check engine LEXUS RX330 2006 User Guide

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ENGINE EXHAUST CAUTION
CAUTION
Avoid inhaling the engine exhaust. It contains
carbon monoxide, which is a colorless and odorless
gas. It can cause unconsciousness or even death.
 Make sure the exhaust system has no holes or loose
connections. The system should be checked from
time to time. If you hit something, or notice a change
in the sound of the exhaust, have the system checked
immediately.
 Do not run the engine in a garage or enclosed area
except for the time needed to drive the vehicle in or
out. The exhaust gases cannot escape, making this
a particularly dangerous situation.
 Do not remain for a long time in a parked vehicle with
the engine running. If it is unavoidable, however, do
so only in an unconfined area and adjust the heating
or cooling system to force outside air into the vehicle.
 Keep the back door closed while driving. An open or
unsealed back door may cause exhaust gases to be
drawn into the vehicle.
 To allow proper operation of your vehicle’s
ventilation system, keep the inlet grilles in front of the
windshield clear of snow, leaves, or other
obstructions.
 If you smell exhaust fumes in the vehicle, drive with
the windows open and the back door closed. Have
the cause immediately located and corrected.

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BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Check the area around the vehicle before entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, seat cushion height,
seat cushion angle, head restraint height and steering wheel
angle.
3. Adjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock all doors.
5. Fasten seat belts.
Remember to check that the service reminder indicators
function when turning the key to “ON”, and check the fuel
gauge to see that you have sufficient fuel.
IGNITION SWITCH
“START” — Starter motor on. The key will return to the
“ON” position when released.
For starting tips, see page 388.
“ON” — Engine on and all accessories on.
This is the normal driving position.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the “ON” position if the engine
is not running. The battery will discharge and the
electronic ignition system could be damaged.

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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
402“3” (third range): The most suitable gear is automatically
selected between first and third gears according to vehicle
speed and driving conditions. This range is best used when
stronger engine braking is necessary.
“2” (second range): First or second gear will automatically
be selected according to vehicle speed and driving
conditions. This range is to be used when engine braking
stronger than that of the “3” (third range) position is
necessary.
“1” (first range): This gear is fixed in first regardless of
vehicle
speed or driving conditions. This range is to be used
when maximum engine braking is necessary.
If you attempt to downshift the transmission when it is not
possible to downshift due to high vehicle speed, a warning tone
sounds twice. 
Maximum allowable speeds
To get on a highway or to pass slower traffic, maximum
acceleration may be necessary. Make sure you observe the
following maximum allowable speeds in each range:
range km/h (mph)1 51 (32)
2 92 (58)
3 144 (90)
NOTICE
Do not downshift if you are going faster than the
maximum allowable speed for the next lower range.
 “S” mode indicator light
“S” mode allows you to use the shift range positions.
The “S” mode indicator light comes on when the selector
lever is shifted into the “S” position. When the “S” mode
indicator light does not come on even with the selector lever
moved to the “S” position, there may be a problem
somewhere in the system. Have your vehicle
checked/repaired by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
In this case, you can drive in the same condition as in the “D”
position.

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(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.
REAR VIEW MONITOR SYSTEM
The rear view monitor system assists the driver by
displaying an image of the rear of the vehicle while
backing up. The displayed image on the screen is a
horizontally reversed mirror image of the inside rear view
mirror.
To display the rear view image on the screen, place the
selector lever in the “R” position when the ignition switch
is in the “ON” position.
If you move the selector lever out of the “R” position, the screen
returns to the previous screen. Operating another function of
the navigation system will display another screen.
The rear view monitor system is a supplemental device
intended to assist back up. When backing up, be sure to check
behind and all around the vehicle visually.

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Check surroundings for safety.
If a bright light (for example, sunlight reflected off the vehicle
body) is picked up by the camera, the smear effect* peculiar to
the camera may occur.
*: Smear effect — A phenomenon that occurs when a bright
light (for example, sunlight reflected off the vehicle body) is
picked up by the camera; when transmitted by the camera, the
light source appears to have a vertical streak above and below
it.
CRUISE CONTROL
The cruise control is designed to maintain a set cruising
speed without requiring the driver to operate the
accelerator. Cruising speed can be set to any speed above
40 km/h (25 mph).
Within the limits of the engine’s capabilities, cruising speed can
be maintained up or down grades. However, changes in
vehicle speed may occur on steeper grades.
CAUTION
 To help maintain maximum control of your vehicle,
do not use the cruise control when driving in heavy
or varying traffic, or on slippery (rainy, icy or
snowcovered) or winding roads.
 Avoid vehicle speed increases when driving
downhill. If the vehicle speed is too fast in relation to
the cruise control set speed, cancel the cruise
control then downshift the transmission to use
engine braking to slow down.

