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2-5. Driving information
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
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.
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2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
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 trai ler 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.
● 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 skid, resulting in jackknifing and loss
of control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.
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GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)●
Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, 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 the turn. Compensate by making a
larger than normal turning radius.
● Crosswinds and rough roads will adve rsely 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 gradua lly, 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 vehicl es. 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 5, in S mode.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may overheat
on hot days (at temperatures over 85 °F [30 °C]) when driving up a
long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in use), pull
your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. (
P. 74 4 )
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When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)●
Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and the trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the pa rking 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 pl ace, 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 posit ion, start the engine. Be sure
to keep the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into 3, 2, L, or R position (if reversing).
Release the parking brake and br ake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
STEP1STEP1
STEP2STEP2
STEP1STEP3STEP3
STEP1STEP4STEP4
STEP1STEP5STEP5STEP5
STEP1STEP1
STEP2STEP2
STEP1STEP3STEP3
STEP1STEP4STEP4
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GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
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.
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When driving
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3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Front automatic air conditioning system .................................... 384
Rear automatic air conditioning
system .................................... 400
Rear window defogger
switch ...................................... 404
Windshield wiper de-icer ................................... 405 3-2. Using the audio system
Audio system........................... 406
Using the radio ....................... 408
Using the CD player .............. 416
Playing MP3 and
WMA discs ........................... 424
Operating an iPod
®.............. 433
Operating a USB memory........................ 440
Optimal use of the
audio system ......................... 449
Using the AUX adapter........ 451
Using the steering wheel
audio switches...................... 452
3-3. Using the Bluetooth
®
audio system
Bluetooth
® audio system .... 456
Using the Bluetooth
®
audio system ......................... 460
Operating a Bluetooth
® enabled
portable player .................... 466
Setting up a Bluetooth
® enabled
portable player .................... 469
Bluetooth
® audio system
setup ........................................ 476
Interior features3
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Interior features3
383
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
3-4. Using the hands-free system
(for cellular phone)
Hands-free system for
cellular phones..................... 477
Using the hands-free system
(for cellular phones) ............ 481
Making a phone call .............. 489
Setting a cellular phone ....... 494
Security and system
setup ........................................ 499
Using the phone book.......... 503
3-5. Using the interior lights Interior lights list ....................... 511
• Personal/interior light main switch ................................ 512
• Personal/interior lights ......... 513
3-6. Using the storage features List of storage features .......... 515
• Glove box .................................. 516
• Console box .............................. 517
• Coin holder................................ 519
• Bottle holders/
door pockets ........................... 520
• Cup holders.............................. 522
• Auxiliary boxes........................ 525 3-7. Other interior features
Cool box ................................... 528
Sun visors .................................. 531
Vanity mirror ........................... 532
Clock ......................................... 533
Conversation mirror............. 534
Power outlet (12 V DC)........ 535
Power outlet
(120 V AC [type A]) ........... 537
Power outlet
(120 V AC [type B]) ........... 542
Heated steering wheel ........ 549
Seat heaters and
ventilators .............................. 551
Armrest .................................... 554
Coat hooks .............................. 555
Floor mats ................................ 556
Luggage compartment features .................................. 557
Garage door opener ............. 567
Compass ................................... 575
Safety Connect ...................... 580