stop start LEXUS RX330 2006 Owner's Manual

STARTING AND DRIVING
407
(f) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up and down between
fourth and overdrive gears when climbing a gentle slope,
shift the selector lever into the “S” position. Be sure to shift
the selector lever to the “D” position after climbing the slope.
 When towing a trailer, in order to maintain efficient engine
braking and electrical charging performance, do not use
overdrive (fifth) gear.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped
with the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from
creeping.
NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or the parking brake to hold
the vehicle on an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold the
vehicle using the accelerator pedal, as this can cause
the transmission to overheat.
(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.

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421
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on dynamic laser cruise control.
Observe the following precautions in order to avoid
serious injury or death:
 Under certain conditions when the vehicle in front
slows abruptly, or is stopped, the dynamic laser
cruise control may be unable to decelerate
automatically or to warn you. You must apply the
brakes manually in order to maintain a safe
vehicletovehicle distance or avoid collision.
Therefore, pay careful attention to following
distance, even when using the dynamic laser cruise
control.
 Do not use dynamic laser cruise control in the
following conditions:
In bad weather (such as rain, fog, snow, sandstorms
or direct sunlight, or when raindrops or snowflakes
get on the laser radar sensor glass), the
vehicletovehicle distance will not be measured
accurately.
When using the windshield wipers at high or low
speeds, the dynamic laser cruise control turns off.
On roads with heavy traffic or sharp bends, an
appropriate speed cannot be maintained and an
accident may occur.
On slippery road surfaces (icy or snowcovered road
surfaces), the tires will race and you will be unable to
control the vehicle.
When there is no vehicle detected ahead on steep
downhill slopes, the preset speed will be easily
exceeded because of inefficient engine braking. (In
this case, automatic braking will not work.) If there is
a vehicle detected ahead, the delay in deceleration
timing could cause serious injury or death.
When the alarm sounds frequently (because of
frequent changes of speed or insufficient
vehicletovehicle distance), this indicates that the
system cannot maintain an appropriate
vehicletovehicle distance and an accident may
occur.
On roads with steep and short inclines and declines,
failure to detect the vehicle ahead will shorten the
distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead
and an accident may occur.

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422
Deceleration cruising function and approach
warning do not operate when the vehicle ahead is at
a stop or driving very slowly.
 If the vehicle ahead of you decelerates abruptly or if
another vehicle cuts in ahead of you, your vehicle
may collide with the vehicle ahead unless you
manually depress the brake pedal to slow down your
vehicle.
 Depending on the road configuration (curved, left
and right continuous curved, the start or end of a
curve, or narrow driving lanes due to road
construction) or your vehicle condition (steering
wheel maneuvering, position in the lane, or unstable
driving because of an accident or breakdown),
vehicles in other lanes or surrounding objects may
be detected, resulting in a control failure or the
approach warning activation. This may also result in
a very close distance between vehicles due to a
failure to detect the vehicle ahead.
Dynamic laser cruise control should not be used in
circumstances which are inappropriate for any cruise control,
such as entering free way on− ramps or off−ramps.
CAUTION
Do not use dynamic laser cruise control when exiting
from or when entering or merging onto a freeway.
When you are following a slower moving vehicle and
exiting, the sensor does not detect the vehicle and
will accelerate to the preset speed.

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CAUTION
Braking control will not ensure that your vehicle will
reduce speed appropriately. You must depress the
brake pedal to slow down, in order to avoid a collision
or to maintain sufficient vehicletovehicle distance.
(j) Approach warning
While you are cruising in the vehicle−to−vehicle distance
control mode, if the vehicle ahead decelerates abruptly or if
another vehicle cuts in ahead of you, your vehicle may come
closer to the vehicle ahead. The display will flash and beep to
alert you.
CAUTION
 If the display flashes and beeps, this indicates that
you must depress the brake pedal in order to slow
down sufficiently to avoid a collision or maintain
appropriate vehicletovehicle distance.
 In the following conditions, the approach warning
may not turn on even if the vehicle drives closer to the
vehicle ahead, and an accident may occur:
Your vehicle and the vehicle ahead are cruising at
almost the same speed.
The vehicle ahead is cruising at a faster speed than
yours. (The distance between the vehicles will
become longer.)
The vehicle ahead is at a stop or driving very slowly.
Pay special attention to a very slow vehicle at the end
of the line in heavy traffic or at a tollgate.
The speed has just been set.
The accelerator pedal is depressed or has just been
released.

STARTING AND DRIVING
432If “E2” appears on the display,
the system may be having
trouble measuring the vehicle −to− vehicle distance because of
any of the following:
 The wipers are operating at high or low speeds
 Direct sunlight from the front
 It is difficult to make a measurement because of bad
weather (such as rainy, foggy, or snowy weather)
 Driving in “SNOW” mode
In the following cases, dynamic laser cruise control switches
to the ready mode:
 The wipers are stopped or are switched to variable
intermittent operation.
 No direct sunlight from the front
In the above conditions, push the lever up in the “+ RES”
direction and release it. Dynamic laser cruise control will be
restored. If the setting operation cannot be performed or if the
same code still appears even after the weather clears, the
system might have malfunctioned. Although there is no
problem to continue driving, please contact your Lexus dealer. If “E3” appears on the display,
a system malfunction has
been detected.
If this warning code appears, stop your vehicle in a safe place,
turn the ignition off, and then restart it to reset the system. If
the same code appears again or if the cruise control cannot be
set, the system may be malfunctioning. Although there is no
problem to continue driving, please contact your Lexus dealer.

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.

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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.

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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

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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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(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.