2014 LEXUS LX570 trailer

3892-5. Driving information
2
When driving
LX570_OM_OM60L21U_(U) Connecting and disconnecting a trailer
Stop your vehicle and a trailer in line and perform the following:
● Connecting a trailer
Put the 4-Wheel AHC in the “LO” (low) mode.
Turn off the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the 4-Wheel
AHC.
Connect a trailer.
Turn on the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the 4-Wheel
AHC.
Select the “N” (normal) mode with the height select switch. When a vehicle loaded with four occupants tows a trailer of about
4000 lb. (1800 kg) with more than about 400 lb. (180 kg) tongue
load, the normal mode may not be se lected. However, there is no prob-
lem to continue normal driving. Dr ive with sufficient care because of
large load. STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5

3902-5. Driving information
LX570_OM_OM60L21U_(U) ● Disconnecting a trailer
Put the 4-Wheel AHC in the “LO” (low) mode. (Make sure the
vehicle height is in the “LO” mode by pulling the switch to “  ” on
the height select switch.)
Turn off the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the 4-Wheel
AHC.
Set the supporting leg of a trail er on the ground and raise the
hitch by 4 in. (100 mm).
Turn on the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the 4-Wheel
AHC.
Wait for about 20 seconds until th e rear vehicle height is lowered
by the automatic leveling function.
Make sure the hitch is disconnected. If not, raise the hitch higher
and repeat steps 2 through 5.
Move the vehicle forward in the “LO” mode where the hitch does
not touch anything in the “N” (normal) mode.
Put the 4-Wheel AHC in the “N” mode. STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 6
STEP 7
STEP 8

3912-5. Driving information
2
When driving
LX570_OM_OM60L21U_(U) Trailer towing tips
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. In order to avoid
an accident, death or serious injury, k eep the following in mind when tow-
ing:
● Speed limits for towing a trailer va ry 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 trail er lights, tires and the vehicle-trailer
connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and reversing with th e trailer attached in an
area away from traffic until you be come 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 yo ur hand to the right to move the
trailer to the right. (This is gene rally opposite to reversing without a
trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have someone
guide you when reversing to redu ce 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 the trailer jackknif-
ing and loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or slippery
surfaces.

3922-5. Driving information
LX570_OM_OM60L21U_(U) ● 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 tr ailer wheels will be closer than the
vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Co mpensate 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 ca n destabilize the trailer.
● Take care when passing other vehi cles. 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”.
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 frequently. This could cause th e 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 eng ine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, immediately turn off th e air conditioning (if in use), pull
your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. (  P. 873)

3932-5. Driving information
2
When driving
LX570_OM_OM60L21U_(U) ● Always place wheel bloc ks under both the vehi cle’s and the trailer’s
wheels when parking. Apply the pa rking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in “P”. Avoi d parking on a slope, bu t 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 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 “P”, start the engine. Be su re to keep the
brake pedal pressed.
Shift into “D” or “R” (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. STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4

3942-5. Driving information
LX570_OM_OM60L21U_(U) ■
Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler height
■
Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met: ●
Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. (  P. 8 8 9 )●
Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recommenda-
tion. ●
All trailer lights work as required by law. ●
All lights work each time you connect them. ●
The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer. ●
The trailer is level when it is hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not level, and check for improper tongue weight,
overloading, worn suspension , or other possible causes.●
The trailer cargo is securely loaded. ●
The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or local
regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for towing pur-
poses. No matter which class of tow hitch applies,
for a more safe trailer hookup, the trailer ball
setup must be the proper height for the cou-
pler on the trailer.
Trailer ball
Coupler

3952-5. Driving information
2
When driving
LX570_OM_OM60L21U_(U) ■
AVS (adaptive variable suspension system)
The suspension can be switched for improvement in driveability. (  P. 3 2 9 )■
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 traile r, 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 peda l 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. (if enabled, Trailer Sway Control can also help to stabilize the
vehicle and trailer.)

3962-5. Driving information
LX570_OM_OM60L21U_(U) ●
After the trailer swaying has stopped:
• Stop in a safe place. Get all occupants out of the vehicle.
• Check the tires of the vehicle and the trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer.
Make sure the load has not shifted.
Make sure the tongue weight is appropriate, if possible.
• Check the load in the vehicle.
Make sure the vehicle is not ov erloaded after occupants get in.
If you cannot find any problems, the speed at which trailer swaying occurred is
beyond the limit of your particular vehicle-trailer combination.
Drive at a lower speed to prevent instability. Remember that swaying of the towing
vehicle-trailer increases as speed increases.
CAUTION■
Trailer towing precautions ●
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accordance with
the trailer’s characteristics and operating conditions. Failure to do so could cause
an accident resulting in death or seriou s injury. Vehicle stability and braking per-
formance are affected by trailer stability, brake setting and performance, and the
hitch. Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer.●
Set the vehicle height to the “LO” mode and turn off the 4-Wheel AHC when you
connect a trailer, otherwise the vehicle height may change due to the automatic
leveling function, and you may catch part of your body in the vehicle, resulting in
an accident. (  P. 3 1 8 )