light Lexus ES350 2008 Repair Manual

162
2-4. Using other driving systems
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
CAUTION
■Handling the radar sensor
Observe the following to ensure the pre-collision system can function effectively.
●Keep the sensor and front grille clean at all times.
Clean the sensor and front grille with a soft cloth so you do not mark or damage
them.
●Do not subject the sensor or surrounding area to a strong impact.
If the sensor moves even slightly off position, the system may malfunction. If the
sensor or surrounding area are subject to a strong impact, always have the area
inspected and adjusted by a Lexus dealer.
●Do not disassemble the sensor.
●Do not attach accessories or stickers to the sensor, grille guard or surrounding
area.
■Limitations of the pre-collision system
Do not rely on the pre-collision system. Always drive safely, taking care to observe
your surroundings and checking for any obstacles or other road hazards.

175
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
■Before towing
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. (→P. 3 2 4 )
●Trailer tires should be inflated according to the trailer manufacturer's recom-
mendation.
●All trailer lights work to be legal.
●Confirm all lights work each time you connect them.
●Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is
hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper tongue
load, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
●Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded.
●Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for towing
purposes.
■Break-in schedule
Lexus recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new
power train components (engine, transmission, differential, wheel bearings, etc.) to
tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of driving.
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. (See “Warranty and Services Guide/Owner's Manual Sup-
plement/ Scheduled Maintenance”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
CAUTION
■To avoid accident or injury
●The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus the weight of cargo) must not exceed
1000 lb. (450 kg).
●Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
●Never load more weight in the back than in the front of the trailer. About 60% of
the load should be in the front half of the trailer, and the remaining 40% in the
rear.

176
2-5. Driving information
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
CAUTION
■Hitches
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the hitch
manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of towing a
higher weight, the operator must never exceed the maximum weight rating speci-
fied for the trailer hitch.
●If you wish to install a trailer hitch, your Lexus dealer should be consulted.
●Use only a hitch that conforms to the total trailer weight requirement.
●Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
●Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
●Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer. After removing
the hitch, seal any mounting holes in the vehicle body to prevent entry of any sub-
stances into the vehicle.
■When towing a trailer
●Never tap into your vehicle's hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehicle's
braking effectiveness.
●Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both the
trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, there is
danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.
NOTICE
■When installing a trailer hitch
●Use only the position recommended by your Lexus dealer. Do not install the
trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.
●Do not use axle-mounted hitches, as they can cause damage to the axle housing,
wheel bearings, wheels or tires.
■Brakes
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable federal and
state/provincial regulations.

177
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
Trailer towing tipsYour vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. The three main
causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed and
improper trailer loading. Keep these in mind when towing.
● Before starting out, check the trailer’s lights and the vehicle-trailer
connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and rever sing with the trailer attached in an
area away from traffic until you become accustomed to the feel of the
vehicle.
● Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice. Grip
the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the left to
move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to move the
trailer to the right. (This is generally opposite to reversing without a
trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have someone
guide you when reversing to reduce the risk of an accident.
● As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of
speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
NOTICE
■Safety chain
A safety chain must always be used between the towing vehicle and the trailer.
Leave sufficient slack in the chain for turns. The chain should cross under the trailer
tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground in the case that it
becomes damaged or separated. For the correct safety chain installation proce-
dure, ask your Lexus dealer.
■Do not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing may damage your vehicle's electrical system and cause a malfunc-
tion.

