LEXUS GX 460 (2019 year). Instruction - part 12

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Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.

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Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before making a turn.

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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 efficiency 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.

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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. 562)

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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.

4
5

2
3

187

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Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler height

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Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:

●

Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. (

P. 576)

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Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recommendation.

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All trailer lights work as required by law.

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All lights work each time you connect them.

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The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.

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The trailer is level when it is hitched.

Do not drive if the trailer is not level, and check for improper tongue weight, overload-

ing, worn suspension, or other possible causes.

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The trailer cargo is securely loaded.

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The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or local regula-

tions. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes.

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 coupler on the

trailer.

Trailer ball
Coupler

188

■

AVS (adaptive variable suspension system)
The suspension can be switched for improvement in driveability. (

P. 345)

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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.

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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 ball and bracket after approximately 600 miles

(1000 km) of trailer towing.

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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.

189

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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 overloaded 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 vehi-

cle-trailer increases as speed increases.

CAUTION

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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 acci-

dent resulting in death or serious injury. Vehicle stability and braking performance 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 rear height control air suspen-

sion 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.

190

CAUTION

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To avoid accident or injury

●

Do not exceed the TWR, unbraked TWR, GCWR, GVWR or GAWR.

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If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lb. (907 kg), a sway control device with suffi-

cient capacity is required.

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If the gross trailer weight is over 5000 lb. (2268 kg), a weight distributing hitch with

sufficient capacity is required.

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Adjust the tongue weight within the appropriate range. Place heavier loads as close

to the trailer axle as possible.

●

Do not exceed 65 mph (104 km/h), the posted towing speed limit or the speed limit

for your trailer as set forth in your trailer owner’s manual, whichever is lowest. Slow

down sufficiently before making a turn, in crosswinds, on wet or slippery surface, etc.

to help avoid an accident. If you experience a vehicle-trailer instability from reducing

a certain speed, slow down and make sure you keep your vehicle speed under the

speed of which you experience the instability.

●

Do not make jerky, abrupt or sharp turns.

●

Do not apply the brakes suddenly as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and loss of

vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.

●

Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle

weight and trailer tongue weight capacities.

●

Do not use cruise control when towing.

●

Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill grades. Do not

make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long downhill grades.

●

Vehicle-trailer instability is more likely on steep long down hills. Before descending

steep or long downhill grades, slow down and downshift. Do not make sudden down-

shifts when 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.

191

CAUTION

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Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the hitch manu-

facturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of towing a higher weight,

the operator must determine the maximum weight rating of the particular hitch assem-

bly and never exceed the maximum weight rating specified for the trailer-hitch.

Exceeding the maximum weight rating set by the trailer-hitch manufacturer can cause

an accident resulting in death or serious personal injuries.

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When towing a trailer
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable federal and

state/provincial regulations.

●

If the gross trailer weight exceeds unbraked TWR, trailer brakes are required. Lexus

recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all applicable federal and state/pro-

vincial regulations.

●

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.

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 directly splice trailer lights
Do not directly splice trailer lights. Directly splicing trailer lights may damage your

vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction.

192

Dinghy towing

Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the ground)
behind a motor home.

NOTICE

■

To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.

193

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 green, 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 when carrying the electronic key on your
person starts the engine or changes engine switch modes.

Starting the engine

2
3

194

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 engine 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 than

P 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

2
3
4

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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 vehicle 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 affecting operation
P. 121

■

Note for the entry function
P. 122

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If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (

P. 77)

Contact your Lexus dealer.

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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 function. 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

2
3

196

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When the steering lock cannot be released

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Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be suspended if the

engine is turned on and off repeatedly 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 indicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer,

immediately.

■

If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 489

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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.

197

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, resulting 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 engine switch while driving except in an emergency. Turning

the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the

power assist to these systems will be lost. This 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 illuminated, 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 malfunction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual, such as the

switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus dealer immedi-

ately.

198

Automatic transmission

While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, move the shift lever
with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is
completely stopped.

: Shifting to the D position allows the system to select a gear suitable for the driving

conditions. Setting the shift lever to the D position is recommended for normal driv-
ing.

: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possible gear

ranges, controls engine braking forces, and prevents unnecessary upshifting.

Shifting the shift lever

Shift position purpose

Shift position

Purpose and condition

Parking the vehicle/starting the engine

Reversing

Neutral

(Condition in which the power is not transmitted)

Normal driving

S mode driving

(

P. 200)

199