height LEXUS RX330 2006 User Guide

STARTING AND DRIVING
385
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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
437
(g) Conventional cruise control mode failure warning
If there is trouble in the conventional cruise control mode, the
“CRUISE” indicator light in the instrument cluster flashes, the
master warning light comes on and the alarm sounds, the
warning code “E3” will appear on the display.
If a system malfunction is detected when the conventional
cruise control mode is in the ready mode or operating, the
master warning light comes on, an alarm sounds and the
above code appears.
If this code appears, press the “ON
−OFF” button to turn the
system off and then push it again to turn it on. If the setting still
cannot be made or the same code appears again, the system
might have malfunctioned. Although there is no problem to
continue driving, please contact your Lexus dealer.
ELECTRONICALLY MODULATED AIR SUSPENSION
1Easy access mode switch
2Height control switch
3Height select switch

STARTING AND DRIVING
438This electronically modulated air suspension allows the
driver to
control the vehicle’s height in order to adjust for
driving conditions. Select your desired height among the
“HI” (high), “N” (normal) and “LO” (low) modes with the
height select switch.
You can turn on or off the easy access mode with the easy
access mode switch. If the engine is stopped when the easy
access mode is on, the vehicle height is lowered automatically.
(a) Vehicle height modes
Vehicle’s height mm (in.)
“N”
− 7.0 (0.3)
Vehicle speedkm/h (mph)
80
(50) 100
(62)

“N” (normal) mode
“N” (normal) mode: The vehicle’s height in this mode is
standard.
This mode is suitable for ordinary driving.
When the vehicle speed exceeds approximately 100 km/h (62
mph), the vehicle’s height automatically lowers about 7 mm
(0.3 in.) from normal height to provide better stability. When the
vehicle speed reduces to under approximately 80 km/h (50
mph), the vehicle’s height automatically returns to the normal
height.

STARTING AND DRIVING
439
Vehicle’s height mm (in.)Vehicle speedkm/h (mph)
80
(50) 100
(62)
“HI”
+30 (1.2)
30 (19) — 50 (31)
“N”
− 7.0 (0.3)
 “HI” (high) mode
“HI” (high) mode: The vehicle’s height is about 30 mm (1.2
in.) higher than the normal height.
This mode is suitable for driving on bumpy roads.
When the vehicle speed exceeds approximately 50 km/h (31
mph) or driving at the speeds of 30 km/h (19 mph) or over for
ten seconds total in “HI” mode, “N” mode is automatically
selected. Even if the vehicle speed then reduces to under 50
km/h (31 mph), the vehicle’s height will not return to “HI” mode.
CAUTION
The “HI” mode should be used for severe offroad
driving conditions only. As the vehicle’s center of
gravity is higher in this setting, the vehicle may become
unstable when turning abruptly, resulting in an
unexpected accident.

STARTING AND DRIVING
440
Vehicle’s height mm (in.)Vehicle speedkm/h (mph)
“N”
“LO”
− 15 (0.6)
 “LO” (low) mode
“LO” (low) mode: The vehicle’s height is about 15 mm (0.6 in.)
lower than the normal height.
This mode is suitable for sporty driving such as on winding
mountain roads and high speed driving.
When the engine is turned off and then restarted, the “N”
(normal) mode will automatically be selected.
Vehicle’s height mm (in.)
Vehicle speedkm/h (mph)
“N”
− 7.0 (0.3)
“LO”
− 15 (0.6)
Easy access − 30 (1.2 in.) 80
(50) 100
(62)
12
(8)
 Easy access mode
Easy access mode: The vehicle’s height is about 30 mm (1.2
in.) lower than the normal height.
This mode allows easy access to the vehicle (getting in and
out) and easy loading and unloading operations.
This mode is available when “N” or “LO” mode is selected.
When the engine is stopped, easy access mode is
automatically selected, and the height adjusted.