STARTING AND DRIVING
436To turn the system off, push the “ON
−OFF” button. Make sure
the “CRUISE” indicator light is off.
If the conventional cruise control mode automatically cancels
out other than for the above cases, have your vehicle checked
by your Lexus dealer at the earliest opportunity.
(d) Resuming the conventional cruise control mode
If the conventional cruise control mode is temporarily
cancelled, the cruising speed can be resumed by pushing the
lever up in the “+ RES” direction.
Vehicle speed must be above 40 km/h (25 mph).
(e) Resetting to a faster speed
Push the lever up in the “+ RES” direction and hold it. Release
the lever when the desired speed is attained. While the lever
is held up, the vehicle will gradually gain speed.
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
increased 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time by pushing the lever up
in the “+ RES” direction quickly within 0.6 seconds.
However, a faster way to reset is to accelerate the vehicle and
then push the lever down in the “ − SET” direction. (f) Resetting to a slower speed
Push the lever down in the “
− SET” direction and hold it.
Release the lever when the desired speed is attained. While
the lever is held down, 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 pushing the lever down
in the “− SET” direction quickly within 0.6 seconds.
However, a faster way to reset is to accelerate the vehicle and
then push the lever down in the “ − SET” direction.
With automatic transmission (standard type) —
Even if you downshift from “D” to “4” in the conventional cruise
control mode, engine braking will not be enabled because this
mode is not cancelled. To decrease the vehicle’s 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.
With automatic transmission (multi −mode type) —
Even if you downshift from “D” or “5” (fifth range) to “4” (fourth
range) in the conventional cruise control mode, engine braking
will not be enabled because this mode is not cancelled. To
decrease the vehicle’s 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.

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Selecting the “N” mode
To change “HI” to “N” mode: Push the height select switch
on the “
” (lower) side once.
To change “LO” to “N” mode: Push the height select switch
on the “ ” (higher) side once.
The “N” indicator light blinks as the vehicle’s height changes.
When the vehicle’s height reaches the “N” mode, the indicator
light remains on.
Even if the engine stops while the vehicle’s height is being
lowered, the operation continues for up to one minute.
 Selecting the “LO” mode
To change “N” mode to “LO”: Push the height select switch
on the “
” (lower) side once.
To change “HI” mode to “LO”: Push the height select switch
on the “
” (lower) side twice.
The “LO” indicator light blinks as the vehicle’s height changes.
When the vehicle’s height reaches the “LO” mode, the indicator
light remains on.
Even if the engine stops while the vehicle’s height is being
lowered, the operation continues for up to one minute.
CAUTION
 Before you lower the vehicle’s height with the height
select switch, check under the vehicle to make sure
nothing that could damage the vehicle or no one who
could be injured is there and that the underbody of
the vehicle does not touch the ground.
 Do not select the “HI” mode when you load cargo on
the roof luggage carrier. Otherwise it may result in a
loss of control or vehicle rollover due to failure to
operate this vehicle correctly.
NOTICE
If the vehicle height is changed frequently, the
compressor may overheat, causing the vehicle
height adjustment operation to stop.
 After unloading, vehicle height rises slightly. Take
sufficient care where overhead space is restricted.
 Do not select “LO” mode when on bumpy roads. If
the underbody of the vehicle touches the rugged
road surface, the vehicle may be damaged.

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1Higher2Lower
3Height control indicator lights
 Changing the mode
You can change the easy access mode to the “LO”, “N” or “HI”\
mode when the engine is running.
To change easy access mode to “LO” mode: Push the
height select switch on the “ ” (higher) side once.
To change easy access mode to “N”mode: Push the height
select switch on the “ ” (higher) side twice.
In the following cases, the vehicle’s height is automatically
changed to “N” (normal) mode.
 The vehicle speed exceeds approximately 12 km/h (8 mph).
 The engine is restarted and the easy access mode is
canceled. To change easy access
mode to “HI” mode: Push the height
select switch on the “ ” (higher) side for three times.
The “LO”, “N” or “HI” indicator light blinks while the\
vehicle’s
height changes. When the vehicle’s height reaches the “LO”,
“N” or “HI” mode, the indicator light remains on.
If the vehicle’s height is changed frequently, the raising or
lowering will take longer than usual. There is no problem in the
electronically modulated air suspension.
CAUTION
If you select easy access mode, check under the vehicle
to make sure nothing that could damage the vehicle or
no one who could be injured is there and that the
underbody of the vehicle does not touch the ground
before the engine is stopped.

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(e) Turning off the electronically modulated airsuspension
1Height control switch
2Height control “OFF” indicator light
To turn off the electronically modulated air suspension
with the vehicle stopped, push the height control switch.
The height control “OFF” indicator light comes on and the
vehicle height is fixed in the same mode as was last
selected.
This status is maintained in the system even after the engine
is stopped.
If you push the switch again, the height control “OFF” indicator
light goes out and the electronically modulated air suspension
is turned on. When the vehicle’s speed exceeds 30 km/h (19 mph), the
height control “OFF” indicator light goes out and the
electronically modulated air suspension turns on
automatically.
CAUTION

If you drive through water, such as when crossing
shallow streams, first check the depth of the water
and the firmness of the bottom of the river bed then
put the vehicle height into “HI” mode with the height
select switch and turn off the electronically
modulated air suspension by pushing the height
control switch. Drive your vehicle at 30 km/h (19
mph) or slower and avoid deep water.
 When jacking up, installing tire chains or tying your
vehicle with chains or wires for transportation by a
flat bed, be sure to turn off the electronically
modulated air suspension with the height control
switch and stop the engine. Otherwise, the automatic
leveling function may cause the vehicle’s height to
change, resulting in an unexpected accident.
 If your vehicle must be towed, put the vehicle height
in the “N” mode and turn off the electronically
modulated air suspension. Otherwise, the automatic
leveling function may cause the vehicle’s height to
change, resulting in an unexpected accident.