2011 Lexus ES350 trailer

200
2-5. Driving information
ES350_U
CAUTION
■Hitches
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the hitch
manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of towing a
higher weight, the operator must never exceed the maximum weight rating speci-
fied for the trailer hitch.
●If you wish to install a trailer hitch, your Lexus dealer should be consulted.
●Use only a hitch that conforms to the total trailer weight requirement.
●Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
●Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
●Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer. After removing
the hitch, seal any mounting holes in the vehicle body to prevent entry of any sub-
stances into the vehicle.
■When towing a trailer
●Never tap into your vehicle's hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehicle's
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
danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.
●Do not use cruise control/dynamic radar cruise control.
Doing so may result in inappropriate control of speed and could cause serious or
fatal accident.
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 any applicable federal and
state/provincial regulations.

201
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
ES350_U
Trailer towing tipsYour vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. In order to avoid
accident, death or serious injury, keep the following 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.

202
2-5. Driving information
ES350_U●
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.
● To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, 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. 486)

203
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
ES350_U●
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 while descending steep or long downhill grades.
●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

492
ES350_U
6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.)
Dimensions and weight
*: Unladen vehicle
Overall length191.7 in. (4870 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)

499
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
ES350_U
Steering
Tires and wheelsType A
Free playLess than 1.2 in. (30 mm)
Power steering fluidAutomatic transmission fluid
DEXRON® II or III
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, 2.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Rear:
32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Spare:
32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Wheel size17 × 7J
Wheel nut torque76 ft•lbf (103 N•m, 10.5 kgf•m)

500
6-1. Specifications
ES350_UTy 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, 2.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Rear:
32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Wheel size17 × 7J, 17 × 4T (spare)
Wheel nut torque76 ft•lbf (103 N•m, 10.5 kgf•m)

555
Alphabetical index
ES350_U
Tachometer .............................................. 136
Tail lightsReplacing light bulbs ........................424
Switch ........................................................ 147
Wattage .................................................. 501
Talk switch............................................... 286
Telephone switch ................................. 286
Theft deterrent system
Alarm ............................................................ 81
Engine immobilizer system ..............79
Tire inflation pressure......................... 403
Tire information Glossary ................................................. 510
Size ........................................................... 507
Tire identification number ............. 507
Uniform tire quality grading........ 508
Tires Chains ....................................................... 193
Checking ............................................... 394
If you have a flat tire.......................... 467
Inflation pressure ............................... 403
Inflation pressure sensor................ 395
Information............................................505
Replacing............................................... 467
Rotating tires ........................................ 394
Size ........................................................... 499
Snow tires................................................195
Spare tire ............................................... 467
Tools ........................................................... 467
Total load capacity.................................190 Towing
Dinghy towing .....................................204
Emergency towing............................435
Trailer towing .........................................197
TRAC........................................................... 177
Traction control .......................................177
Trip meter ................................................. 136
Trunk Extending a space ............................. 337
Opener ...................................................... 44
Trunk light Trunk light ................................................. 45
Wattage ................................................... 501
Turn signal lights
Replacing light bulbs ........................ 424
Switch........................................................ 133
Wattage ................................................... 501T