light LEXUS RX350 2011 Workshop Manual

126
1-7. Safety information
CAUTION
nFront passenger occupant classification system precautions
lDo not recline the front passenger seatback so far that it touches a rear seat. This
may cause the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light to be illuminated, which indicates
that the passenger’s airbags will not deploy in the event of a severe accident. If the
seatback touches the rear seat, return the seatback to a position where it does
not touch the rear seat. Keep the front passenger seatback as upright as possible
when the vehicle is moving. Reclining the seatback excessively may lessen the
effectiveness of the seat belt system.
lIf an adult sits in the front passenger seat, the “AIR BAG ON” indicator light is illu-
minated. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator is illuminated, ask the passenger to sit
up straight, well back in the seat, feet on the floor, and with the seat belt worn cor-
rectly. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator still remains illuminated, either ask the pas-
senger to move to the rear seat, or if that is not possible, move the front passenger
seat fully rearward.
lWhen it is unavoidable to install the forward-facing child restraint system on the
front passenger seat, install the child restraint system on the front passenger seat
in the proper order. (→P. 1 3 1 )
lDo not modify or remove the front seats.
lDo not kick the front passenger seat or subject it to severe impact. Otherwise,
the SRS warning light may come on to indicate a malfunction of the detection sys-
tem. In this case, contact your Lexus dealer immediately.
lChild restraint systems installed on the rear seat should not contact the front seat-
backs.
lDo not use a seat accessory, such as a cushion or seat cover, that covers the seat
cushion surface.
lDo not modify or replace the upholstery of the front seat.

129
1-7. Safety information
1

Before driving
CAUTION
nChild restraint precautions
lFor effective protection in automobile accidents and sudden stops, a child must
be properly restrained, using a seat belt or child restraint system depending on
the age and size of the child. Holding a child in your arms is not a substitute for a
child restraint system. In an accident, the child can be crushed against the wind-
shield, or between you and the vehicle's interior.
lLexus strongly urges the use of a proper child restraint system that conforms to
the size of the child, installed on the rear seat. According to accident statistics, the
child is safer when properly restrained in the rear seat than in the front seat.
lNever install a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat even
if the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is illuminated. In the event of an accident, the
force of the rapid inflation of the front passenger airbag can cause death or seri-
ous injury to the child if a rear-facing child restraint system is installed on the front
passenger seat.
lA forward-facing child restraint system may be allowed to be installed on the
front passenger seat only when it is unavoidable. A child restraint system that
requires a top tether strap should not be used in the front passenger seat since
there is no top tether strap anchor for the front passenger seat. Adjust the seat-
back as upright as possible and always move the seat as far back as possible even
if the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is illuminated, because the front passenger
airbag could inflate with considerable speed and force. Otherwise, the child may
be killed or seriously injured.
lDo not use the seat belt extender when installing a child restraint system on the
front or rear passenger seat. If installing a child restraint system with the seat belt
extender connected to the seat belt, the seat belt will not securely hold the child
restraint system, which could cause death or serious injury to the child or other
passengers in the event of a sudden stop, sudden swerve or an accident.
lDo not allow the child to lean his/her head or any part of his/her body against the
door or the area of the seat, front and rear pillars or roof side rails from which the
SRS side airbags or SRS curtain shield airbags deploy even if the child is seated in
the child restraint system. It is dangerous if the side airbags and curtain shield air-
bags inflate, and the impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.

132
1-7. Safety information
Installation with LATCH system
Fold the seatback while pulling the
seatback angle adjustment lever.
Return the seatback and secure it
at the first lock position. (→P. 66)
Widen the gap between the seat cushion and seatback slightly.
Type A
Latch the hooks of the lower straps
onto the LATCH anchors. If the
child restraint has a top tether
strap, the top tether strap should
be latched onto the top tether
strap anchor bracket.
For owners in Canada:
The symbol on a child restraint sys-
tem indicates the presence of a
lower connector system.
STEP1
STEP2
Canada only
STEP3

