even if the number of occupants are within the seating capacity, do not exceed the total load
capacity.

DRIVING TIPS
457
Towing capacity (vehicles with kinetic dynamic
suspension system):
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your
vehicle. Your vehicle is not designed for a towing hitch
receiver.
Towing capacity (vehicles without kinetic dynamic
suspension system):
For weight carrying hitch 2268 kg (5000 lb.)
Also for weight distributing hitch2948 kg (6500 lb.)
Towing capacity means the maximum gross trailer
weight (trailer weight plus its cargo weight) that your
vehicle is able to tow.
Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending
on the size (weight) and the number of occupants.
For details, see Capacity and distributionº that
follows.
CAUTION
Do not apply the load more than each load limit.
That may cause not only damage to the tires,
but also deterioration to the steering ability and
braking ability, which may cause an accident.
CARGO AND LUGGAGE
Stowage precautions
When stowing cargo and luggage in the vehicle,
observe the following:
 Put cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment
when at all possible. Be sure all items are secured
in place.
 Be careful to keep the vehicle level. Placing the
weight as far forward as possible helps maintain
vehicle balance.
 For better fuel economy, do not carry unnecessary
weight.
CAUTION
To prevent cargo and luggage from sliding
forward during braking, do not stack anything
in the luggage compartment higher than the
seatbacks. Keep cargo and luggage low, as
close to the floor as possible.

DRIVING TIPS
458
Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage
compartment. It is not designed for
passengers. They should ride in their seats
with their seat belts properly fastened.
Otherwise, they are much more likely to suffer
serious bodily injury, in the event of sudden
braking or a collision.
 Do not place anything on the luggage cover
behind the rear seatback. Such items may
be thrown about and possibly injure people
in the vehicle during sudden braking or an
accident.
 Do not drive with objects left on top of the
instrument panel. They may interfere with the
driver's field of view. Or they may move
during sharp vehicle acceleration or turning,
and impair the driver's control of the vehicle.
In an accident they may injure the vehicle
occupants.Capacity and distribution
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the
occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) - (Total weight
of occupants)
Steps for determining correct load limit
1. Locate the statement The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX
poundsº on your vehicle's placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the
XXXº amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five
150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may
not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.

DRIVING TIPS
459
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
For details about trailer towing, see page 442.Example on your vehicle

1Cargo capacity
2Total load capacity
In case that 2 people with the combined weight of
166 kg (366 lb.) are riding in your vehicle, the
available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity
will be as follows:
With third seats
Total load capacity: 544 kg (1200 lb.)
544 kg - 166 kg = 378 kg.
(1200 lb. - 366 lb. = 834 lb.)
Without third seats Total load capacity: 454 kg (1000 lb.)
454 kg - 166 kg = 288 kg.
(1000 lb. - 366 lb. = 634 lb.)

DRIVING TIPS
460
From this condition, if 3 more passengers with the
combined weight of 176 kg (388 lb.) get on, the
available cargo and luggage load will be reduced as
follows:
With third seats378 kg - 176 kg = 202 kg.
(834 lb. - 388 lb. = 446 lb.)
Without third seats 288 kg - 176 kg = 112 kg.
(634 lb. - 388 lb. = 246 lb.)
As shown in the above example, if the number of
occupants increases, the cargo and luggage load
equaling the combined weight of occupants who got
on later must be reduced. In other words, if the
increase in the number of occupants causes the
excess of the total load capacity (combined weight
of occupants plus cargo and luggage load), you have
to reduce the cargo and luggage on your vehicle.
For details about total load capacity, see Vehicle load
limitsº on page 456.CAUTION
Even if the total load of occupant's weight and
the cargo load is less than the total load
capacity, do not apply the load unevenly. That
may cause not only damage to the tire but also
deterioration to the steering ability due to
unbalance of the vehicle, causing an accident.