LEXUS RX330 2006 Owners Manual

DRIVING TIPS
490
CARGO AND LUGGAGE
Stowage precautions
When stowing cargo and luggage in or on the
vehicle, observe the following:
Put cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment
when at all possible. Be sure all items are secured
in place.
 Be careful to keep the vehicle level. Placing the
weight as far forward as possible helps maintain
vehicle balance.
 For better fuel economy, do not carry unnecessary
weight.
CAUTION
To prevent cargo and luggage from sliding
forward during braking, do not stack anything
in the luggage compartment higher than the
seatbacks. Keep cargo and luggage low, as
close to the floor as possible.
Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage
compartment. It is not designed for
passengers. They should ride in their seats
with their seat belts properly fastened.
Otherwise, they are much more likely to suffer
serious bodily injury, in the event of sudden
braking or a collision.
 Do not place anything on the luggage cover.
Such items may be thrown about and possibly
injure people in the vehicle during sudden
braking or an accident.
 Do not drive with objects left on top of the
instrument panel. They may interfere with the
driver’s field of view. Or they may move
during sharp vehicle acceleration or turning,
and impair the driver’s control of the vehicle.
In an accident they may injure the vehicle
occupants.

DRIVING TIPS
491
Capacity and distribution
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the
occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) – (Total weight
of occupants)
Steps for determining correct load limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX
pounds” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the
“XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five
150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
1400 – 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may
not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
For details about trailer towing, see page 476.

DRIVING TIPS
492
Example on your vehicle
1Cargo capacity
2Total load capacity
In case that 2 people with the combined weight of
166 kg (366 lb.) are riding in your vehicle with the
total load capacity of 420 kg (925 lb.), the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity will be
as follows:
420 kg – 166 kg = 254 kg.
(925 lb. – 366 lb. = 559 lb.)
From this condition, if 3 more passengers with the
combined weight of 176 kg (388 lb.) get on, the
available cargo and luggage load will be reduced as
follows:
254 kg – 176 kg = 78 kg.
(559 lb. – 388 lb. = 171 lb.) As shown in the above example, if the number of
occupants increases, the cargo and luggage load
equaling the combined weight of occupants who got
on later must be reduced. In other words, if the
increase in the number of occupants causes the
excess of the total load capacity (combined weight
of occupants plus cargo and luggage load), you have
to reduce the cargo and luggage on your vehicle.
For details about total load capacity, see “Vehicle load
limits” on page 489.
CAUTION
Even if the total load of occupant’s weight and
the cargo load is less than the total load
capacity, do not apply the load unevenly. That
may cause not only damage to the tire but also
deterioration to the steering ability due to
unbalance of the vehicle, causing an accident.