140
1-7. Safety information
CAUTION
nWhen installing a child restraint system
Follow the directions given in the child restraint system installation manual and fix
the child restraint system securely in place.
If the child restraint system is not correctly fixed in place, the child or other passen-
gers may be injured or even killed in the event of sudden braking, sudden swerving
or an accident.
lWhen installing a child restraint system in the rear center seat, adjust both seat
cushions to the same position and align both seatbacks at the same angle. The
seatbacks must be adjusted to the same angle. Otherwise, the child restraint sys-
tem cannot be securely restrained and this may cause death or serious injuries in
the event of sudden braking, sudden swerving or an accident.
lWhen using the LATCH system, move the seat as far back as possible and adjust
the seatback as upright as possible.
lWhen a booster seat is installed, always ensure that the shoulder belt is posi-
tioned across the center of the child's shoulder. The belt should be kept away
from the child's neck, but not so that it could fall off the child's shoulder. Failing to
do so may result in death or serious injury in the event of sudden braking, sudden
swerving or an accident.
lIf the driver’s seat interferes with the child
restraint system and prevents it from being
attached correctly, attach the child restraint
system to the right-hand rear seat.
lAdjust the front passenger seat so that it
does not interfere with the child restraint
system.
lOnly put a forward-facing child restraint
system on the front seat when unavoidable.
When installing a forward-facing child
restraint system on the front passenger
seat, move the seat as far back as possible
even if the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is
illuminated. Failure to do so may result in
death or serious injury if the airbags deploy
(inflate).

148
2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
nWhen driving on slippery road surfaces
lSudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and reduce
your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
lSudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by up-shifting
and down-shifting, may cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.
lAfter driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make sure that
the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the brakes from
functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet and not functioning
properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in an accident.
nWhen shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an
accident and result in death or serious injury.
nWhen the vehicle is stopped
lDo not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate suddenly
and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
lDo not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and
check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
lIn order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep
depressing the brake pedal while the engine is running, and apply the parking
brake as necessary.
lIf the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused by the
vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal and securely
apply the parking brake as needed.
lAvoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause the
exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible material is
nearby.

149
2-1. Driving procedures
2

When driving
CAUTION
nWhen the vehicle is parked
lDo not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in the vehi-
cle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:

156
2-1. Driving procedures
nIf the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (→P. 1 0 1 )
nSteering lock
After turning the “ENGINE START STOP” switch off and opening and closing the
doors, the steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operat-
ing the “ENGINE START STOP” switch again automatically cancels the steering
lock.
nWhen the steering lock cannot be released
nSteering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be suspended
if the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time. In this case,
refrain from operating the engine. After about 2 seconds, the steering lock motor
will resume functioning.
nWhen the “ENGINE START STOP” switch indicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
nIf the electronic key battery is depleted
→P. 4 9 6
The green indicator light on the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch will flash and a mes-
sage will be shown on the multi-information
display. Press the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch again while turning the steering wheel
left and right.

158
2-1. Driving procedures
NOTICE
nTo prevent battery discharge
lDo not leave the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in ACCESSORY or IGNI-
TION ON mode for long periods of time without the engine running.
lIf the indicator on the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is illuminated, the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch is not off. When exiting the vehicle, always
check that the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is off.
lDo not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If the
engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the
vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode, battery discharge may occur.
nWhen starting the engine
lDo not race a cold engine.
lIf the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately.
nSymptoms indicating a malfunction with the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
If the “ENGINE START STOP” seems to be operating somewhat differently than
usual, such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact your
Lexus dealer immediately.

163
2-1. Driving procedures
2

When driving
Turn signal lever
nTurn signals can be operated when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
nIf the indicators flash faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned out.
The turn signal lever can be used to show the following intention of the
driver:
Right turn
Left turn
Lane change to the right
(push and hold the lever part-
way)
The right hand signals will flash
until you release the lever.
Lane change to the left (push
and hold the lever partway)
The left hand signals will flash
until you release the lever.

167
2-2. Instrument cluster
2

When driving
Changing the display
Switches between odometer and
trip meter displays. When the trip
meter is displayed, pressing and
holding the button will reset the
trip meter.
Instrument panel light control buttons
The brightness of the instrument panel lights can be adjusted.
Darker
Brighter
nThe meters and display illuminate when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
NOTICE
nTo prevent damage to the engine and its components
lDo not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which indi-
cates the maximum engine speed.
lThe engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is in the
red zone (H). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place, and check
the engine after it has cooled completely. (→P. 5 8 7 )