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4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
■ GCWR (Gross Combination
Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross combi-
nation weight. The gross combination
weight is the sum of the total vehicle
weight (including the occupants, cargo
and any optional equipment installed
on the vehicle) and the weight of the
trailer being towed (including the
cargo in the trailer).
● 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, which-
ever is lowest. Slow down sufficiently
before making a turn, in cross winds,
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 experi-
ence 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 sur-
faces.
● Do not exceed the trailer hitch assem-
bly weight, gross vehicle weight, gross
axle weight and trailer tongue weight
capacities.
● Do not use dynamic radar cruise con-
trol or cruise control when trailer tow-
ing.
● 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 downhills. Before
descending steep or long downhill
grades, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts 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.
■ 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 applica-
ble federal and state/provincial regu-
lations.
● 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 wan-
dering into another lane.
Towing related terms
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