2006 LEXUS LS430 weight

138
2-4. Using other driving systems
Electronically modulated air suspension
The vehicle adjusts the action of the shock absorbers and maintains vehicle
height automatically in response to driving conditions to help provide
enhanced driving comfort and vehicle control.
■ Vehicle height adjustment
Vehicle’s height is maintained at the se lected le
vel regardless of the num-
ber of occupants and luggage weight.
High
Normal
■ D
amping mode selection
You can select the damping mo de of the shock absorbers.
Sport
Indicator light comes on.
Normal
1
2
1
2

145
2
When driving
2-5. Driving information
Cargo & luggage
Capacity and distribution
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) - (T
otal weight of occupants)
■ Steps for determining corr
ect load limit
Locate the statement “The combin ed w
eight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed xxx pounds” on your vehicle’s plac -
ard.
Determine the combined weight of the driv
er and passengers
that will be riding in your vehicle.
Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
xxx pounds or xxx kilograms
The resulting figure equals the available amount of car
go and lug-
gage load capacity.
For example, if the “xxx” amount equa ls 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 150) = 650 lbs.
Take notice of the following information about stowage precautions, cargo
capacity and load.
When stowing cargo and luggage in the vehicle, observe the following precau-
tions:
• Put cargo and luggage in the trunk wh en at all possible. Be sure all
items are secured in place.
• Be careful to keep the vehicle level. Placing the w
eight as far forward
as possible helps maintain vehicle balance.
• For better fuel economy, do not carry unnecessary weight.

146
2-5. Driving information
Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle.
The weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in Step .
If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consu lt this manual to determine ho
w
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle. ( P.148 )
Example on your vehicle
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity
2 people with the combined weight of 366 lb. (166 kg) are riding in your
v
ehicle which has a total load capacity of 900 lb. (410 kg), the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity will be as follows:
900 lb. -366 lb. = 534 lb. (410 kg - 166 kg = 244 kg)
In this condition, if 3 mor
e passengers with the combined weight of 388
lb. (176 kg) get on, the available cargo and luggage load will be reduced
as follows:
534 lb. -388 lb. = 146 lb. (244 kg - 176 kg = 68 kg)
4
1
2

147
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
As shown in the above example, if the number of occupants increases,
the cargo and luggage load equaling the combined weight of the occu-
pants who got on later, by an amount. In other w
ords, if an increase in the
number of occupants causes an excess of the total load capacity (com -
bined weight of occupants plus car go and luggage load), y
ou must
reduce the cargo and luggage on your vehicle. ( P.148 )
CAUTION
■Storage precautions
●Do not place anything on the packag e tray behind the rear seatback. 
Such items may be thrown about and possib ly injur
e people in the vehicle during
sudden braking or in an accident.
●Do not drive with objects on top of the instrument panel. 
They may interfere with the driver’s field of view or move during sharp accelera -
tion or turning, thus impairing the driver ’
s control of the vehicle. In an accident
they may injure the vehicle occupants.
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment, as they may shift and injure some -
one during an accident or sudden braking.
■Weight of the load
●Improper loading may cause deterioratio n of steering or braking control result-
ing in an accident which may cause death or serious injury.
●Do not exceed the maximum axle weight ra ting or the total vehicle weight rating.
●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.

148
2-5. Driving information
Vehicle load limits
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These are also described on the tire and loading information label. ( P. 2 8 3 )
CAUTION
■Overload
Do not apply excess load. 
It may cause not only damage to the tires, but also
deterioration of steering ability
and braking ability, resu lting in an accident.
Vehicle load limits include total load ca pacity, seating capacity, towing capac-
ity and cargo capacity.
■ Total load capacity: 900 lb. (410 kg)
Total load capacity means the comb ined w
eight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
■ Seating capacity: T
otal 5 (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maxi mum number of occupants whose
estimated a
verage weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
Even if the number of occupants ar e within the seating capacity, do not
exceed the total load capacity.
■ Towing capacity: 2000 lb. (907 kg)
Towing capacity means the maximum gross trailer weight (trailer
w

eight plus its cargo weight) that your vehicle is able to tow.
■ Car
go capacity
Cargo capacity ma y incr
ease or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants. ( P.145 )

152
2-5. Driving information
Trailer Towing
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-carrying vehicle, thus tow-
ing a trailer will have an adverse effec t on
handling, performance, braking,
durability, and fuel consumption. For yo ur safety and the safety of others, do
not overload the vehicle or trailer.
Lexus warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction caused b
y towing a
trailer for commercial purposes
■ Weight limits
Confirm the total trailer weight, gross v
ehicle weight, gross axle weight
and trailer tongue load are all within the limits.
■ Gr
oss vehicle weight
The gross vehicle weight must not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
R
ating (GVWR) indicated on the Certification Label. The gross vehi -
cle weight is the sum weight of th e unloaded v
ehicle, driver, passen-
gers, luggage, hitch and trailer tongue load. Also included is the w
eight
of any special equipment installed on your vehicle.
■ Gr
oss axle weight
The load on either the front or rear axle r
esulting from distribution of
the gross vehicle weight on both ax les must not exceed the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the Certification Label.
Certification label

153
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Towing a trailer
Consult your Lexus dealer for further information on additional require -
ments such as a towing kit, etc.
■Trailer tongue load
The trailer cargo load should be dis tributed so that the tongue load is 9
to 11% of the total trailer weight , not exceeding the maximum of 200
lb. (90 kg) (Tongue load / Total trailer weight) x 100 = 9 to 11%) 
The total trailer weight and tongue load can be measur
ed with plat-
form scales found at a highw
ay weighing station, building supply com -
pany, trucking company, junk yard, etc.
Total trailer weight
Tongue load
1
2

155
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■To avoid accident or injury
●The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus the weight of cargo) must not exceed
2000 lb. (907 kg).
●Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
●Never load more weight in the back than in the front of the trailer. About 60% of
the load should be in the front half of the trailer, and the remaining 40% in the
rear.
■Hitches
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the hitch
ma

nufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of towing a
higher weight, the operator must never exceed the maximum weight rating speci -
fied for the trailer hitch.
• If you wish to install a trailer hitch, your Lexus dealer should be consulted.
• Use only a hitch that 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.
• Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer. After r
emoving the hitch, seal any mounting holes in the vehicle body to prevent
entry of any substances into the vehicle.
■When towing a trailer
●If the total trailer weight exceeds 1000 lb . (450 kg), trailer brakes are required.
●Never tap into your vehicle's hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehicle's
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
danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.