center LEXUS RX330 2006 Owners Manual

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR LEXUS
vii
Tires and loading on your Lexus
Underinflated or overinflated tire pressure and the
excess load may result in the deterioration of steering
ability and braking ability, leading to an accident.
Check the tire inflation pressure periodically and be
sure to keep the load limits given in this Owner’s
Manual. For details about tire inflation pressure and
load limits, see pages 570 and 489.
Scrapping of your Lexus
The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in your
Lexus contain explosive chemicals. If the vehicle is scrapped
with the airbags and seat belt pretensioners left as they are,
this may cause an accident such as fire. Be sure to have the
system of the SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner removed
and disposed of by a qualified service shop or by your Lexus
dealer before you scrap your vehicle.
Onpavement and offroad driving tips
This vehicle belongs to the utility vehicle class. Utility vehicles
have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of
vehicles. This vehicle will handle and maneuver differently
from an ordinary passenger car because it is designed for
off−road use also. In addition, this vehicle has a higher ground
clearance and center of gravity than that of an ordinary
passenger car. This vehicle design feature causes this type of
vehicle to be more likely to rollover. Failure to operate this
vehicle correctly may result in loss of control, accidents or
vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. Be sure to read
“Off −road vehicle precautions” on page 468 and “Off −road
driving precautions” on page 472.

SWITCHES
56Even if the wiper lever is in the
“AUTO” position, the system will
switch to variable intermittent operations in the following
conditions:
 When the windshield gets extremely cold (at less than
–10 C [14 F])
 When the system malfunctions
However, when the windshield gets extremely hot (at more
than 90 C [194F]), the wipers do not operate even if the wiper
lever is in the “AUTO” position.
When the ignition switch is turned off with the wiper lever in the
“AUTO” position, and then the ignition switch is turned on
again, the automatic operation may not work even if raindrops
are on the windshield.
In this case, move the lever to another position and return it to
the “AUTO” position again.
If you stop the vehicle with the wiper switch in the “LO” position,
the wiper speed automatically changes from low speed to
intermittent operation speed.* This function does not work
when the automatic control adjuster is in the “+” position.
NOTE:
* This feature can be deactivated.
Ask your Lexus dealer for details.
CAUTION
Be careful not to get your fingers caught between the
wipers and windshield.
When the wiper lever is in the “AUTO” position with the
ignition switch on, the wipers could operate
automatically in the following cases:
 If you touch the upper center of the windshield
adjacent to the sensor.
 If you wipe the upper center of the windshield
(adjacent to which the sensor is located) with a towel.
 If the windshield vibrates.
 If you touch the sensor.
NOTICE
Do not apply detergent to or wet the automatic wiper
control sensor when cleaning the inside of the
windshield.

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
98
1Foot lights (on some models)
2Meter ring light
3Ignition switch light
4Center console spot lights
5Front interior light (with the “DOOR” position)
6Inside door handle lights (on some models)
7Rear interior light (with the “DOOR” position)
8Scuff plate lights (on some models)
All of the lights except the center console spot lights and
meter ring light will come on when any of the side doors
are opened.* After all the doors are closed, the lights
remain on for about 15 seconds before fading out.** NOTE:
* The operating condition can be changed.
** The duration of lighting can be changed.
Ask your Lexus dealer for details. However, in
the following cases, the lights go out immediately:
 All of the lights except the center console spot lights and
meter ring light — All the side doors and back door are
locked.
 Ignition switch light, front interior light, rear interior light and
scuff plate lights — All the side doors are closed and the
ignition key is in the “ACC” or “ON” position.
When any of the side doors is unlocked, all of the lights except
the center console spot light and meter ring light will come on
and remain on for about 15 seconds before fading out.
To prevent the battery from being discharged, all of the lights
will automatically turn off when the ignition key is removed and
the door is left opened for about 20 minutes.
Ignition switch light, front interior light, rear interior light
and scuff plate lights
The ignition switch light, front interior light, rear interior light and
scuff plate lights also come on and remain on for about 15
seconds before fading out when the ignition switch is turned to
the “LOCK” position.

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
99
Foot lights and inside door handle lights
The foot lights and inside door handle lights also come on when
the ignition switch is in the “ON” position with the selector lever
in the “P” position. When the selector lever is moved out of the
“P” position, the foot lights and inside door handle lights will be
dimmed.*
NOTE:
* The foot lights and inside door handle lights can be set to
turn off when the selector lever is moved out of the “P”
position.
Ask your Lexus dealer for details.
When you turn the engine off, the lights remain on for about 15
seconds before fading out.
When the instrument panel light control knob is turned fully
counterclockwise, the foot lights will turn off.
Center console spot lights
The center console spot lights come on when the ignition
switch is in the “ACC” or “ON” position.
Meter ring light
The meter ring light comes on when the ignition switch is in the
“ON” position.
The light also come on and remain on for about 15 seconds
before fading out when the driver’s door is opened. However,
if the driver’s door is opened when you turn the engine off, the
light will not come on.
CLOCK
The digital clock indicates the time with the ignition key at
the “ACC” or “ON” position. To reset the hour, press the
“H” button. To reset the minutes, press the “M” button.
To adjust the time to the nearest hour, press the “:00”
button.
For example, if the “:00” button is pressed when the time is
between 9:30 — 9:59 or between 10:01 — 10:29, the time will
change to 10:00.
When the instrument panel lights are turned on, the brightness
of the display will be reduced.

