2006 LEXUS LX470 rear

Tongue load
Total trailer weight x 100= 9 to 11%
(*1)
or 15% (*2)
DRIVING TIPS
319

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 % for weight carrying hitch
(*1) or 15% for weight distributing hitch (*2)
of the total
trailer weight, not exceeding the maximum load of the
following:
Weight carrying hitch 295 kg (650 lb.)
Weight distributing hitch 442 kg (975 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
322
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, consult your
Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
If the total trailer weight exceeds 453 kg (1000 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.
Tires
Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. Adjust
the tire inflation pressure to the recommended cold tire
inflation pressure indicated below:
Tire inflation pressure, kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
Front 220 (2.2, 32)
Rear 240 (2.4, 35)
 The trailer tires should be inflated to the pressure
recommended by the trailer manufacturer in respect to the
total trailer weight.

DRIVING TIPS
323
Trailer lights
32x601b
Your vehicle is equipped with a wire harness stored in the
rear end underbody. Some models are fitted with a socket
for trailer lights under the rear bumper. Use either of them
to connect and operate the trailer lights. However, the 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.
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.
Connecting a trailer
Stop your vehicle and a trailer in line and perform the following:
1. Put the active height control suspension in the “LO” (low)
mode. Turn the ignition switch off or push the height control
switch to turn off the active height control suspension.
2. Connect a trailer.
3. Turn the ignition switch on or push the height control switch
to turn on the active height control suspension. Select the “N”
(normal) mode with the height select switch.
When a vehicle loaded with 4 occupants tows a trailer of about
1800 kg (4000 lb.) with more than about 180 kg (400 lb.) tongue
load, the normal mode may not be selected with the height
control indicator “LO”. However, there is no problem to
continue normal driving. Drive with sufficient care because of
large load.

DRIVING TIPS
324
Disconnecting a trailer
Stop your vehicle and a trailer in line and perform the following:
1. Put the active height control suspension in the “LO” mode.
(Make sure the vehicle height is in the “LO” mode by pushing
the height select switch on the “
”side.)
2. Turn the ignition switch off or push the height control switch
to turn off the active height control suspension.
3. Set the supporting leg of a trailer on the ground and raise the
hitch by 100 mm (4 in.).
4. Turn the ignition switch on or push the height control switch
to turn on the active height control suspension.
5. Wait for about 20 seconds until the rear vehicle height is
lowered by the automatic leveling function.
6. Make sure the hitch is disconnected. If not, raise the hitch
higher and repeat steps 2 through 5.
7. Move the vehicle forward in the “LO” mode where the hitch
does not touch anything in the “N” mode.
8. Put the active height control suspension in the “N” mode.
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 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 regulations. If they do not, install
required rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes.

DRIVING TIPS
325
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
vehicle −trailer 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,
vehicle− to−vehicle 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. T ransmission
must be “4” position.

DRIVING TIPS
328
Keep your vehicle tunedup 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 Maintenance”.)
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.
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 and seating
capacity are also described on the tire and loading
information label. For location of the tire and loading
information label, see “Checking tire inflation pressure”
on page 424.
Total load capacity: 545 kg (1200 lb.)
Total load capacity means combined weight of
occupants, cargo and luggage. To ngue load is included
when trailer towing.
Seating capacity: Total 8 (Front 2, Rear 6)
Seating capacity means the maximum number of
occupants whose estimated average 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.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
342
40X003f
 1Lower 2Raise 3Paper
To remove the spare tire:
1. Remove the spare tire carrier lid using a flathead
screwdriver.
2. Insert the end of the jack handle extension into the
lowering screw and turn it counterclockwise with the
handle, making sure the handle remains firmly fitted
onto the jack handle extension.
3. After the tire is lowered completely to the ground,
remove the holding bracket.
When storing the spare tire, put it in place with the outer
side of the wheel facing up. Then secure the tire, taking
care that the tire goes straight up without catching on any
other part, to prevent it fr om flying forward during a
collision or sudden braking.
40X004g
2. Block the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire to
keep the vehicle from rolling when it is jacked up.
When blocking a wheel, place a wheel block in front of
the front wheels or behind the rear wheels.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
344
40X035e
Front
40X036b
Rear
5. Position the jack at the jack points as shown.
Make sure the jack is positioned on a level and solid
surface. JACK POINTS:
Front
− Under the chassis frame side rail at the No.2
body mount bracket
Left rear − Under the rear axle housing
Right rear − Under the bracket on the rear axle housing