SECTION 4
493
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
In case of an emergency
If your engine stalls while driving494
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle will not start 494
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you cannot increase engine speed 499
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle overheats 499
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you have a flat tire 500
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
.
If your vehicle becomes stuck 514
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle needs to be towed 515
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever 524
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . .
If you lose your keys or lock yourself out 525
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
494
IF YOUR ENGINE STALLS WHILEDRIVING
If your engine stalls while driving...
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move
cautiously off the road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Turn the ignition key to “ACC” or “LOCK”, and try starting the
engine again.
If the engine will not start, see “If your vehicle will not start”\
.
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the
brakes and steering will not work, so steering and
braking will be much harder than usual.
IF YOUR VEHICLE WILL NOT START
(a) Simple checks
Before making these checks, make sure you have followed the
correct starting procedure instructions in “How to start the
engine” on page 388 and that you have sufficient fuel. Since
your vehicle is equipped with the engine immobilizer system,
also check whether the other keys will start the engine. If they
work, your key may be broken. Have the key checked at your
Lexus dealer. If none of your keys work, there may be a
malfunction in the immobilizer system. Call your Lexus dealer.
See “Keys” on page 12.
If the engine is not turning over or is turning over too
slowly —
1. Check that the battery terminals are tight and clean.
2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch on the interior light.
3. If the light is out, dim or goes out when the starter is cranked,
the battery is discharged. You may try jump starting. See “(c)
Jump starting” for further instruction.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will not start, it needs
adjustment or repair. Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside
Assistance or Customer Service. (See “Foreword”.)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
495
NOTICE
Do not pull or pushstart the vehicle. It may damage
the vehicle or cause a collision when the engine starts.
Also the threeway catalytic converter may overheat
and become a fire hazard.
If the engine turns over at its normal speed but will not
start —
1. Turn the ignition key to “ACC” or “LOCK” and try starting the
engine again.
2. If the engine will not start, the engine may be flooded
because of repeated cranking. See “(b) Starting a flooded
engine” for further instructions.
3. If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair.
Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer
Service. (See “Foreword”.)
(b) Starting a flooded engine
If the engine will not start, your engine may be flooded
because of repeated cranking.
If this happens, turn the key to “START” with the accelerator
pedal fully depressed. Continue this operation for 30 seconds
and then stop cranking. Then try starting the engine with your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
If the engine does not start after 30 seconds of cranking,
release the key, wait a few minutes and try again.
If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair.
Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer
Service. (See “Foreword”.)
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This
may overheat the starter and wiring systems.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
496
(c) Jump starting
Before jump starting, remove the engine compartment
cover. (See “Removing the engine compartment cover”
on page 540.)
To avoid serious personal injury and damage to your
vehicle which might result from battery explosion, acid
burns, electrical burns, or damaged electronic
components, these instructions must be followed
precisely.
If you are unsure about how to follow this procedure, we
strongly recommend that you seek help from your Lexus
dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer Service. (See
“Foreword”.)
CAUTION
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which is poisonous
and corrosive. Wear protective safety glasses when
jump starting, and avoid spilling acid on your skin,
clothing, or vehicle.
If you should accidentally get acid on yourself or in
your eyes, remove any contaminated clothing and
flush the affected area with water immediately. Then
get immediate medical attention. If possible,
continue to apply water with a sponge or cloth while
en route to the medical office.
 The gas normally produced by a battery will explode
if a flame or spark is brought near. Use only
standardized jumper cables and do not smoke or
light a match while jump starting.
NOTICE
The battery used for boosting must be 12 V. Do not jump
start unless you are sure that the booster battery is
correct.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
497
5Discharged battery6Booster batteryJUMP STARTING PROCEDURE
1. If the booster battery is installed in another vehicle, make
sure the vehicles are not touching. Turn off all unnecessary
lights and accessories.
When boosting, use the battery of matching or higher quality.
Any other battery may be difficult to jump start with.
If jump starting is difficult, charge the battery for several
minutes.
2. If required, remove all the vent plugs from the booster
battery. Lay a cloth over the open vents on the booster battery.
(This
helps reduce the explosion hazard, personal injuries and
burns.)
If the booster battery is an extended maintenance interval
battery, it is not necessary to remove the vent plugs.
3. If the engine in the vehicle with the booster battery is not
running, start it and let it run for about 5 minutes. During jump
starting, run the engine at about 2000 rpm with the accelerator
pedal lightly depressed.
4. Locate positive (+) and negative (−) terminals of each
battery. Connect the jumper cables in the exact order (
1 23 4) shown in the illustration.
1Connect a positive (red) jumper cable clamp to the
positive (+) terminal of the discharged battery.
2Connect the clamp at the other end of the positive (red)
cable to the positive (+) terminal of the booster battery.
3Connect a negative (black) cable clamp to the negative
(−) terminal of the booster battery.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
498
4Connect the clamp at the other end of the negative (black)
cable to a solid, stationary, unpainted metallic point (such
as shown in the illustration) away from the battery. Do not
connect it to or near any part that moves when the engine
is cranked.
CAUTION
When making the connections, to avoid serious injury,
do not lean over the battery or accidentally let the
jumper cables or clamps touch anything except the
correct battery terminals or the ground.
5. Start your engine in the normal way. After starting, run it at
about 2000 rpm for several minutes with the accelerator pedal
lightly depressed.
6. Carefully disconnect the cables in the exact reverse order:
the negative cable and then the positive cable.
7. Carefully dispose of the battery cover cloths which may now
contain sulfuric acid.
8. If removed, replace all the battery vent plugs.
If the cause of your battery discharging is not apparent (for
example, lights left on), you should have it checked at your
Lexus dealer. If the first start attempt is not successful...
Check
that the clamp on the jumper cables are tight. Recharge
the discharged battery with the jumper cables connected for
several minutes and restart your engine in the normal way.
If the another attempt is not successful, the battery may be
depleted. Have it checked at your Lexus dealer.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
499
IF YOU CANNOT INCREASEENGINE SPEED
If engine speed does not increase when the accelerator pedal
is depressed, there may be a problem somewhere in the
electronic throttle control system.
At this time, vibration may occur. However, if you depress the
accelerator pedal more firmly and slowly, you can drive your
vehicle at low speeds. Have your vehicle checked by your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Even if the abnormality of the electronic throttle control system
is corrected during low speed driving, the system may not be
recovered until the engine is stopped and the ignition key is
turned to “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
CAUTION
Be especially careful to prevent erroneous pedal
operation.
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
If your engine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, if you experience a loss of power, or if you
hear a loud knocking or pinging noise, the engine has
probably overheated.
When the engine overheats
Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your
emergency flashers. Put the transmission in “P” and apply the
parking brake.
A: If steam is coming from your engine:
Turn off the engine. Leave the hood closed until there is no sign
of steam or coolant. Your engine could have been seriously
damaged already. Call your Lexus dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed until
there is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is sign of
very high pressure.