warning Lexus IS300 2005 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2005 IS300 (OM53489U) Owner's Guide

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
139
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes withoutconsulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes caninterfere with proper operation of the SRS side airbagand curtain shield airbag system in some cases.
Installation of electronic devices such as a mobiletwo±way radio, cassette tape player or compact disc
player.
Modification of the suspension system.
Modification of the side structure of the passenger compartment.
Repairs made on or near the console or front seat.
SV16061
The indicator comes on when the ignition switch is turned
to the ªACCº or ªONº position. It goes off after about 6
seconds. This means the SRS side airbags and curtain
shield airbags are operating properly.
The warning light system monitors the airbag sensor
assembly, front airbag sensors, side and curtain shield airbag
sensors, seat belt pretensioner assemblies, inflators, warning
light, interconnecting wiring and power sources. (For details,
see ªService reminder indicators and warning buzzersº on
page 48.)
If any of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a
malfunction of the airbags or seat belt pretensioners. Contact
your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
 The light does not come on when the ignition key is turned
to the ªACCº or ªONº position or remains on for more than 6 seconds or flashes.
 The light comes on or flashes while driving.
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243
Warning tone sounds twice in any of the following cases:

You attempt to downshift the transmission when it is not
possible to downshift due to the high vehicle speed.
 You attempt to downshift from ª2º position.
 You attempt to upshift from ª5º position.
If the ªMº indicator flashes, there is a problem somewhere
in the system. In this case, it should be noted that you
cannot downshift or upshift the transmission using the
switches on the steering wheel. Consult with your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible. The transmission works
exactly in the same way as when you put the selector lever
in the ªDº position.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface. The
abrupt change in engine speed could cause the vehicle
to skid or spin.
(c) Using engine braking
SV31023
To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the
transmission in the way described below:
1Shift into the ªMº position, and you push the transmission
down shift switch. The transmission will downshift to
fourth gear and engine braking will be obtained. This is
effective only when you are driving in the ªDº position or
in fifth gear (ªMº position).
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from ª5º to ª4º, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cruise control is not cancelled. If you
need to decrease the vehicle speed, see page 251.
2Shift into the ª3º position. The transmission will downshift
to third gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes lower
than the speed listed below and stronger engine braking
will be obtained.
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251
4Resetting to a slower speed
Press the control lever downward in the ªSET/COASTº
direction and hold it. Release the lever when the desired speed
is attained. While the lever is held downward, the vehicle
speed will gradually decrease.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and the
set speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the set speed can be
lowered 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time by pressing the control
lever downward in the ªSET/COASTº direction quickly within
0.6 seconds.
However, a quicker way to reset is to depress the brake pedal
and then press the control lever downward in the
ªSET/COASTº direction.
Automatic transmission: Even if you downshift the
transmission from the ªDº position to ªMº with the cruise control
on, engine braking will not be applied because the cruise
control is not cancelled. To decrease the vehicle speed, reset
to a slower speed with the cruise control lever or depress the
brake pedal. If you use the brake pedal, cruise control is
cancelled.
5Resuming the preset speed
If the preset speed is cancelled by pulling the control lever or
by depressing the brake pedal, pushing the lever up in the
ªRES/ACCº direction will restore the speed set prior to
cancellation. However, once the vehicle speed falls below
about 40 km/h (25 mph), the preset speed will not be resumed.
Cruise control failure warning
If the ªCRUISEº indicator light in the instrument cluster flashes
five times and then goes out when using the cruise control, it
means that there is trouble in the cruise control system.
Contact your Lexus dealer.
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253
The slip indicator light comes on for a few seconds when the
ignition key is turned to ªONº. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on, contact your Lexus
dealer.
Traction control off mode
SV31033
If your wheels get stuck in a ditch when you are driving on
a severe off road and sand, turn off the traction control
system. This system that controls engine performance
interferes with the process of freeing your wheels.
To turn off: Push ªTRAC OFFº switch.
The ªTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light will come on.
The vehicle stability control system is always activated, even
if the traction control system is turned off.
To turn on: Push ªTRAC OFFº switch once again.
The ªTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light will go off.
ªTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light comes on for a few
seconds when the ign
ition key is turned to ªONº. It will come on
again when you push the ªTRAC OFFº switch to turn off the
system.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
254In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:

The light does not come on when the ignition key is turned
to ªONº.
 The light remains on after the ignition is turned on.
 The light comes on with the normal driving mode while
driving.
ªVSCº warning light
SV31042
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in the
vehicle stability control system or traction control system.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to ªONº
and will go off after a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the vehicle stability control
system and traction control system do not work. However, as
conventional braking operates when the brake is applied, there
is no problem to continue your driving.
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:
 The light does not come on after the ignition key is turned
to ªONº.
 The light remains on after the ignition key is turned to ªONº.
 The light comes on while driving.
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The ªTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light will come on when the
ªVSCº warning light comes on even if the ªTRAC OFFº switch
is not pushed.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
(Without vehicle stability control system)
The traction control system automatically helps prevent
the spinning of rear wheels when the vehicle is started or
accelerated on slippery road surfaces.
When the ignition key is turned to ªONº, the system
automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of
the vehicle and power against rear wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction control system is
in operation. Do not drive the vehicle under any speed
or maneuvering conditions which may cause the
vehicle to lose traction control. In situations where the
road surface is covered with ice or snow, your vehicle
should be fitted with snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious speed for the
present road conditions.
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257
Traction control off mode
SV31036
If your wheels get stuck in a ditch when you are driving on
a severe off road and sand, turn off the traction control
system. This system that controls engine performance
interferes with the process of freeing your wheels.
To turn off: Push ªTRAC OFFº switch.
The ªTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light will come on.
To turn on: Push ªTRAC OFFº switch once again.
The ªTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light will go off.
SV31043
ªTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light
This light also warns that there is a problem somewhere in the
traction control system.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to ªONº
and will go off after a few seconds. It will come on again when
you push the ªTRAC OFFº switch to turn off the system.
If the light comes on with the normal driving mode while driving,
the system does not work. However, as conventional braking
operates when the brake is applied, there is no problem to
continue your driving.
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:
The light does not come on when the ignition key is turned
to ªONº
 The light remains on after the ignition is turned on.
 The light comes on with the normal driving mode while
driving.
 The light flashes.
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259
SV31037

Slip indicator light
If the vehicle is going to skid during driving, the slip indicator
light blinks and an alarm sounds intermittently. Special care
should be taken while driving.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few seconds when the
ignition key is turned to ªONº. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on, contact your Lexus
dealer.
ªVSCº warning light
SV31042
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in the
vehicle stability control system or traction control system.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to ªONº
and will go off after a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the vehicle stability control
system and traction control system do not work. However, as
conventional braking operates when the brake is applied, there
is no problem to continue your driving.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
260In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:

The light does not come on after the ignition key is turned
to ªONº.
 The light remains on after the ignition key is turned to ªONº.
 The light comes on while driving.
The ªTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light will come on when the
ªVSCº warning light comes on even if the ªTRAC OFFº switch
is not pushed.
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM
The electronic throttle control system always maintains
appropriate engine output in relation to the accelerator
opening in all driving conditions.
SV31038
You can select the snow mode by pushing the ªSNOWº
switch. The ªSNOWº indicator light will come on.
Snow mode: Decreases the engine output to minimize rear
wheel spinning on snowcovered or slippery roads.
To return to the normal mode, push the ªSNOWº switch again.
The ªSNOWº indicator light will go off.
When you turn the ignition switch off in the snow mode, the
mode automatically changes to the normal mode.
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261
BRAKE SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake system is a hydraulic
system with two separate sub±systems. If either sub±system
should fail, the other will still work. However, the pedal will be
harder to press, and your stopping distance will increase. Also,
the brake system warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake
system. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Brake booster
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to power±assist the
brakes. If the engine should quit while you are driving, you can
bring the vehicle to a stop with normal pedal pressure. There
is enough reserved vacuum for one or two stops but no more!
CAUTION
Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls. Each
push on the pedal uses up your reserved vacuum.
 Even if the power assist is completely lost, the brakes
will still work. But you will have to push the pedal
hard, much harder than normal. And your braking
distance will increase.
Anti±lock brake system
The anti±lock brake system is designed to automatically
help prevent lock±up of the wheels during a sudden
braking or braking on slippery road surfaces. This assists
in providing directional stability and steering
performance of the vehicle under these circumstances.
Effective way to press the ABS brake pedal: When the
anti±lock brake system function is in action, you may feel the
brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise. In this situation, to
let the anti±lock brake system work for you, just hold the
brake pedal down more firmly. Do not pump the brake in a
panic stop. This will result in reduced braking performance.
The anti±lock brake system becomes operative after the
vehicle has accelerated to a speed in excess of approximately
10 km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the vehicle
decelerates to a speed below approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
Depressing the brake pedal on slippery road surfaces such as
on a manhole cover, a steel plate at a construction site, joints
in a bridge, etc. on a rainy day tends to activate the anti±lock
brake system.
You may hear a click or motor sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the engine is started or
just after the vehicle begins to move. This means that the
anti±lock brake system is in the self±check mode, and does not
indicate a malfunction.
When the anti±lock brake system is activated, the
following conditions may occur. They do not indicate a
malfunction of the system:
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