STARTING AND DRIVING
305
Replacing tires and wheels
When replacing the tires and wheels, be sure to install tire
pressure warning valves and transmitters. ID codes on the tire
pressure warning valves and transmitters are registered on the
tire pressure warning ECU. When replacing a tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter, it is necessar y to register the ID
code of tire pressure warning valve and transmitter. Have the
ID code registered by your Lexus dealer.
If the ID code is not registered, the system will not work
properly. After about 1 hour, the tire pressure warning light
blinks to indicate a system malfunction.
NOTICE
When the tires or tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters must be replaced, have them replaced by
your Lexus dealer. The tire pressure warning valves
and transmitters will be affected by the installation or
removal of tires.
Tire pressure warning reset switch
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When initializing the system, the present tire inflation pressure
is stored as standard. The tire pressure warning system
determines decreased air pressure by comparing the present
and the standard tire inflation pressures. When you change
the set tire inflation pressure, it is necessary to initialize the tire
pressure warning system.
When rotating the tires on vehicles differing with front and
rear tire inflation pressures.
When changing the tire inflation pressure by changing
traveling speed or load weight, etc.
When changing the tire size.
STARTING AND DRIVING
306To initialize the system, perform the following:
1. Park the vehicle in a safe place and turn the ignition switch
to the “OFF” position.
2. Adjust the pressure of all the installed tires to the specified
cold tire inflation pressure level. (See “Tire and wheels” on
page 420.)
3. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position.
4. Push and hold the tire pressure warning reset switch until
the tire pressure warning light blinks slowly three times.
5. Wait for a few minutes with the ignition switch “ON”, and
then turn the ignition switch to the “OFF” position.
If you push the tire pressure reset switch while the vehicle is
moving, initialization is not performed.
If you push the tire pressure reset switch accidentally and
initialization is performed, adjust the tire inflation pressure to
the specified level and initialize the system again.
31x609
If the tire pressure warning light does not blink slowly three
times when you push and hold the reset switch, initialization
has failed and the tire pressure warning system may not work
properly. In this case, initialize the system again. If
initialization
cannot be performed, have the system checked at
your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
Do not push the reset switch without first adjusting the
tire inflation pressure to the specified level. Otherwise,
the tire pressure warning light may not come on even if
the tire inflation pressure is low, or it may come on when
the tire inflation pressure is actually normal.
STARTING AND DRIVING
307
Tire pressure warning select switch
31x614a
1Main position 22nd position
2 sets of tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID codes
can be registered.
Once a second set of tires is registered at “2nd”, you can switch
between tire set settings simply by pressing the tire pressure
warning select switch.
There are 2 settings
“MAIN” position: The ID code of the tire pressure warning valve
and transmitter on the tires originally installed on the vehicle is
registered.
“2nd” position: The code is not registered. When you replace
a new set of tires, purchase tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters from your Lexus dealer and have the new ID code
registered by your Lexus dealer. If the tire pressure select switch is set to the wrong tire setting,
the system will not work properly. After about 1 hour, the tire
pressure
warning light blinks to indicate a system malfunction.
DRIVING TIPS
312
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN VARIOUSCONDITIONS
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, sharp −edged objects and other
road hazards. Failure to do so can lead to severe tire
damage such as a tire burst.
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 saf ely, pull to the side of the
road and call a Lexus dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
Before driving off, make sure the parking brake is
fully released and that the parking brake reminder
light is off.
Do not leave your vehicle unattended while the
engine is running.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
It can cause dangerous overheating, needless wear,
and poor fuel economy.
To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your speed
and downshift. Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat and not work
properly. See page 263.
Be careful when accelerating, upshifting,
downshifting or braking on a slippery surface. The
abrupt change in engine speed, such as sudden
acceleration or engine braking, could cause the
vehicle to skid or spin.
Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the
legal speed limit permits it, do not drive over 140 km/h
(85 mph) unless your vehicle has high speed
capability tires. Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may
result in tire failure, loss of control and possible
injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine
whether the tires on your vehicle are high speed
capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.
DRIVING TIPS
320
Hitches
If you wish to install a trailer hitch, you should consult with
your Lexus dealer.
Use only a hitch recommended by the hitch manufacturer
and the one which conforms to the total trailer weight
requirement.
The hitch must be bolted securely to the vehicle frame and
installed according to the hitch manufacturer’s instructions.
The hitch ball and king pin should have 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
Do not use axle mounted hitches as they can cause
damage to the axle housing, wheel bearings, wheels or
tires. Also, never install a hitch which may interfere with
the normal function of an Energy Absorbing Bumper, if
so equipped.
Trailer ball
Follow these easy steps to properly determine the correct
trailer ball for your application:
1. Determine the correct trailer ball size for the trailer coupler.
Most couplers are stamped with the required trailer ball size.
The sizes you’ll most likely find stamped on the coupler are:
Trailer Class
Typical Trailer Ball Size
III 2 in.
II 2 in.
I 1 7/8 in.
2. Select the appropriate trailer ball to match or exceed the
gross trailer weight rating of the trailer. The trailer ball load
rating should be printed on the top of the ball.
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.
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 “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.