2012 Lexus GX460 steering

339
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
■When the TRAC OFF is displayed on the multi-information display even if the
VSC OFF switch has not been pressed
TRAC/Active TRAC, hill-start assist control, downhill assist control and Crawl
Control cannot be operated. Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Hill-start assist control operation conditions
●The shift lever is in D or S.
●The brake pedal is not depressed.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS/Multi Terrain ABS, brake assist, VSC,
TRAC/Active TRAC and hill-start assist control systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate that
a malfunction has occurred in any of these systems.
●Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are operat-
ing. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS/Multi Terrain ABS is acti-vated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS/Multi Terrain ABS is
activated.
■Reactivation of the TRAC or Active TRAC/VSC systems after turning off the
engine
Turning off the engine after turning off the TRAC or Active TRAC/VSC systems
will automatically reactivate them.
■Reactivation of the TRAC or Active TRAC system linked to vehicle speed
When only the TRAC or Active TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC or Active
TRAC system will turn on when vehicle speed increases. However, when both
TRAC or Active TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, the systems will not turn on
even when vehicle speed increases.

356
2-5. Driving information
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
CAUTION
■Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death, serious
injury or damage to your vehicle:
●Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving in
dangerous places.
●Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump could
jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and especially your
thumbs on the outside of the rim.
●Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in sand,
mud, water or snow.
●After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc., check that there is no
grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped on the underbody.
Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the vehicle is used with these
materials trapped or adhering to the underbody, a breakdown or fire could occur.
●When driving off-road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive speeds,
jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or vehi-
cle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also risking expensive dam-
age to your vehicle’s suspension and chassis.

363
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
CAUTION
■Capacity and distribution
●Do not exceed the maximum axle weight rating or the total vehicle weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occupant’s weight and the cargo load is less than the total
load capacity, do not apply the load unevenly. Improper loading may cause dete-
rioration of steering or braking control which may cause death or serious injury.
■When loading cargo
Observe the following precautions:
●Place the cargo so that its weight is distributed evenly between the front and rear
axles.
●If loading long or wide cargo, never exceed the vehicle overall length or width.
(→ P. 7 5 2 )
●Before driving, make sure the cargo is securely fastened to the roof luggage car-
rier.
●Loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier will make the center of gravity of the
vehicle higher. Avoid high speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden braking or
abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it may result in loss of control or vehicle rollover
due to failure to operate this vehicle correctly and result in death or serious injury.
●If driving for a long distance, on rough roads, or at high speeds, stop the vehicle
now and then during the trip to make sure the cargo remains in its place.
●Do not exceed 176lb. (80 kg) cargo weight on the roof luggage carrier.
NOTICE
■When loading cargo
Be careful not to scratch the surface of the moon roof.

365
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information label.
(→ P. 6 3 5 )
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires, but also degrade steering and braking
ability, resulting in an accident.

381
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
Trailer towing tipsYour vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. Help to avoid an
accident, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind when towing:
● Speed limits for towing a trailer vary by state or province. Do not
exceed the posted towing speed limit.
● Lexus recommends that the vehicle-trailer speed limit is 65 mph (104
km/h) on a flat, straight, dry road. Do not exceed this limit, the posted
towing speed limit or the speed limit for your trailer as set forth in your
trailer owner’s manual, whichever is lowest. Instability of the towing
vehicle-trailer combination (trailer sway) increases as speed increases.
Exceeding speed limits may cause loss of control.
● Before starting out, check the trailer lights, tires 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-trailer combination.
● 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.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in the trailer jackknif-
ing and loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or slippery
surfaces.

382
2-5. Driving information
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)●
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
wider than normal turning radius.
● Slow down before making a turn, in crosswinds, on wet or slippery sur-
faces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.
● 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 put the transmission in D.
Transmission shift range position must be in 5 in the S mode.
● Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do not
make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long downhill
grades.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes
too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.
● 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. 744)

385
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
■AVS (adaptive variable suspension system)
The suspension can be switched for improvement in driveability. (→P. 3 2 1 )
■Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components (such as
an engine, transmission, differential or wheel bearing), Lexus recommends that you
do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km), you can start tow-
ing. However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the vehicle at a speed of less
than 50 mph (80 km/h) when towing a trailer, and avoid full throttle acceleration.
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. (See “Owner’s Guide”, “Warranty and Services Guide”,
“Owner’s Manual Supplement” or “Warranty Booklet”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
■If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can adversely
affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability.
●If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer swaying by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very gradually to reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle and
trailer should stabilize.

390
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Front automatic air conditioning system ........... 392
Rear automatic air conditioning system ........... 407
Rear window defogger switch ........................................ 411
Windshield wiper de-icer ..................................... 412
3-2. Using the audio system Audio system............................ 413
Using the radio ........................ 415
Using the CD player ............. 423
Playing MP3 and WMA discs ............................ 431
Operating an iPod ................. 440
Operating a USB memory.................................. 448
Optimal use of the audio system ...................................... 457
Using the AUX port.............. 459
Using the steering wheel audio switches...................... 460