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
101
POWER OUTLETS
12 VDC
Center cluster
Tray under the rear console box
Luggage compartment
The power outlets are designed for power supply for car
accessories.
The ignition key must be in the “ACC” or “ON” position for t\
he
power outlets to be used.

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
104
REAR CONSOLE BOX
Sliding the rear console box
To slide the rear console box:
1. Open the cupholder lid in the front part of the rear
console box.
2. Slide the rear console box forward or backward while
gripping the lock release lever in the cupholder.
3. Release the lock release lever after sliding the rear
console box to the desired position. Then make sure it is
securely locked in position.
CAUTION
Do not slide the rear console box while the vehicle is
moving. Doing so may cause the driver to mishandle
the vehicle and an accident may occur resulting in
death or serious injuries.
 Be careful not to get hands or feet pinched between
the rear console box and the center cluster or rear
seat.
 Be careful not to hit any passengers with the rear
console box while sliding it.
 After sliding the rear console box, make sure it is
securely locked in position.

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
132
MOON ROOF (multipanel type)
To open the moon roof, push the slide control switch
toward the back. The front panel tilts up and the center
and rear panels fully open. To stop partway, push either
side of the slide control switch or the “TILT” switch briefly.
The sunshade can be opened or closed manually. However,
if you open the moon roof, the sunshade will be opened with
the moon roof.
Before opening the moon roof, make sure the radio antenna is
in the lock position. Otherwise, the antenna may get caught
between the moon roof and frame.
To close the moon roof, push the slide control switch
toward the front. The center and rear panels fully close.
Then push and hold the slide control switch toward the
front or the “TILT” switch on the front side until the front
panel is fully down. To stop partway, push either side of
the slide control switch or the “TILT” switch briefly.
The center and rear panels will not close automatically when
the center panel position is near its closed position. In this
case, push the slide control switch toward the front until the
panels fully close.

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
137
2. Slide the cross rails to the appropriate position for
loading luggage and release the lever.
CAUTION
Make sure the cross rails are locked securely by
pushing forward and rearward them. Failure to do so
may cause an unexpected accident or severe injury in
the event of emergency braking or a collision.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and precautions when
installing the attachments or their equivalent.
CAUTION
When you load cargo on the roof luggage carrier,
observe the following:
Place the cargo so that its weight is distributed
evenly between the front and rear axles.
 If loading long or wide cargo, never exceed the
vehicle overall length or width. (See “Specifications”
on page 616 for information on your vehicle overall
length and width.)
 Before driving, make sure the cargo is securely
fastened on the roof luggage carrier.
 Loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier will make
the center of the vehicle gravity higher. Avoid high
speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden braking
or abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it may result in loss
of control or vehicle rollover due to failure to operate
this vehicle correctly.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
140
SEATS
While the vehicle is being driven, all vehicle occupants should
have the seatback upright, sit well back in the seat and properly
wear the seat belts provided.
CAUTION
 Do not drive the vehicle unless the occupants are
properly seated. Do not allow any passengers to sit
in the luggage compartment or cargo area. Persons
not properly seated and/or not properly restrained by
seat belts can be severely injured in the event of
emergency braking or a collision.
 During driving, do not allow any passengers to stand
up or move around between seats. Otherwise, severe
injuries can occur in the event of emergency braking
or a collision.
FRONT SEATS
Front seat precautions
Driver seat
CAUTION
The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force,
and can cause death or serious injury especially if the
driver is very close to the airbag. The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag is the first 50 — 75
mm (2 — 3 in.) of inflation, placing yourself 250 mm (10
in.) from your driver airbag provides you with a clear
margin of safety. This distance is measured from the
center of the steering wheel to your breastbone. If you
sit less than 250 mm (10 in.) away now, you can change
your driving position in several ways:
 Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still
reaching the pedals comfortably.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
148
REAR SEATS
Sliding and reclining rear seats
Sliding the rear seats — Hold the center of the slide lock
release lever and pull it up. Then slide the seat to the
desired position with slight body pressure and release the
lever.
Reclining the rear seats — Pull the seatback lock release
lever. Then lean back to the desired angle and release the
lever.
CAUTION
Avoid reclining the seatback any more than needed.
The seat belts provide maximum protection when the
passengers are sitting up straight and well back in the
seats. If you are reclined, the lap belt may slide past
your hips and apply restraint forces directly to the
abdomen or your neck may contact the shoulder belt.
In the event of a frontal collision, the more the seat is
reclined, the greater the risk of death or personal injury.