transmission LEXUS RX330 2006 User Guide

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
83
(l) “VSC” Warning Light
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 the
“ON” position 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 applied, there is no
problem to continue your driving.
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:
 The warning light does not come on after the ignition key is
turned to the “ON” position.
 The warning light remains on after the ignition key is turned
to the “ON” position.
 The warning light comes on while driving.
Tw o −wheel drive models only — The “TRAC OFF” indicator
light will come on when the “VSC” warning light comes on even
if the “TRAC OFF” switch is not pushed.
(m) Automatic Transmission Fluid Temperature Warning Light
(fourwheel drive models only)
This light warns that the automatic transmission fluid
temperature is too high.
If this light comes on while you are driving, slow down and pull
off the road. Stop the vehicle at a safe place and put the
selector lever in “P” and leave the engine idling until the light
goes off. If the light goes off, you can start the vehicle again.
If the light does not go off, call a Lexus dealer or qualified repair
shop for assistance.
NOTICE
Continued driving with the warning light on may
damage the automatic transmission.
(n) Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
This light comes on when the fluid level in the tank becomes
nearly empty. Fill the tank as soon as possible.

STEERING WHEEL AND MIRRORS
232Vehicles with driving position memory system —
When
the automatic transmission selector lever is shifted
into “R” position with the master switch in the “L” or “R\
”
position, the rear view mirrors automatically down to help
backing up.
The mirrors return to the previous position in the following
operations.
 Shift the transmission lever out of “R” position.
 Place the master switch in the neutral position.
NOTICE
If ice should jam the mirror, do not operate the control
or scrape the mirror face. Use a spray deicer to free the
mirror.
Folding rear view mirrors
To fold the rear view mirror, push backward.
The rear view mirrors can be folded backward for parking in
compact areas.
CAUTION
Do not drive with the mirrors folded backward. Both the
driver and passenger side rear view mirrors must be
extended and properly adjusted before driving.

AUDIO
362(d) Changing menu page or track (video CD only)
Push the “Prev. Page” or “Next Page” switch while the
disc menu is displayed. The next or previous page will
appear on the screen.
Push the “Prev. Page” or “Next Page” switch while the
player is playing video. The next or previous track will be
searched and played.
(e) Changing a multiplex transmission (video CD only)Push the “Main/Sub” switch to change a multiplex
transmission.
The mode changes from Main/Sub to Main
to Sub and back to Main/Sub by pushing the “Main/Sub”
switch.

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
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
391
(a) Normal driving
1“P” (Park) position2 “N” (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the
engine” on page 388.
The transmission must be in “P” or “N”. The engine will not st\
art
in any drive position even if the ignition key is turned to
“START”.
1Brake pedal2“D” (Drive) position
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to “D”.
Always use the “D” position to improve fuel economy and quiet
driving. Only in this position, shifting into the overdrive gear is
possible. However, while the engine coolant temperature is
low, the transmission will not shift into the overdrive gear even
in the “D” position. (See “(b) Using engine braking” and\
“(f)
Good driving practice” for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.

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
393
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.
2Shift into the “3” position. The transmission will downshift
to third gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes lower
than 129 km/h (81 mph) and stronger engine braking will
be enabled.
3Shift into the “2” position. The transmission will downshift
to second gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes
lower than 83 km/h (52 mph) and more powerful engine
braking than that of “3” position will be enabled.
4Shift into the “L” position. The transmission will downshift
to first gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes lower
than 39 km/h (24 mph) and maximum engine braking will
be enabled.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface.
The abrupt change in engine speed could cause the
vehicle to skid or spin.

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.