2008 Lexus ES350 trailer

177
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
Trailer towing tipsYour vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. The three main
causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed and
improper trailer loading. Keep these in mind when towing.
● Before starting out, check the trailer’s lights and the vehicle-trailer
connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and rever sing with the trailer attached in an
area away from traffic until you become accustomed to the feel of the
vehicle.
● 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 your hand to the right to move the
trailer to the right. (This is generally opposite to reversing without a
trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged 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 increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of
speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
NOTICE
■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 dropping 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 may damage your vehicle's electrical system and cause a malfunc-
tion.

178
2-5. Driving information
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)●
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 turns, and slow down before making a
turn.
● Note that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than the
vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making a
larger than normal turning radius.
● Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling of your
vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Periodically 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 vehicle and trailer will stabilize.
● Take care 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 shift range position
must be in “4”, in the “S” mode.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's engine may over-
heat on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when driving up
a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in use),
pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. See “If you vehicle
overheats”. ( →P. 403)

179
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)●
Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and the trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in “P”. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do so
only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and
trailer wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in place, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into “P” and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in the “P” position, start the engine. Be sure
to keep the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into “3”, “2”, “1”, or the “R” position (if reversing).
Release the parking brake and brake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks.
Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
CAUTION
■To avoid an accident
●Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) or posted towing speed limit, whichever is
lower. As 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 lo ng or too frequently. This could cause
the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking efficiency.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

408
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.)
Dimensions and weight
*: Unladen vehicle
Overall length191.1 in. (4855 mm)
Overall width71.7 in. (1820 mm)
Overall height *57.1 in. (1450 mm)
Wheelbase109.3 in. (2775 mm)
Tr e a dFront62.0 in. (1575 mm)
Rear61.6 in. (1565 mm)
Vehicle capacity weight
(Occupants + luggage)900 lb. (410 kg)
Towing capacity
(trailer weight + cargo weight)1000 lb. (450 kg)

415
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
Tires and wheelsType A
Ti r e s i z eP215/55R17 93V
Tire inflation pressure
(Recommended cold tire inflation
pressure)
Driving under normal conditions Front:
30 psi (210 kPa, 2.1 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Rear:
30 psi (210 kPa, 2.1 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Spare:
30 psi (210 kPa, 2.1 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
When driving at high speeds above 100 mph
(160 km/h), in countries where such speeds are
permitted by law, add 4.3 psi (30 kPa, 0.3 kgf/
cm
2 or bar) to the front tires and rear tires.
Never exceed the maximum cold tire inflation
pressure indicated on the tire sidewall.
Towing a trailer
Front:
32 psi (220 kPa, 2.1 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Rear:
32 psi (220 kPa, 2.1 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Spare:
32 psi (220 kPa, 2.1 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Wheel size17 × 7J
Wheel nut torque76 ft•lbf (103 N•m, 10.5 kgf•m)

416
6-1. Specifications
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)Ty p e B
Ti r e s i z eP215/55R17 93V,
T155/70D17 110M (spare)
Tire inflation pressure
(Recommended cold tire inflation
pressure)
Driving under normal conditions
Front:
30 psi (210 kPa, 2.1 kgf/cm
2 or bar)*
Rear:
30 psi (210 kPa, 2.1 kgf/cm
2 or bar)*
Spare:
60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
*:When driving at high speeds above 100 mph (160 km/h), in countries where such
speeds are permitted by law, add 4.3 psi
(30 kPa, 0.3 kgf/cm
2 or bar) to the front
tires and rear tires. Never exceed the max-
imum cold tire inflation pressure indicated
on the tire sidewall.
Towing a trailer Front:
32 psi (220 kPa, 2.1 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Rear:
32 psi (220 kPa, 2.1 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Wheel size17 × 7J, 17 × 4T (spare)
Wheel nut torque76 ft•lbf (103 N•m, 10.5 kgf•m)

451
Alphabetical index
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
Tire informationGlossary ................................................ 426
Size ........................................................... 423
Tire identification number ............. 423
Uniform tire quality grading..........424
Tires
Chains ....................................................... 169
Checking ................................................. 316
If you have a flat tire.......................... 384
Inflation pressure ............................... 324
Inflation pressure sensor.................. 317
Information.............................................. 421
Replacing............................................... 384
Rotating tires .......................................... 316
Size ............................................................. 415
Snow tires.................................................. 171
Spare tire ............................................... 384
Tools .......................................................... 384
Total load capacity................................. 166
Towing
Dinghy towing...................................... 180
Emergency towing ........................... 352
Trailer towing......................................... 173
TRAC .......................................................... 157
Traction control ...................................... 157
Trip meter.................................................. 122
Trunk Extending a space ............................ 268
Opener........................................................ 41
Trunk light
Trunk light ................................................. 42
Wattage ................................................... 417 Turn signal lights
Replacing light bulbs ........................343
Switch........................................................ 120
Wattage ....................................................417
Vanity lights Vanity lights ......................................... 258
Wattage ....................................................417
Vanity mirrors ........................................258
Vehicle identification number .........409
Vehicle stability control....................... 157
Ventilators ............................................... 263
VSC............................................................. 157
Warning buzzers Brake system........................................362
Downshifting ........................................... 119
Open door ...........................................364
Seat belt reminder .............................364
Warning lights
Anti-lock brake system ...................363
Brake assist system ...........................363
Brake system........................................362
Charging system................................363
Low fuel level .......................................364
Low tire pressure warning light ........................................................364
Malfunction indicator lamp ...........363
Master warning light.........................364
Open door ............................................364
Pre-collision system..........................363
Pretensioners .......................................363
Rear light failure warning light .....364
Seat belt reminder light...................364
SRS airbags...........................................363
V
W
*: Refer to the “Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.