STARTING AND DRIVING
441
In the following cases, vehicle height is changed to “N”
(normal) mode height automatically.

Vehicle speed exceeds approximately 12 km/h (8 mph).
 The engine is restarted and the easy access mode is
canceled.
CAUTION
When the engine is stopped in easy access mode,
vehicle height is changed quickly. Be careful not to
get your head, hands or other parts of your body
caught by the lowering underbody of the vehicle.
 You must also make sure nobody places his or her
head, hands or other parts of their body between the
body of the vehicle and tires.
NOTICE
Be careful when you drive in any place where overhead
space is limited and you have selected the easy access
mode. When the vehicle begins to move after stopping,
“N” (normal) mode will automatically be selected,
raising the vehicle’s height, and potentially causing
damage to the vehicle.
(b) Automatic leveling function
Regardless of the number of occupants or the luggage
load, vehicle height in any mode is always adjusted
automatically to a fixed height.
(c) Selecting “LO”, “HI” or “N” mode
Selection conditions: To select the vehicle’s height, it is
necessary to meet the following conditions.
 The engine is running.
 The height control “OFF” indicator light is off.
 The vehicle is within the speed limitations. Refer to the
following table.
Yes = The mode can be selected.
No = The mode cannot be selected.
“LO”
mode“N”
mode“HI”
mode
At vehicle
stoppageYe sYe sYe s
Under
approximately
30 km/h (19 mph)
Ye sYe sYe s
Approximately
30 km/h (19 mph)
or over
Ye sYe sNo

STARTING AND DRIVING
442In the following cases, the electronically modulated air
suspension will not operate.

The underbody of the vehicle has touched the surface of the
road.
 The area around the suspension is covered with ice.
The indicator lights change as follows when the
electronically modulated air suspension will not operate.
1. The current mode indicator light goes off and the currently
selected mode indicator light blinks.
2. The selected mode indicator light goes off. (The vehicle
height does not change.) The selected mode indicator light
comes on again.
The vehicle’s electronically modulated air suspension will not
be operable even if the vehicle is moved to a smooth road or
the ice is removed. To operate electronically modulated air
suspension, turn off the engine and then restart it. The
electronically modulated air suspension will operate again.
1Higher2Lower
3Height control indicator lights
Selecting a mode: To select a mode, push either side of the
height select switch “ ” (higher) or “
” (lower).
 Selecting the “HI” mode
You can select the “HI” mode when the vehicle’s speed is under
approximately 30 km/h (19 mph).
To change “N” to “HI” mode: Push the height selection
switch on the “ ” (higher) side once.
To change “LO” to “HI” mode: Push the height selection
switch on the “ ” (higher) side twice.
The “HI” indicator light blinks as the vehicle’s height changes.
When the vehicle’s height reaches the “HI” mode, the indicator
light remains on.

STARTING AND DRIVING
443

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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
444
(d) Selecting the easy access mode
1Easy access mode switch
2Easy access mode indicator light
To select the easy access mode, push the easy access
mode switch. The easy access mode indicator light
comes on.
When the engine is stopped, the vehicle height changes
automatically to the easy access mode. The indicator light
blinks while the height changes. When the vehicle height
reaches the easy access mode, the indicator light turns off.
This mode is available when “N” or “LO” mode is selected.
When the engine is restarted in the easy access mode, the
easy access mode indicator light blinks. When the vehicle
begins to run or you push the height select switch to change the
mode, the indicator light will remain on. When the vehicle’s speed exceeds approximately 12 km/h (8
mph) in the easy access mode, the “N” (normal) mode is
automatically selected.
The “N” indicator light blinks while the vehicle height changes.
When the vehicle’s height reaches the “N” mode, the indicator
light remains on.
To cancel the easy access mode, push the easy access mode
switch once again. The indicator light will turn off.
When
the engine is restarted after being stopped, easy access
mode is cancelled and “N” (normal) mode is automatically
selected.

STARTING AND DRIVING
445
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.