Interior features3
181
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and
defogger ........................ 182
Automatic air conditioning
system ...................................... 182
Rear window and outside rear view mirror
defoggers ............................... 189
3-2. Using the audio system ........................... 190
Audio system type................... 190
Using the radio......................... 192
Using the CD player .............. 199
Playing back MP3 and
WMA discs........................... 205
Optimal use of the audio system ...................................... 213
Using the AUX adapter ........ 216
Using the steering wheel audio switches ....................... 217
3-3. Using the hands-free phone system
(for cellular phone) ...... 219
Hands-free phone system
features
(for cellular phone) .............. 219
Using the hands-free phone
system
(for cellular phone) ............. 222
Making a phone call ............. 230
Setting a cellular phone ....... 234
Security and system setup ....................................... 238 Using the phone book ........... 241
3-4. Using the interior lights ............................. 247
Interior lights list ..................... 247
• Front interior lights............. 249
• Personal lights ..................... 249
3-5. Using the storage features ........................ 250
List of storage features......... 250
• Glove box .............................. 250
• Console box .......................... 251
• Overhead console.............. 253
• Cup holders .......................... 254
• Auxiliary box ........................ 256
3-6. Other interior features ........................ 257
Sun visors ................................. 257
Vanity mirror ........................... 258
Clock ......................................... 259
Ashtray ..................................... 260
Cigarette lighter ...................... 261
Power outlet ............................ 262
Seat heaters and ventilators ............................. 263
Armrest .................................... 265
Rear sunshade ........................ 266
Extended trunk....................... 268
Floor mat .................................. 269
Trunk features ......................... 270
Garage door opener ............ 272
Compass.................................... 277

187
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
3
Interior features
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
■Using the automatic mode
Fan speed is adjusted automatically in accordance with the temperature setting and
ambient conditions. As a result, the following may occur.
●The system may switch automatically to recirculated mode when the coolest
temperature setting is selected in summer.
●Immediately after the switch is pressed, the fan may stop for a while until warm
or cool air is ready to flow.
●Cool air may flow to the area around the upper body when the heater is on.
■Using the system in recirculated air mode
The windows will fog up more easily if the recirculated air mode is used for an
extended period.
■Window defogger feature
Recirculated air mode may automatically switch to
(outside air) mode in sit-
uations where the windows need to be defogged.
■Outside air temperature approaches 32 °F (0 °C).
The air conditioning system may not operate even when
is pressed.
■When the indicator light on flashes
Press
and turn off the air conditioning system before turning it on once
more. There may be a problem in the air conditioning system if the indicator light
continues to flash. Turn the air conditioning system off and have it inspected by your
Lexus dealer.
■Automatic mode for air intake control
In automatic mode, the system detects exhaust gas and other pollutants and auto-
matically switches between outside air and recirculated air modes.
CAUTION
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
Do not use during cool air operation in extremely humid weather. The dif-
ference between the temperature of the outside air and that of the windshield can
cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, blocking your vision.

204
3-2. Using the audio system
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
NOTICE
■CD player precautions
Failure to follow the precautions below may result in serious damage to the CDs or
the player itself.
●Do not insert anything other than CDs into the CD slot.
●Do not apply oil to the CD player.
●Store CDs away from direct sunlight.
●Never try to disassemble any part of the CD player.
●Do not insert more than one CD at a time.

212
3-2. Using the audio system
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
NOTICE
■CD player precautions
Failure to follow the precautions below may result in damage to the CDs or the
player itself.
●Do not insert anything other than CDs into the CD slot.
●Do not apply oil to the CD player.
●Store CDs away from direct sunlight.
●Never try to disassemble any part of the CD player.
●Do not insert more than one CD at a time.

247
3
Interior features
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
3-4. Using the interior lights
Interior lights list
Your Lexus is equipped with the illuminated entry system to assist in enter-
ing the vehicle. Owing to the function of the system, the lights shown in the
following illustration automatically turn on/off according to the presence of
the electronic key, whether the door s are locked/unlocked, whether the
doors are opened/closed, and the “ENGINE START STOP” switch mode.
Front personal lights (→P. 2 4 9 )
Front interior lights ( →P. 2 4 9 )
Rear personal lights (→ P. 2 4 9 )
Rear interior lights
Door courtesy lighting
Shift lever lighting
This light turns on or off depending on the darkness of the surroundings
when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in ACCESSORY or IGNI-
TION ON mode.
Front foot well lighting
Outer foot lights

248
3-4. Using the interior lights
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
■To prevent the battery from being discharged
If the following lights remain ON when the door is not fully closed and the DOOR
switch is ON, the lights will go off automatically after 20 minutes.
●Interior lights
●Front personal lights
●Front foot well lighting
●Rear door courtesy lighting
■Customization that can be configured at Lexus dealer
Settings (e.g. The time elapsed before lights turn off) can be changed.
(Customizable features
→P. 4 3 3 )