automatic LEXUS RX330 2006 Owners Manual

AUDIO
370
Power outlet (115 VAC)
This power outlet is designed for use as a power supply
for the audio device connected to the input terminal
adapter.
The key must be in the “ON” position for the power outlet to be
used.
The maximum capacity for this power outlet is 115 VAC/100W.
If you attempt to use an appliance that requires more than 115
VAC or 100W, the protection circuit will activate and cut the
power supply. The power supply will restart automatically
when you use an appliance that operates within the 115
VAC/100W limits.
 Main switch
To use the power outlet, push the main switch on the
instrument panel.
An indicator light will illuminate to indicate that the power outlet
is ready for use.
Push the main switch once again to turn the power outlet off.
When the power outlet is not in use, make sure that the main
switch is turned off.
NOTICE
 To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not
use the power outlet longer than necessary when the
engine is not running.

SECTION 3 – 1
381
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three−way catalytic converters382
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution 384
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 385
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch 385
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Parking brake 387
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
How to start the engine 388
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission (standard type) 389
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission (multi −mode type) 398
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear view monitor system 408
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 412
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Dynamic laser cruise control 416
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronically modulated air suspension 437
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction control system (two− wheel drive models) 449
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction control system (four −wheel drive models) 453
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle stability control system 455
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 458
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Tire pressure warning system 462
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pad wear limit indicators 465
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

STARTING AND DRIVING
386“ACC” — Accessories such as the radio operate, but the
engine is off.
If you leave the key in the “ACC” or “LOCK” position and open
the driver’s door, a buzzer will remind you to remove the key.
“LOCK” —
Engine is off and the steering wheel is locked.
The ignition key can be removed only at this position.
You must push in the key to turn it from “ACC” to the “LOCK”
position. The selector lever must be put in the “P” position
before turning the key to the “LOCK” position.
Once you remove the key, the engine immobilizer system is
automatically set. See “Engine immobilizer system” on page
16.
When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the
“LOCK” position. To free it, first be sure the key is pushed all
the way in, and then rock the steering wheel slightly while
turning the key gently.
If, in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while the
vehicle is moving, turn the key only to “ACC”.
If is not a malfunction if the needles on all meters and gauges
move slightly when the key is turned tp the “ACC”, “ON” or
“START” position.

STARTING AND DRIVING
388
HOW TO START THE ENGINE
Before cranking
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Put the selector lever in “P”. If you need to restart the engine
while the vehicle is moving, put the selector lever in “N”. A
starter safety device will prevent the starter from operating if
the selector lever is in any drive position.
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until driving
off.
Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to follow the instructions in
“Before cranking”.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system in your engine automatically controls the
proper air −fuel mixture for starting. You can start a cold or hot
engine as follows:
With your foot off the accelerator pedal, crank the engine by
turning the key to “START”. Release it when the engine starts.
Engine should be warmed up by driving, not in idle. For
warming up, drive with the engine turning smoothly until engine
coolant temperature is within normal range.

STARTING AND DRIVING
389
If the engine stalls...
Simply restart it, using the correct procedure given in normal
starting.
If the engine will not start...
See “If your vehicle will not start” on page 494.
NOTICE

Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This
may overheat the starter and wiring systems.
 Do not race a cold engine.
 If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls
frequently, have the engine checked immediately.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
(standard type)
Your automatic transmission has a shift lock system to
minimize the possibility of incorrect operation. This
means you can only shift out of “P” position when the
brake pedal is depressed with the ignition switch in “ON”
position. ( )
31RY240

STARTING AND DRIVING
390
The shift position is displayed on the instrument
cluster.
P: Parking, engine starting and key removal position
R: Reverse position
N: Neutral position
D: Normal driving position (Shifting into overdrive possible)
4: Position for engine braking (Shifting into overdrive not
possible)
Vehicle with the cruise control —
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from “D” to “4”, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cruise control is not cancelled. For
vehicle speed reduction, see page 415.
Vehicle with the dynamic laser cruise control —
When the cruise control is being used in the
conventional (fixed speed) cruise control mode or in the
vehicle −to−vehicle distance control mode, even if you
downshift from “D” to “4”, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cruise control is not cancelled. For
vehicle speed reduction, see pages 427 and 436.
3, 2: Position for more powerful engine braking
L: Position for maximum engine braking Correct
use of the automatic transmission is explained in
the following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Using engine braking
(c) Using the “3”, “2” and “L” positions
(d) Backing up
(e) Parking
(f) Good driving practice
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
(h) Driving in snow mode

STARTING AND DRIVING
3923. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress
the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in first gear and
automatically shift up to the most suitable gear. On inclines,
declines
or winding roads, etc., the vehicle shifts up and down
automatically according to the running conditions to obtain the
suitable driving power and engine braking.
When the lever is in the “4” position, the automatic
transmission system will select the most suitable gear for the
running conditions such as hill climbing, hard towing, etc.
If you need to accelerate rapidly while driving, depress the
accelerator pedal to the full throttle position. This provides
more acceleration by automatically downshifting the
transmission to the next lower gear or beyond, depending on
the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a long hill,
see “(b) Using engine braking”.
(b) Using engine braking
To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the
transmission in the way described below:
1Shift into the “4” position. The transmission will downshift
to fourth gear and engine braking will be enabled.
Vehicle with the cruise control —
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from “D” to “4”, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cruise control is not cancelled. For
vehicle speed reduction, see page 415.

STARTING AND DRIVING
394
(c) Using the “3”, “2” and “L” positions
The “3”, “2” and “L” positions are used for strong engine\
braking
as described previously.
With the selector lever in “3”, “2” or “L”, you can start the vehicle
in motion as with the lever in “D”.
With the selector lever in “3” or “2”, the vehicle will start in firs\
t
gear and automatically shift to second gear or third gear.
With the selector lever in “L”, the transmission is engaged in
first gear.
NOTICE
 Be careful not to overrev the engine. Watch the
tachometer to keep engine rpm from going into the
red zone. The approximate maximum allowable
speed for each position is given below for your
reference.
“3” 144 km/h (90 mph). . . . . . . .
“2” 92 km/h (58 mph)
. . . . . . . . .
“L” 51 km/h (32 mph)
. . . . . . . . .
 Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long
time in the “3”, “2” or “L” position. This may cause
severe automatic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such damage, “4” position
should be used in hill climbing or hard towing.
(d) Backing up
1Brake pedal2“R” (Reverse) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the “R” position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the vehicle is moving.
Vehicles with driving position memory system —
When the shift lever is shifted into “R” position, the outside rear
view mirrors automatically down to help backing up. For
details, see page 231.

STARTING AND DRIVING
397
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
If you cannot shift the selector lever even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override button. For
instructions, see “If you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever” on page 524.
(h) Driving in snow mode
Use this mode when starting your vehicle in ice or snow.
To set the snow mode, push the switch. In the “ECT SNOW”
indicator on the instrument cluster is on. To cancel the snow
mode, push the switch again. The “ECT SNOW” indicator light
will go off when the snow mode is cancelled.
If the engine is turned off with the snow mode is on, the snow
mode is cancelled when the engine is restarted.

STARTING AND DRIVING
398
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION(multimode type)
Your automatic transmission has a shift lock system to
minimize the possibility of incorrect operation. This
means you can only shift out of “P” position when the
brake pedal is depressed with the ignition switch in “ON”
position. ( )
31RY303
The shift position or shift range position is displayed
on the instrument cluster.
P: Parking, engine starting and key removal position
R: Reverse position
N: Neutral position
D: Normal driving position (shifting into overdrive possible)
S: “S” mode driving
+: Upshifting
: Downshifting