tow Lexus ES330 2006 Descriptions of Functions For More Effective Use / (OM33703U) User Guide

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
cvi
If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward.
This points the airbag toward your chest instead of
your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by
NHTSA above, while still maintaining control of the foot
pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the instrument
panel controls.
Front passenger seat
CAUTION
The SRS front passenger airbag also deploys with
considerable force, and can cause death or serious
injury especially if the front passenger is very close to
the airbag. The front passenger seat should be as far
from the airbag as possible with the seatback adjusted,
so the front passenger sits upright.
Front seats (with SRS side airbags)
CAUTION
The SRS side airbags are installed in the driver and front
passenger seats. Observe the following precautions.
 Do not lean against the front door when the vehicle
is in use, since the side airbag inflates with
considerable speed and force. Otherwise, you may
be killed or seriously injured.
 Do not use seat accessories which cover the area
where the side airbags inflate. Such accessories may
prevent the side airbags from activating correctly,
causing death or serious injury.
 Do not modify or replace the seats or upholstery of
the seats with side airbags. Such change may
prevent the side airbag system from activating
correctly, disable the system or cause the side
airbags to inflate accidentally, resulting in death or
serious injury.

STEERING WHEEL AND MIRRORS
clxxiii
TILT STEERING COLUMN
To change the steering wheel angle, hold the steering
wheel, pull up the lock release lever, tilt the steering wheel
to the desired angle and release the lever.
When the steering wheel is in a low position, it will spring up as
you release the lock release lever.
CAUTION
 Do not adjust the steering wheel 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.
 After adjusting the steering wheel, try moving it up
and down to make sure it is locked in position.
POWER ADJUSTABLE PEDALS
To adjust the position of the accelerator and brake pedals,
push the switch.
The ignition key must be in the “ON” position with the automatic
transmission selector lever in the “P” position.
To move the pedals toward the front of the vehicle: Push the
“
” side of the switch.
To move the pedals back toward you: Push the “
” side of the
switch.
The accelerator and brake pedals will move simultaneously.

STEERING WHEEL AND MIRRORS
clxxivWhen you set your driving position:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Move the accelerator and brake pedals to the front most
position.
3. Adjust the seat position and steering wheel angle properly.
(See pages cviii and clxxiii.)
4. Move the pedals toward you
until you can fully depress the
brake pedal.
5. After adjusting, depress the pedals a few times to get used
to the feel.
CAUTION
 Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while the
pedals are moving. It may cause racing of the engine
or sudden acceleration.
 Make sure that you can fully depress the brake pedal
before driving. Otherwise, you may not be able to
hold down the brake pedal firmly in an emergency
stop.
OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS
Adjust the mirror so that you can just see the side of your
vehicle in the mirror.
Be careful when judging the size or distance of any object seen
in the outside rear view mirror on the passenger’s side
because it is a convex mirror. Any object seen in a convex
mirror will look smaller and farther away than if seen in a normal
flat mirror.
When the inside rear view mirror darkens in AUTO mode, the
outside rear view mirrors also darken to reduce the reflection
of the headlights of the following vehicle. For details, see
“Inside rear view mirror” on page clxxvii.

STEERING WHEEL AND MIRRORS
clxxviii
Compass
The compass indicates the direction in which the vehicle
is heading. The illustration shown above indicates the
vehicle is heading north.
Push the “COMP” switch to turn the compass system on
and off.
If the ignition switch was turned off with the system on, the
system will automatically turn back on when the ignition switch
is turned on. Displays
Directions
N
NE E
SE S
SW W
NWNorth
Northeast East
Southeast South
Southwest West
Northwest
The compass may not show the correct direction in the
following conditions:
 The vehicle is stopped immediately after turning.
The compass does not adjust while the vehicle is stopped.
 The ignition switch is turned off immediately after turning.
 The vehicle is on an inclined surface.
 The vehicle is in a place where the earth’s magnetic field is
subject to interference by artificial magnetic fields
(underground parking, under a steel tower, between
buildings, roof parking, near a crossing, near a large vehicle,
etc.).
 The vehicle is magnetized. (There is a magnet or a metal
object on or near the inside rear view mirror.)
 The battery has been disconnected.

STEERING WHEEL AND MIRRORS
clxxxi
Drive the vehicle slowly (at 8 km/h [5 mph] or lower) in a circle
until the direction is displayed. If there is not enough space to
drive in a circle, drive around the block until the direction is
displayed.
After driving in 1 to 3 circles in the above method, calibration
is complete with the direction shown on the display. Perform
circling calibration just after you have purchased
your Lexus. And then always perform circling calibration
after the battery has been removed, replaced or
disconnected.
 Do not perform circling calibration of the compass in a place
where the earth’s magnetic field is subject to interference by
artificial magnetic fields (underground parking, under a steel
tower, between buildings, roof parking, near a crossing,
near a large vehicle, etc.).
 During calibration, do not operate electric systems
(moonroof, power windows, etc.) as they may interfere with
the calibration.
CAUTION
When doing the circling calibration, be sure to secure
a wide space, and watch out for people and vehicles
in the neighborhood. Do not violate any local traffic
rules while performing circling calibration.
 Do not adjust the display while the vehicle is moving.
Be sure to adjust the display only when the vehicle is
stopped.

