Lexus GS450h Owner's Manual page 214

214
4-1. Before driving
Guidance
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. In order to avoid acci-
dent, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind when towing:
Checking connections between trailer and lights
■
Stop the vehicle and check the operation of the connection between the
trailer and lights after driving for a brief period as well as before starting off.
Practicing driving with a coupled trailer
■
Get the feel for turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer coupled by
●
practicing in an area with no or light traffic.
When reversing with a coupled trailer, hold the section of the steering
●
wheel nearest to you and rotate clockwise to turn the trailer left or counter-
clockwise to turn it right. Always rotate a little at a time to prevent steering
error. Have someone guide you when reversing to lessen the risk of an
accident.
Increasing vehicle-to-vehicle distance
■
At a speed of 10 km/h (6 mph), the distance to the vehicle running ahead of
you should be equivalent to or greater than the combined length of your vehi-
cle and trailer. Avoid sudden braking that may cause skidding. Otherwise, the
vehicle may spin out of control. This is especially true when driving on wet or
slippery road surfaces.
Sudden acceleration/steering input/cornering
■
Executing sharp turns when towing may result in the trailer colliding with your
vehicle. Decelerate well in advance when approaching turns and take them
slowly and carefully to avoid sudden braking.
Important points regarding turning
■
The wheels of the trailer will travel closer to the inside of the curve than the
wheels of the vehicle. To make allowance for this, take the turns wider than you
would normally do.
Important points regarding stability
■
Vehicle movement resulting from uneven road surfaces and strong cross-
winds will affect handling. The vehicle may also be rocked by passing buses or
large trucks. Frequently check behind when moving alongside such vehicles.
As soon as such vehicle movement occurs, immediately start to decelerate
smoothly by slowly applying the brakes. Always steer the vehicle straight
ahead while braking.
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