2014 Lexus GX460 Owner's Manual

GX 460 _O M_ OM6 0K 80 U_ (U)
1674-1. Before driving
4
Driving
●A recommended tongue weight varies in accordance with the types of trailers
or towing as described below.
●To ensure the recommended values shown below, the trailer must be loaded
by referring to the following instructions.•Tongue Weight
The gross trailer weight should be distributed so that the tongue weight is
9 % to 11 %. (Tongue weight/Gross trailer weight × 100 = 9 % to 11 %)
Gross trailer weight
To n g u e w e i g h t
If using a weight distributing hitch when towing, return the front axle to the
same weight as before the trailer connection.
If front axle weight cannot be measured directly, measure the front fender
height above the front axle before connection. Adjust weight distributing
hitch torque until front fender is returned to the same height as before con-
nection.
The gross trailer weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight can be mea-
sured with platform scales found at a highway weighing station, building
supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.
Trailer Tongue Weight
1
2
GX460_OM_OM60K80U_(U).book Page 167 Wednesday, July 3, 2013 11:40 AM

168
GX 460 _O M_ OM6 0K 80 U_ (U)4-1. Before driving
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities. Lexus recommends the
use of Lexus hitch/bracket for your vehicle. For details, contact your Lexus
dealer.
●If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Lexus dealer.
●Use only a hitch that conforms to the gross trailer weight requirement of your
vehicle.
●Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
●Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coating of grease.
●Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer. After removing
the hitch, seal any mounting hole in the vehicle body to prevent entry of any
substances into the vehicle.
Hitch
GX460_OM_OM60K80U_(U).book Page 168 Wednesday, July 3, 2013 11:40 AM

GX 460 _O M_ OM6 0K 80 U_ (U)
1694-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Use the correct trailer ball for your application.Trailer ball load rating
Matches or exceeds the gross trailer
weight rating of the trailer.
Ball diameter
Matches the size of the trailer coupler.
Most couplers are stamped with the
required trailer ball size.
Shank length
Protrudes beyond the bottom of the
lock washer and nut by at least 2
threads.
Shank diameter
Matches the ball mount hole diameter
size.
Selecting trailer ball
Trailer classTypical trailer ball size
IV2 5/16 in.
II and III2 in.
I1 7/8 in.
1
2
3
4
GX460_OM_OM60K80U_(U).book Page 169 Wednesday, July 3, 2013 11:40 AM

170
GX 460 _O M_ OM6 0K 80 U_ (U)4-1. Before driving
Weight carrying ball position:
50.5 in. (1282.9 mm)
Hitch receiver pin hole position:
44.1 in. (1120.4 mm)
Use the wire harness stored in the rear
end under the vehicle body.
Please consult your dealer when installing trailer lights, as incorrect installation
may cause damage to the vehicle’s lights. Please take care to comply with your
state’s laws when installing trailer lights.
Positions for towing hitch receiver and hitch ball
1
2
Connecting trailer lights
GX460_OM_OM60K80U_(U).book Page 170 Wednesday, July 3, 2013 11:40 AM

GX 460 _O M_ OM6 0K 80 U_ (U)
1714-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Stop your vehicle and a trailer in line and perform the following:
●Connecting a trailerSet the rear height control air suspension to N mode.
Turn off the engine switch or the rear height control air suspension.
Connect the trailer.
Turn on the switch that was turned off on step .
●Disconnecting a trailerSet the rear height control air suspension to N mode.
Turn off the rear height control air suspension.
Turn off the engine switch.
Set the supporting leg of the trailer on the ground and raise the hitch by
4 in. (100 mm)
Turn on the engine switch.
Turn on the rear height control air suspension.
Wait until vehicle height is stabilized.
Make sure the hitch is disconnected. If the hitch does not disconnect, raise the
hitch higher and repeat steps through .
Connecting and disconnecting a trailer
1
2
3
42
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
27
GX460_OM_OM60K80U_(U).book Page 171 Wednesday, July 3, 2013 11:40 AM

172
GX 460 _O M_ OM6 0K 80 U_ (U)4-1. Before driving
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. Help to avoid an acci-
dent, 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 man-
ual, 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 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 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 dis-
tance 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 jackknifing and
loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.
Trailer towing tips
GX460_OM_OM60K80U_(U).book Page 172 Wednesday, July 3, 2013 11:40 AM

GX 460 _O M_ OM6 0K 80 U_ (U)
1734-1. Before driving
4
Driving
●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 surfaces,
etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.
●Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires considerable dis-
tance. 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 efficien cy and charging system performance
when using engine braking, do not put the transmission in D.
If in the S mode, the transmission shift range position must be in 5 or lower.
●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 fre-
quently. 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, imme-
diately turn off the air conditioning (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and
stop in a safe spot. (→ P. 5 4 8 )
GX460_OM_OM60K80U_(U).book Page 173 Wednesday, July 3, 2013 11:40 AM

174
GX 460 _O M_ OM6 0K 80 U_ (U)4-1. Before driving
●Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s 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’s and trailer’s
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 P, start the engine. Be sure to keep the brake pedal
pressed.
Shift into 3, 2, L, or R (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.
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
GX460_OM_OM60K80U_(U).book Page 174 Wednesday, July 3, 2013 11:40 AM