AIR CONDITIONING
cxciii
(c) Operating tips
To help cool down the interior after parking in the hot sun,
drive for the first few minutes with the windows open. After
the excess heat has blown away, close the windows.
 Make sure the air inlet grilles in front of the windshield are
not blocked by leaves or other obstructions.
 If air flow control is not satisfactory, check the side vents and
rear vents. (See “(d) Side vents and rear vents”.)
 On humid days, do not blow cold air on the windshield. The
windshield could fog up because of the difference in air
temperature on the inside and outside of the windshield.
 Keep the area under the front seats clear to allow air to
circulate throughout the vehicle.
 On cold days, set the fan speed to high for a minute to help
clear the intake ducts of snow or moisture. This can reduce
the amount of fogging on the windows.
 When driving on dusty roads, close all windows. If dust
thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the vehicle after
closing the windows, it is recommended that the air intake
be set to the OUTSIDE AIR mode and the fan speed to any
setting except “OFF”. 
If following another vehicle on a dusty road, or driving in
windy and dusty conditions, it is recommended that the air
intake be temporarily set to the RECIRCULATED AIR
mode, which will close off the outside passage and prevent
outside air and dust from entering the vehicle interior.
Heating
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation —
Push in the “AUTO” button.
Temperature — To the desired temperature
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air conditioning — OFF
For manual operation —Fan speed — To the desired fan speed
Temperature — Towards high temperature
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow — FLOOR
Air conditioning — OFF
 For quick heating, select RECIRCULATED AIR for a few
minutes. To keep the windows from fogging, select
OUTSIDE AIR after the vehicle interior has been warmed.
 Push the “A/C” button on for dehumidified heating.
 Choose floor/windshield air flow to heat the vehicle interior
while defrosting or defogging the windshield.

AIR CONDITIONING
cxcivAir conditioning
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation —
Push in the “AUTO” button.
Temperature — To the desired temperature
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air conditioning — ON
For manual operation —Fan speed — To the desired fan speed
Temperature — Towards low temperature
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow — PANEL
Air conditioning — ON
 For quick cooling, select RECIRCULATED AIR for a few
minutes.
Ventilation
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation —
Push in the “AUTO” button.
Temperature — Towards low temperature
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air conditioning — OFF
For manual operation —Fan speed — To the desired fan speed
Temperature — Towards low temperature
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow — PANEL
Air conditioning — OFF
Defogging and defrosting
— The inside of the windshield
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation —Temperature — Towards high temperature to heat;
low temperature to cool
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow — WINDSHIELD
For manual operation —
Fan speed — To the desired fan speed
Temperature — Towards high temperature to heat;
low temperature to cool
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow — WINDSHIELD
When the windshield air flow button is pushed, air flows mainly
from the windshield vents and turns on the defogging function
with the purpose of clearing the front view.
Pushing this button once again returns the air flow mode to the
last one used.

AIR CONDITIONING
cxcv
This
button allows the air intake to select OUTSIDE AIR mode
automatically. This is to clean up the front view more quickly.
It is not possible to return to RECIRCULATED AIR mode in the
windshield air flow mode.
Push the “A/C” button for dehumidified heating or cooling. This
setting clears the front view more quickly.
 On humid days, do not blow cold air on the windshield — the
difference between the outside and inside temperatures
could make the fogging worse.
— The outside of the windshield
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation —
Temperature — Towards high temperature
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow — WINDSHIELD
For manual operation —
Fan speed — To the desired fan speed
Temperature — Towards high temperature
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow — WINDSHIELD
When the windshield air flow button is pushed, air flows mainly
from the windshield vents and turns on the defogging function
with the purpose of clearing the front view.
Pushing this button once again returns the air flow mode to the
last one used.
This button allows the air intake to select OUTSIDE AIR mode
automatically. This is to clean up the front view more quickly.
It is not possible to return to RECIRCULATED AIR mode in the
windshield air flow mode.
Push the “A/C” button for dehumidified heating or cooling. This
setting clears the front view more quickly.
 To heat the vehicle interior while defrosting the windshield,
choose floor/windshield air flow.

STARTING AND DRIVING
cclxv
1Brake pedal 2“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.
3. 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”.

STARTING AND DRIVING
cclxvii
(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 above for your
reference.
“3” 133 km/h (82 mph). . . . . . . .
“2” 85 km/h (53 mph)
. . . . . . . . .
“L” 47 km/h (29 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 selector lever is shifted into the “R” position, the
outside rear view mirrors automatically down to help backing
up. For details, see page clxxv.