2007 LEXUS LX470 towing

166
2-5. Driving information
Trailer towing tipsYour vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. The 3 main
causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed and
improper trailer loading. Keep the following in mind when towing.
● Before starting out, check the trailer lights and the vehicle-trailer con-
nections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer attached in an
area away from traffic until you be come accustomed to the feel of the
vehicle.
NOTICE
■When installing a trailer hitch
●Use 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 axle-mounted hitches, as they can cause damage to the axle housing,
wheel bearings, wheels or tires.
■Brakes
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all applicable federal and
state/provincial regulations.
■Safety chain
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 droppi ng to the ground in the case that it
becomes damaged or separated. For the correct safety chain installation proce-
dure, ask your Lexus dealer.
■Do not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing trailer lights may dama ge your vehicle’s electrical system and
cause a malfunction.

167
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●Reversing with a trailer attached 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 yo ur hand to the right to move the
trailer to right. (This is generally opposite to reversing without a trailer
attached.) Avoid sharp or prolon ged turning. Have someone guide
you when reversing to reduce the risk of an accident.
● As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increas ed. For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of
speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may sk id, 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 turn s, and slow down before making
turns.
● Note that when making a turn, the tr ailer wheels will be closer than the
vehicle wheels to the inside of th e turn. Compensate by making a
larger than normal turning radius.
● Crosswinds and rough roads will ad versely affect handling of your
vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Peri odically check the rear to prepare
for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may cause your vehi-
cle and trailer to sway. If swaying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel,
reduce speed immediately but gradually, and steer straight ahead.
Never increase speed. If you make no extreme correction with the
steering or brakes, your vehi cle and trailer will stabilize.
● Take care when passing other vehi cles. 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 eng ine braking and electrical charging
performance, do not use overdrive. Transmission shift range position
must be in 4.

169
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■To avoid an accident
●Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) or the posted towing speed limit, whichever is
lower. A instability (swaying) of the towing vehicle-trailer combination increases
as speed increases, exceeding 45 mph (72 km/h) 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 applying the brakes too fre-
quently.
This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking efficiency.

170
2-5. Driving information
Dinghy towing
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the
ground) behind a motor home.

315
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
FuseAmpereCircuit
9ALT-S7. 5Charging system
10NV-IR20Lexus night view system
11FR FOG15Fog lights
12TOWING BRK30Trailer lights
13HEAD CLNER20Headlight cleaner
14FR-IG10Charging system
15PA N E L7. 5Instrument panel light
16TOW I N G TA I L30Trailer lights
17TA I L15Parking lights, Tail lights
18BAT30All components in “ECU-B2”
19TEL7. 5Lexus Link System
20AMP30Audio system
21EFI or ECD No.125
Multiport fuel injection system/
Sequential multiport fuel injection
system
22AM215All components in “IGN”
23ETCS10
Multiport fuel injection system/
Sequential multiport fuel injection
system
24HORN10Horns
25HEAD
(RH-LWR)10Right-hand headlight (low beam)
26HEAD (LH-LWR)10Left-hand headlight (low beam)
27HEAD (RH-UPR)20Right-hand headlight (high beam)
28HEAD (LH-UPR)20Left-hand headlight (high beam)

328
5-1. Essential information
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towingThe following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Lexus dealer before towing.
● The engine is running, but the vehicle will not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Emergency towing
If a tow truck is not available, in an emergency your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emergency towing
hook. This should only attempted on hard, surfaced roads for short dis-
tances at low speeds.
A driver must be in the vehicle to s teer and operate the brakes. The vehi-
cle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in good condi-
tion.
Towing hook
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by your
Lexus dealer or a commercial towing se rvice, using a lift-type truck or a flat
bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towi ng, and abide by all state/provincial
and local laws.
Use a towing dolly or flat bed truck.

5
When trouble arises
329
5-1. Essential information
■Emergency towing procedureThe ignition key must be in the “ACC” or the “ON” (engine running) posi-
tion.
Put the four-wheel drive control lever in “H”. (The center differential is
unlocked.)
Put the vehicle height in the “N” mode and push the height control switch
to turn off the AHC.
Put the shift lever in “N”.
Release the parking brake.
CAUTION
■While towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive stress on
the emergency towing hook and the cable or chain.
●If the engine is not running, the power assi st for the brakes and steering will not
function, making steering and braking more difficult.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission
Never tow this vehicle wheels on the ground.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5

330
5-1. Essential information
Towing with a sling-type truck
NOTICE
■To prevent body damage
Do not tow with a sling type truck, either from the front or rear.