2008 Lexus ES 350 Owners Manual - Page 221

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2-5. Driving information

2

Trailer towing tips

Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. The three main

causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed and

improper trailer loading. Keep these in mind when towing.

●

Before starting out, check the trailer’s lights and the vehicle-trailer

connections. 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.

●

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.

NOTICE

■

Safety chain

A safety chain must always be used between the towing vehicle and the trailer.

Leave sufficient slack in the chain for turns. The chain should cross under the trailer

tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground in the case that it

becomes damaged or separated. For the correct safety chain installation proce-

dure, ask your Lexus dealer.

■

Do not directly splice trailer lights

Directly splicing may damage your vehicle's electrical system and cause a malfunc-

tion.