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GX460_OM_OM60Q84U_(U)
1854-1. 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 fo rget 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 st eep 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, yo ur 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 temperat ure 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. 562)
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GX460_OM_OM60Q84U_(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 afte r parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the en gine. 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
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GX460_OM_OM60Q84U_(U)4-1. Before driving
■AVS (adaptive variable suspension system)
The suspension can be switched fo
r improvement in driveability. (P. 345)
■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 towing.
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 addi-
tional load. (See “Owner’s Guide”, “Warranty and Services Guide”, “Owner’s Manual
Supplement” or “Warranty Booklet”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ba ll and bracket after approximately 600 miles
(1000 km) of trailer towing.
■If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing ve hicles, rough roads, etc.) can adversely
affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability.
●If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wh eel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer sway ing by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal im mediately but very gradually to reduce
speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the st eering or brakes, your vehicle and trailer
should stabilize.
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GX460_OM_OM60Q84U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Engine (ignition) switch
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
The engine switch indicator will turn green.
If the indicator does not turn gree
n, the engine cannot be started.
Press the engine switch shortly and
firmly.
When operating the engine switch, one
short, firm press is enough.
It is not necessary to press and hold the
switch.
The engine will crank until it starts or for
up to 30 seconds, whichever is less.
Continue depressing the brake pedal
until the engine is completely started.
The engine can be started from any
engine switch mode.
Performing the following operations wh en carrying the electronic key on your
person starts the engine or changes engine switch modes.
Starting the engine
1
2
3
4
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GX460_OM_OM60Q84U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
Stop the vehicle.
Set the parking brake (
P. 205), and shift the shift lever to P.
Press the engine switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that the indicator on the engine switch is
off.
Modes can be changed by pressing the en gine switch with brake pedal released.
(The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
Off
*
The emergency flashers can be used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as the
audio system can be used.
The engine switch indicator turns
amber.
IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be used.
The engine switch indicator turns
amber.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other thanP when turning off the engine, the
engine switch will be turned to ACCES-
SORY mode, not to OFF.
Stopping the engine
Changing engine switch modes
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
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GX460_OM_OM60Q84U_(U)
1954-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P, the engine
switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. Per-
form the following procedure to turn the switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that the indicator on the engine switch is illuminated in amber and then
press the engine switch once.
Check that the indicator on the engine switch is off.
■Auto power off function
When the shift lever is in P, if the vehicl e is left in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode
with the engine not running for more than 20 minutes (ACCESSORY mode) or one
hour (IGNITION ON mode), the engine switch will automatically turn off. However, this
function cannot entirely prevent battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with the
engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for long periods of time when
the engine is not running.
■Electronic key battery depletion
P. 100
■Conditions affe cting operation
P. 121
■Note for the entry function
P. 122
■If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system ma y not have been deactivated. (P. 77)
Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the steering wheel
will be locked due to the steering lock func tion. Operating the engine switch again auto-
matically cancels the steering lock.
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other than P
1
2
3
4
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GX460_OM_OM60Q84U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from over
heating, the motor may be suspended if the
engine is turned on and off re peatedly in a short period of time. In this case, refrain from
running the engine. After about 10 seconds, the steering lock motor will resume func-
tioning.
■When the engine switch in dicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have th e vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer,
immediately.
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 489
■Operation of the engine switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the engine switch mode may not change
or the engine may not start.
●If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the engine switch off, the
engine may not start in some cases. After turning the engine switch off, please wait a
few seconds before restarting the engine.
■If the smart access system with push-button start has been deactivated in a customized
setting
P. 556
The green indicator light on the engine switch
will flash and a message will be shown on the
multi-information display. Press the engine
switch again while turning the steering wheel
left and right.
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GX460_OM_OM60Q84U_(U)
1974-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
CAUTION
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the accelerator
pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the doors until
the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering lock in this cir-
cumstance may lead to an accident, re sulting in death or serious injury.
■Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle, press and hold
the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly 3 times or more in succes-
sion. ( P. 509)
However, do not touch the engi ne switch while driving except in an emergency. Turning
the engine off while driving will not cause lo ss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. Th is will make it more difficult to steer and
brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
●Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for long
periods of time without the engine running.
●If the indicator on the engine switch is illu minated, the engine switch is not off. When
exiting the vehicle, always check that the engine switch is off.
●Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If the engine is
stopped in another shift lever position, the engine switch will not be turned off but
instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY
mode, battery discharge may occur.
■When starting the engine
●Do not race a cold engine.
●If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehicle checked
by your Lexus dealer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfun ction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differen tly than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, ther e may be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.