jmhco

I have an ES300 2001 that I am towing all four wheels down behind my moterhome. The owner's manual states that it is ok to tow but one must stop every 200 miles and run the engine for at least 3 minutes. Does anyone know why this is necessary and if stopping overnight will do the same thing. I am assuming it is a heat build up problem. But I am not sure. Thanks for any help or information.

JMHCO

LeX2K

Where abouts in the manual does it say that? I looked through mine and didn't see anything like that. It did say in bold letters never to tow the car with the front wheels on the ground.

I've always been taught that you will damage the transmission if you tow the car for more than a few miles with the front wheels turning.

jmhco

My ES 300 is a 2001 so that may be the reason but on page 193 of the 2001 owners manual that came with the car it clearly states that it can be towed with 4 wheels on the ground. I also called lexus and they agreed but could not tell me why the engine needs to be run after 200 miles.

LeX2K

Your assumption that it is a heat issue and running the engine to cool things down sounds reasonable. Or it could just be to get the oil moving again to ensure proper lubrication. I personally would be very nervous about towing my car on all 4 wheels, but that's just me.

I checked page 193 in my manual, nothing about it being towed, just information on how to tow a trailer properly. But different year, different country.